What are Common Problems to look for?

[theinfamousdrew]

Hey everyone....

Im thinking of garaging or selling my E46 M3 and picking one of these up.
When I picked up the ///M I had a plethora of knowledge about all the potential issues.

So my question to the community is this....
What are the common problems to check for?
Anything I should make sure has already been done?

Im looking at a 2008 6mt 135i w/ 64k on the clock.
Its crimson red on black.

I did try and search but couldnt come up with anything substantial.

Thanks for your help!

[Sylon]

For a used car, see if the HPFP has been changed out at all. Thats the big one.

The rest are little issues, not game breakers really. Like the squeaky armrest that I have grown to ignore. The 3rd brake light likes to crack randomly, but thats covered under warranty and is quickly replaced at the dealer. There is a weird popping sound in the summer time that Im not sure if anyone has managed to figure out what causes it yet.

Thats all I can think of this early in the morning.

[dtwyim]

Fuel injectors
Tail lights
Seat belt insulation

Get VIN and pull up service history of the car.

[the1andonly]

I was at the dealer yesterday for first oil change on my 128 and the head mechanic said 128 were pretty much trouble free and inline 6 is bulletproof...the 135 have issues with the HPFP and a big problem is around 36k alot of the turbos start to make a rattling noise and need replaced

[theinfamousdrew]

Originally Posted by the1andonly

I was at the dealer yesterday for first oil change on my 128 and the head mechanic said 128 were pretty much trouble free and inline 6 is bulletproof...the 135 have issues with the HPFP and a big problem is around 36k alot of the turbos start to make a rattling noise and need replaced

That kinda scares me....lol

[Sylon]

Originally Posted by the1andonly

I was at the dealer yesterday for first oil change on my 128 and the head mechanic said 128 were pretty much trouble free and inline 6 is bulletproof...the 135 have issues with the HPFP and a big problem is around 36k alot of the turbos start to make a rattling noise and need replaced

Never heard that one.

[1speedbike]

Me neither. Never heard of the turbo issue mentioned above on here, or on the e90 post forum for ANY N54 car. I don't think it's a real issue.

The most common issues are the high pressure fuel pump (warranty extended to 10 years, 100K miles), fuel injectors (not sure if covered under the HPFP warranty extension), minor issues also exist like 3rd brake light cracking, tail light recall, seat belt tensioner recall, and the trim on the steering wheel cracking/peeling.

You're not new to BMW, but just in case.. it seems like on ALL BMWs, once they get into the 60s, 70s, 80 thousand miles, the water pump and timing belt become unusually prone to failing.

Buying a used turbo car, I would make sure it's CPO and has some sort of warranty. I bought the extended warranty for my own car. Good luck!

[Spoolin Montego]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

Me neither. Never heard of the turbo issue mentioned above on here, or on the e90 post forum for ANY N54 car. I don't think it's a real issue.

The most common issues are the high pressure fuel pump (warranty extended to 10 years, 100K miles), fuel injectors (not sure if covered under the HPFP warranty extension), minor issues also exist like 3rd brake light cracking, tail light recall, seat belt tensioner recall, and the trim on the steering wheel cracking/peeling.

You're not new to BMW, but just in case.. it seems like on ALL BMWs, once they get into the 60s, 70s, 80 thousand miles, the water pump and timing belt become unusually prone to failing.

Buying a used turbo car, I would make sure it's CPO and has some sort of warranty. I bought the extended warranty for my own car. Good luck!

BMWs haven't had timing belts in over 20 years...

[NewYearsBoy]

Originally Posted by Sylon

Never heard that one.

I have.. The funny thing was when I was getting rid of my car I was at the dealership and the sales guy asked why I wanted to get rid of my car? I said way to many problems. He was like REALLY?? (like he had no clue the cars had any issues) not even 15 min latter a service person walked up to him and was telling them that they had another car with rattling turbos. I looked at my girlfriend like this guy just lied to my face.

I had 38k miles and the car couldn't keep it together for more than 2 months increments. Just think about that when you are about to buy one with 70k miles.

[Cemoto]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

minor issues also exist like 3rd brake light cracking,

Thank you for sharing this.

Mine is cracked in the center and this is the first I've heard of the failures ( The 2010 135i is new to me 2/12) I was at the dealer last week for another issue and you think they would have told me about it, especially since they bill BMW for the part/labor.

Wait til they see my smiling face next week.

Regards,

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by Spoolin Montego

BMWs haven't had timing belts in over 20 years...

It's just something I've always heard. This is my first BMW so I don't have first hand experience. Thank you for clearing it up though

I stand by my water pump failure though. A bunch of e90 guys have been getting it a lot, and at varying mileages.

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by Cemoto

Thank you for sharing this.

Mine is cracked in the center and this is the first I've heard of the failures ( The 2010 135i is new to me 2/12) I was at the dealer last week for another issue and you think they would have told me about it, especially since they bill BMW for the part/labor.

Wait til they see my smiling face next week.

Regards,

Oh yes, they have to replace it for free. Here's the service bulletin:

Vehicle: 2008 BMW 1 Series
Nature of Defect:
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Bulletin Number:
SIB-63-10-08 Bulletin Date:
Jun 2010
Summary:
BMW: MOUNTING TENSION OR THE CUTOUT AREA OF THE TRUNK FOR THE LIGHT IS CAUSING THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT LENS TO CRACK. THIS IS ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK IN. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10036986 )


Same for the tail light issue:

Vehicle: 2008 BMW 1 Series
Nature of Defect:
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Bulletin Number:
SI-B63-03-10 Bulletin Date:
Jun 2010
Summary:
BMW: REPLACE REAR LAMPS OR REPLACE REAR LAMP SEALS. THE SEALS ON THE REAR LAMPS EMIT A GAS THAT CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS ON THE LEDS (LIGHT EMITTING DIODES) INSIDE THE REAR LAMP. IN SOME CASES, THE LEDS BECOME INOPERATI ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10035584 )

[summer15]

There is poll running on this board about premature water pump failures on 1s. I scrolled through the results and the reported failures are all on N54s, no N52s. This makes intuitive sense to me. Achieving high specific output by turbocharging or supercharging ought to put many components under higher stress. Furthermore, I reckon that a typical 135i owner will drive differently than a typical 128i owner.

[ShocknAwe]

Originally Posted by summer15

There is poll running on this board about premature water pump failures on 1s. I scrolled through the results and the reported failures are all on N54s, no N52s. This makes intuitive sense to me. Achieving high specific output by turbocharging or supercharging ought to put many components under higher stress. Furthermore, I reckon that a typical 135i owner will drive differently than a typical 128i owner.

Nice needless thread necro. Thread was over three years old ffs.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Nice needless thread necro. Thread was over three years old ffs.

yeah an utterly pointless resurrection of a thread.....comical.