Simon's Ruby Black Z4 MC

With the S54 being a bit naughty on the bottom end i always change at 7k....

Its the hygroscopic tendency more than anything,especially in low milers as the engine never really gets hot enough to burn off all the condensation..

Also,10w60 int as expensive as it used to be.... Its a no brainer.
 
How do you mean a bit naught on the bottom end??? The S54 is a solid beastie! Well bar from rebuilding the vanos.

Must admit I change the oil once a year, but then I use mine a fair bit. Plus track days and will be doing Spa next year.
 
chris said:
How do you mean a bit naught on the bottom end??? The S54 is a solid beastie! Well bar from rebuilding the vanos.

Must admit I change the oil once a year, but then I use mine a fair bit. Plus track days and will be doing Spa next year.
Click to expand...

rod bearings ARE an issue on these engines.
 
Beedub said:
chris said:
How do you mean a bit naught on the bottom end??? The S54 is a solid beastie! Well bar from rebuilding the vanos.

Must admit I change the oil once a year, but then I use mine a fair bit. Plus track days and will be doing Spa next year.
Click to expand...

rod bearings ARE an issue on these engines.
Click to expand...

Umm ok. On the early ones the connecting rod bearings were a recall, but in seven years of M3 ownership, I've not seen one case so far. And the charged M3's as well, not seen any. Normally if it was going to spin a shell, then a charged engine was a fair bit more likely to have issues :D
 
Dont tempt fate....


I have done 3 x E46 M3's that have spun the rod bearings... And there is instances of the Z4M spinning them.
 
Yeah don't want that :lol:

I know the early 46 M' and S54 equipped Z3M's had the issue, but not heard or seen anything luckily. I was hoping having the final S54 production engine, then better vanos, head gasket, manifolds, bearings etc. it would be pretty bomb proof lol

Weirdly, but seeing a few S65 engines having the issue as well. But post 2010 are supposed to be ok, though no recall on those! Glad I sold my 08 M3 now
 
Z4M-2006 said:
Dont tempt fate....


I have done 3 x E46 M3's that have spun the rod bearings... And there is instances of the Z4M spinning them.
Click to expand...


I've seen numerous ones been done at simpsons and low mile cars too...

chris i suggest you do alittle search on rod bearings and z4m... you'll see quite a few instances, way more than makes me comfortable, supercharged or not this is a concern for all of us.

this is not limited to the s54 -, s65, s85, all have the same rod bearing issue, the clearance is too tight not allowing proper lubrication, some instances have seen rod bearings trashed on seriously low mile engines.
 
Umm read a few threads I think I would rather not have :D weird as the M3 has almost no issues, well bar people in the US as always. Not seen many Z4Ms having the issue over here, but a couple. Trouble is you never know how the car has been treated, so ragged from cold, track days time and time again, and not being warmed up properly. Incorrect oil from idiot garages. The list is endless, though with everything, it could go wrong. Let's face it, a used S54 is peanuts now anyway so just enjoy it :D

Then boom lol
 
let me start you off here on a non track used vehicle....

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=722614
 
chris said:
Umm read a few threads I think I would rather not have :D weird as the M3 has almost no issues, well bar people in the US as always. Not seen many Z4Ms having the issue over here, but a couple. Trouble is you never know how the car has been treated, so ragged from cold, track days time and time again, and not being warmed up properly. Incorrect oil from idiot garages. The list is endless, though with everything, it could go wrong. Let's face it, a used S54 is peanuts now anyway so just enjoy it :D

Then boom lol
Click to expand...


in my time I've seen 3 z4ms at Simpsons having the rod bearings replaced. considering the low volume of the car.. it concerned me. I've been doing oil samples from very early on looking for the telltale signs. the s54 is a cracking motor but i can't use the word bomb proof for it, it is however very good for its state of tune.
 
Beedub said:
let me start you off here on a non track used vehicle....

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=722614
Click to expand...
Yeah read that one. Again no idea of previous owners, and if the guy is a complete idiot either :lol: if the running in service was left, or if the services were done properly. Just too many variables on engines.
 
I really dont think any engine is perfect these days. And BMW do suffer like mad from what it seems the same ailments through the ranges!

The N55 seems ok, and the N54 bar a few ancillaries seems good. Shame the M engines are not bulletproof.
 
I think all these highly strung motors have their own issues so on the grand scheme of things , rod bearings and vanos isn't that major.

Certainly not terminal, it's a good strong motor overall.
 
My S54 Z3MC spun a bearing shell at 31k miles whilst I was driving around the Nuburgring F1 track on a BMW trackday event in 2009. I had to get the car recovered back to the UK but the upside was that BMW fitted a new engine FOC with all the uprated internals. :D
 
Beedub, where are you doing your oil analysis'? You see lots of guys in the US using blackstone but is there a recommended place to do it in the uk?

As we're talking issues, let's not forget the occasional problems we see with oil starvation to the top end resulting in worn cams and followers! :tumbleweed: A rare one compared to the vanos perhaps but a potentially expensive one.

As for the bearings and vanos not being that major, no, i guess they're not if you know what to look for and catch it in time. However if either goes unexpectedly you could be facing a big bill and lets face it, incorrect tolerances, shearing bolts and hubs just shouldn't happen on a premium car/engine.

Still, what are the options....Porsche and their scoring and IMS issues or perhaps a TVR (god I'd love a T350c, but I'd be forever worrying and that would spoil it for me)

Anyway, your car looks nice Simon, hope you can still enjoy it with all these tales of impending doom! :rofl:
 
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