Should I Buy? BMW 135i - Hearing Conflicting Things.

[FromBenzToBeemer]

Hi all,

I've recently had a sudden increase in interest for the BMW 135i and have spent the last few weeks looking for one. My only problem is I hear very different things regarding these cars and wanted to get the story straight, so here I am.

For starters, the car specifically I was interested in was a N54 2010 135i. Deep sea blue, for about 15k, with 69k on it. Car Has a 1M front bumper, Cobb, 550 clutch and flywheel, and some other boltons as well as some interior added goodies (Nav, bluetooth, backup cam), and is the M Sport package with manual trans.

Personally, I would like to go with an N55. I know they're slightly less performance mod friendly, but reliability is a big factor for me.

Upon speaking with a close trustee of mine in California, who has owned a good mechanics shop for the last 30 years, his effort was to sway me away from the BMW 135i due to the HPFP/turbo problems. Saying replacing two turbos ran roughly $6k, due to the intricate design of where the turbos are located and BMW's intricate setup. It hit me when he said "If you believe you may need an aftermarket warranty for the car, you don't want to drive that car. You want the car to work for you, not you to work for the car."

Now here's where my confusion lies, I feel I've seen many reports saying that the turbos (wastegate) and HPFP are covered by the BMW issued recall for either 8 years 100k or 12 years 120k.

Is this information correct?
Is that recall warranty still valid even with the tune?
If not, could I detune the car if it experiences any problems before taking it back to BMW?
If on the test drive I take the car to a valued mechanic and have a pre-purchase inspection done, would him giving me the Go-Ahead really cement that I wouldn't be experiencing any major/unexpected/expensive problems in the future as long as I keep up with a rigorous service/maintenance schedule?
How does BMW know exactly if the car has been in for routine servicing, or has had the HPFP/turbos replaced? Would it be via VIN, or car keys?

What I'm pretty much hoping for here is some reassurance that I shouldn't be too worried about getting a 1 series, whether that be recall-wise or with the N55 engine.

Thank you all for your help.

[titium]

if you're not after big power just go n55, no wastegate rattle and no injector problems. mhd is out now for n55 and even on the stock turbo its making decent power.

the rest of the problems are shared between the n55 and n54 (waterpump, hpfp, coils, oil leaks ect) and are easily addressable as they arise and aren't too expensive.

oh and the carbon buildup is significantly reduced on the n55 almost to the point where it's a non issue.

[Sam_M]

Go for an N55 if the N54 issues worry you.

That's what I did and I don't regret it.

I have 370hp/400lbft with a DMS remap and it stomps.

Mine had 73k on it when I picked it up, in the last 18months it's had the clutch replaced, water pump and thermostat replaced so I don't see any large bills on the horizon. To be fair looking through the receipts neither of those jobs were unreasonably expensive.

[FromBenzToBeemer]

Originally Posted by SamM_UK

Go for an N55 if the N54 issues worry you.

That's what I did and I don't regret it.

I have 370hp/400lbft with a DMS remap and it stomps.

Mine had 73k on it when I picked it up, in the last 18months it's had the clutch replaced, water pump and thermostat replaced so I don't see any large bills on the horizon. To be fair looking through the receipts neither of those jobs were unreasonably expensive.

Thanks for the advice Sam,

How much was the damage for the water pump and thermostat?

My issue seems to be the scarcity of what 135i I want. M sport package, manual, n55, blue/black/white color, etc.

[Sam_M]

Originally Posted by FromBenzToBeemer

Thanks for the advice Sam,

How much was the damage for the water pump and thermostat?

My issue seems to be the scarcity of what 135i I want. M sport package, manual, n55, blue/black/white color, etc.

£600 parts+labour at a BMW specialist independent garage.

They're relatively scarce here too, only 1000 or so were sold. I also wanted a decent range of options on mine.

I spent 3 months looking for the right car. A perfect one slipped through my fingers because the seller didn't keep his word.

As frustrating as it is to hold out, you'll be happier that you waited for the right car once you get it.

[tracer bullet]

6 years into owning my 2011 135i (N55) and other than taking it in for factory recalls (battery cable and VANOS bolts) I have never had a single issue.

I'm not immediately afraid of previously modified cars, but if you're concerned about reliability you might keep your eyes open for something that was kept stock. Maybe a dealership will get in one on trade from someone that just drove it to work and didn't really care about performance. Though if you're after a 6-speed though your options will be really limited.

[drunkenup]

6k will pay for the turbos, hpfp, every gasket, a full set of injectors, water pump and a clutch job at a decent independent mechanic. I don't even have 6k dumped into repairs between BOTH of the N54s I've owned. They can be bad but generally not ALL bad.

Some dealerships will fly under the radar and cover these repairs with mods, most won't. Same goes for checking service records, they will read your key for the vin, they won't take a vin from my experience. Helps to know someone in the dealer network

[Cmoney135i]

Get a well done PPI and the n54 won't be that bad. Gotta pay to play here is what I've done in a year of ownership.

Walnut blast
spark plugs
Coils
injectors
OFHG
Water pump & thermo
Valve cover gasket
Oil pan gasket

Again this is n54 but hopefully I'm set for a while

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

6 years into owning my 2011 135i (N55) and other than taking it in for factory recalls (battery cable and VANOS bolts) I have never had a single issue.

I'm going on 7 years with my 2011 (bought in Oct 2010) and haven't had any issues either. They're coming though... part of car ownership.

[shawnyeeah]

As stated above, if power is not a priority then n55 will do. Seems very reliable to me at least.

[fboutlaw]

Originally Posted by FromBenzToBeemer

Hi all,
Car Has a 1M front bumper, Cobb, 550 clutch and flywheel, and some other boltons as well as some interior added goodies (Nav, bluetooth, backup cam), and is the M Sport package with manual trans.

No, you do not want this. Those are all what I'd call aggro tunes and you can rest assured that the car has seen better days and someone played around with settings running the engine past it's limit. Look for something clean of the performance mods if you're buying used or something with an OEM type tune (BMW Performance or Dinan). Suspension and other goodies are fine, they're easy to fix at least, but you can think of every engine as having a fuse, and the more power you pound through it, the faster the fuse expires and takes the engine out with it. That's what you want to avoid.

Good luck. I'm on a N54, 2 HPFP replacements, but no other issues, and the last one has lasted years.

[FromBenzToBeemer]

You guys were all super helpful, thanks!

Gonna stick around patiently until the perfect one falls into my lap. Spring weather isn't making it easy for me.

[PA135i]

I'm an original owner of a n54 Year one of the one. had all the stuff mentioned above done to it. Now have 115K on her and runs like a champ. Once you own one it is hard to get rid of it. Not because poeple won't buy it, but the car is too much fun.. looks great and has tremendous acceleration.... just love it.

My mods are a K&N drop in filter, intercooler and a flash tune that is not too aggressive.
I'm considering new turbos if I decide to keep this car another 5 years. good luck you'll love it.
My cars output is 380HP and 370TQ.

[Sam_M]

I've owned mine about a month now. Spent the best part of 3 hours in the car this afternoon, the first sunny, totally dry day we've had since I got it.

Its. Just. So. Much. Fun.

The grip, the feel, the immense accessible torque and how it eggs you on to push a bit more. Just wow.

The front end has so so so much grip when you chuck it into a tight bend, its awesome. Really looking forward to hitting the track with it.

[miro2296]

Originally Posted by PA135i

I'm an original owner of a n54 Year one of the one. had all the stuff mentioned above done to it. Now have 115K on her and runs like a champ. Once you own one it is hard to get rid of it. Not because poeple won't buy it, but the car is too much fun.. looks great and has tremendous acceleration.... just love it.

My mods are a K&N drop in filter, intercooler and a flash tune that is not too aggressive.
I'm considering new turbos if I decide to keep this car another 5 years. good luck you'll love it.
My cars output is 380HP and 370TQ.

+1 I've owned by 135i since it initially came to the US (March 2008) and have had the HPFP changed out twice, Water pump, turbos been fine though. Currently at 69K and still loving the car.

[spellbmw]

My MY2010 135i (N54) is my 'four-wheeled motorcycle' (I also ride a BMW K1300S) and love it. I had to get the fuel injectors replaced, but BMW did a total reimbursement recently for those of us who qualified for it. The turbos are being replaced this week; waste gate rattle was getting really loud. At 114,000 miles, it has been worth every penny for the joy I get out of driving it. I am on the list for an MY2018 M2 and keep thinking about selling my 135...and then just find all sorts of reasons to say, 'uh no...not yet.' Paid for; injectors done and turbos done. Original brakes pads and rotors will need to be replaced this year at about 120,000 miles; manual downshifting...a joy of driving.

Buy one!