128i 80k miles engine failure

[Pruzina]

Hey would like to hear some opinions.
2011 128i n51 86k on the clock spun bearing

I bought the car not running due fuel pump failure. I addressed that, took it for a calm easy drive and noticed clear rod knock.
Tear it apart cylinder 1 and 4 spun bearing as expected.
No weird codes before or after the test drive. No symptoms of oil pressure issue.

First of all bearing problems are super rare on this engines especially with low milage like this one. What is even more bizarre is this....
Actually milage 86.253

at 82.413 Bmw dealership performed
oil pan gasket and motor mounts replacement

and

at 84.768 same dealership performed
radiator and radiator hose replacement

Which means that the car was in last 4k miles 2 times in the hands of BMW dealer.

The question is
Did they missed the issue if they head clear view to the rods and could clearly see the shavings?
Did they spot the problem and just left it like that?

I'm screwed at this point and basically looking for "new' engine.

[iamroddy]

That crank got hot! I'm curious if maybe it ran low on oil due to the leak, or if perhaps the 'repair' left some 'stuff' behind that restricted the oil pump pick-up. Did you check the pick-up/tube for debris?

[NorthernDancer]

I think you have a case, but on your own, you're likely outta luck.
I would recommend joining BMWCCA and then have access to one of their ombudsmen. Talking with them will give you a good idea if you have a case, THAT THEY CAN WORK WITH.
I have to think that they could do something for you.
Good Luck

[Pruzina]

yeah that #1 and 4 connecting rod are toasted black. bearing in 1 was bad but nothing compare to 4. No restriction in pick up no junk in oil pan like pieces of serpentine. If not the dealer definitely the seller knew about the problem bcs given the damage there were almost no signs of the bearing in the oil and filter.
Seems like pretty much staged.

No oil leaks what so ever no oil pressure codes nothing like that

[BMWCCA1]

If I understand you correctly, you bought the car in not-running condition and the previous owner had the dealership do the pan gasket, etc.?

If so, you have no case against the dealership or BMW.
Previous owner likely ran it hot and low on oil.

[Pruzina]

Yeah that's right.

And most likely what happened. Maybe some cold engine abuse or parking lot stunts

[iminhell1]

I don't know what you're trying to find out here. If you think that BMW dealership is at fault and want them to repair the car, they won't. Any liability they may have had disappeared when the vehicle transferred ownership. If you want the seller to pay, he won't. There is no warranty with used private sales (unless specifically stated in legal documentation).

You bought a non-running car which you thought was a simple fix. It wasn't. This is your mistake.

[Pruzina]

Wow wow wow slow down. I don't expect any of that.
I know it's only my problem at this point and not expecting any help from any party.

I was just curious what may had happened there. I may help to someone here in future. And that people are aware that low milage car doesn't mean better car. Even with proof of maintenance.

[iminhell1]

What I feel is the obvious answer to what happened here is,

The PO knew about an oil leak and had the dealership fix it, too late. They'd run the car low on oil one too many times while racing it and bearing damage occurred. After the fix they heard a noise, maybe even before, and decided to dump the car rather than admit their incompetence and repair it. You became an unwitting pawn and took them at their word and bought their problems, seen and unseen.
If the car was trailered to the dealer for the repair, odds are the tech never heard it run. I know at my local dealers the techs don't go fetch the cars and bring them into the bay. That is the job of someone else. They remain in their bays. Some BS productivity thing. So the car mover jockey may not have relayed any odd noise to the tech and if it wasn't noted as a approved repair it may not have been looked for. You're always trying to beat book time and you won't spend time looking for more work unless it dead obvious or part of the removal process to get to the repair.

So my feeling here is that the PO knew about the problem and didn't disclose it. I really see no way they wouldn't have known.


Also, that crank did not get hot. That is what it should look like.

[Pruzina]

Very well said. I completely agree.
Let's see if someone buy this little problem or it's gonna be me replacing the engine.