BMW 328i with bearing knock

[Ndumiso]

I bought an F30 328i less than 6 months ago, I was driving the car and it suddenly lost power and displayed a 'Drivetrain malfunction error', I immediately pulled over and got the car towed home. I took the car to Tune Tech based on recommendations I had seen on some other threads. After inspection, they concluded that the car had developed a bearing knock and an engine rebuild would be necessary. They advised me to contact the dealership where I bought it so that they can perform the repair, I've since done this but the process is taking too long - The Motor Ombudsman is involved.

Sorry for rambling on to my question. Are there any other repairers in Jhb I could contact for a quotation on the above work? I plan to perform the repair using the BMW extended warranty so they have to be RMI approved. Tune Tech is quite good but they are a bit out of my budget.

 

[KarshS]

you can speak to Alister at Xflow. I know they did a few of these rebuilds and is RMI approved.
Still a costly thing to do, rather do it right the first time and dont compromise on quality parts and repair.

 

[Ndumiso]

you can speak to Alister at Xflow. I know they did a few of these rebuilds and is RMI approved.
Still a costly thing to do, rather do it right the first time and dont compromise on quality parts and repair.

Thank Karsh, I will make contact

 

[Steph745]

Iyoh....since when do n20s run bearings?

 

[Danny2]

It won’t be the first to do it.
We have done one that has 85k km on it that had damaged bearings.

 

[Steph745]

It won’t be the first to do it.
We have done one that has 85k km on it that had damaged bearings.

What was the cause, bad oil, bad tune (if modded)?

 

[Ndumiso]

What was the cause, bad oil, bad tune (if modded)?

My cause was a timing chain kit and oil pump.

 

[Steph745]

My cause was a timing chain kit and oil pump.

Oh I see, then this is a typical n20 failure. Sorry man, unfortunately it is an expensive fix when done PROPERLY, and you really want to do it properly. Tune Tech will likely quote in the 30-40k...

 

[Ndumiso]

Oh I see, then this is a typical n20 failure. Sorry man, unfortunately it is an expensive fix when done PROPERLY, and you really want to do it properly. Tune Tech will likely quote in the 30-40k...

Yeah that was the quote from them but once the bearing is gone they recommend a rebuild or a completely new engine 😞

 

[RalfMurphy]

Dowel the block and throw some forged pistons and rods in there while you're at it. Tune tech will do it for you. You could try Colin Holmes who used to build the N20's for the touring cars.

 

[RalfMurphy]

My cause was a timing chain kit and oil pump.

If the timing chain was the problem, you'd have bent valves before bearing knock. Chances are oil starvation due to oil pump gunking up with contaminants, possibly fuel in the oil. Did you or the dealer add any oil additives like Ceratec?

 

[individj]

Dowel the block and throw some forged pistons and rods in there while you're at it. Tune tech will do it for you. You could try Colin Holmes who used to build the N20's for the touring cars.

shu this is becoming pricey

 

[RalfMurphy]

shu this is becoming pricey

I mean, while he's at it and the motor is opened up right?

 

[individj]

probably depends on his goals and budget but if it were aligned then yes. Alternatively fix cheaply, sell and purchase a 335i. Just read again and there is a budget so won't be modding it.

 

[RalfMurphy]

It's no cheap fix. At the very least, you need to remove the crank for micro-polishing, mic tolerances after for bearing selection and then re-install, clean up the oil pump and replace and new timing chain guides for insurance which, since they're at the back of the motor, yank out the block and then fit it all back.

 

[individj]

unfortunately i have experience with most failures over the years

 

[RalfMurphy]

unfortunately i have experience with most failures over the years

So you'll know you should just forge the motor, right ok, ok, OP's under extended so they won't cover that. But "build it once, build it right" and go for that N20 world record that some dude in Brazil has.

 

[individj]

haha i dont think ill ever advise anyone to chase a BMW 4 cylinder power record...im too oldchool for that.(unless it were old school) OP i would def try to resolve the issue with Dealer as well for co payment etc and do it properly

 

[Kyle]

What was the cause, bad oil, bad tune (if modded)?

Crap engine

 

[Steph745]

So you'll know you should just forge the motor, right ok, ok, OP's under extended so they won't cover that. But "build it once, build it right" and go for that N20 world record that some dude in Brazil has.

Can a daily-drive reliable n20 really be tuned to produce torque numbers that bend even stock rods though 🙈. The platform (especially the high-compression 320) seems to have been purposely designed to explode if it's even even 1 Bhp above stock lol. That said, I might just follow your suggestions 👍