[eee_90]

hey all - just put a deposit on a 2008 328xi with 42k miles and sport, premium, and cold weather package. was a manufacturer vehicle from 0-10k and 1 owner till now.

question: what major maintenance items should I expect both now and in the next 10-15k miles (as I approach 50-60k miles)?

[eee_90]

also wanted to mention - I noticed a "stickiness" to the brakes - like I would let off the brake and the car would hesitate before going, then jump to an idle. the salesman said this is a BMW feature in new models but I've never experienced this in my previous e46s or heard of this...

is this a true feature or does this sound like it needs repair?

[djjasper]

You can expect very little in the way of maintenance and or repairs. The N52 may be the best BMW motor ever. Us N54 guys are the ones chewing our fingernails.

[eee_90]

Originally Posted by djjasper

You can expect very little in the way of maintenance and or repairs. The N52 may be the best BMW motor ever. Us N54 guys are the ones chewing our fingernails.

great - thanks to know

in regards to the 2nd question - I searched and it seems this "sticky brake" problem is a result of a faulty YAW sensor? Or need for updated software? Is this an expensive repair?

the ride in the car was perfect. this was the only "disturbing" thing I noticed - is this problem serious or anything that should deter me from purchasing the vehicle?

[derBayerMotorenLieber]

On that subject. I've been trying to decide between the 328xi and the 335i. Is the N54 really that bad maintenance-wise?

[djjasper]

Originally Posted by derBayerMotorenLieber

On that subject. I've been trying to decide between the 328xi and the 335i. Is the N54 really that bad maintenance-wise?

The only possible answer to this question is simply "maybe". The N54 is a so much fun you might end up peeing yourself, but then again it might go into limp mode and you'll end up, well, limp. My best advice would be to know what you are potentially getting yourself into if you go N54, and if you are nervous, get a CPO, and then extend the warranty out as long as you can after the CPO term is over. Or, make sure you could afford a couple thousand dollars for an unexpected repair without going into foreclosure or selling off organs. Now that you are totally scared off you can read some love for the N54 here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...blemsElizabeth 1.800.831.1117 x7954

[derBayerMotorenLieber]

Originally Posted by djjasper

The only possible answer to this question is simply "maybe". The N54 is a so much fun you might end up peeing yourself, but then again it might go into limp mode and you'll end up, well, limp. My best advice would be to know what you are potentially getting yourself into if you go N54, and if you are nervous, get a CPO, and then extend the warranty out as long as you can after the CPO term is over. Or, make sure you could afford a couple thousand dollars for an unexpected repair without going into foreclosure or selling off organs. Now that you are totally scared off you can read some love for the N54 here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...blemsElizabeth 1.800.831.1117 x7954

Gotcha. I am looking at a particular 2007 335i, I believe the thread is floating around here somewhere, and it doesn't have the oil cooler. Would it be advisable to have one installed, and also what would that cost to do?

[amill411]

yeah I've heard the 328's are easy to maintain and require minimal work. 335's have to worry about all kinds of stuff

[shata]

Originally Posted by djjasper

You can expect very little in the way of maintenance and or repairs. The N52 may be the best BMW motor ever. Us N54 guys are the ones chewing our fingernails.

+1 N52 as far as reliability is the best engine used on E90's. BMW has been using the N52 since the E46's in different variants, I think it was used even way before then. Its a very proven engine unlike the N54-N55 engine and newer engines on different models.

[shata]

Since you've had E46's just make sure you dont do 19k oil change interval. 7.5k Max and I normally dont even do that.

[ctuna]

I would google Mike Miller BMW to find the old school maintenance schedule.

[TheTal0n]

I just got a little over 60k, and i changed my brake fluid and power steering.


only thing that happened to me was my battery died...got a flat tire to but that was my fault for a bad alignment.


so far so good! N52 seems nice

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by eee_90

also wanted to mention - I noticed a "stickiness" to the brakes - like I would let off the brake and the car would hesitate before going, then jump to an idle. the salesman said this is a BMW feature in new models but I've never experienced this in my previous e46s or heard of this...

is this a true feature or does this sound like it needs repair?

The salesman is correct. The "drive off assistant" was introduced for the E9X series.

From the manual:

Drive-off assistant

The drive-off assistant enables you to drive off
smoothly on uphill gradients. It is not necessary
to use the parking brake for this.

1.

Hold the car in place by depressing the
brake.

2.

Release the brake and drive off without
delay.
The drive-off assistant holds the car in
place for approx. 2 seconds after the
brake is released. Depending on vehicle load,
the car may roll backwards a little during this
time span. Drive off without delay after releasing
the brake. Otherwise, the drive-off assistant
will no longer hold the car in place after approx.

2 seconds and the car will start to roll backwards.

Although it seems to be more useful for MT, it is included with AT as well. It takes only a brief period to become acclimated to it.


Tom

[BKV122]

Not many main things just normal regular maintenance. Oil brakes,fluids, etc.

Originally Posted by eee_90

also wanted to mention - I noticed a "stickiness" to the brakes - like I would let off the brake and the car would hesitate before going, then jump to an idle. the salesman said this is a BMW feature in new models but I've never experienced this in my previous e46s or heard of this...

is this a true feature or does this sound like it needs repair?

Hill assist or as stated drive off assist if your on a slight incline it will hold the brakes for a few seconds so you dont roll back

[Saintor]

Maintenance; not much.

I disagree about repairs. The bad design of valves cover gasket means that it is almost a "maintenance" item. At 800-1000$ a pop. My car had one replaced under warranty. And needs another one at 65K miles,

[ncats07]

Originally Posted by derBayerMotorenLieber

Gotcha. I am looking at a particular 2007 335i, I believe the thread is floating around here somewhere, and it doesn't have the oil cooler. Would it be advisable to have one installed, and also what would that cost to do?

Early '07 builds didn't have the oil cooler but later builds came with one from the factory with the sports package. So if you're buying an '07 make sure you get one with it. It's easy to spot inside the front passenger wheel well. Do a search, there are lots of pictures of it in these forums.