S54 Engine failure in a 2002 M Roadster - BMW M3 (E46 M3) Message Board & Forum

In response to scary clattering noises that my 2002 M Roadster developed on Saturday afternoon it turns out that my engine is being replaced under warranty. I will be documenting the process and details on my web site. I think it's valuable for those of us unfortunate enough to be hit by issues like this to compare notes, so here are mine.

My main frustration at this point is that I've missed a few teriffic top-down driving days. I didn't realize just how much I loved my car.

I've also posted this to the Z3 (E36/7) board where a discussion is taking place. http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/z3/forum.php?postid=1353558&page=1

Link:

Repair History for my engine failure

S54 Engine failure in a 2002 M Roadster (url) - Nugget 2002-11-12 18:57:03 (5297 views) (9120 thread views)
- Re: S54 Engine failure in a 2002 M Roadster (url) - Nugget 2002-11-26 10:16:48 (689 views)
- IMPORTANT: Am I being paranoid...(m) - bigapple///M 2002-11-13 12:49:36 (452 views)
- IMPORTANT: Am I being paranoid...(m) - bigapple///M 2002-11-13 11:39:52 (295 views)
- Nugget...what's the production month on the door?? (nt) - DCC 2002-11-12 22:29:20 (342 views)
- What kind of oil did you put in... they dont sell (nt) - 10W-60 at autozone... CabellFisher 2002-11-12 21:50:23 (403 views)
  - why would anyone do such a thing? - StoneWalk 2002-11-12 22:18:43 (339 views)
- Sorry for your engine failure. Thanks for the data (nt) - WFBMWM3 2002-11-12 19:33:16 (275 views)
- First report of an M Z3 failure - marauder 2002-11-12 19:18:52 (446 views)
  - Re: First report of an M Z3 failure - 03_CAB 2002-11-12 19:27:47 (302 views)
    - saturday was perfect top-down driving... - Nugget 2002-11-12 19:33:46 (198 views)
  - they didn't make very many - StoneWalk 2002-11-12 19:24:05 (307 views)
    - Sample size is definitely different - marauder 2002-11-12 19:55:47 (214 views)
      No SMG in the M coupe/conv.... (nt) - M3twm 2002-11-12 23:33:41 (237 views)
      Understand the sample size issue BUT given.. - M3twm 2002-11-12 23:31:12 (172 views)
  - gee, I feel so *lucky* :) (nm) (nt) - Nugget 2002-11-12 19:22:09 (196 views)
    - You're the member #1 of the M Z3 Failure Page. :) (nt) - marauder 2002-11-12 19:31:18 (239 views)
- right timeframe - StoneWalk 2002-11-12 19:06:47 (240 views)
  - Yes, it's a 12/01/01 production date - Nugget 2002-11-12 19:13:20 (290 views)
    - which would mean about an 11/01 motor - StoneWalk 2002-11-12 19:16:02 (281 views)
      Not necessarily. - marauder 2002-11-12 19:30:09 (237 views)