[dallas.daines]

I bought a 2007 e90 335i no more than two months ago. I was super cautious about it because I've read about how problematic they are. I found no problems whatsoever and the car had an amazing service record so I bought it. Not 2,000 miles later I just now started hearing the infamous wastegate rattle immediately after acceleration when the RPMs are dropping.

So my question is, what does this mean? I've read a lot on the forums about what is happening mechanically, but it also sounded like BMW stopped replacing turbos just because of the wastegate rattle. It also seems to be fairly common. Are my turbos really on their way out, or could I potentially put another 50,000+ miles on them? The car has 96,500 miles as of now.

I'm starting medical school here in the next couple months and really don't want to have to deal with a $5,000 repair to replace my turbos. Should I just bail on the car? Trade it in for something else?

Also, is there any way to mask or temporarily fix the wastegate rattle? I only ask because if I find out the dealership I bought the car from was trying to mask problems in order to sell the car, I'd have to crack some skulls.

[Jklad]

When my wastegates rattled at 80k the car was boosting fine and felt strong as ever. It was for 20k miles too. The only reason I took it in was bc of the extended warranty and bc it was annoying and sometimes embarrassing when pulling away from a parking lot in a nice looking BMW that sounds like a bunch of trash cans bangin around. Id have to wait for the exhaust flap to open before I could pull away after starting the car.

[dallas.daines]

So is it considered "normal" to drive a 335i with waste gate rattle, or is it something that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later?

[stimpy]

Originally Posted by Jklad

When my wastegates rattled at 80k the car was boosting fine and felt strong as ever. It was for 20k miles too. The only reason I took it in was bc of the extended warranty and bc it was annoying and sometimes embarrassing when pulling away from a parking lot in a nice looking BMW that sounds like a bunch of trash cans bangin around. Id have to wait for the exhaust flap to open before I could pull away after starting the car.

+1000

It's downright fucking embarrassing to be honest. I was at an Autocross watching my buddy race and these two young kids were in an Autocross setup Civic next to me and they were checking out my car... until I turned it on. I remember the look on their faces as the car sounded like I was pouring bb's into a metal trash as I turned her on and was leaving the parking spot.

Originally Posted by dallas.daines

So is it considered "normal" to drive a 335i with waste gate rattle, or is it something that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later?

It's not 'normal' per say as it's a known issue and the warranty for this specific part was extended to 8 year / 82k due to a class action suit. It's a common problem but not normal in terms of you should be fine with it. As far as functionality goes, I'm not really seeing any performance issues minus killing my hopes and dreams every time I drive the car

If you haven't seen the extended warranty issues regarding the wastegate warranty:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=729833

Sounds like this garbage..

[nikitino25]

From what I understand, it's more of an annoyance than anything else and doesn't necessarily affect performance. Mine rattle like crazy (it's louder if you get downpipes) and my car has 46,xxx miles. I believe there is a physical adjustment that you can do to take up some slack on the actuator arms but I haven't really looked into it yet. Supposedly you can also "tune" it out to some degree with a tune like JB4 (I think). I just kind of live with it and it does not affect performance, at least not yet.....Unfortunately I have all kinds of mods on my car so can't take it to the dealer for the 8yr or 80k turbo warranty. If they go bad, i'll get some upgraded turbos like RB or Vargas or maybe even a single turbo upgrade.....

[Ch3ss]

when I first got my 335i the rattle bothered me but I learned to live with it but mine is only bad on start up and not so much when warmed up.

[dallas.daines]

So what it sounds like is my car should be fine as long as I can live with the inconvenience of hearing the rattle. When I first heard it, I just assumed it meant my turbos were on their way out pretty quick. It sounds like there are a lot of people out there just living with the rattle. That's good news! I really don't want to bail on the car if I don't have to.

[nikitino25]

Originally Posted by dallas.daines

So what it sounds like is my car should be fine as long as I can live with the inconvenience of hearing the rattle. When I first heard it, I just assumed it meant my turbos were on their way out pretty quick. It sounds like there are a lot of people out there just living with the rattle. That's good news! I really don't want to bail on the car if I don't have to.

No, it's nothing to freak out about....there's even a post on here somewhere where somebody rigged them up with a 25 cent spring to stop the rattling....

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=842850

[rbaldwin28]

Originally Posted by Jklad

When my wastegates rattled at 80k the car was boosting fine and felt strong as ever. It was for 20k miles too. The only reason I took it in was bc of the extended warranty and bc it was annoying and sometimes embarrassing when pulling away from a parking lot in a nice looking BMW that sounds like a bunch of trash cans bangin around. Id have to wait for the exhaust flap to open before I could pull away after starting the car.

The exhaust flap is open by default. The spring holds them all the way open until vacuum
Pulls them closed so in case of a vacuum failure the turbos dont over boost.

[tjobeid]

80% of the time It can be tuned out by changed the waste gate position. with my jb4 i can mask it so its not there .YOu can also try turning the rod on the waste gate 2 turns to make it tighter since it loosens overtime.

Here is DIY, a wrench size 10 and 5 from sears craftsmen set for 10$ is all you need to try it.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176269

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by dallas.daines

I bought a 2007 e90 335i no more than two months ago. I was super cautious about it because I've read about how problematic they are. I found no problems whatsoever and the car had an amazing service record so I bought it. Not 2,000 miles later I just now started hearing the infamous wastegate rattle immediately after acceleration when the RPMs are dropping.

So my question is, what does this mean? I've read a lot on the forums about what is happening mechanically, but it also sounded like BMW stopped replacing turbos just because of the wastegate rattle. It also seems to be fairly common. Are my turbos really on their way out, or could I potentially put another 50,000+ miles on them? The car has 96,500 miles as of now.

I'm starting medical school here in the next couple months and really don't want to have to deal with a $5,000 repair to replace my turbos. Should I just bail on the car? Trade it in for something else?

Also, is there any way to mask or temporarily fix the wastegate rattle? I only ask because if I find out the dealership I bought the car from was trying to mask problems in order to sell the car, I'd have to crack some skulls.

Dude find a sick ass looking coupe or 4 door, that bones out that doesn't have a problem from it's conception. I have an 07 E92 335 and I love this car. The wastegate rattle has been beaten to death on this site. Learn about your car or pay the stealership to fix it. I choose to learn and now my car is smooth as hell and it's like working on my baby and I enjoy it.

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by tjobeid

80% of the time It can be tuned out by changed the waste gate position. with my jb4 i can mask it so its not there .YOu can also try turning the rod on the waste gate 2 turns to make it tighter since it loosens overtime.

Here is DIY, a wrench size 10 and 5 from sears craftsmen set for 10$ is all you need to try it.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176269

Great reply! Wish you were around when I was spooked about mine. Now looking back it's one of the easiest fixes ever.