Auto Pages: 2002 BMW M3 (E46): Engine Failure Concerns: Engine Failure Intro

Introduction: The Engine of Damocles*

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At Least 128 Failed Motors! Is it finally solved now?


Update! At long last, BMW has issued an engine oil pump and bearing recall. This is for cars with S54 engines produced from October of 2001 through February of 2002, thus addressing what we've been calling 'Type II' failures. The background rate of increased failures, aka 'Type I,' would not be addressed by this recall.

Recent Updates: BMW posted to RoadFly a six-year/100,000 mile warranty. This was a great step, though I considered it far too little and far too late. It specifically covers "all internal mechanical engine components that are lubricated by engine oil." It does not state that it is transferrable, though most likely it is. The letter and warranty card arrived by mail on 12.28.2002. AutoWeek ran a story on the engine failure issue. We've now received the first of the serious press coverage. I sent this response to AutoWeek, in an attempt to clarify a few issues.

Perhaps the long wait for reasonable action is now nearly over, assuming that this recall does completely solve the problem and that the work is done correctly.

The point of this site was not to try to damage BMW's reputation or to get out of owning the M3, but to push BMW towards a fair and prompt handling of this problem. I, for one, love the car and hope to drive a safe, reliable version of it for many years.

This is a safety concern. If you cannot see how it could endanger a driver/passenger/bystander, click here.

I created this page to document my concerns, including my letters and those of other owners to BMW and their responses, some of my thoughts and ideas, and links to other resources. I have to give credit here to a close friend and fellow M3 owner, who used the expression Sword of Damocles in reference to these troubled S54 engines.

If your engine has failed, please be sure you report the incident to Jason's Engine Failure Archive right away.

To contact me with any suggestions or comments regarding this issue, click here.

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Copyright © 2002-2003 John Turkel. All rights reserved. Not affiliated or endorsed by BMW AG or BMW North America. All trademarks are the property of their respective holders. This material is for entertainment purposes only.

Last Modified March 22, 2003.

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