[RLM3]

I was planning to start daily driving my automatic 2010 335i w/ currently 85,000 miles. However, I am starting to have concerns if I daily it I will encounter even more expensive repairs. I typically drive about 17,000 miles a year once we clear of COVID, so in 3 years I would be approaching about 135,000 miles.

Over my 6 years (25,000 miles) of ownership I have replaced the AC evaporator, all fuel injectors, oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, water pump, all shocks/struts/bushings, spark plugs/coils and front & rear pads/rotors. I understand some of these repairs are maintenance items, but is this typical over 25,000 miles of use? If so, I might not be worthy of long term 335i ownership.

I don't DIY with the exception of oil/filter changes and go to an independent for service and repairs. I don't know the total spent on repairs, but it's close to $10k and personally has been frustrating. My current worry is turbo failure, which my indy estimates around $4,500. Is it likely they will fail in the 50k miles? Can I expect other expensive failures considering the repairs I have done to date? Are there any issues with the automatic transmissions to be concerned about or is to reliable?

I am trying to decide if I should sell my 335 considering the high miles I plan to drive and replace it with an IS-F or maybe a current generation IS350, which I assume would be a lot more reliable and less costly to maintain or take my chances and hope my 335i will be reliable.

Thanks for any advice.

[Vivek.]

First off, it feels unfair to say those parts wore out over 25k miles of use--the majority were probably original to the car.

I don't have personal experience to know, but from what I have read it seems like a total crapshoot if the turbos will go another 50k. Some go out by 100k others are at 160k+ on factory turbos

[tomgwuyn]

I have the 06 330i N52 manual txn which i have owned for 30000 miles over 3.5 years. Before purchasing i didnt expect that it will cost me this much in maintenance. As of today I have spent close to 13K on repairs only (which includes New tires, new OEM battery, Front / rear brake pads/rotors,sensors, Oil Pan Gasket, Valve Cover Gasket, Motor Mounts, Entire Suspension Refresh, All Fluids Changed, Synthetic Oil Changes,Drive belt/tensioner. ,Four wheel straightening,New Cabin Air Filter, Engine Air Filter. Other Misc stuff). As you see most of these were maintenance items.

In your case since it is a turbo, i guess it might be a little more expensive with the expectation that nothing breaks out of the ordinary.

But at the end of day, a BMW is a BMW and i enjoy the sheer driving pleasure which I didnt get in other cars.

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by RLM3

I was planning to start daily driving my automatic 2010 335i w/ currently 85,000 miles. However, I am starting to have concerns if I daily it I will encounter even more expensive repairs. I typically drive about 17,000 miles a year once we clear of COVID, so in 3 years I would be approaching about 135,000 miles.

Over my 6 years (25,000 miles) of ownership I have replaced the AC evaporator, all fuel injectors, oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, water pump, all shocks/struts/bushings, spark plugs/coils and front & rear pads/rotors. I understand some of these repairs are maintenance items, but is this typical over 25,000 miles of use? If so, I might not be worthy of long term 335i ownership.

I don't DIY with the exception of oil/filter changes and go to an independent for service and repairs. I don't know the total spent on repairs, but it's close to $10k and personally has been frustrating. My current worry is turbo failure, which my indy estimates around $4,500. Is it likely they will fail in the 50k miles? Can I expect other expensive failures considering the repairs I have done to date? Are there any issues with the automatic transmissions to be concerned about or is to reliable?

I am trying to decide if I should sell my 335 considering the high miles I plan to drive and replace it with an IS-F or maybe a current generation IS350, which I assume would be a lot more reliable and less costly to maintain or take my chances and hope my 335i will be reliable.

Thanks for any advice.

I agree with vivek -- much of the work you have done represents 85k miles, not 25k miles. I have a 2011 335i with close to 70k on it, and I have replaced the oil filter housing gasket. The oil pan and valve cover gaskets are still original and leak-free. By 100k I would expect to have them replaced. I also replaced the top hose & coolant overflow reservoir a couple of months back. Finally, at 60k I replaced the plugs and coils as recommended, but I had suffered no failures. Have replaced some tires, but still on original brakes and shocks.

I think you should stick with this car. Although it is ten years old, you know its history for the past six years. All of the gasket maintenance you have done will easily hold out for the next three years at your predicted mileage. Should just be oil changes and tires for a while.

[RLM3]

I appreciate the comments!

I agree the repairs I have done are based on the 85k miles on the car, not the 25k I have driven the car. Repair costs are still painful nonetheless.

Still concerned about the turbos and when the time comes I'm sure I will be agonizing whether I should upgrade them to Pure turbos...

[marvinstockman]

You live in Nevad, and I'm surprised you need to rebuild the front end.

Maybe, and along with other items on your list, your mechanic is overzealous.

That being said, if you're afraid of the car, sell it, otherwise, find a new mechanic and just use it.

[RLM3]

Originally Posted by marvinstockman

You live in Nevad, and I'm surprised you need to rebuild the front end.

Maybe, and along with other items on your list, your mechanic is overzealous.

That being said, if you're afraid of the car, sell it, otherwise, find a new mechanic and just use it.

Yes, Las Vegas and it does worry me occasionally. However, I would keep it and drive it daily if it would stay away from the repair shop.

Rebuild the front end?

I will start researching other local indy repair shops for second opinions.

[E92William]

Originally Posted by tomgwuyn

I have the 06 330i N52 manual txn which i have owned for 30000 miles over 3.5 years. Before purchasing i didnt expect that it will cost me this much in maintenance. As of today I have spent close to 13K on repairs only (which includes New tires, new OEM battery, Front / rear brake pads/rotors,sensors, Oil Pan Gasket, Valve Cover Gasket, Motor Mounts, Entire Suspension Refresh, All Fluids Changed, Synthetic Oil Changes,Drive belt/tensioner. ,Four wheel straightening,New Cabin Air Filter, Engine Air Filter. Other Misc stuff). As you see most of these were maintenance items.

In your case since it is a turbo, i guess it might be a little more expensive with the expectation that nothing breaks out of the ordinary.

But at the end of day, a BMW is a BMW and i enjoy the sheer driving pleasure which I didnt get in other cars.

That's a whole lot of money in repairs and maintenance. I hope that's in parts and labor done by a shop and not just parts lol. Can't imagine spending that much on my e92 and it's always got something going on

[marvinstockman]

You mentioned shock, struts, and bushings, which is why I said front end. Anyway, it would be very surprising to wear out your shocks, struts, and bushings at 85K miles in Nevada. Was the car originally from NYC?

Regarding oil leaks, many times they are really oil weeps, and can be ignored.

Contact the local chapter of the BMW car club, and ask about good repair shops.

[tomgwuyn]

Originally Posted by E92William

That's a whole lot of money in repairs and maintenance. I hope that's in parts and labor done by a shop and not just parts lol. Can't imagine spending that much on my e92 and it's always got something going on

Yes it is parts and labor done by a shop.

[RLM3]

Originally Posted by marvinstockman

You mentioned shock, struts, and bushings, which is why I said front end. Anyway, it would be very surprising to wear out your shocks, struts, and bushings at 85K miles in Nevada. Was the car originally from NYC?

Regarding oil leaks, many times they are really oil weeps, and can be ignored.

Contact the local chapter of the BMW car club, and ask about good repair shops.

I believe my car was originally from AZ. I replaced the dampers because the front ones always made an irritating loud "psssss" sound whenever they compressed over the slightest bumps.

Thanks again for the info!

[zipstic]

My 335 is two years old than years with about the name millage. I've done pretty much the same things as you except for the AC and Fuel Injectors.

The gaskets in BMWs get old and crack which causes oil leaks so the new ones you have should last another 8-10 years.

The Water Pump is an electric part and overtime it gets worn out. Mine lasted 8 years or so.

Obviously since you've recently done the pads and rotors those will last you awhile and you can figure out how long your originals ones were good for.

Since you've recently done suspension work that should last you a while too.

I guess what I'm saying is that you've already tackled a lot of the known big issues from a maintenance standpoint.

Another way to look at it is that you've spent about $138/month to maintain the car, which is cheaper than a car payment.

The turbos are the big question. Will they go? Hard to say how long they'll last.

[tcphoto]

I think that it’s time to find another mechanic or better yet become inspired to DIY. I owned an E46 for nearly seven years before buying my E92 four years ago. The only thing I paid a mechanic for was when the water pump went out and that’s because I didn’t have the luxury of time. That said, I have averaged $80 a month keeping it on the road and it’s reasonably maintained. Take some pride in your vehicle and DIY.

[RLM3]

Originally Posted by zipstic

Another way to look at it is that you've spent about $138/month to maintain the car, which is cheaper than a car payment.

Great point!

[JM98]

My N54 has 91k miles, and even with all maintenance up to date I would never consider it a daily driver. Have you thought about picking up an old commuter car? I currently have an old Honda for daily duties and enjoy the BMW for weekends and fun trips.

[E92William]

Pretty amazing that Bmw designed a car that can't be daily driven because of how unreliable it is. I daily drove an 07 335i for a year and it wasn't even about expenses but problems at work because every other day the damn thing would have something going on that would keep me from getting there on time or at all. Probably rode in Uber Nissan Sentras as much as I did the 335

[solo118]

Originally Posted by E92William

Pretty amazing that Bmw designed a car that can't be daily driven because of how unreliable it is. I daily drove an 07 335i for a year and it wasn't even about expenses but problems at work because every other day the damn thing would have something going on that would keep me from getting there on time or at all. Probably rode in Uber Nissan Sentras as much as I did the 335

What a damn shame.... but for daily use I find the N52 to be a great option. Not the fastest car, but not a boring car at all.

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by E92William

Pretty amazing that Bmw designed a car that can't be daily driven because of how unreliable it is. I daily drove an 07 335i for a year and it wasn't even about expenses but problems at work because every other day the damn thing would have something going on that would keep me from getting there on time or at all. Probably rode in Uber Nissan Sentras as much as I did the 335

Cheap
Fast
Reliable

You only get 2!

[tcphoto]

Originally Posted by E92William

Pretty amazing that Bmw designed a car that can't be daily driven because of how unreliable it is. I daily drove an 07 335i for a year and it wasn't even about expenses but problems at work because every other day the damn thing would have something going on that would keep me from getting there on time or at all. Probably rode in Uber Nissan Sentras as much as I did the 335

As a longtime BMW owner, I think you neglected to inspect the car before buying. You probably decided to buy it before understanding the previous owners maintenance history. Between the two 3 Series that I've owned, I average under $100 a month to keep them running and they've both been my daily drivers. Only you can decide what your expectations are and the budget you'll spend for it.

[carwilemm@gmail.com]

sorry

[alpnwss]

+1 for the comment about these issues being reflective of an older car with 85k. Your 25k isn't what normal ownership is.
Conversely, you now have a car that has a lot of the N54 issues fixed. Every thing you repaired is 1 less thing to worry about.
Turbos aren't cheap. It's a pay to play game. But your car is pretty ready to play now.
I bought my '13 335is with 60k and put about $1450 (OFHG, plugs, coils, charge pipe, intake cleaning, water pump and 2 oil changes. I DIY) into it to make it stronger and safer. And I still have the OPG and VCG to worry about.
To me it sounds like you're ready for another 50k of fun and you should start saving for turbos along the way. Your car is solid.