Learn Me 2007 335i

Guy at work is interested is hearing horror stories.

What do you say?

Same BMW failures as others.

Cooling system blows out at low mileage...check

Suspension bushings crack at low mileage...check

Coil packs fail causing misfires...check

Batteries are expensive and need to be programmed to the car...check

Oil leaks (v/c gaskets and profile gskts)...check

Insane torque and power with a wonderful sound...check

Cone_Junkie wrote: Batteries are expensive and need to be programmed to the car...check

Gibedewhuh?

I drove one (a coupe) as an instructor in an autocross last season. It was capable for the 60 seconds that I was behind the wheel. The owner liked it and hadn't had any issues other than a strong dislike for the clutch pedal, which he modified by removing the delay valve.

Had a nice interior by my standards. Felt very heavy on course. Was surprisingly quick in a straight line.

That's all I got.

Consensus of my friendly neighborhood BMW techs (both dealer and indy): "don't own a newer BMW out of warranty".

The cutoff seems to be 2003 (E39) to 2005 (E46).

You couldn't give me a 7-series, and I'm a fanboy.

bludroptop wrote: Consensus of my friendly neighborhood BMW techs (both dealer and indy): "don't own a newer BMW out of warranty". The cutoff seems to be 2003 (E39) to 2005 (E46). You couldn't give me a 7-series, and I'm a fanboy.

As a friendly(?) not in your neighborhood tech, I completely concur. But there is always extended warranties.

Cone_Junkie wrote: Same BMW failures as others. Cooling system blows out at low mileage...check Suspension bushings crack at low mileage...check Coil packs fail causing misfires...check Batteries are expensive and need to be programmed to the car...check Oil leaks (v/c gaskets and profile gskts)...check Insane torque and power with a wonderful sound...check

lol, this all apply to a 135i as well? Been thinking of trading my WRX in for a N54 135i.

High pressure fuel pump failure is/was the most common problem. BMW warranties the HPFP until 120k. Mine has been done twice but has never left me stranded( had longer then usual start ups). The other most common problem is wastegate rattle which BMW also warranties if it causes driveablity issues. The battery when replaced needs "registered" = approx. $300 replacement cost when done. N54 engines are also direct injection which leave carbon build up and require cleaning or "walnut blasted", recommended every 40k. Finding someone to do this affordable can be a task.

In reply to westsidetalon:

Helix in Philly does the walnut blasting for a tolerable price (at least compared to the dealer, from what I understand). They use a Eastwood pressure blaster with one of these:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/81292208037/ES2165972/

...so as to prevent shell debris from going all over the place. This is the first time I've looked for that tool and $70 seems surprisingly cheap. I've watched it done and much of the cost is in the labor to get the manifold off. It seems to me like purchasing the tools to DIY would pay for themselves pretty quickly.

It's funny to me... VW TDi's - since diesels are also direct injected - suffer from the same coking problem in the intake manifold and on the valves. I've been pondering how to make a similar tool for my ALH engine.

My 2010 135i has 40k miles and has had 3 injectors replaced along with one coil pack under warranty. I was aware these were common problems along with the fuel pumps going out but my local dealer has been great to work with. Normally after a year I get bored and start thinking about what I'd get next but I still love the car.

My 2007 335i has only had issues that BMW has recognized and covered under warranty. I had the Injectors, coil packs, HPFP replaced under warranty to fix a misfire issue. Turns out none of that was really the issue. There was a TSB that indicated the DME needed replacing (Certain VIN range for early 2007 only). So basically all of the issues that could arise on my car have been take care of.

It has power for days, very comfortable to drive in for long distance. Mine is the sport package and I love the seats. Buy a JB4, downpipes, intake and FMIC and you can make a reliable 450hp all day. It is heavier than my old e36, but an H&R cup kit and sway bars really livened things up.

I have an 08 335i as a daily and I'm not sure I would buy one again knowing what I do now. It's an amazing car. Great ride, comfortable, tons-o-power (add in a jb4 for even more fun), built well but the maintenance is scary expensive and DIY is not intuitive to me. Aftermarkets bits are a bit pricey and the 'community' annoys me a bit as well (I wanted to see if it was possible to unlock all 4 doors when the car is stopped, forum responses to similar questions were along the lines of 'why would you want to do that?' and 'that's a dumb idea').

I had one from 44k to 75k.

All injectors replaced HPFP was replaced twice before I purchased it. (Verified via dealer records) The wastegates were a little rattly when I sold it. Waterpump failed at 75k.

I purchased the car from Carmax and so purchased an extended warranty. Just the same I had to spend $400 on the waterpump when it failed as the warranty didn't cover a thermostat or other random parts/fluids during the replacement.

I loved the car. Fast as hell. Comfortable for long trips. It also had some very cool features that I great to really like. The seats were a bit hot on summer days, even with the AC going I'd still sweat a bit as they don't breath well. Decent mileage but not spectacular. I sold it for a 2010 Ford Taurus SHO.