135i Best Year Model? Concerns About Reliability

[AllEyesOnMe]

Hi everyone! I've been a member on here and e90post for quite some time now. I was going to get a BMW but went with another car instead and am looking at purchasing a used BMW 135i around next December.

Few questions I have, but I'll also do a search

1.) I've heard issues with the fuel pump, turbo, little problems here and there, which happened in 2007-2008 model year. Would 2009 be a safe year to buy in terms of being problem-free? My budget is around $20,000, which I think would be able to get me a 2009 or even a 2010.

A few non-important questions:

2.) I've done a Google search but this doesn't seem common among 1 owners, but are there some members who have installed DRL strips onto their car that triggers along with their default DRL? I currently have a MB C class and really love the look of the DRL strip and hope to get it on the Bimmer as well.

3.) Any quad-tip exhausts? Never been a fan of one-sided exhaust outlet.. Seems asymmetrical to me. Looking for quad-tips.

4.) If I get quad tips, would I be able to just purchase the rear diffuser and swap it onto my stock rear bumper? If so, I'm assuming it's the 1M rear diffuser and an M sport bumper or...

Thanks!

[Sixle]

1) If your going for an N54 (2007-2010) get the latest model year with lowest mileage you can afford with low mileage being a priority. familiarize yourself with the wastegate rattle, hpfp failure symptoms etc. and look for them while looking at cars.

2) Don't.

3) Most quad exhausts for 135i's have a dummy or "lightly used" right side tips because it's difficult to route pipe to the other side of the car as the battery tray is in the way. I stuck with the stock look because most quad exhausts in an inexpensive price range would just blow all the exhaust out the left side anyway with very litle making it to the right side. If it were cold, you would see far more exhaust coming from the stock outlet side vs the new right tips.

4) 1M diffusers do not match up to any stock 135i bumpers. You will need to buy a quad outlet exhaust diffuser off Ebay or find a more reputable brand that manufactures them.

[romak47]

Originally Posted by Sixle

1) If your going for an N54 (2007-2010) get the latest model year with lowest mileage you can afford with low mileage being a priority. familiarize yourself with the wastegate rattle, hpfp failure symptoms etc. and look for them while looking at cars.

2) Don't.

3) Most quad exhausts for 135i's have a dummy or "lightly used" right side tips because it's difficult to route pipe to the other side of the car as the battery tray is in the way. I stuck with the stock look because most exhaust in an inexpensive price range would just blow all the exhuast out the left side anyway. If it were cold, you would see far more exhaust coming from the stock outlet side vs the new right tips.

4) 1M diffusers do not match up to any stock 135i bumpers. You will need to buy a quad outlet exhaust diffuser off Ebay or find a more reputable brand that manufactures them.

have to disagree about the lightly used right tips.
mine is more heavily used. More exhaust fumes vent from it ..

[Sixle]

Originally Posted by romak47

have to disagree about the lightly used right tips.
mine is more heavily used. More exhaust fumes vent from it ..

Which exhaust do you have?

Edit: Looked up the Bastuck, looks much better than the remus and eisenmann...do you have any videos of it?

[3002 tii]

2010 last year n54 or 2013 final year of production.

[AllEyesOnMe]

Originally Posted by Sixle

1) If your going for an N54 (2007-2010) get the latest model year with lowest mileage you can afford with low mileage being a priority. familiarize yourself with the wastegate rattle, hpfp failure symptoms etc. and look for them while looking at cars.
.

Seems like the N54 has a lot of problems...

I'm going to spend the extra on a CPO, not going to risk getting a Bimmer used w/o it. Therefore, all the issues should be covered under warranty correct?

Btw, for those that have chips, do you guys remove it prior to taking it into the dealership for service work?

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by Boba

Seems like the N54 has a lot of problems...

I'm going to spend the extra on a CPO, not going to risk getting a Bimmer used w/o it. Therefore, all the issues should be covered under warranty correct? If your car has 35k+ miles on it, get the intake valves cleaned after purchasing it.

Btw, for those that have chips, do you guys remove it prior to taking it into the dealership for service work?

HPFP and Turbo Waste Gate rattle/failure have extended warranties on them. CPO or not, you will be covered.

@Sixle pretty much covered your other questions as I would.

[romak47]

Originally Posted by Sixle

Which exhaust do you have?

Edit: Looked up the Bastuck, looks much better than the remus and eisenmann...do you have any videos of it?

yes but they are with cats installed on DP's.
I have kittyless now and berk resonators ...
sound is amazing.
i should do some vids of it now.

my old vids are

[BavarianN54]

Last year of the N54. Seems many of the earlier bugs were worked out and Performance potential is greater.

[EVL1]

As for warranty purposes. I've never had to de tune my car to take it to the dealership for any sorta warranty labor. I have full bolt ons (which includes catless downpipes and a straight pipe exhaust) and a Cobb tune. I have never had a problem with the dealership refusing work. I guess it just depends on the dealership and how cool the mechanics are. Mostly they just ask me questions on the work I have on it and the power it puts out. Haha

[BavarianN54]

If you threw a rod, cracked a piston or something else equally bad engine related you can be sure it would be an issue then.

[Bob Z.]

Buy the newest you can based on your budget...cars tend to get better over time during a model run.