Cost of rod bearing replacement

Wendall · 08-07-2013, 06:48 PM

All this crazy longwong talk has got me paranoid. I have been scrubbing the boards trying to find out what the cost of replacing the rod bearings. I have heard $800-$2000 from random people that I have encountered.

Can anyone give me the real cost of labor to replace the rod bearings. I am thinking about doing it once I hit 60k miles.

VCMpower · 08-07-2013, 07:08 PM

It is about 15 hours to remove and replace motor complete, plus an extra couple hours to swap bearings. So roughly equates to $1700 on average lab rate. It can be done in the car easily inside of 8 hours, so $800. If you are being quoted any more than either of these routes I would shop elsewhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggynuts01

All this crazy longwong talk has got me paranoid. I have been scrubbing the boards trying to find out what the cost of replacing the rod bearings. I have heard $800-$2000 from random people that I have encountered.

Can anyone give me the real cost of labor to replace the rod bearings. I am thinking about doing it once I hit 60k miles.

HeartMD · 08-07-2013, 07:08 PM

+1, When I first got this car I was so stoked about it. Then over the past 6months the whole Rod bearing issue started to pop up on a daily basis. Really got me paranoid about this car when its out of warranty considering the failures have happend to NA stock motors.

VCMpower · 08-07-2013, 07:11 PM

And all the talk of heart failures in humans has made me keep my heart rate below 80bpm! LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeartMD

+1, When I first got this car I was so stoked about it. Then over the past 6months the whole Rod bearing issue started to pop up on a daily basis. Really got me paranoid about this car when its out of warranty considering the failures have happend to NA stock motors.

VCMpower · 08-07-2013, 07:14 PM

You guys are only going to continue to dislike your fantastic car the more you read into this. How about if it fails you will deal with it then, chances are it will not though. Due diligence on warm up and oil changes, drive on..

Trip3's · 08-07-2013, 07:16 PM

From what I recall in the LONG bearing thread if you get oil analysis done periodically it should tell you if there is engine wear. Spending $800 if you don't have to IMO is unwarranted. Hopefully one of the 3 (kawi, regular guy,bmrlvr) can correct me if I'm wrong.

Wendall · 08-07-2013, 07:18 PM

VCM, I appreciate your info. That makes me feel alot better. I dont mind paying ~$1k (including bearings) every 50k miles to be safe.

VCMpower · 08-07-2013, 07:18 PM

^^

VCMpower · 08-07-2013, 07:23 PM

You are welcome. I have 20+ E9x clients of all driving types and some SC'd , and some grocery getters. One guy we just finished the first Liberty Walk widebody in Canada on. and he is a drift king! His car rarely sees below 7k rpm. It is a 2008 and has 74,000 km. No issues with that one

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggynuts01

VCM, I appreciate your info. That makes me feel alot better. I dont mind paying ~$1k (including bearings) every 50k miles to be safe.

FogCityM3 · 08-07-2013, 07:26 PM

We must refuse to be terrorized! If you are scared, the evildoers will have won. If you refuse to be scared, they will have lost!

kawasaki00 · 08-07-2013, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip3's

From what I recall in the LONG bearing thread if you get oil analysis done periodically it should tell you if there is engine wear. Spending $800 if you don't have to IMO is unwarranted. Hopefully one of the 3 (kawi, regular guy,bmrlvr) can correct me if I'm wrong.

Oil analysis is helpful but not a tell all. Looking for a pattern really, I think mkpoto consistently sees elevated copper.
Everyone should make educated decisions on if they want to change them or not. I am going to change mine at 60k just because if I change them I know I will never have to mess with it. It is a easy job and can be done in my shop in a afternoon.
That being said there are many just as vcmpower has pointed out that have no issues.

BPMSport · 08-07-2013, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggynuts01

VCM, I appreciate your info. That makes me feel alot better. I dont mind paying ~$1k (including bearings) every 50k miles to be safe.

Same here. Going to get mine replaced in January. I presume ill have about 56K by then.

Just need to find a pro to do it.

W/// · 08-07-2013, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawasaki00

Oil analysis is helpful but not a tell all. Looking for a pattern really, I think mkpoto consistently sees elevated copper.
Everyone should make educated decisions on if they want to change them or not. I am going to change mine at 60k just because if I change them I know I will never have to mess with it. It is a easy job and can be done in my shop in a afternoon.
That being said there are many just as vcmpower has pointed out that have no issues.

Willing to do other local cars (for a fee of course)?

BPMSport · 08-07-2013, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W///

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawasaki00

Oil analysis is helpful but not a tell all. Looking for a pattern really, I think mkpoto consistently sees elevated copper.
Everyone should make educated decisions on if they want to change them or not. I am going to change mine at 60k just because if I change them I know I will never have to mess with it. It is a easy job and can be done in my shop in a afternoon.
That being said there are many just as vcmpower has pointed out that have no issues.

Willing to do other local cars (for a fee of course)?

Yeah.. I probably wouldn't even mind shipping it.

Wendall · 08-07-2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Same here. Going to get mine replaced in January. I presume ill have about 56K by then.

Just need to find a pro to do it.

Let me know who u use.

BPMSport · 08-07-2013, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggynuts01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Same here. Going to get mine replaced in January. I presume ill have about 56K by then.

Just need to find a pro to do it.

Let me know who u use.

I have a couple places in mind.. But going to check on pricing.

I think ill go with the VAC ones. Been toying with the idea of driving to the east coast to have them do it and meet fellow enthusiasts on the way. For now it's just a dream.

Malek@MRF · 08-07-2013, 10:09 PM

It is not too tough of a job, just a full days work. The motor does not need to be removed, just the front sub frame removed the make way to removing the oil pan to access the bearings.

tom @ eas · 08-07-2013, 10:12 PM

We will also be offering this as a service for SoCal forum members.

Wendall · 08-07-2013, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

I have a couple places in mind.. But going to check on pricing.

I think ill go with the VAC ones. Been toying with the idea of driving to the east coast to have them do it and meet fellow enthusiasts on the way. For now it's just a dream.

That would be a sick trip. Do a bpm caravan!

BPMSport · 08-07-2013, 10:44 PM

Malek & Tom - price and comfortability level?

MilehighM3 · 08-07-2013, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

I have a couple places in mind.. But going to check on pricing.

I think ill go with the VAC ones. Been toying with the idea of driving to the east coast to have them do it and meet fellow enthusiasts on the way. For now it's just a dream.

If you do I recommend the trip through Colorado, just not in your beautiful M in January!

I'll swap them out for you and we can work out a trade of sorts...Maybe I can set you up with some local cars to tune if you want to make a day of it.

:

Wendall · 08-07-2013, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

It is not too tough of a job, just a full days work. The motor does not need to be removed, just the front sub frame removed the make way to removing the oil pan to access the bearings.

I'll have a few things to send your way. Do you recommend oem or VAC coated bearings?

08-07-2013, 06:48 PM	#1
Wendall ***Major MammelToe 159 Rep 1,139 Posts Drives: E92 M3 SG coupe Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (3)	Cost of rod bearing replacement All this crazy longwong talk has got me paranoid. I have been scrubbing the boards trying to find out what the cost of replacing the rod bearings. I have heard $800-$2000 from random people that I have encountered. Can anyone give me the real cost of labor to replace the rod bearings. I am thinking about doing it once I hit 60k miles. __________________ E92 M3 SG DCT - AA Filter, Verstraβe Paddles, ECS SS, MH race stud, Stoptech BBK, MR Exhaust,RE Pulley, BPM Tune,Euro bumper and GTS lip, Euro MDM & DCT, KW CS, Recaro PP, TMS Soild Diff Mounts, MRF solid subframe mounts, GTS aero, RPM track built motor.
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08-07-2013, 07:08 PM	#3
HeartMD Captain 49 Rep 656 Posts Drives: 2011.75 MW,ZCP E92 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	+1, When I first got this car I was so stoked about it. Then over the past 6months the whole Rod bearing issue started to pop up on a daily basis. Really got me paranoid about this car when its out of warranty considering the failures have happend to NA stock motors. __________________ 2011.75 E92 MW/BB extended,ZCP,ZP2,ZCV, IPOD,BMW APPS, Heatedseats,6MT, Edition Black Chrome Grills & Side Gills, CF splitters, CF performance spoiler, CF mirror caps, Turner black anodized pedals, Akropovic Evolution exhaust w/CF tips, Still Undecided on tune, AFE Pro5r, AFE intake scoops, LUX H8 2009 E92 JB/Black 335 xdrive (retired)
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08-07-2013, 07:14 PM	#5
VCMpower Banned 25 Rep 873 Posts Drives: 2010 Dakar, 2013 Fire Orange Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Victoria B.C. iTrader: (0)	You guys are only going to continue to dislike your fantastic car the more you read into this. How about if it fails you will deal with it then, chances are it will not though. Due diligence on warm up and oil changes, drive on..
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08-07-2013, 07:16 PM	#6
Trip3's Lieutenant 22 Rep 453 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Long island iTrader: (0)	From what I recall in the LONG bearing thread if you get oil analysis done periodically it should tell you if there is engine wear. Spending $800 if you don't have to IMO is unwarranted. Hopefully one of the 3 (kawi, regular guy,bmrlvr) can correct me if I'm wrong. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-07-2013, 07:18 PM	#7
Wendall ***Major MammelToe 159 Rep 1,139 Posts Drives: E92 M3 SG coupe Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (3)	VCM, I appreciate your info. That makes me feel alot better. I dont mind paying ~$1k (including bearings) every 50k miles to be safe. __________________ E92 M3 SG DCT - AA Filter, Verstraβe Paddles, ECS SS, MH race stud, Stoptech BBK, MR Exhaust,RE Pulley, BPM Tune,Euro bumper and GTS lip, Euro MDM & DCT, KW CS, Recaro PP, TMS Soild Diff Mounts, MRF solid subframe mounts, GTS aero, RPM track built motor.
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08-07-2013, 07:26 PM	#10
FogCityM3 Colonel 500 Rep 2,400 Posts Drives: M3 (E90) & Porsche GT3 RS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	We must refuse to be terrorized! If you are scared, the evildoers will have won. If you refuse to be scared, they will have lost!
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08-07-2013, 10:09 PM	#17
Malek@MRF BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 732 Rep 3,735 Posts Drives: E92 M3, E46 M3, G82 M4 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Irvine, California iTrader: (5)	It is not too tough of a job, just a full days work. The motor does not need to be removed, just the front sub frame removed the make way to removing the oil pan to access the bearings. __________________ BMW PERFORMANCE SPECIALISTS. Race Engines. Suspension. F/I. Brakes. Race Preparation. Factory Service. Alignments. OFFICIAL PARTNERS: KW. MOTON. Brembo. AP Racing. BBS Motorsport. iND. HRE. Turner Motorsport. VAC. BMW Motorsport. Facebook \| Instagram \| Yelp! \| Flikr Phone: 949-233-0448 \| E-Mail: info@mrfengineering.com
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08-07-2013, 10:12 PM	#18
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08-07-2013, 10:44 PM	#20
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