Auto Motor & Sport magazine (Germany) Issue 1/2003, page 8
 

Engine blow ups on BMW M3
Company starts recall in North America

After a series of engine failures BMW is going to recall the current model M3 on the North American market. According to the manufacturer, vehicles affected are mainly delivered from November 2001 up to February 2002. At a certain series of engines it is suspected that particles/residue caused within the production process are being transfered from the oilpump in to the oilcirculation, which has caused severe problems at the rod bearings. BMW did verify that all owners of vehicles produced within this certain timeframe are going to be notified in writing. Most of the vehicles produced in this particular timeframe have been made for the U.S. market, and therefore BMW is considering placing a recall there only. Exact numbers have not been released from the company but rumors are talking about some several hundred cars being affected. According to BMW, cars are not going to be exchanged entirely, only the engines. The costs are estimated at around 10,000 Euros per engine.