[LM]

Hi everyone searched online and heard this was the best bmw forum so here I am. I just got myself a nice 335i even though its nearly 10 years old still looks pretty modern both inside and out

I will eventually be going in to tuning the car but first I guess I need to work out if it has problems. The only noticeable problem I had was the exhaust rattling on deceleration. I read online and was told by the sales guy that it was just the flap rattling and nothing to worry about but I guess I will still have it checked. Another issue is the digital oil gauge, when I first checked it showed it was right at the centre point and a few hours later got a warning saying it was below minimum (half way between 0 and min). So the next morning checked again and it was just on the minimum line :s so I thought I'd top up to see how it goes I only topped up half a litre and now its at max

Car is 6AT but on the service book there is no sign of gear box oil change is this something I have to do. Car is on 67k miles and drives well other than that exhaust problem. it has full service history but no extra services carried out other than regular oil change and spark plugs is there something else I should be doing at this mileage?

First thing to do will be spraying that annoying chrome grill to black and getting some tints can anyone recommend a good place in London for this?

Currently I have 17's on there and the ride is ultra comfy I kind of like that coming from a stiff gti. Would getting 18's or 19's ruin the comfort?

Lastly what's the best way to get a nicer sound from the exhaust. The exhaust is still nice and all in its stock form but I fell in love with this car when I heard someone driving it hard down the A10. Sounded like a e60 m5.

Hope to get some pics up once I've got the grills and tints on hoping tomorrow.

Thanks

[SlimE92]

Possible oil filter housing gasket and or valve cover gasket leaking. And sounds like u might have waste gate rattle. YouTube it, turbos might be shot I would check it out asap

[mweisdorfer]

It is is the exhaust flap, dump the mufflers and get new 335is mufflers.

You can get them for under $800.00 new, if you do some smart on-line shopping. Used is sort of hard to come by but if you do probably about $400-500.

[LM]

Originally Posted by SlimE92

Possible oil filter housing gasket and or valve cover gasket leaking. And sounds like u might have waste gate rattle. YouTube it, turbos might be shot I would check it out asap

What would be the best option to take it to bmw or to a specialist. The trader I got the car from gave it with 3 month warranty but only for engine and gearbox.

[LM]

I love the car but it's just getting me so paranoid, I've read too many horror stories about this car but still went for it hope it's all good

[Eschleae]

Originally Posted by LM

I love the car but it's just getting me so paranoid, I've read too many horror stories about this car but still went for it hope it's all good

Once you start modding it you'll realize the enjoyment you get from driving it outweighs the cost of maintenance

[LM]

Originally Posted by Eschleae

Once you start modding it you'll realize the enjoyment you get from driving it outweighs the cost of maintenance

yup will be starting to mod once my warranty runs out in 3 months

[SlimE92]

Originally Posted by LM

What would be the best option to take it to bmw or to a specialist. The trader I got the car from gave it with 3 month warranty but only for engine and gearbox.

Google ofhg leak n54 and valve cover leak n54 then go to images get familiar with how the components look when oil is leaking and you should be able to determine if ur leaking pretty simple. As for the rattle sound u can also pretty much diagnose if it's the exhaust flap by disconnecting the valve from the plug in the trunk which is a plus anyway (louder exhaust). Or checking out videos online of wastegate rattle n54 check it out and report back

[LM]

Originally Posted by SlimE92

Google ofhg leak n54 and valve cover leak n54 then go to images get familiar with how the components look when oil is leaking and you should be able to determine if ur leaking pretty simple. As for the rattle sound u can also pretty much diagnose if it's the exhaust flap by disconnecting the valve from the plug in the trunk which is a plus anyway (louder exhaust). Or checking out videos online of wastegate rattle n54 check it out and report back

I did check for a leak but didn't find anything. It doesn't make sense for it to be leaking because first it had half oil then next half way between 0 and min then spot on min then I filled 0.5 litre and it went back to half and a few hours later its sitting on max. So it must be a sensor issue?

And for the exhaust I will do that and report back tonight. Thanks

[mike@x-ph.com]

Welcome and congrats

[Revishaynes335]

Originally Posted by LM

Hi everyone searched online and heard this was the best bmw forum so here I am. I just got myself a nice 335i even though its nearly 10 years old still looks pretty modern both inside and out

I will eventually be going in to tuning the car but first I guess I need to work out if it has problems. The only noticeable problem I had was the exhaust rattling on deceleration. I read online and was told by the sales guy that it was just the flap rattling and nothing to worry about but I guess I will still have it checked. Another issue is the digital oil gauge, when I first checked it showed it was right at the centre point and a few hours later got a warning saying it was below minimum (half way between 0 and min). So the next morning checked again and it was just on the minimum line :s so I thought I'd top up to see how it goes I only topped up half a litre and now its at max

Car is 6AT but on the service book there is no sign of gear box oil change is this something I have to do. Car is on 67k miles and drives well other than that exhaust problem. it has full service history but no extra services carried out other than regular oil change and spark plugs is there something else I should be doing at this mileage?

First thing to do will be spraying that annoying chrome grill to black and getting some tints can anyone recommend a good place in London for this?

Currently I have 17's on there and the ride is ultra comfy I kind of like that coming from a stiff gti. Would getting 18's or 19's ruin the comfort?

Lastly what's the best way to get a nicer sound from the exhaust. The exhaust is still nice and all in its stock form but I fell in love with this car when I heard someone driving it hard down the A10. Sounded like a e60 m5.

Hope to get some pics up once I've got the grills and tints on hoping tomorrow.

Thanks

I have a 08 335i coupe with a muffler delete replacing it with 3" pipes. They sound great and are loud enough to get people attention when you put your foot down or coldstart it! Its also a bonus that you don't have to shell out a grand on an exhaust!!! I can send u a vid of my exhaust if u like

[JustDriveIt]

Originally Posted by SlimE92

Google ofhg leak n54 and valve cover leak n54 then go to images get familiar with how the components look when oil is leaking and you should be able to determine if ur leaking pretty simple. As for the rattle sound u can also pretty much diagnose if it's the exhaust flap by disconnecting the valve from the plug in the trunk which is a plus anyway (louder exhaust). Or checking out videos online of wastegate rattle n54 check it out and report back

This. Unplug that cable in trunk. There's a dyI somewhere. It's super easy and stopped that rattle, MHD took care of the wastegate rattle

[LM]

Originally Posted by JustDriveIt

This. Unplug that cable in trunk. There's a dyI somewhere. It's super easy and stopped that rattle, MHD took care of the wastegate rattle

ok So I done the golf tee mod I unplugged that cable. Certainly sounds better and louder but rattle is still there. It doesn't sound like the flaps though. It actually sounds like the exhaust is not stable and when I rev the rattling goes away but when I let go it's back to rattling.

so revving = no rattle

no revving = rattle for 3 seconds, stop rattling for 3 seconds and back to rattling for 3 seconds.

I don't have a clue

[JustDriveIt]

Originally Posted by LM

ok So I done the golf tee mod I unplugged that cable. Certainly sounds better and louder but rattle is still there. It doesn't sound like the flaps though. It actually sounds like the exhaust is not stable and when I rev the rattling goes away but when I let go it's back to rattling.

so revving = no rattle

no revving = rattle for 3 seconds, stop rattling for 3 seconds and back to rattling for 3 seconds.

I don't have a clue

It's the wastegates for sure. It is very common. I have it on my car. I used the MHD flasher tune and have to set the waste gate rattle fix to 20% (which is more lag and less rattle). I don't notice the lag too much so it's not a big deal.

[LM]

Originally Posted by JustDriveIt

It's the wastegates for sure. It is very common. I have it on my car. I used the MHD flasher tune and have to set the waste gate rattle fix to 20% (which is more lag and less rattle). I don't notice the lag too much so it's not a big deal.

it's coming from the exhaust not the engine bay. It sounds like a tin can rattling. Could it be that the exhaust is not fitted in properly and is shaking on deceleration? I don't have any noise at idle only when I rev and let go.

[VanBMW335]

My 08 is leaking like crazy even after dropping over a grand to fix oil filter housing and other gaskets ... Seems like the crank seal is leaking could be oil pan gasket even inline turbo o rings.. Bottom line another 1000 to fix... Not happy with this xi coupe right now.. But thats part of the risk in buying an older beemer and driving it like its an M3 lol

[JustDriveIt]

Originally Posted by LM

it's coming from the exhaust not the engine bay. It sounds like a tin can rattling. Could it be that the exhaust is not fitted in properly and is shaking on deceleration? I don't have any noise at idle only when I rev and let go.

Since the turbo is part of your "exhaust" the noise travels through and out the back of the exhaust.
[u2b]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2T6lhGFriw[/u2b]

[adidoman]

It is possible to be the exhaust flap. Does it make the rattle pretty bad on a cold start? You could do the golf tee mod, and if the rattle is still there is more likely wastegate rattle. Start crossing off things easier first before moving to more complicated things. Look up the golf tee mod here and do it to find out if it the the exhaust flap or not

[LM]

Originally Posted by adidoman

It is possible to be the exhaust flap. Does it make the rattle pretty bad on a cold start? You could do the golf tee mod, and if the rattle is still there is more likely wastegate rattle. Start crossing off things easier first before moving to more complicated things. Look up the golf tee mod here and do it to find out if it the the exhaust flap or not

I already said I've done the golf tee mod and it doesn't rattle on cold start it only rattles when I'm driving when I accelerate and let go of acceleration is when it rattles.

[LM]

Originally Posted by JustDriveIt

Since the turbo is part of your "exhaust" the noise travels through and out the back of the exhaust.
[u2b]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2T6lhGFriw[/u2b]

yes it sounds exactly like that in the video I only get the sound after letting go of gas. This really sucks man I wish I was able to enjoy a couple months at least before this shite. No permanent fix for this I guess?

[SlimE92]

Originally Posted by LM

yes it sounds exactly like that in the video I only get the sound after letting go of gas. This really sucks man I wish I was able to enjoy a couple months at least before this shite. No permanent fix for this I guess?

Sadly the only permanent fix is new turbos.

[NRudy]

I got my 335i with 67k

Everything that could go wrong did

Turbos
02 sensor
Radiator
Hpfp
Camshaft bearing ledges
Camshaft
Vanos Gears
Vanos solenoids
Gaskets

Total repairs around 9k

Best advice i can give.... Make sure your prepared for what can go wrong in these as they can cost.

I could have bought another 335i for the cost of repairs. However BMW approved warranty saved my lemon.