BMW S65 engine report, M3 E90
BMW S65 · M3 (E90/E92)
4.0 LPetrolV82007–2013
65/100
Checked by hand
[solid]
A wonderful V8, once the bearings are done or paid for
Worth buying, but only on the right car. Rod bearings and throttle actuators replaced, with proof, or €3,000 or more set aside to do them straight away.
ExcellentGoodSolidRiskyAvoid
- Known issues
- 8
- Critical
- 2
- Sources
- 57
Verdict
Count new rod bearings as part of the purchase price unless the car already has them, because on the S65 their failure is very common and critical.
The throttle actuators fail commonly as well, putting the car into limp mode with fault codes 2B15 or 2B16. The dual-clutch gearbox gives trouble occasionally and is expensive when it does, and the odd seal leaks oil. Ringland, ECU, flywheel and water pump failures are very rare.
Specs
- Displacement
- 4.0 L
- Layout
- V8
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Production
- 2007 – 2013
- Chassis
- E90/E92
- Generation
- E9x M3
- Fitted
- 2007–2013
Known issues
8 confirmed · sorted by severity
CriticalRod bearing failure
Connecting rod (big end) bearing wear or spun bearing, usually from oil starvation or extended oil-change intervals -- can destroy the engine if not caught early.
Symptoms
- Knocking Noise
- Warning Light
How often
Very common · Owner-caused. Does not normally destroy the engine. Not safely drivable.
CriticalPiston ringland failure
Piston ringland cracking under high cylinder pressure/heat, common on tuned forced-induction engines.
Symptoms
- Power Loss
- Smoke (White/Blue/Black)
- Misfire
How often
Very rare · Design weakness. Does not normally destroy the engine. Not safely drivable.
HighThrottle actuator failure
The electric actuators that open the throttles wear out their gears or lose their control boards. The engine drops into limp-home mode with throttle fault codes. On engines with one actuator per cylinder bank, either side can fail.
Symptoms
- Limp Mode
- Reduced Power Mode
- Warning Light
How often
Common · Design weakness. Does not normally destroy the engine. Not safely drivable.
Evidence
1 owner report backs this, confidence 50/100.
HighDual-clutch / automatic transmission failure
DSG/DCT mechatronic unit failure, or torque converter/gearbox wear, causing rough shifting or transmission failure.
Symptoms
- Hesitation
- Warning Light
How often
Occasional · Design weakness. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
ModerateDual-mass flywheel / clutch wear
Dual-mass flywheel wear causing rattle/vibration, often coinciding with clutch replacement interval.
Symptoms
- Excessive Vibration
- Knocking Noise
How often
Very rare · Expected maintenance. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
1 owner report backs this, confidence 40/100.
ModerateWater pump failure
Water pump seal or bearing failure (mechanical or electric pump), causing coolant loss.
Symptoms
- Coolant Loss
- Warning Light
How often
Very rare · Age-related wear. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
1 owner report backs this, confidence 40/100.
LowOil leak from seals or gaskets
Valve cover gasket, rear main seal, or front main seal degradation causing external oil leaks.
Symptoms
- Oil Consumption
How often
Occasional · Age-related wear. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
LowECU fault or wiring issue
ECU hardware fault or injector wiring loom degradation causing misfires or no-start conditions.
Symptoms
- Warning Light
- Misfire
How often
Very rare · Manufacturing defect. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
- Critical
- High
- Moderate
- Low
Rod bearing failurefrom 123k km
Check the car you're looking at
Owners rarely say at what mileage this engine's problems start, so they aren't sorted by mileage here. These are the ones to ask the seller about, the ones it's best known for first.
What to ask about
- Rod bearing failureHad this? Tell us at what mileage
- Throttle actuator failureHad this? Tell us at what mileage
- Dual-clutch / automatic transmission failureHad this? Tell us at what mileage
- Piston ringland failureHad this? Tell us at what mileage
- Oil leak from seals or gasketsHad this? Tell us at what mileage
- Dual-mass flywheel / clutch wearHad this? Tell us at what mileage
- Water pump failureHad this? Tell us at what mileage
- ECU fault or wiring issueHad this? Tell us at what mileage
Buying checklist
BMW S65 (M3 E90) · Buying checklist
Sources
Updated 12 Sept 2026 · scoring v2.7
Behind this report sit 57 owner posts, forum threads and official records. Nothing gets on the list on one person's word. It takes a recall, or owners on separate platforms describing the same fault. The score then sets how often a problem turns up against the damage it does.