blew my N52, yes N52, last weeend. Just driving down the freeway around 75MPH, heard a popcorn noise coming from the engine bay pulled over. Rod Knock galore. Towed it home and glitter city in my oil filter.
I switched to Valvoline Restore and Protect 5W-30 less than 1000 miles before the engine blew. Full disclosure I did also us a Mobil 1 oil filter for the N52 which I understand are not reocmmended.
I'm in process of dropping the oil pan. The glitter in the oil filter was copper colored so I'm expecting the rod bearings failed hence the rod knock. After drainig the oil from the pan this morning the end of the magnetic drain plugs is super sticky sludgy oil which i have NEVER seen in all the oil changes I"ve done on this car going back to 80,000 miles now at 152310 miles when it let go.
I bought the car in 2020 for $6k from a rich lady who's son worked at the dealership on Orange County CA which even included a CPO warranty transfer to 100k which I took advantage of for new radiator and all th reaclls. Getting 5 years of 100% reliable servcie out of the 328i I'm not really that upset since its cheap and lasted 5 years. I just wish I didn't take as good care of it as I did using all expensive OEM parts like new water pump, nothing went on that wasn't OEM except the micky mouse flange, a metal cooling line for the one that burst above the radiator and a K&N panel filter. Car had a 330 flash since 80k no 3SIM and ran like a top.
Prior to the switch to Restore and Protect it got nothing but Castrol 5W-30 Euro A3/A4 and changed around 10,000 miles usually with a MANN filter.
I'm not saying R&P caused the failure but it and the Mobil 1 filter and the evidence of slude now in my pan somthing sure changed.
Unless I find a vanos bolt in my oil pan from BMW's recall work 9 months ago it sure is suspicous for a N52 to lose its rod bearings.
I've been documenting it on YouTube up to 4 Shorts:
https://youtube.com/shorts/_wUunnojT6k
https://youtube.com/shorts/FLUkQQpRjww
https://youtube.com/shorts/xXg59bTa-1A