[TPS65]

Hi all,

currently in the process of searching for an E46 M3 project.

I've been investigating the replacement of rod bearings

There are many different rod bearings i've seen available such as KING, WPC treated bearings, Bimmerworld's WPC treated option, standard BMW bearings etc etc


What bearings and engine oil did everyone use on their engines, and what would you recommend.

The vehicle won't be tracked, but it will see canyon/mountain roads as it will be a weekend car.

Cheers guys, appreciate any advice.

[kevin @ eas]

We have been using ACL bearings and have had good luck with them.

[TPS65]

Thanks Kevin, great to know.

Are there tolerance differences with ACL bearings, compared to OEM BMW bearings that require a different viscocity oil to be used?

[Andrew]

I'm using WPC treated OEM bearings with Redline 10W60 on my track-dedicated S54. I've been thinking about what bearings to go with next and it's either going to be BE or ACL.

[performance_outlaw]

I use OEM and Millers NT10W60 on all 3 E46 M3's I own. Every 2nd oil change I take 100ml of oil from mid stream while drain oil pan and send for inspection. Lab test is giving full report, and you can see does the oil composition contain con rod or main bearing inclosions over the limit. I don't put a lot of kilometers, but as the cars stand still and are not runned very often, bearings tend to wear fast. Cold starts are the worst.
I believe in normal conditions, con rod bearings should be replaced every 50k mls, and main can do double. And it doesn't matter is it pre 2003 or latest itteration of S54.