Should I try again after a lemon?

Florida · 05-02-2013, 12:06 PM

So about a year ago I bought a 2009 135i 6speed coupe. The car ended up being modded and a total nightmare. It worked perfect for a month and then it would only occasionally start up normally. Cold starts would barely keep the car running for a minute with white smoke, which seemed like a head gasket leak to me but sometimes the smoke would be black which would lead me to believe it's a leaking injector issue.

Long story short I took it to the BMW service center and they said the car's timing/fuel map was modified/turned/chipped 52 times and the warranty was void. The car left me stranded a couple times so I got rid of it. I'm not sure if the issues were due to the modifications or the fuel injector/pump recall or a combination of both. Either way, I was in a backed in a corner since I just moved from out of state and started a new job and didn't want to bring my second car up and leave it un-garaged.

It's been almost a year now and I'm thinking about picking up another one because I honestly did love the car for the first month when it worked. I'm too cheap to buy brand new but this time I would like to get a newer, more gently used one with less miles(20k or less), non modded and more warranty. I'm thinking about getting a 2011 or 2012 since I heard all of the injector bugs were worked out after 2010?

I'm almost thinking about getting the non turbo version just for increased reliability but I don't know if I'd regret that later. I don't want it to be a modified or fast car since this is just a daily driver for me and not used on the weekends. I've read a lot of threads on here with the 135s having problems, are most of the recalls and common issues fixed in the 2011 and newer models? Thanks for any help.

Dackelone · 05-02-2013, 12:15 PM

Sounds to me like you need a new (car) or a CPO one. Whether that is a BMW or not - only you can decide.

These cars really don't have that many problems. But you do need to find a dealer that can work with you. The earlier cars('08 &'09) did have a lot of teething issues. I wouldn't recommend you modding your car again. Buy the cleanest unmolested car you can find. Make sure all the recalls were done.

IF power is not your thing... by all means get a 128i. They are a great package/car. But when I was car shopping... I knew I wanted the power of the 135i.

revo 3vom · 05-02-2013, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Sounds to me like you need a new (car) or a CPO one. Whether that is a BMW or not - only you can decide.

These cars really don't have that many problems. But you do need to find a dealer that can work with you. The earlier cars('08 &'09) did have a lot of teething issues. I wouldn't recommend you modding your car again. Buy the cleanest unmolested car you can find. Make sure all the recalls were done.

IF power is not your thing... by all means get a 128i. They are a great package/car. But when I was car shopping... I knew I wanted the power of the 135i.

You will regret non-turbo. Modded or not. Nothing is like the bliss of not one but two turbos. GL, CPO is the way to go. Doesn't hurt to get the maintenance package as well. They are more likely to just fix things with less questions when you play within their system. Gotta pay to play.

doublevanosrc · 05-02-2013, 01:00 PM

Sounds like the modding part is what cause the problem, my car has been solid with the exception of the fuel pump going out about 2 years ago.My car is pretty much stock with the exception of the PPK which is OEM of course. Now that I think about it my 1er has been more reliable than my previous 2 E46s.

SAM135iAM · 05-02-2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revo 3vom

You will regret non-turbo. Modded or not. Nothing is like the bliss of not one but two turbos. GL, CPO is the way to go. Doesn't hurt to get the maintenance package as well. They are more likely to just fix things with less questions when you play within their system. Gotta pay to play.

Except he will be getting one turbo since he is looking at 2011 and up. I agree on purchasing a maintenance package though.

CL 19 · 05-02-2013, 01:35 PM

Just heads up for CPO car, it is a plus point and creates peace of mind but it doesn't guarantee the car is in great condition. Friend of mine bought a CPO 335i and end up selling it after less than a year because it ended up sitting in the dealership for half of his ownership due to some problems, varies from small to big things.

2011 and up is quite reliable too me, unless you abuse it using extreme tune or whatsoever. Good luck tho.

MZWIE · 05-02-2013, 02:25 PM

My 2008 had the HPFP and that's it. Very solid. Every BMW model I've owned since 1972 has had some or other issue (no more than any other brand).

For me it's still the maker of choice....of cours YMMV

pinmagic · 05-02-2013, 02:27 PM

2011 135i. Just about no issues. Very happy with the quality.

tuco44 · 05-02-2013, 04:34 PM

I don't think you can call your problems a being due to a "lemon" car. Sounds like the mods caused the problems. If you don't mess with your next one, what's to fear?

My 2012 135i MSport has been flawless to date. Just saying.

BEAR-AvHistory · 05-02-2013, 04:47 PM

No - just move on.

vertebra · 05-03-2013, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuco44

I don't think you can call your problems a being due to a "lemon" car. Sounds like the mods caused the problems. If you don't mess with your next one, what's to fear?

My 2012 135i MSport has been flawless to date. Just saying.

Sounds like the OP bought it from the previos owner who modded it.

themellly · 05-04-2013, 07:02 PM

I have the newer n55 engine, modded, no problems. The single turbo make it a little more efficient. So I suggest getting the newer engine.
I, personally, after having my 135i can't imagine driving a non-turbo car. Lol so I have a feeling you'd kinda miss it.

drcollie · 05-04-2013, 09:44 PM

I actually bought a Lemon. A buy-back car from BMW (2012 135i Convert with M pkg). It had some problems, the customer who bought it new had a fit, and BMW NA bought it back. New the car was $ 50K, I got it with just 4,150 miles on the clock for $ 34K. Came complete with a 'lemon title' and full disclosure. Still has full warranty and its been flawless with nary a problem or an issue. This is my 7th BMW, and I'm not worried about reliability in the least.

05-02-2013, 12:06 PM	#1
Florida New Member 4 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	Should I try again after a lemon? So about a year ago I bought a 2009 135i 6speed coupe. The car ended up being modded and a total nightmare. It worked perfect for a month and then it would only occasionally start up normally. Cold starts would barely keep the car running for a minute with white smoke, which seemed like a head gasket leak to me but sometimes the smoke would be black which would lead me to believe it's a leaking injector issue. Long story short I took it to the BMW service center and they said the car's timing/fuel map was modified/turned/chipped 52 times and the warranty was void. The car left me stranded a couple times so I got rid of it. I'm not sure if the issues were due to the modifications or the fuel injector/pump recall or a combination of both. Either way, I was in a backed in a corner since I just moved from out of state and started a new job and didn't want to bring my second car up and leave it un-garaged. It's been almost a year now and I'm thinking about picking up another one because I honestly did love the car for the first month when it worked. I'm too cheap to buy brand new but this time I would like to get a newer, more gently used one with less miles(20k or less), non modded and more warranty. I'm thinking about getting a 2011 or 2012 since I heard all of the injector bugs were worked out after 2010? I'm almost thinking about getting the non turbo version just for increased reliability but I don't know if I'd regret that later. I don't want it to be a modified or fast car since this is just a daily driver for me and not used on the weekends. I've read a lot of threads on here with the 135s having problems, are most of the recalls and common issues fixed in the 2011 and newer models? Thanks for any help.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-02-2013, 12:15 PM	#2
Dackelone European Editor 10532 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Sounds to me like you need a new (car) or a CPO one. Whether that is a BMW or not - only you can decide. These cars really don't have that many problems. But you do need to find a dealer that can work with you. The earlier cars('08 &'09) did have a lot of teething issues. I wouldn't recommend you modding your car again. Buy the cleanest unmolested car you can find. Make sure all the recalls were done. IF power is not your thing... by all means get a 128i. They are a great package/car. But when I was car shopping... I knew I wanted the power of the 135i. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2013, 01:00 PM	#4
doublevanosrc Loves his G20 265 Rep 2,508 Posts Drives: 2020 330ix M sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin. Tx iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW [0.00]	Sounds like the modding part is what cause the problem, my car has been solid with the exception of the fuel pump going out about 2 years ago.My car is pretty much stock with the exception of the PPK which is OEM of course. Now that I think about it my 1er has been more reliable than my previous 2 E46s. __________________ 2020 330ix-Msport Past- 2013 135i 2011 135i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2013, 01:35 PM	#6
CL 19 BMW Enthusiast 106 Rep 1,034 Posts Drives: 2011 E82 135i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Davis, CA iTrader: (1)	Just heads up for CPO car, it is a plus point and creates peace of mind but it doesn't guarantee the car is in great condition. Friend of mine bought a CPO 335i and end up selling it after less than a year because it ended up sitting in the dealership for half of his ownership due to some problems, varies from small to big things. 2011 and up is quite reliable too me, unless you abuse it using extreme tune or whatsoever. Good luck tho. __________________ 2011 JB E82 135i - Premium pack \| Value pack \| Premium sound \| Sport pack \| M-Sport steering wheel and suspension \| Blackline LCI tail \| BMWP carbon spoiler \| BMWP CF license frame \| BMWP gloss black grilles \| Meisterschaft GT w/gloss black tips \| CF diffuser \| CF splitters \| Hyper Black Apex Arc-8 w/Potenza RE-11 \| Dinan camber plates
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2013, 02:25 PM	#7
MZWIE Lieutenant Colonel 388 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: GEORGIA iTrader: (0)	My 2008 had the HPFP and that's it. Very solid. Every BMW model I've owned since 1972 has had some or other issue (no more than any other brand). For me it's still the maker of choice....of cours YMMV
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2013, 02:27 PM	#8
pinmagic The Only Sane One Here 61 Rep 1,135 Posts Drives: 135i Convertible Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (1)	2011 135i. Just about no issues. Very happy with the quality. __________________ 2011 135i VERT SGM/SB/MOONLIGHT - ED - with every single friggin' option they offered.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2013, 04:34 PM	#9
tuco44 Colonel 644 Rep 2,294 Posts Drives: 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Western Canada iTrader: (0)	I don't think you can call your problems a being due to a "lemon" car. Sounds like the mods caused the problems. If you don't mess with your next one, what's to fear? My 2012 135i MSport has been flawless to date. Just saying. __________________ 2018 340i xDrive M Perf Edtn Sunset Orange Previous BMWs - 19 others since 1971.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2013, 04:47 PM	#10
BEAR-AvHistory 2020 Z4 M40i - 2022 M4C Convt 3127 Rep 5,264 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 M40i - 2022 M4C Convrt Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC - OIB, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 COBRA (FFR rep ... [8.57] 2023 Jeep Wrangler ... [9.50] 2009 Yamaha V-Star [0.00] Cars 2-BMW, 2-FORD, ... [0.00] 2023 Ford Expeditio ... [0.00] 2020 Z4 M40i [10.00] 2022 BMW M4C [7.25] 1998 FORD Ranger 4X4 [0.00]	No - just move on. __________________ Kevin Dravit Gray, Black Leather, Moonlight Roof, Red Calipers 2022 M4C - 2020 Z4 M40i - 2023 FORD Expedition XLT Max 4X4 400BHP - 2009 V-Star - 1998 Ranger 4X4 5MT - 1965 Cobra (R) 5MT - 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport S 6MT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-04-2013, 07:02 PM	#12
themellly Alice in Wonderland 6 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 2012 135i e88 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Glendale,CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 135i e88 [0.00]	I have the newer n55 engine, modded, no problems. The single turbo make it a little more efficient. So I suggest getting the newer engine. I, personally, after having my 135i can't imagine driving a non-turbo car. Lol so I have a feeling you'd kinda miss it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-04-2013, 09:44 PM	#13
drcollie Private 2 Rep 57 Posts Drives: BMW 135i 'Vert '12 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fairfax Station VA iTrader: (0)	I actually bought a Lemon. A buy-back car from BMW (2012 135i Convert with M pkg). It had some problems, the customer who bought it new had a fit, and BMW NA bought it back. New the car was $ 50K, I got it with just 4,150 miles on the clock for $ 34K. Came complete with a 'lemon title' and full disclosure. Still has full warranty and its been flawless with nary a problem or an issue. This is my 7th BMW, and I'm not worried about reliability in the least.
	Appreciate 0 Quote