Big end bearings
 

So question.
Standard BMW bearings and bolts or uprated bearings (vac coated ones) and ARP bolts?

Anyone had experience of this?

Ta :thumbs:

I expect either would be fine. I am yet to hear of anybody changing to either and then having problems within the next 50k miles or whatever interval you want to swap them out at. I have a spare S54B32 which I will be rebuilding soon, expect to use King bearings and ARP bolts.

MC

Found a interesting read couple days ago regarding ARP Bolts.
m3forum.net seems to have issues currently, so use the google cache link instead.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=de


In any case, why would you change the OEM bolts? They are not known to be a weak link, so why take the risk and go aftermarket anyway?
Same for the bearings, even if they are claimed to be of better quality, i think i wouldn't feel comfortable and still replace them after 60k miles.

Paul , Had this very issue a while back & decided on oem throughout. 2 years Parts & labour warranty was assured!!

Gareth & Damian @ Bart's both recommended oem .

I second that, never had an issue with the original parts. Other than the very early cars which had the recall, of course.

I've Only ever seen big end bearings go following head gasket replacements personally, so I can only advise on that particular scenario.

my big ends went shortly after head replacement as well.

what is the reason for that or is it co-incidence

One of my theory's when you completely strip down Csl motor you have six oil spray nozzles, they sit just above each rod bearing , possibly if they block you could get dry bearing, or if oil pressure drops,,, maybe after F--ked head gesket ,you could then get oil pressure drop to nozzles, see avatar pic ,, but Sure somebody will put me wright on that, you can best see nozzles when you pull crank out, ��

I assume you mean recall of cesils, or all E46 M3s?

How do we know if we should have had a recall, or the car has been in for the work to be carried out.

Thanks in advance.

Shim
There is a definite connection between HG replacement creating bottom end issues.
Bart's recommend bottom end rebuild after HG or cylinder head refurb.

It was the really early S54's, late 2001 to 05/2003 ish. Although bizarrely I don't believe the Z3 M with the S54 benefitted from the recall:whistle: Having said that I've never seen one of those cars fail!

Sorry, didn't mean to scare you, it was well before the introduction of the CSL:thumbs: