N55 Problems

[JB135MDCT]

Originally Posted by turbowolfe

So at 40K miles, with a 2011 n55, I have replaced much of what you listed:
- Rear main seal
- Oil filter housing gasket
- Vanos recall

* All under warranty.

Other than that she's been solid. Plan on keeping the e82 as long as possible!

what month was your car built?

[JB135MDCT]

Built in April 2011. At 60k with no major issues other than the items repaired under warranty as follows:
1.) AC, AC seals replace
2.) Radio LCD display dim in hot weather, radio replaced.
3.) vanos/cam bolts recall
4.) front rotors and pads.
5.) seat belt recall
6.) ecu/dct updates
7.) dead cell battery at 40k. replaced

Living with:
1.) bottom driver door weather seal trashed.
2.) mold on door lock button caps and air vents (pathetic, my 97 328 looks brand new.)
3.) original plugs that were supposed to be replace at 40k under free maintenance.
4.) no more free car washes after mile1 purchased russell BMW, which means no more eye candy.

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by ejm3

32k miles on my 2012 N55 and knock on wood no problems other than very minor stuff covered by warranty.

1) The plastic power seat controller broke off.

2) The seatbelt of the driver's side was rubbing against the side of the seat and marking it up pretty badly. They tried to do some cosmetic stuff but it didin't really work. Then maybe a year later I notice a seam in the seat was separating. They replaced all the leather and it resolved both issues.

I've noticed my red leather starting to wear on the side of my seat as well. What color of leather do you have? Can you clarify "replaced all the leather"?

[methodz]

Originally Posted by ejm3

32k miles on my 2012 N55 and knock on wood no problems other than very minor stuff covered by warranty.

1) The plastic power seat controller broke off.

2) The seatbelt of the driver's side was rubbing against the side of the seat and marking it up pretty badly. They tried to do some cosmetic stuff but it didin't really work. Then maybe a year later I notice a seam in the seat was separating. They replaced all the leather and it resolved both issues.

I'm curious about #2 as well. Is there an option to "change" colors?

[turbowolfe]

Originally Posted by JB135MDCT

what month was your car built?

Jan 2011.

[Jettt]

Weird loose pulley noise coming from engine bay.... Still trying to figure out what it is.

Replaced the crank pulley and the noise stopped for a while but it came back, although not as loud.

Wish me luck lol

[ejm3]

Originally Posted by methodz

I'm curious about #2 as well. Is there an option to "change" colors?

This is a good question.
It appears that somehow they can replace certain panels of leather on the seat, though I never really asked how. So they replaced the bottom and side pieces.
I know they had to order the parts from Germany so it took a while.

Now could they replace all the leather pieces with another color? Beats me but possible. And how much would that cost? I bet it wouldn't be cheap.

Ask the dealer and see what they say.

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by ejm3

This is a good question.
It appears that somehow they can replace certain panels of leather on the seat, though I never really asked how. So they replaced the bottom and side pieces.
I know they had to order the parts from Germany so it took a while.

Now could they replace all the leather pieces with another color? Beats me but possible. And how much would that cost? I bet it wouldn't be cheap.

Ask the dealer and see what they say.

I would think replacing the leather parts to change color would probably cost about the same as just buying the entire seat of the color you want.

[J. Dub]

I'd like to hear more stories from N55 owners.

[Vigilante375]

Nothing for my N55 other than the recalls and I'm around 25k miles stock.

[Esteban]

No problems here either beside the recalls, which never actually became problems other than the minor inconvenience of a service appointment. A few months ago it started rough and died, threw the code P0192, and never did it again. One hiccup. A software glitch maybe... who knows? Bought it new (actually leased it, then bought it) in October 2010 and been loving it every day since.

[Ed P]

No issues. 2013 car built in September of 2013 (must be one the last 135i models built).

Have 16K miles on it now (purchased 1 year ago with about 3300 miles on it). 2 oil changes; will do 3rd oil/filter change soon, that's it.

[JB135MDCT]

BMW, BooLSHeeT to YOU!

Water pump failure at 62k. So perfectly designed to fail after 50k warranty.

[MightyMouseTech]

Only problem with my N55 is that COBB will not support it.

[Jettt]

2012 1er

I had a leak which ended up being the Oil Filter Housing.

Minor carbon buildup at 85000km. Nothing compared to N54.

Shifter replaced, wouldnt go back to P after being in M by itself.

Broken Guibo Plate. I had the one made out of aluminum but bmw doesnt use this part anymore and started using the one that comes on the older versions. Pic below. Weird...

[elzorro4]

Originally Posted by Brandon26pdx

Car is fast but not scary fast. Only "problem" I can come up with so far!

Is the N54 "scary fast"? I ask since Ive only driven the N55 DCT.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by elzorro4

Is the N54 "scary fast"? I ask since Ive only driven the N55 DCT.

I've owned both. N54 with steptronic and current N55 with DCT. Pretty similar to me. Both fast, but not "scary fast."

[elzorro4]

Originally Posted by EvenEsteban

I've owned both. N54 with steptronic and current N55 with DCT. Pretty similar to me. Both fast, but not "scary fast."

the problem is the car is too heavy for such a small size.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by elzorro4

the problem is the car is too heavy for such a small size.

I'm sure some of the power mods that you can strap to these cars will make them scary fast, if that's what you want.

[champignon]

Originally Posted by elzorro4

the problem is the car is too heavy for such a small size.

You can partially blame the government(s) for all the heavy safety features that are now required in automobiles. BMW could follow the "Subaru Approach," which is to eliminate all the sound insulation and put extremely cheap and lightweight furnishings in the cabin (as in the BRZ and to a lesser extent (as to the furnishings) the STi).

I actually think the 135i has a nice weight to power ratio; I don't know about the 128i, however.

[elzorro4]

Originally Posted by champignon

You can partially blame the government(s) for all the heavy safety features that are now required in automobiles. BMW could follow the "Subaru Approach," which is to eliminate all the sound insulation and put extremely cheap and lightweight furnishings in the cabin (as in the BRZ and to a lesser extent (as to the furnishings) the STi).

I actually think the 135i has a nice weight to power ratio; I don't know about the 128i, however.

Well the 135i is not that great regarding sound insulation... once you hit 120mph you can hear wind noise... I know coupes usually have this problem but still.

[gabeyts]

Originally Posted by Silenus

N55 oil filter housing gasket leaks are really common after 40k miles (standard BMW stuff). Seem to see more rear main seal and oil pan gaskets with the 55. I've seen them spin bearings at low mileage very frequently compared to the N51/2/4 (but this isn't something I'd be concerned about). DCT transmission mechantronic sealing sleeves are leaking around 30-40k miles.

Had a 135i in with 48k miles that sheared its VANOS bolts and blew the engine (timing off). The valves at 48k had definite carbon buildup, but I'd say they'd make it to 100k without needing a cleaning.

Silenus What are the repercussions of the DCT mechantronic sleeve leaking if left unaddressed? Is it ultimately transmission failure?