Engine Failure Problems of BMW M3

Crank hub spun timing sprocket causing valves to impact piston and catastrophic engine failure. Quoted more than $10k out of pocket to repair. This is caused due to poor crank hub design. Car companies have been using keyed crankhubs for generations but BMW decided to not used a keyed hub. . This is very negligent considering how many of these vehicles have engine failure due to this.

See all problems of the 2015 BMW M3 🔎.

I was driving casually when the motor suddenly shut off. No noise indicating engine failure ever happened. I coasted off the road and tried to restart. Nothing but a click. Eventually tried replacing starter motor but that didn't work. No engine lights or codes ever popped up. Turns out engine seized due to failed rod bearings.

See all problems of the 2011 BMW M3 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2008 BMW M3 🔎.

Vehicle has 3,100 miles on it. I stopped to get fuel and on the way back home the engine started to misfire heavily, then stall out in heavy traffic almost causing me to get rear ended. Luckily the car started but felt like it had only 10% of the power, BMW told me to drive it to the nearest service center to have it looked at. They called me the next day to tell my my engine has failed. Im not sure how in 3,100 well cared for miles the engine would fail, almost causing me to get rear-ended in traffic. I am disappointed that BMW could release a car that costs $77,000 dollars that has total engine failure in such little time and miles. BMW customer care has been the worst experience as well. They never return phone calls, and basically tells me every time there is no need to worry about the engine failing again in 3,100 miles.

See all problems of the 2013 BMW M3 🔎.

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.

I was driving in queens mid town tunnel, suddenly my engine stalled and the car would not start again. It was a two lane tunnel, my car was blocking one lane of traffic. Called nypd to have the car towed to a safe location. According to the dealer of park Ave BMW. They think its a engine failure.

The engine of the BMW 2001 M3 had serious engine failures. The request from the BMW dealership on explaination was rejected, nor was there any explaination from the consumer relations of BMW na. The failure was convered under warranty but I was told my vehicle was the only abnormal car in thousands that were sold. From my research there were more than 100 documented cases of the new e46 M3 engine having problems ranging from crankshaft failure to full engine detonation and oil spillage. BMW should be required to compensate owners of a $60k car in the decrease in value of the car and also have extended warranty for ongoing problems (there are complaints that new "replaced" engines also experienced the same problems). There is a very high chance a deadly accident could occur if I did not notice the problem early, ranging from oil spills to fire. BMW is neglecting the owners of this vehicle by not notifying them when first signs of problems occur. Ironically BMW does know there is a problem because they have replaced all the parts in the new engine while keeping quiet to current consumers, also mechanics have been told to replace parts while working in the area of the engine w/o telling consumers. Mechanics at the BMW dealership has had my vehicle for over a month, with no visible signs of progress.

See all problems of the 2001 BMW M3 🔎.

BMW has had a rash of engine failures on their new e46 M3's. These failures usually (im my case and many others) has resulted in the engine actually blowing up. This is probably one of the most dangerous failures that could happen. Oil dumps all over the road, things lock up and you could easily lose control. Fortunately for me, I was able to get off the road and no one else was involved. BMW has been replacing these motors under warranty, but will not disclose the reason for the failures or what has been fixed to insure it does not happen again. I have sent request to BMW asking for and official response to my particular failure and what has been done to fix it on the replacement motor. I have not received any response from BMW as of today. I have received e-mails from other concerned M3 owners stating that replacement motors have been know to fail also. I cannot afford to have another engine blow. I might not be so lucky the next time. What worries me most is that BMW seems to be ignoring the problem. Eventually someone is going to get hurt or killed. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*768014.

See all problems of the 2002 BMW M3 🔎.

BMW has had a rash of engine failures on their new e46 M3s. These failures usually(in my case and many others)has resulted in the engine actually blowing up. This is probably one of the most dangerous failures that could happen. Oil dumps all over the road, things lock up and you could easily loose control. Fortunately for me, I was able to get off the road and no one else was involved. BMW has been replacing these motors under warranty, but will not disclose the reason for the failures or what has been fixed to insure it does not happen again. I have sent request to BMW asking for an official response to my particular failure and what has been done to fix it on the replacement motor. I have not received any response from BMW as of today. I have received e-mails from other concerned M3 owners stating that replacement motors have been known to fail also. I cannot afford to have another engine blow. I might not be so lucky the next time. What worries me most is that BMW seems to be ignoring the problem. Eventually someone is going to get hurt or killed. Ts.

As an owner of this vehicle I am concerned by the safety, reliability and resale value issues raised by over 80 engine failures. . Read more...