BMW Update for M3 Coupe/Convertible with S54 Engines

[BMW NA Customer Relations]

I'm with BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA). BMW NA is conducting a service action for S54 engines in E46 M3 Coupe/Convertible produced from February 12, 2001 and May 22, 2003. We are in the process of mailing notification letters to affected customers.

Our ongoing quality testing revealed that the connecting rod bearings installed in certain M3 Coupe/Convertible with S54 engines were not manufactured to BMW quality standards. As a result, the connecting rod bearings are susceptible to overheating and subsequent premature failure if the vehicle is operated at higher engine speeds over an extended timeframe.

BMW conducted a service action in March 2003 involving S54 engines in M3 Coupe/Convertible. At that time BMW found certain engines experienced premature failure due to contamination of the engine lubricating system during assembly in combination with unfavorable tolerances in the engine oil pump. In addition to the service action, BMW extended the warranty for all internal mechanical engine components that are lubricated by engine oil for a period of 6 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first for all model year 2001, 2002, and 2003 BMW’s equipped with S54 engines.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this issue has caused affected customers. If you have any questions, please contact your authorized BMW center, BMW NA Customer Relations, (800)-831-1117 or send us an email through our website at bmwusa.com.

 

[vlad]

Than you for the notification! When contacting our respective dealerships, is there a service bulletin number we should refer to?

UPDATE
I have located the Service Bulletin. Link here.

 

[vlad]

For anyone interested in this service action, here is a link to a few documents pertaining to it...

http://webfiles.uci.edu/schiano/www/M3 US Bearing Service, PartII/

 

[SloopJohnB]

OK, what's in the 'latest software?'

Are the boffins going to drop the redline to 7600 rpm on the engines?

 

[gpoints]

Thanks Vlad. Looks like I'll have to check my production date to see if have the problem. That would suck if part of the "software upgrad" was to drop the rev-limiter to 7600...

 

[///M SPEED]

Thanks to Vlad and to BMW NA Customer Relations. My production date on my ///M is 12/01. I guess I should be expecting a letter? I believe I purchased the extended Service warranty from BMW. My car was a CPO and has the full warranty, but I extended the serviced warranty. I wonder if they will reimburse me on this extension if my car is affected since they are extending the service warranties on affected cars. This is something we should keep in mind if you purchased the extended coverage.....

 

[///M SPEED]

FYI: Here is another link with the same info Vlad sent with a little more.....

http://members.roadfly.com/jason/m3engines.htm

More info for all on the same subject matter. I apologize in advance if the site has already been posted earlier.

 

[theBMWenthusiast]

thanks vlad...that info is really good and sent it to my friend with the car

 

[vlad]

I'm holding off of the update until the details on the reprogramming of the DME emerge.

 

[otahand]

Just had this service done. DME software changes included the following:
1) New rev limiter on "free" reving (i.e., not in gear)
2) Orange rev lights stay on longer - waits for engine oil to get hotter