[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by Lev

Amazing, post. I'm selling my E90(2010) with 33K miles on it. Please ping me if interested.

2010
328xi
33k original miles.
Black(metallic) on Black.
Brand new
* Tires
* Brakes
* Rotars
* Spark Plugs
* Battery
* Sensors

What options are on it? The low miles will scare buyers away since you have not done the water pump or any of the oil gaskets.

[maryamchochana]

I'm buying a 2007 328xi coupe with 120,000 km (74564.5431miles) on it. The owner says there's nothing wrong with it, the only problem is its valve cover gasket, it might start leaking.
I wanted to know what common issues come with this car and what kind of maintenance it might need after a certain amount of kms/miles.

[wdb]

Are you sure it's not 74564.54321 miles? That would be kind of cool.

[twd000]

I purchased a new 2011 BMW 335i sedan new from the local dealership. From Day 1, the car was beautiful and drove awesome. Everything that I had dreamed of. However, the day I got it home the computer died. The dealership towed the car to its location for free and replaced the computer while providing a loaner. Although this dampened the buying experience, I decided to keep the car. After owning the car for over 7 years now, I can honestly say that this is the worst quality car that I have every owned. Water pump failure at 60k miles. Oil seal failures at 75k. Radiator replaced at 100k. Rubber modeling dry rotting and needing replacement around windshield. The list goes on. And as we all know that every repair is very expensive compared to other cars. It just seems that these cars were built with low quality parts with high failure rates. Now, I face a 2k charge to replace the value gasket cover at 124k. I will never own another BMW and would not recommend that anyone else does either. I understand that these are high performance cars but I don't drive like I'm in Nascar. The poor quality is just very disappointing. Guess I am just venting. I am going to trade it for more dependable vehicle. Probably go back to a Ford Mustang or something. Not the same as ride but power is great and they have always been very dependable without the expensive repairs. Basically, BMWs are beautiful poor quality vehicles in my opinion. If you are going to buy one, I would recommend trading as soon as the 50k warranty has expired.

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by twd000

I purchased a new 2011 BMW 335i sedan new from the local dealership. From Day 1, the car was beautiful and drove awesome. Everything that I had dreamed of. However, the day I got it home the computer died. The dealership towed the car to its location for free and replaced the computer while providing a loaner. Although this dampened the buying experience, I decided to keep the car. After owning the car for over 7 years now, I can honestly say that this is the worst quality car that I have every owned. Water pump failure at 60k miles. Oil seal failures at 75k. Radiator replaced at 100k. Rubber modeling dry rotting and needing replacement around windshield. The list goes on. And as we all know that every repair is very expensive compared to other cars. It just seems that these cars were built with low quality parts with high failure rates. Now, I face a 2k charge to replace the value gasket cover at 124k. I will never own another BMW and would not recommend that anyone else does either. I understand that these are high performance cars but I don't drive like I'm in Nascar. The poor quality is just very disappointing. Guess I am just venting. I am going to trade it for more dependable vehicle. Probably go back to a Ford Mustang or something. Not the same as ride but power is great and they have always been very dependable without the expensive repairs. Basically, BMWs are beautiful poor quality vehicles in my opinion. If you are going to buy one, I would recommend trading as soon as the 50k warranty has expired.

If you can't work on your own car I would always recommend dumping it at 50k. That goes for any European car. This month I replaced the battery, rotors and brake pads on my dad's s class. I paid $750 DIY vs at least $2500 at the dealer. These cars are affordable if you can turn a wrench.

[4 Doors]

Originally Posted by twd000

I purchased a new 2011 BMW 335i sedan new from the local dealership. From Day 1, the car was beautiful and drove awesome. Everything that I had dreamed of. However, the day I got it home the computer died. The dealership towed the car to its location for free and replaced the computer while providing a loaner. Although this dampened the buying experience, I decided to keep the car. After owning the car for over 7 years now, I can honestly say that this is the worst quality car that I have every owned. Water pump failure at 60k miles. Oil seal failures at 75k. Radiator replaced at 100k. Rubber modeling dry rotting and needing replacement around windshield. The list goes on. And as we all know that every repair is very expensive compared to other cars. It just seems that these cars were built with low quality parts with high failure rates. Now, I face a 2k charge to replace the value gasket cover at 124k. I will never own another BMW and would not recommend that anyone else does either. I understand that these are high performance cars but I don't drive like I'm in Nascar. The poor quality is just very disappointing. Guess I am just venting. I am going to trade it for more dependable vehicle. Probably go back to a Ford Mustang or something. Not the same as ride but power is great and they have always been very dependable without the expensive repairs. Basically, BMWs are beautiful poor quality vehicles in my opinion. If you are going to buy one, I would recommend trading as soon as the 50k warranty has expired.

If you are going to pay $2000 to have your valve cover gasket replaced, then you will certainly have the feelings you are experiencing right now. As someone said above...be willing to DIY and enjoy the vehicle!

[HB E90]

Originally Posted by parksjm7

Good summary - just one nitpick

"2010-2013 BMW 335i:
302HP N55 Twin Turbo inline six cylinder"

=2011-2013 N55 Single Turbo

Great thread although I caught this too in the OP! Maybe because I have a 2010 N54 335!
I have some experience wrenching on Jap and domestic vehicles. My first BMW or any Euro car for that matter. Things are different to say the least but looking forward to getting to know my new girl, you know feeling her out! Shes got attitude and I love it especially when I push the go pedal. Is there no dipstick to check the oil? and why aren't the reservoirs semi clear so you can see the fluid in them? That makes no sense to me. So you can see by my join date and that I just finally pulled the trigger on one. I was a bit apprehensive. I put it off for a while but found this car with 74k mi and most the big issues dealt with in the last couple of years. New turbos, HPFP, injectors, battery, spark plugs, coils, OFHG and more. I dont see a intake valve cleaning done so I should probably get that done eh? All for now. Thanks

[4 Doors]

Originally Posted by HB E90

Great thread although I caught this too in the OP! Maybe because I have a 2010 N54 335!
I have some experience wrenching on Jap and domestic vehicles. My first BMW or any Euro car for that matter. Things are different to say the least but looking forward to getting to know my new girl, you know feeling her out! Shes got attitude and I love it especially when I push the go pedal. Is there no dipstick to check the oil? and why aren't the reservoirs semi clear so you can see the fluid in them? That makes no sense to me. So you can see by my join date and that I just finally pulled the trigger on one. I was a bit apprehensive. I put it off for a while but found this car with 74k mi and most the big issues dealt with in the last couple of years. New turbos, HPFP, injectors, battery, spark plugs, coils, OFHG and more. I dont see a intake valve cleaning done so I should probably get that done eh? All for now. Thanks

Welcome! And I hope you enjoy it, take care of maintenance and she will treat you right!

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by HB E90

Great thread although I caught this too in the OP! Maybe because I have a 2010 N54 335!
I have some experience wrenching on Jap and domestic vehicles. My first BMW or any Euro car for that matter. Things are different to say the least but looking forward to getting to know my new girl, you know feeling her out! Shes got attitude and I love it especially when I push the go pedal. Is there no dipstick to check the oil? and why aren't the reservoirs semi clear so you can see the fluid in them? That makes no sense to me. So you can see by my join date and that I just finally pulled the trigger on one. I was a bit apprehensive. I put it off for a while but found this car with 74k mi and most the big issues dealt with in the last couple of years. New turbos, HPFP, injectors, battery, spark plugs, coils, OFHG and more. I dont see a intake valve cleaning done so I should probably get that done eh? All for now. Thanks

Fixed.

[CTinline-six]

Before buying my 2009 328i, I had never considered the N51 engine, which is just the SULEV version of the N52. In some states, this means that the car has a 15 year/150k mile emissions warranty, which covers more than just emissions components.

My car currently has 35,000 miles, so it's unlikely I'll hit the 150k mile mark before the 15 year old mark.

The valve cover was leaking/cracked when I bought it, and the dealer replaced the valve cover and gasket under warranty for free.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

If you can't work on your own car I would always recommend dumping it at 50k. That goes for any European car. This month I replaced the battery, rotors and brake pads on my dad's s class. I paid $750 DIY vs at least $2500 at the dealer. These cars are affordable if you can turn a wrench.

Exactly. Honnestly it's the labor that adds up so much when you think about it.

DIYing saves you so much money.

[4 Doors]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

Before buying my 2009 328i, I had never considered the N51 engine, which is just the SULEV version of the N52. In some states, this means that the car has a 15 year/150k mile emissions warranty, which covers more than just emissions components.

My car currently has 35,000 miles, so it's unlikely I'll hit the 150k mile mark before the 15 year old mark.

The valve cover was leaking/cracked when I bought it, and the dealer replaced the valve cover and gasket under warranty for free.

Are there any downsides to the N51? Performance wise?

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by 4 Doors

Are there any downsides to the N51? Performance wise?

Not that I am aware of. The N51 also comes with the 3-Stage Intake Manifold with DISA's as well. So if you decided to go with a tune, you can get some extra power without the added expense of buying the I/M.

Mine seems to make a bit of a whine when accelerating at a moderate level, which I have been told is normal. Otherwise, no differences.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by usshelena725

Not that I am aware of. The N51 also comes with the 3-Stage Intake Manifold with DISA's as well. So if you decided to go with a tune, you can get some extra power without the added expense of buying the I/M.

Mine seems to make a bit of a whine when accelerating at a moderate level, which I have been told is normal. Otherwise, no differences.

The whine is the alternator clutch from what I've been told, you can hear it in other E90 youtube videos.

The downside to the N51 performance-wise is that is has slightly lower compression than an N52. If you do the 3 stage manifold on the N52 with supporting mods, and the same supporting mods on an N51 which already has the manifold, you will get more power out of the N52. I don't exactly remember the numbers but it wasn't significant enough for me to turn down an N51. The N51 328i RWD is still quicker than my N52 325xi with AWD anyway.


Living in a SULEV state, having an N51 is beneficial for the things I mentioned earlier like the valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, oil filter housing gasket, and apparently even things like spark plugs and coils as well as some sensors are covered under warranty.

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

The whine is the alternator clutch from what I've been told, you can hear it in other E90 youtube videos.

.

Interesting. I've been told it's normal and not something to be corrected. This sound right to you?

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by usshelena725

Interesting. I've been told it's normal and not something to be corrected. This sound right to you?

Yup I've been told it is normal also.

[dano328xi]

hi

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by twd000

I purchased a new 2011 BMW 335i sedan new from the local dealership. From Day 1, the car was beautiful and drove awesome. Everything that I had dreamed of. However, the day I got it home the computer died. The dealership towed the car to its location for free and replaced the computer while providing a loaner. Although this dampened the buying experience, I decided to keep the car. After owning the car for over 7 years now, I can honestly say that this is the worst quality car that I have every owned. Water pump failure at 60k miles. Oil seal failures at 75k. Radiator replaced at 100k. Rubber modeling dry rotting and needing replacement around windshield. The list goes on. And as we all know that every repair is very expensive compared to other cars. It just seems that these cars were built with low quality parts with high failure rates. Now, I face a 2k charge to replace the value gasket cover at 124k. I will never own another BMW and would not recommend that anyone else does either. I understand that these are high performance cars but I don't drive like I'm in Nascar. The poor quality is just very disappointing. Guess I am just venting. I am going to trade it for more dependable vehicle. Probably go back to a Ford Mustang or something. Not the same as ride but power is great and they have always been very dependable without the expensive repairs. Basically, BMWs are beautiful poor quality vehicles in my opinion. If you are going to buy one, I would recommend trading as soon as the 50k warranty has expired.

The guy charging you $2000 to replace a valve cover gasket is the person in prison they warn you about not dropping the soap. Find another mechanic and quit ranting, it is a $50 part and a couple hours of labour. If you use OEM parts it wont' leak for a long time. The same generation of Mustang drives terribly, can't handle at all.

[captainletaw]

I used this thread to find my first Bimmer. I'm going to pick it up this Friday. Thanks for all the great advice. It really helped me weed through some duds and find the spec I'd be happy with.

Thanks

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by captainletaw

I used this thread to find my first Bimmer. I'm going to pick it up this Friday. Thanks for all the great advise. It really helped me weed through some duds and find the spec I'd be happy with.

Thanks

Your welcome! Options are everything with German cars and I am glad you waited to find the perfect spec.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by captainletaw

I used this thread to find my first Bimmer. I'm going to pick it up this Friday. Thanks for all the great advice. It really helped me weed through some duds and find the spec I'd be happy with.

Thanks

What are you getting ?

[captainletaw]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

What are you getting ?

2010 e91 XDrive black on grey w/ sport package. I have to say I'm not thrilled with the iDrive system and it doesn't have the aluminium trim, but it does have just about every other option: sports seats, comfort package, light package and rear door shades to list the main ones.