Did my rod bearings at 50k kms (31k miles), let's see how bad they are.

[JimmyChengCA]

I just did my rod bearing at Vitek's autowork in Calgary, many thanks to those who recommended Vitek to me and they are super easy to work with and the they charge a reasonable fee as well.

According to them, these are just light wears. Apparently due to lower milage and the fact the car has never been tracked probably helped.
Note: my m3 is 2012 model so no copper parts.
What do you guys think? Is it too early? But I guess it's always good to have a peace of mind.

[Pheonix]

Thank you for sharing!
My 2012 e93 M3 currently at 36k miles and I am thinking of doing it but haven't got time to get to it.

[DRLane]

Add to this thread when able : Official S65 Rod Bearing Condition Example Thread https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1253084

Good on you for the BE preventative. That wear doesn't look "light" as there's considerable contact. But 🤷🏻*♂️

[JimmyChengCA]

Originally Posted by DRLane

Add to this thread when able : Official S65 Rod Bearing Condition Example Thread https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1253084

Good on you for the BE preventative. That wear doesn't look "light" as there's considerable contact. But 🤷🏻*♂️

OK I'll do so right now. Yeah I thought it doesn't look light at all. Maybe they've seen much worse lol. Actually I wonder why it looks coppery in the wear part even though there's no copper in it.

[tbuck]

I would agree that is not light, certainly not by S65 standards. Are you sure those are the original RB's?

[JimmyChengCA]

Originally Posted by tbuck

I would agree that is not light, certainly not by S65 standards. Are you sure those are the original RB's?

yeah I'm pretty sure. Haven't done bearings before. That's why I'm so confused why it looks like copper inside. I'll ask them about that.

[PACarGuy]

Doesn't look so different from my MY12 original bearings replaced at 58k. I don't think it's really copper in color - likely just the tint of the metal in the camera.

[vitalsigns]

The "light wear" comment by the shop would give me concern over whether the shop knows what they're doing. But I guess it's too late now.

[panda-R]

Originally Posted by vitalsigns

The "light wear" comment by the shop would give me concern over whether the shop knows what they're doing. But I guess it's too late now.

light wear is relative.

[panda-R]

Originally Posted by JimmyChengCA

According to them, these are just light wears.

My 2011 looked similar. Most of the newer harder bearings look like that. Don't stress yourself out.

[JimmyChengCA]

Originally Posted by vitalsigns

The "light wear" comment by the shop would give me concern over whether the shop knows what they're doing. But I guess it's too late now.

It's actually not nearly as bad when I saw them in person. The photo somewhat made it look way worse

[bselim3]

I just picked up a 2011 with 34k miles, and am scheduled to have the RB's replaced next week.
I'll take some pics and share here for comparison.

[JimmyChengCA]

Originally Posted by bselim3

I just picked up a 2011 with 34k miles, and am scheduled to have the RB's replaced next week.
I'll take some pics and share here for comparison.

That'll be awesome thanks. I'm curious too.

[tacoman]

Had BMW replace my block (new).@ 6 years ago due to RB failure (on their dime). I have 25k on the new engine and 62k on the chassis.

I don't think I would need to replace RB's anytime soon.
...or is that faulty thinking??

[vitalsigns]

Originally Posted by tacoman

Had BMW replace my block (new).@ 6 years ago due to RB failure (on their dime). I have 25k on the new engine and 62k on the chassis.

I don't think I would need to replace RB's anytime soon.
...or is that faulty thinking??

A new engine does not fix the OEM design defect of too tight tolerances. Certainly a new engine will offer more runway before a blown engine (assuming that particular engine is susceptible), but it's impossible to know in advance whether your engine is susceptible, thus many owners just address the underlying issue and pay for the certainty of after-market bearings with larger tolerances.