E46 M3 Rod BEaring Recall

[Big Daddy]

Friday, SI B 11 04 04 Technical service bulletin was issued.

Subject:
Service Action E46 M3 S54 Connection Rod Bearings Replacement

Model:
E46 M3 coupe/convertibles with S54B32 engine produced from 2/12/2001 up to 5/22/2003.

Situation:
The connecting rod bearings installed in M3 coupe/convertible vehicles produced from February 2001 through May 2003 were not manufactured to BMW quality standards. As a result, the connecting rod bearings are susceptible to overheating and subsequent premature failure if vehicles are driven at higher engine speeds over an extended time frame. This condition will cause total engine failure...

The M3 vehicles produced from October 2001 through February 2002, which already had the Connecting Rod Bearings/Oil Pump Campaign 356 (SI B 11 02 03) previously performed, are also affected by this Service Action.

 

[epj3]

I think I read about the bearings not meetin BMW stardards on bmw's press group site... but this is amazing! this is going to cost the manufacturer of those bearings a LOT of money...

 

[///M SPEED]

My "02" falls into this category. I haven't received a letter as of this time. If they give out a 6/100,000 service warranty and I purchased an extended one, will they refund me? Hmm....

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

good to know, forwared the info to my friend who has a M3 in that time range...

 

[Tom]

Looks like I have to make an appointment with the dealer.

 

[vlad]

I posted all available info that I could find in this thread.