135i 2012 cracked my piston/bent rod..,

[Snakevenom]

Hey everyone,

Sad day …car has 39k miles, garage Queen that I didn’t use cause I was working at home. However, I got the itch to modify and I set off to prepare before I tuned. Including maintenance items and more. A week after completing it shit the bed. The project that included new Michelin Pilot sports, new wheels, black lines, bilstein rear shocks, front lip, new pulleys/belt, new spark plugs, new coils, VRSF catted downpipe, wagner intercooler, Berk street axel back, VRSF charge pipe , new black badges and conservatively tuned with MHD stage 2 tune.
So I set off to do a test run first at stage 1. Couple of mid throttle runs then moved up to stage 2 …3/4 throttle (not even full throttle) engine light comes on. Misfire across all cylinders on 1st pull. Looked for boost leaks, plugs, injectors checked everything.
Couldn’t figure it …so I took to local BMW took them 2 weeks + with a 15 year veteran tech and the verdict?
Bent rod/hairline in piston cylinder #3 - need repairs that are too much $$ to bother keeping it.
Taking to a local euro shop to confirm once they do I guess I’m selling to highest bidder. Anyone looking for a loaded project car in Dallas Texas?




Note: BMW techs said there must have been a problem in piston cylinder 3 long before I pressed the peddle so just bad luck…

[N55e82Simon]

Originally Posted by Snakevenom

Hey everyone,

Sad day …car has 39k miles, garage Queen that I didn’t use cause I was working at home. However, I got the itch to modify and I set off to prepare before I tuned. Including maintenance items and more. A week after completing it shit the bed. The project that included new Michelin Pilot sports, new wheels, black lines, bilstein rear shocks, front lip, new pulleys/belt, new spark plugs, new coils, VRSF catted downpipe, wagner intercooler, Berk street axel back, VRSF charge pipe , new black badges and conservatively tuned with MHD stage 2 tune.
So I set off to do a test run first at stage 1. Couple of mid throttle runs then moved up to stage 2 …3/4 throttle (not even full throttle) engine light comes on. Misfire across all cylinders on 1st pull. Looked for boost leaks, plugs, injectors checked everything.
Couldn’t figure it …so I took to local BMW took them 2 weeks + with a 15 year veteran tech and the verdict?
Bent rod/hairline in piston cylinder #3 - need repairs that are too much $$ to bother keeping it.
Taking to a local euro shop to confirm once they do I guess I’m selling to highest bidder. Anyone looking for a loaded project car in Dallas Texas?




Note: BMW techs said there must have been a problem in piston cylinder 3 long before I pressed the peddle so just bad luck…

That’s such a bummer man. Don’t sell it though, one you can’t get much unless you part it out and I’m sure you can find a second hand motor or get a rebuild one. Idk. I feel your pain though. I’m sorry :/

[Snakevenom]

Originally Posted by N55e82Simon

That’s such a bummer man. Don’t sell it though, one you can’t get much unless you part it out and I’m sure you can find a second hand motor or get a rebuild one. Idk. I feel your pain though. I’m sorry :/

Thanks for being the only one to comment 😭
I guess this place has less and less followers…

[Dieselboy]

Originally Posted by Snakevenom

Thanks for being the only one to comment ��
I guess this place has less and less followers…

The car forums are dying unfortunately. Most are posting through IG or FB groups which is a shame because there is so much useful information here.

Sorry to hear about your car. If it's something you can tackle, it's worth fixing IMO.

[scratchgolf135]

You should 1000% fix it. Why would you part out a clean car worth probably $18k when all it needs is a $3k engine. Read up online and swap it yourself. It’s really not difficult on these cars.

[aresfiend]

Yeah that's my question too. If you sustained the same dollar amount in a collision insurance would be SO far from considering it totalled.

[ejm3]

Would a new engine really only cost $3k?
Even if you could do it yourself?

[Afam28]

Originally Posted by ejm3

Would a new engine really only cost $3k?
Even if you could do it yourself?

Maybe a new/used engine…
You can find a used engine between $1500 - $3000…
New engine will probably run about $5000 - $Larger Number…

Sounds like(based upon the mods) it would be more beneficial to take some time and plan out what you want to do…
The engines are out there, the question is…is it worth it to you to get your BMW up and running or sell!

[scratchgolf135]

Yea I was talking low mileage used but you could get a new motor for $5k-$6k if you wanted new. Even then it’s far more worth it to put in the new motor. There’s a brand new N55 on eBay right now for $5500 shipped.

[10"]

The N54 is reliable engine—until you tune and modify stuff, then it falls apart. Time and time again this is the story…

Get another N54, keep it stock. Enjoy your car!

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by 10"

The N54 is reliable engine—until you tune and modify stuff, then it falls apart. Time and time again this is the story…

wut?

I can see both sides. I wouldn't have the time/space for a project. Neither would I be up to the task of DIY swapping. I'd have to buy an engine and pay someone to do the swap. Looking at costs approaching $10k I would think. I'd probably sell and take the loss, then buy another car. On the other hand, I understand why that makes no sense to others. I guess it depends on your situation.

Definitely a bummer though, sorry about your luck. I would be looking for more information about what happened.

[scratchgolf135]

Originally Posted by 10"

The N54 is reliable engine—until you tune and modify stuff, then it falls apart. Time and time again this is the story…

Get another N54, keep it stock. Enjoy your car!

First, his is a 2012, thus it’s a N55. Secondly, this isn’t true at all if it’s done right. Most of the people that blow them are either young, cheap, or both. They think that from the crap they read online that they can have a cheap N54 with a bunch of power. This simply isn’t the case. However, with quality parts and doing the work yourself with sound processes (torquing to spec would be a big one) in addition to all the necessary maintenance items the N54 is quite reliable.

[Snakevenom]

Euro car guys confirmed … took back to BMW sold for 8k. Done .. moving on fellas. Going back to a corvette or mustang like my past never had near the problems I had with this car it left me stranded 3 x water pump, charge pipe and now this along with a host of crap constantly.

I have the original OEM BMW rims ( tires still on it) cat, intercooler, MHD full license, also axle back exhaust all in primo shape as car only had 38k miles on it …anyone in Dallas want everything for 500 bucks ( the wheels are worth that) the rest is basically free !!there yours just gotta pick it up!

Call me text me anytime 214 574 8442

[mfindigital]

Originally Posted by Snakevenom

Euro car guys confirmed … took back to BMW sold for 8k. Done .. moving on fellas. Going back to a corvette or mustang like my past never had near the problems I had with this car it left me stranded 3 x water pump, charge pipe and now this along with a host of crap constantly.

I have the original OEM BMW rims ( tires still on it) cat, intercooler, MHD full license, also axle back exhaust all in primo shape as car only had 38k miles on it …anyone in Dallas want everything for 500 bucks ( the wheels are worth that) the rest is basically free !!there yours just gotta pick it up!

Call me text me anytime 214 574 8442

I feel your pain man, been there before and tired of the "little" issues with these cars. It does drive so, so great, especially modified, but ya, I'm not going to pretend to not be jealous of the guys with LS's that just run, forever, no matter what. I've been heavily considering buying a miata to do such a swap.

[LaKuan]

Sorry to hear this, i would have considered “building” motor or buying a “built motor”. Ive seen them built go from 6k-8k. And might as well throw at it some 19T turbos or big single turbo. Even if it takes some money/time/work it will definitely be worth it in the end.