BMW Replaces M6 Engine After Metal found in Oil and Scored Cylinder Walls

[SDLionM6]

Went through a Crazy event with my 2014 M6 Coupe w/ CP past few months.

Running sluggish, complained to service manager for over a year about what I thought was turbo lag and they just didn't think there was a problem. Car Only has 20K miles on it! Finally they called in their turbo expert to look at it. Ran tests, keep it for a week, found metal particle in the oil, changed the oil, told me to drive it for 750 miles and bring it back for further testing.

Brought it back and they said they found internal engine damage; scored cylinders, cylinder damage, metal particles in the oil, low compression, and after 2-weeks... I was told a New Engine was on order and Covered by My Warranty!!!

New Engine has been installed and I'm 280 miles into the 1,200 mile Break-In Period.

I was Very Impressed with Corporate BMW taking quick action and providing a replacement engine. However, I was told there is NO Warranty as there was no out of pocket costs to me for labor and parts.

When I go back at 1,200 miles I want to make sure the car is tuned properly to the M6 Competition Specifications. Other than that can anyone think of any other things I should ask or be aware of?

[itzjoker]

Is it just me or am I seeing more threads about motors having to be replaced due to metal in the oil? I'm also seeing a few M6's for sale that already have the motor replaced. Searching for a M6 GC at the moment and this is scaring me a bit.

[SixteenM6]

Originally Posted by itzjoker

Is it just me or am I seeing more threads about motors having to be replaced due to metal in the oil? I'm also seeing a few M6's for sale that already have the motor replaced. Searching for a M6 GC at the moment and this is scaring me a bit.

I think the vast majority of M6 cars have no issues at all. Sure some will need entire new engines if something goes haywire with the turbos, those things spin super fast and need to be carefully balanced from the manufacturer. Also, take into account that perhaps those cars that are presenting problems have been abused to the max with hi-revving cold engine take offs, launches, paddle shifting to red-lines, etc... hard to tell which ones were normally driven or abused.

I recently purchased mine, 2016 with 23k miles and there were no major codes thrown out, tires were still original in great shape, interior well taken care of, etc...

Have the car inspected by a professional before buying if you're too concerned. Most of these V8s will last a long time if they're not abused.

[MelbourneFinn]

My pennies worth on this... Don’t you think there are indications of “intended abuse” against even many on this forum’s members’ cars? Discussions about what after marked tune to use, with the question “what can’t be identified after removing”, are clear warning signs to me... We all know that it’s relatively easy to get another 50-100 hp out of these cars, the question is why didn’t BMW do it in the first place? In my mind the answer comes down to finding a balance between performance and reliability...

Naturally, the same question applies to almost any modern turbo engine. Since I’m not a mechanic, and even less so a tuning specialist, but my own rule of thumb would be to avoid anything with after market tuning, no matter whether still existing or removed, if on the market for any second hand high performance car. Try and establish an understanding of previous owner/s as individuals - I’m a firm believer that it’s not how BMW built the engine (tolerances between similar engines) but how we as users have used them.

[hirkaismyname]

Originally Posted by MelbourneFinn

My pennies worth on this... Don’t you think there are indications of “intended abuse” against even many on this forum’s members’ cars? Discussions about what after marked tune to use, with the question “what can’t be identified after removing”, are clear warning signs to me... We all know that it’s relatively easy to get another 50-100 hp out of these cars, the question is why didn’t BMW do it in the first place? In my mind the answer comes down to finding a balance between performance and reliability...

Naturally, the same question applies to almost any modern turbo engine. Since I’m not a mechanic, and even less so a tuning specialist, but my own rule of thumb would be to avoid anything with after market tuning, no matter whether still existing or removed, if on the market for any second hand high performance car. Try and establish an understanding of previous owner/s as individuals - I’m a firm believer that it’s not how BMW built the engine (tolerances between similar engines) but how we as users have used them.

How do you tell a tune has been on a vehicle prior to purchasing the vehicle; especially, in the light that the previous owner -- knowingly -- as a lessee -- reverted the vehicle back to stock prior to his/her lease end term?

itzjoker

Indeed concerning to me as well!! I think as part of the PPI, I am going to try to find an inspection company that includes a Blackstone Oil Report along with its findings/due diligence. That's the only way to find prior engine abuse AFAIK. That, and a launch control engagement count -- [btw -- if anyone knows how to look that up, slide up into my DM] possibly?

Are you swaying away from the M6 now? Headed towards possibly a RS7?! Or E53 bc of MBUX?

[itzjoker]

Originally Posted by hirkaismyname

How do you tell a tune has been on a vehicle prior to purchasing the vehicle; especially, in the light that the previous owner -- knowingly -- as a lessee -- reverted the vehicle back to stock prior to his/her lease end term?

itzjoker

Indeed concerning to me as well!! I think as part of the PPI, I am going to try to find an inspection company that includes a Blackstone Oil Report along with its findings/due diligence. That's the only way to find prior engine abuse AFAIK. That, and a launch control engagement count -- [btw -- if anyone knows how to look that up, slide up into my DM] possibly?

Are you swaying away from the M6 now? Headed towards possibly a RS7?! Or E53 bc of MBUX?

I thought about it and I always come back to BMW.

I'm actually in the market for a 650i instead for AWD and less $$

[RagtagXMASTER]

I have a high mileage M6 with almost 60K mi and have low oil consumption and daily drive the car. what I have seen and heard from other owners with the car is that as long as you stay under 700 hp to the wheels you are fine and not going to break anything. also the sudden delivery of torque is what fatigues these engines. Driving the car in a less abusive manner is helpful to prolong its life, however it does need to be pushed regularly to ensure all the components are working properly.

Its actually rather surprising that I have seen so many lower mileage cars suffering from excessive engine wear and failure

[gregmb]

Check out my prior thread re my blown engine at 38k miles. I bought it with only 14k miles - during my ownership, no tune, no engine/performance mods and no abuse. Blown engine replaced by bmw under warranty. Now 12k on new engine and no issues per blackstone reports.

[AWF10M5]

m5 board same thing, m5 facebook group, m5 whatsapp group same thing, these motors are JUNK. I cant wait to dump mine and I have 3 year warranty left but who wants to deal with all that ?

These motors are the most fragile M motors made to date. You don't even see this type of failure on the older v10 models or the v8 e9x m3s with the rod bearing issues.

has nothing to do with tune or anything, stock, tuned, modded, original owners, etc its happening to everyone. Now these cars are finally getting there in terms of age and mileage and we are now seeing the true shit reliability of these motors.

and believe it or not I was a big bmw fan. I really regret buying a second f10 m5 when I should have switched over to some other brand and experienced some other car.