Two problems related to engine failure have been reported for the 2008 BMW M3. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Engine failure resulting in loss of power at speed while driving. Engine failed because of rod bearing issue which is well known in these engines.
After informing BMW na many times of the widespread rod bearing problem on the s65 motor that can cause engine failure and seizing of the engine at speed they refuse to assist me in this matter. This wide spread bearing issue has affected 100's if not 1000's of these engines. After my engine failed BMW refused to good will me a engine for small unrelated misc. Things for example exhaust and suspension. I've had the bearings replaced by a reputable indyshop that has done many rod bearing jobs on my identical car type. I have failed original bearings in hand. After picking up my car from this shop my engine seized on the middle of the road. Although this shop performed the work properly ultimately this engine would have seized either way. I am now out a few thousand dollars from the bearing job and I will need a new engine. My complaint is to BMW north America in arbitrarily denying my claim when they are aware and I have proof that the engines that they produced from the factory have insufficient clearance to lubricate and witch causes failure to cars betwee 25,000 miles or 110,000 miles. There is a registry online of many many M3's with this engine with the same engine failure. If my engine were to have seized on the freeway this may have caused a serious crash as well as a possibility of serious bodily harm including death. To further clarify engine failure was imminent even before this indy shop performed this work. I am now without a car and I work. I am now forced to buy a new engine for over $15,000 witch is approx. The value of the car or sell the vehicle for a substantial loss. BMW should have done the right thing here but instead denied my request and pushed me out the door. BMW na is not taking responsibility for this when they should. If you look into the previous model M3 with s54 engine there was a major rod bearing recall. Same issue here. Thank you.