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BE Bearing FAQ

Why do you need BE Bearings?

Background:

  • BMW M5 (2005-2010), BMW M3 (2008-2013) can suffer early bearing failure due to inadequate rod bearing clearance.
  • Insufficient clearance means insufficient oil flow, excessive bearing surface heat, and premature wear.
  • These symptoms can lead to early bearing failure and a very expensive engine rebuild.
  • Problem can be addressed during engine rebuild, but it's expensive.
  • Some people switched to thinner oils -- as a stopgap measure.
  • Other stopgap measures include anti-friction teflon coated factory bearings, WPC anti-friction treated factory bearings, and custom bearings with same clearance as stock.
  • "Coated" factory bearings decreased clearance.  This is not a good idea.
  • WPC treated bearings slightly increase clearance, but are a stopgap.
  • Custom bearings keeping factory clearance doesn't fix the problem, but allows you to track lead and copper in Blackstone oil analysis.
  • Newer factory bearings (2010.5 and later) are made from tin-aluminum, not lead-copper.  Tin-aluminum bearings are 4-times harder on the surface than lead-copper bearings.  This extra hardness shows signs of doing more damage to motors as there seems to be more bearing failures with 2010.5 and later vehicles.  Tin-aluminum bearings also don't show the same signs of premature wear in Blackstone oil analysis due to lack of lead and copper.
  • A better solution was needed.

Better Design

  • Designed to address and fix the rod bearing clearance issue.
  • Designed for use with factory 10W60 weight oils.
  • Increases oil flow.
  • Improves lubrication for "Start-Stop" vehicles over factory bearings.
  • Designed in consultation with leading industry experts from  NASCAR, Indy Car, and former BMW M-Division engine designer.
  • Designed and manufactured by Clevite, factory BMW bearing supplier.
  • Traditional lead-copper bearing design; less wear on crankshaft journals, traceable with Blackstone oil analysis.
  • Each bearing is measured and size-binned.  Allows for custom bearing selection when necessary.




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