aja540i 1906 Report post Posted March 5, 2018 I am getting ready to have the rod bearings replaced in the M5 as i am on borrowed time with them (157000 kms), looks like there are plenty of options for getting the parts at a reasonable price, but i doubt BMW will be interested in doing the work if i supply the parts, so i am hunting for a reputable shop to do the deed. I have seen Taylor automotive mentioned a few places and am wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with them good or bad? PM me if you don't feel comfortable mentioning here. I have also asked BMW for an estimate for the whole job. I am probably going to use the BE bearings replacements as i will be monitoring them with oil analysis at every service and they use a copper/ lead bearing surface which gives plenty of warning of impending doom, the new BMW bearings are aluminum/ tin which don't. I am also going to try and sneak a power pulley kit past the accountant at the same time.... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matth5 471 Report post Posted March 5, 2018 BM Workshop outsourced some of the engine work on my N55 to them, I can see it on the invoice. Going by the invoice: head bolt thread repair, head gasket replacement and cylinder head inspection. It's still running perfectly several thousand km later so I guess they're ok Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3AN 4016 Report post Posted March 5, 2018 It also might pay to give Kayne Barry a call. He might not be the best person to do it, or even be in a position to do it at all but it's a sure bet he'll be able to give you some reliable recommendations. On the other hand, if BM Workshop are happy to use Taylor Auto then that's a pretty good endorsement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toast 117 Report post Posted March 6, 2018 +1 for Taylor Automotive Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted March 30, 2018 I have found a willing mechanic (that i trust) and ordered parts from Turner motorsport, about $2500 NZD all up. Once bits arrive it will be off to the mechanic to spill its guts. Only 1 person i contacted apart from BMW was willing to do the work which surprised me, it is a fairly basic bearing replacement and it has been done by a lot of people but it seemed to scare everyone i spoke to. Once it has been done and i do a few running in donuts it will be getting an inspection II at BMW, and i will be doing oil analysis at every oil change to monitor condition. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted March 30, 2018 Good idea re oil analysis, I've just started doing such on my 3UZ soarer to see whats going on with the Penrtie 5w-30 Race 5 oil I run, after 4500km / 6 months it was showing 10 ppm copper, all the other metals less than that. Only anomaly was 79 ppm Silicon (Si) content, but I think this was from the old container I used, so next time I'll be sure to use clean new stuff for the next sample. I used lubenz.co.nz $66 for the sample test. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted March 30, 2018 I used Gough, $49. Includes postage. From memory my copper was about 7 ppm, but lead was up around 28. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted May 2, 2018 Big ol' box of goodies arrived on doorstep yesterday, now to open the motor up and tip them in.... 3 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted May 2, 2018 2 hours ago, aja540i said: Big ol' box of goodies arrived on doorstep yesterday, now to open the motor up and tip them in.... nice , you doing the vanos oil lines up the front of the engine while your in there? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted May 3, 2018 The one that lives in the sump is getting done, will probably do the others when the next thing needs replacing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted June 8, 2018 Car is on a hoist with all the paraphenalia removed to allow the sump to fall off, found a leaking power steering hose so that is on its way from Germany, power pulley arrived yesterday so will be fitted at the same time, should help with the running in donuts! Also noticed some tired bushes in front suspension but will get those replaced at next service after bearings are run in. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted June 19, 2018 So, apparently got to this just in time, very light scoring on the crank but not enough to worry about, lower oil pump chain guide broken but still in place, bearings well used... 6 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lubed 55 Report post Posted June 19, 2018 How many kms has your car travelled? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted June 19, 2018 How many layers of the bearing had been worn down? Looks like a few! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3AN 4016 Report post Posted June 19, 2018 You're going to be able to drive it like you stole it for another 150k soon! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted June 19, 2018 2 hours ago, Lubed said: How many kms has your car travelled? About 160k. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted June 19, 2018 43 minutes ago, Michael. said: How many layers of the bearing had been worn down? Looks like a few! I belive the copper Is the first coating layer on the base metal, then lead, then a teflon type material, so almost through 3 layers In places. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted June 19, 2018 Fascinating. I guess there is only so much oil can do when dealing with a 11 year old well used machine that has the most race like engine in a 'common' road car. It would be interesting to see how good one of these engines would be if perfectly treated very time it was warmed up, driven, had oil changes etc. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted June 19, 2018 From what I understand the main issue is the size of the bearings, they have a very small surface area when compared to bearings from more run of the mill engines, and given that the red line is 8250 rpm they cop a bit of punishment. I have seen pictures of worse bearings from much lower mileage cars, so mine has probably been treated better than some, one careful lady owner, only driven to church on Sunday etc! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted June 19, 2018 Interesting. Would it be safe to say the bearing cops more pressure with less surface area? Or is it more along the lines of less surface area equates to higher temperatures on the bearing surface? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allanw 1071 Report post Posted June 20, 2018 12 hours ago, aja540i said: so mine has probably been treated better than some, one careful lady owner, only driven to church on Sunday etc! I can personally vouch that this car has NEVER been over the legal open road speed limit... ... in my driveway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted June 20, 2018 2 hours ago, Allanw said: I can personally vouch that this car has NEVER been over the legal open road speed limit... ... in my driveway. yet... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted June 20, 2018 18 hours ago, Michael. said: Interesting. Would it be safe to say the bearing cops more pressure with less surface area? Or is it more along the lines of less surface area equates to higher temperatures on the bearing surface? A bit of both i think, its harder to maintain a good oil film between the bearing and crank with higher pressure due to smaller surface area, which in turn leads to higher temps and contact between the surfaces. I think over all BMW did a pretty good job with the lubrication system on this motor, but there are always compromises when you are designing an engine to sell to the public. Also this engine was designed using their experience with their F1 V10, and none of them were expected to do 160,000 km !! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted June 21, 2018 Yeah I agree completely. And once it's built and sold it's out of their hands for well they are treated. The life of the engine is always going be shortened by: Driving hard during cold starts Wrong oil grade / additive specifications Unsuitable fuel types Infrequent oil changes, duration or mileage Air and oil filters being neglected, or not OEM spec. Track racing is naturally hard on an engine and other stuffff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3AN 4016 Report post Posted June 21, 2018 Can we all do skids with it to break them in? #RaDzSkDz 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
