Gang-
I've come across a 2008 BMW 135i with 145,000 on it while out looking at something else entirely. I have a reliable friend to do a PPI for me (I don't have a lift, BMW computer tools, etc. He does!) Because it has the airbag recall open I think I can get a really good price. Thing looks immaculate in person, Sedona Red with Taupe interior. The interior is super clean, unusual for such a light color and these many miles. This would be a DD and may have to make a cross country trip in the next few months.
What do I need to know?
Common problems are fuel pump, injectors, coil packs, and water pump, A/C evaporator core, and turbos. Does the car have any maintenance history especially with that many miles?
Yes, some. The car is at a wholesaler I know. Looks like cooling system work was done about 40,000 ago, regular oil changes, brake fluid changes, trans etc. and specified maintenance show on the carfax. Also "engine noise checked" Looks like all work was done at two BMW dealerships, so I'm reaching out to BMW to see if they can supply detail. Carfax is clean save a minor fender bender at 20,000.
The biggest potential fault is from the High Pressure Fuel pump. This is a fairly expensive piece and its hit or miss on getting BMW to do anything about it for you. After that it is normal for the cooling system to fail at right around 50k. The parts aren't uber expensive if you shop online but labor can be if you don't do the work yourself.
http://jalopnik.com/5673591/how-fans-forced-bmw-to-fix-this-faulty-fuel-pump
Hope that the engine noise checked is not the notorious turbocharger wastegate rattle.
How big of a deal is the HPFP? Is it like the IMS in the 996 (Internet blew it out of proportion) or like the rear diff in the 1st Gen CTS-V (explodes if you make a mean face at it).
The High Pressure fuel pump problems were sorted out several years ago. Every car now either came out of the factory with a good pump or has had its pump replaced.
Since that car is an '08 with high mileage - I pretty much guarantee it has had its pump replaced.
Water pumps are a wear item. Plan on replacing the water pump every 5 years or 50k miles, which means that car is probably due soon. It costs about $1000 for a shop to do it - the parts are close to $500. Radiators and expansion tanks can be a problem too, but aren't as bad and are less expensive.
Honestly, unless the turbos have been replaced, I would budget on that too - a rebuilt set runs about $1k, but also presents an opportunity to upgrade. Vargas is probably the most knowledgable shop regarding the turbos on these engines http://performance.vargasturbo.com/products/ - Dinan is being pulled kicking and screaming into the turbo era and isn't really up to speed yet.
A catch can is a good idea, these cars produce a lot of blowby.
Plan on having the head walnut media blasted in the next few years.
The suspension bushings (particularly the control arm bushing) up front are weak and the wheels have crazy high offset and OEM replacements are hard to find and they bend easily (due to the low profile tires and high offset).
You can only get -1 degree of camber in the front without camber plates.
The stock exhaust is ridiculously heavy and the secondary outlet pipe is vacuum actuated (whatever moron thought it would be a swell idea to run a vacuum line all the way to the extreme left rear corner of the car deserves to be shot). Anyway, replace the rear section, and plug up the vacuum line, problem solved.
A happy E82 owner is a knowledgeable E82 owner. I never thought I would be a "BMW guy" and bought mine on a whim and honestly I do love the car. You just have to know what you're getting into - the maintenance requirements of these cars are equal or or exceed those of an M-car.
Thanks! That's the info I'm looking for and for which the hive mind is well known. With the exception of turbo waste gate issues it looks like standard BMW fare, and if I maintain it (and if it's been maintained) I should have some fun. Now we wait for the printouts from BMW. All the service was performed at BMW of Orange County in NY. They are willing to give me the service records, so we will see what we see.
Nothing to add except I didn't realize 1 series is that old now. Time flies!
