9000Redline

This is the most recent thread I found regarding replacing rod bearings. Thread says both BM Workshop as well as Taylor automotive can take care of this. I haven't made inquiries yet as I don't have a car yet but good to know it has been done in NZ with success

Thank you. Found several leads. Was searching for 'm3' and 'm3 bearing' and somehow it did not find anything. Perhaps because I wasn't logged in when I searched? Anyhow, thanks for the tip!

Hi guys, sorry to thread hijack but I'm in the market for an e90/92 M3 but been holding off for not knowing who can swap bearings in NZ. Have inquired with Winger in Wellington (where I'm based) and they said they've never replaced bearnings, and I got the feeling they would not feel comfortable doing that kind of preventative work. So, having found this thread, I'm reading BM workshop in Auckland can do the work. I've heard good things before about BM. Can anybody confirm BM have done this on a S65 engine with success? What kind of price range are we talking for replacement? less than 10k, or more? Thanks everybody. I did try to use the search function to find this information but never got any hits returned. Hoping to find some help to finally get into the M3 I've been lusting for for yeras! (I've driven many but none excited me as much as the v8 one) Cheers!

Kyu, long shot but do you happen to run a car dealership in ACK? Was meant to meet a person with your name in ACK a couple of years back to test drive an E92. If it's you, good to see you love your BMWs!

Appreciate your advice so far. A different question, how bad is the SMG for reliability? I mean what are the things expect to replace regularly, and how bad is access to those parts (gear box out, or even engine out?) Are the parts that need replace just BMW parts, wear items basically, or does it need to be fixed properly with an after market parts, like some of the chassis refinforcement kits some people install on their e46? If I can spend a grand or two to get SMG bullet proof that would be excellent. I'm asking because I've driven SMG also and was OK with it. Convenient and probably faster on track, also good for the engine, less chance of somebody overrevving it on downshift at some point. By the way can you blib the throttle on SMGs on downshifts to prevent wheels locking? I obviously did not attempt that on the cars I test drove.

Interesting. You sure that is not just your particular car? It seems strange than an older car would rattle less. But I know what yuo mean, I guess trim pieces can be attached in good ways or cheap ways that will rattle. What would be your reasons to buy an E90 M3 over e46? The obvious one is 4 doors but not a requirement here, no kids. I loved the V8 too when I test drove it, but I can say the same the thing for the V6. I want the engine that is better suited to getting beat on at track periodically. The e46 is definately the more raw car and engine. But I didn't mind the engine on the e46 for dailying, completely fine. Is there a V8 that is direct injected by the way? I know it was updated in 2010. Did that do much to reduce it's thirst? I like that they managed to up hp and torque by the same amount the increased capacity (4l to 4.4) that is efficiency

I've read the above thread but I need a bit more info on engines. I have seen many engines lost (mostly bearings) at Manfield due to the fast, banked sweepers. Hondas, Mitsis, Subis.. it's common. I heard the e46M3 has a scavenging oil pump to prevent oil starvation. That sounds encouraging. But I have zero idea about the deal behind Vanos and why some owners chose to upgrade them. That is a question mark for me. In general I'd like to hear from somebody who has really given it some stick on track for an extended time and seen if any issues surfaced. I heard there was a forum user on this board (M3 power?) who used to run his M3 CSL around Hamptons. I'm kinda hoping he would chime in. Otherwise I might just message him directly. Price wise the e46 is a great option of course, and less of an expense to move up from my s2000. I absolutely hate rattling interious though. How does that work out between the e46 and e92 M3? I've test driven an e46 at 130ks and e92 with 70ks and they were both fine. E92 was the nice car interiour wise of course but on the wrong side of heavy for me. A mint e46 would suit me I think.

Thanks, I will have a read!

Hello BMW fans, I own a S2000 at the moment but I am considering moving to an E46 M3 or E92. We used to own a a 116i and 118i but the family has been without BMW for a while now so maybe it's time to get one again I daily my S2000 and also like to do track days a couple of times a year and the car has been great for that. I'm mostly looking for a more comfy daily driver, while maintaining track reliabitliy. I realize maintainance is more expensive, that's not a concern for me. The only thing I want to avoid is writing off an engine or gearbox or other non-wear parts. The F20c 2l in the S2000 had a couple of known issues that needed taking care of before it was safe to run it on track with semi tires, mostly relating to oil starvation etc. The rest is bullet proof on the car. How is the S54 and S65 engine in that respect? If there are members that have run either of these cars on track events I'd grateful for a rundown of thinss to look at reliability wise, pre and post purchase and if high milage cars such as 140k+ are a no go zone for track use. Many thanks in advance for your comments Matthias