Do RB’s, or let warranty handle it

[E92Bean]

I just bought my dream spec e92 m3 comp. I always planned to do BE RB’s preventatively, but I opted for a 3 year warranty that covers my engine and trans. Essentially, if I blow a motor and my maintenance is up to date, it’ll be covered. I found it appealing for peace of mind for any random issues that could pop up too. So now it makes a bit less sense to also pay for a separate RB job. My instinct is to knock it out, but I paid for coverage so why not ride out.
Thoughts?

*UPDATE: I had my rod bearings replaced today.

[Helmsman]

Since you're asking I guess towards where you are leaning and I tend to agree. I did my RBs prior my warranty went out. A reasonable investment, and who would like to deal with an insurance company should the motor blow. After you maybe have been able to forced them to pay up, there are only used engines in unknow shape to replace with. While you at least have som history on your current motor.

[amrazM]

those third party warranty companies are very effective at finding ways to not pay for repairs, especially a complete engine replacement. Just do your rod bearings now rather than potentially waiting until the motor grenades then being there for 6 months trying to fight with the warranty company for an engine replacement. you have shops in california doing it for basically the price of parts, check the facebook m3 owners group.

[Redd]

The worse thing is that they try to repair your blown engine and you're stuck with a POS car after that. Do your RBs.

[E92Bean]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Since you're asking I guess towards where you are leaning and I tend to agree. I did my RBs prior my warranty went out. A reasonable investment, and who would like to deal with an insurance company should the motor blow. After you maybe have been able to forced them to pay up, there are only used engines in unknow shape to replace with. While you at least have som history on your current motor.

I was thinking similarly. Claim process would be brutal for something this catastrophic. Warranty can help with the less severe issues.

[egebhardt]

The warranty folks will say you blew the engine. You could spend $20,000 fighting their legal team and not win.

Quit buying warranties and do the actual maintenance, IMO. You'll save in the long-run, assuming you have more than 20 years to live.

[MAE90M3]

Just curious, how much did this warranty cost? Also, any requirements like using only OEM parts, etc?

[Sideways91]

If you do replace your rod bearings while your car is under warranty and you still happen to have some type of engine issue afterwards- don't you think the warranty company is going to deny your coverage because of it if they discover this type of inner engine work was done after you purchased warranty?

Personally, since you have the coverage as a worst case fallback, I'd play the German lottery and wait to replace your bearings until closer to when your warranty expires. Good chance you'll be just fine and you have a safety net if not. Why spend the money sooner than you need to and put wear on your new bearings during a period the car is under warranty anyway?

[VR1]

I'd go ahead and replace them. I had my warranty cover my engine mounts which covered a good portion of the labor for the bearings - I was out like $1500 total for the bearings including parts + remaining labor. Maybe you can do the same.

In total I paid $3,500 for my 5 year warranty and so far am at ~$5k in expenses including new seals for the DCT, new seals for the diff, motor mounts, new valve cover gaskets.

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by VR1

I'd go ahead and replace them. I had my warranty cover my engine mounts which covered a good portion of the labor for the bearings - I was out like $1500 total for the bearings including parts + remaining labor. Maybe you can do the same.

In total I paid $3,500 for my 5 year warranty and so far am at ~$5k in expenses including new seals for the DCT, new seals for the diff, motor mounts, new valve cover gaskets.

yah the warranty is pretty good tbh, my friend had his E60M5 SMG covered twice.

[Reddevils7]

Instead of warranty I went ahead and just scheduled RB service at auto couture next week. I budgeted RB and TA in my original budget. TA only when they go bad so knock on wood it won't be for a long time as my car only has 19k miles. I wanted to just do RB now for peace of mind because it'll be my daily driver for the foreseeable future and I plan to put on a lot of miles. Most of the smaller things that tend to commonly go on this car I can do myself in terms of labor

[BP709]

Some third party warranties are excellent. Some are total garbage. Depends on which company you went with. I personally wouldn’t put it up to chance and would do them as preventative maintenance.

[E92Bean]

Originally Posted by VR1

I'd go ahead and replace them. I had my warranty cover my engine mounts which covered a good portion of the labor for the bearings - I was out like $1500 total for the bearings including parts + remaining labor. Maybe you can do the same.

In total I paid $3,500 for my 5 year warranty and so far am at ~$5k in expenses including new seals for the DCT, new seals for the diff, motor mounts, new valve cover gaskets.

My warranty is similar, how did you claim the bearings as a warranty item? My main thought is that they wouldn’t be as inclined to cover preventative repairs, and want evidence of failure.

Regardless of bearings I wanted a warranty to cover all those following items as they arise. It adds up quick!

[E92Bean]

Originally Posted by Sideways91

If you do replace your rod bearings while your car is under warranty and you still happen to have some type of engine issue afterwards- don't you think the warranty company is going to deny your coverage because of it if they discover this type of inner engine work was done after you purchased warranty?

Personally, since you have the coverage as a worst case fallback, I'd play the German lottery and wait to replace your bearings until closer to when your warranty expires. Good chance you'll be just fine and you have a safety net if not. Why spend the money sooner than you need to and put wear on your new bearings during a period the car is under warranty anyway?

I had one of my friends also with a warranty echo a similar plan. I have 3 years. Essentially the warranty requires receipts for all maintenance completed, and that it’s done on proper intervals for coverage. E.g oil changes every 10k miles (while I sneak in a few DIY at 3k mile intervals). If aftermarket parts can be tied to a failure, it won’t be covered. Hence why I won’t be tuning the car. So with that, BE bearings aren’t factory parts, may be seen as a “mod” and as you said may have them deny coverage.

[E92Bean]

Originally Posted by Reddevils7

Instead of warranty I went ahead and just scheduled RB service at auto couture next week. I budgeted RB and TA in my original budget. TA only when they go bad so knock on wood it won't be for a long time as my car only has 19k miles. I wanted to just do RB now for peace of mind because it'll be my daily driver for the foreseeable future and I plan to put on a lot of miles. Most of the smaller things that tend to commonly go on this car I can do myself in terms of labor

I also budgeted for those jobs, and have a tentative appointment next week for bearings. Starting to think I could just hold off until closer to the end of my 3 year warranty if nothing has come up. I like the piece of mind for any power train issues that could arise.

[E92Bean]

Originally Posted by MAE90M3

Just curious, how much did this warranty cost? Also, any requirements like using only OEM parts, etc?

It was around $3,500 for 3 years of coverage, this car was CPO 2 owner car from a BMW dealer. It requires records of services like oil changes to be completed by shops at appropriate intervals as long as it’s not DIY. They said even a jiffy lube works even though I wouldn’t trust them with my car lol. Also no modifications that can be traced to failures. I didn’t want to modify this car much anyways aside from maybe a carbon plenum.

I’ll double check on the OEM parts bit. This would be an issue with the bearings as if prefer to get BE bearings and ARP bolts when the time comes.

[deansbimmer]

Absolutely do not rely on a warranty company to handle an engine replacement.

It's obviously on your mind, and the job can be done these days at a very reasonable cost including new engine mounts.

My shop deals with these companies frequently, so trust me when I tell you that a warranty exchange will never be to your satisfaction. Assuming approval is made, there are almost always clauses permitting them to source the engine or cap the cost of the replacement engine. To do a quality exchange and not the bare minimum they'll pay for, you'll be out of pocket thousands to pay the difference for a decent final product that you'll be happy with. Even at that point, such an intrusive job is not ideal. Your engine serial will no longer match the chassis, and all of the considerations will negatively impact your vehicle's value.

If you think bearings are a service that should be done, DO IT, and don't rely on a warranty to cover you if the engine fails.

[VR1]

Originally Posted by WClutch

My warranty is similar, how did you claim the bearings as a warranty item? My main thought is that they wouldn’t be as inclined to cover preventative repairs, and want evidence of failure.

Regardless of bearings I wanted a warranty to cover all those following items as they arise. It adds up quick!

I didn't have my warranty cover the bearings, rather they covered engine mounts, and some of the labor to do the bearings is covered (overlapped) by the labor to do engine mounts. If your warranty covers engine mounts and your shop has experience working with 3rd party warranty companies it shouldn't be an issue to do this. Just have your shop warranty the engine mounts and then you can pay the excess labor to do the bearings.

[omgzirra_exe]

a lot of times with these warranty companies they want you to keep track of your engine service.. and it can't be performed by you, there has to be invoice paper trails with shops doing the labor work as proof.. so a lot of times it comes down to that.

because they can deny you for "neglect" when it comes to engine replacements.

[BryanCO]

Did I miss the mention of current mileage on the car?

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Sideways91

Personally, since you have the coverage as a worst case fallback, I'd play the German lottery and wait to replace your bearings until closer to when your warranty expires. Good chance you'll be just fine and you have a safety net if not.

The more I read this forum the more I feel like we’re ALL playing the German lottery just owning this car. Or engine blowup musical chairs.

[E92Bean]

Originally Posted by BryanCO

Did I miss the mention of current mileage on the car?

It has 92,000. I’m getting them done tomorrow I decided.