2011 BMW M3 engine problems

Filed Sep 5, 2023 · Engine · TX

Starting from a traffic light at Woodlands Parkway and Gosling Road in the Woodlands, TX - Vehicle accelerated normally during shifting from 1st to 2nd gear. When shifting from 2nd to 3rd - Engine RPM went to ZERO and vehicle suddenly lost all power and died. There was a large Ford F150 behind the car. Thankfully, I was watching the tachometer and coasted to the shoulder before attempting to shift back to 2 and try a rolling start at which point vehicle came to an abrupt and sudden stop. Car was towed to an approved mechanic and was diagnosed as "another seized S65" engine. OPINION of Expert engine builders and bearing manufacturers is that the original BMW S65 bearing dimensions result in inadequate journal clearance and has been thoroughly documented. This, coupled with any potential "tolerance stacking" (- clearance) can result in a final bearing clearance which is significantly tighter than ideal and is the reason why we have seen engines fail after only a few thousand miles. This was half a second or less from being a fatal accident.

Filed Jan 29, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 52,000 miles · CA

I was driving on the freeway accelerating when I hit approximately 75 MPH my car was making a loud revving sound and metal clanking sound in middle and smoke was coming from the front and back of the vehicle very thick white smoke all of a sudden my car slowed down and all the lights were blinking on the dash almost got into accidents while cars avoid hitting! My car wasn't going over 5 10 MPH there was so much smoke was getting worried,some how I managed to exit the freeway and parked I was told my english was blown! Maintenance was up-to-date only drove it on the weekends only had 52,000 miles nightmare 2011 bmw m3

Filed Apr 29, 2020 · Brakes, Engine · 73,800 miles · AE

While driving my vehicle, the engine suddenly shut off, and the transmission went into neutral. I immediately turned the car back on, and pulled to a stop sign. I gave my car a few revs just to make sure everything was fine. Everything seemed to check out, so I continue driving. While driving about 40mph and straight, the car shuts off again, and this time I have a complete loss of steering and brakes. Thankfully I manage to avoid hitting the car in front of me by using my emergency brake slowly. This time the vehicle did not turn back on. After researching this issue it's become apparent this vehicle is actually known to do this. Rod bearings and main bearings have caused these motors to seize while driving, and bmw refuses to acknowledge this issue. I could have killed someone from this issue, but it's sad all they care about is dollars and cents.

Filed Oct 20, 2019 · Engine · 107,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jul 26, 2019 · Engine · 80,000 miles · CA

Two weeks ago, when the car was driving normally, it suddenly shut down and could no longer start. When automotive engineers took the engine apart, they found that the crankshaft and rod bearing bush were over-worn and burnt out. The engineer told me that the oil I used was too sticky to lubricate the rod bearing. I changed the engine oil 8,000 miles ago, using the 10w-60 oil supplied by bmw.

Filed Jun 8, 2019 · Engine · 43,300 miles · KY

While shifting into 3rd gear, my engine threw a rod through the block, car has not been modified, has 43,300 original miles, original owner.

Filed Jun 6, 2018 · Engine · 60,000 miles · IL

O2 sensors constantly go out replaced 3 times, throttle body acutators constantly go bad putting car in limp mode very dangerous my car cut off at 65mph on the freeway. I was with my family!!! Something bad could of happened. Please look into this bmw m3 2008-2013 please look into this. Rod bearings go bad aswell

Filed Feb 8, 2018 · Engine · 42,000 miles · OH

While driving my low milage 2011 bmw m3 (42k miles) on the highway, out of no where, I noticed the car driving a little differently and slightly shaking. This happened moments before I reached my exit. I pulled over at a gas station right off the exit and opened the hood, the engine was making a tinging/scraping noise with each revolution. I closed it up, and drove to my home which was a couple minutes away. While driving, the noise was happening more in lower gears. When I got home, I looked under the car and saw it was leaking oil, and still making the noise. After some investigation, I learned the rod bearings in the engine had failed, resulting in complete engine failure. I purchased the car from an authorized bmw store at 38k miles in may of 2017, I always serviced it at my local bmw store - this occurred february 3rd, 2018. After reading up, I am learning that this is an issue with the s65 engines that are in this model of m3's. Bmw has yet to make a recall, but they are aware of the issue. No action has been taken, but something needs to be done. I can't afford a new engine (it costs 30 something thousand dollars, which is almost as much as I paid for the car), and the engine cannot be repaired. I feel wronged by bmw, and advise the federal safety agency to urge bmw to recall this engine to save future customers from catastrophic engine failure.

Filed Nov 21, 2017 · Engine · 63,850 miles · NH

At 63,860 mile the s65 engine in my 2011 bmw m3 failed. Dealer diagnosed engine bearing failure. Failure occurred while driving.

Filed Nov 17, 2017 · Engine · 46,000 miles · CT

Engine knocking. Connecting rod bearing and main bearing failure resulting in required engine replacement. Engine not able to be rebuilt due to cracked main bearing saddles.