I'm ready to buy a used E46/M3 & want to ensure rod bearings were replaced if they were supposed to or get the service performed if it's needed. Do BMW Dealers have a system to lookup VIN & determine whether service was performed on a specific M3 ?

thx

Yes.

Thanks Kevlar.
Yes.

I think it would be better if you bought one that hasnt had the bearing recall done yet, so you can go have it done for yourself. That way you can insure that the car is properly broken in for the 1200-3000+ miles. Im pretty sure that if an E46 M3 owner sells his car after the bearing change has been done, it probably wasnt broken in properly. I've even read some kill stories where E46 M3 owners said F_ the break in after the recall and just redlined it, in order to race a SRT-4, etc. Id feel more comfortable knowing that at least the second time around, you could do the break in yourself.

I think it would be better if you bought one that hasnt had the bearing recall done yet, so you can go have it done for yourself. That way you can insure that the car is properly broken in for the 1200-3000+ miles. Im pretty sure that if an E46 M3 owner sells his car after the bearing change has been done, it probably wasnt broken in properly. I've even read some kill stories where E46 M3 owners said F_ the break in after the recall and just redlined it, in order to race a SRT-4, etc. Id feel more comfortable knowing that at least the second time around, you could do the break in yourself.
Good call. I actually bought mine the day before recall service, gave me peace of mind.

Yes, good point.

I think it would be better if you bought one that hasnt had the bearing recall done yet, so you can go have it done for yourself. That way you can insure that the car is properly broken in for the 1200-3000+ miles. Im pretty sure that if an E46 M3 owner sells his car after the bearing change has been done, it probably wasnt broken in properly. I've even read some kill stories where E46 M3 owners said F_ the break in after the recall and just redlined it, in order to race a SRT-4, etc. Id feel more comfortable knowing that at least the second time around, you could do the break in yourself.

Hi, i am thinking about purchasing a E46 Me either 01 or 02 models..

the ones i am looking at are up there with miles around 60-70k miles.. since th4e VIN can beused at the dealer to determine if the bearing recal was performed or not is there certain circumstances where they will NOT do the recall? like if the car is out of the warranty or already has high miles?

and if the miles are already kinda high like say around 70k and recall has not been performed and i get it done motor should be just fine right? assuming everythign else has been taken care of well?


also were there any other recalls for pre 03 models i should be aware of?

Hi, i am thinking about purchasing a E46 Me either 01 or 02 models..

the ones i am looking at are up there with miles around 60-70k miles.. since th4e VIN can beused at the dealer to determine if the bearing recal was performed or not is there certain circumstances where they will NOT do the recall? like if the car is out of the warranty or already has high miles?

and if the miles are already kinda high like say around 70k and recall has not been performed and i get it done motor should be just fine right? assuming everythign else has been taken care of well?


also were there any other recalls for pre 03 models i should be aware of?

ok no one wants to help me??

sorry man... sometimes i don't see all the threads when I browse through here.

If there is an outstanding recall, the dealership should take care of it, but more than likely the recalls should all have been done by now. If you are in doubt, take the VIN to the dealer prior to purchase and ask them.

They will also give you a full run down on all TSBs the car is due for, I think there are only two major ones.

I am about to purchase an 02 E46 6speed this week. The bimmer dealer will be doing a PPI on it this week. It has about 9K miles on it and I don't think it has had the rod bearing service performed on it. First Question: Will the dealership perform the rod bearing/oil pump repair? Second Question: Kevlar, what are the two major TSB's so I am aware of them. This is my first post on bimmerforums and I think it is great site. Thanks for the help.

Bobby