Now that the 2011 N55 135i is 2-3 yrs old..what issues have you had?

[bbbbmw]

2011 135 w/DCT. Stereo pixels are weak, I had a lumpy seat re-configured, and a minor rattle in the door. Other than that its been fine for 18k mi.

[other_evolved]

Originally Posted by mb135is

Could be as simple as whoever installed the new parts not applying anti squeal to the back of the pads. Was the work performed by a BMW dealership?

Yep.....I bought it CPO and was told they replaced the pads/rotors during the CPO process.

[gmartan]

Originally Posted by TX135i

Mine is a 2012, but since it's an N55 DCT, thought I'd chime in. The only problems I've had are the fluctuating idle and poor throttle response (not turbo lag) during slow rolls thru stop signs, etc. However, those appear to be resolved after installation of the "revised" update to the DME software. The SW version from last Oct/Nov 2012 timeframe was updated again in April/May 2013 timeframe. I had it installed both times, the first time fixing the throttle response and the second time fixing the idle fluctuation. Although there has been a lot of discussion about how the new SW neuters the car, I can't tell that it has much negative effect, but I'm stock and don't track it like many.

Do you know what version of software? I just had mine done and both issues persist.

[gmartan]

Originally Posted by other_evolved

2011 135i manual....build date is late 2010. I've only owned it for a month (CPO) but I've noticed three things:

1. Brake squeal at lower speeds. Is this typical?

2. Throttle lag which from what I've read is a result of a software update? I feel like I don't get the full "oomph" from anything less than 1/2 throttle.

3. A metallic rattling upon start up....I'm not sure what this is. Would it be waste gate rattle? I have the BMW PE, so I wonder if that's just inherent as I've had other exhausts on prior cars and some of them rattle.


All minor problems, I'm still in love with the car!

Brake squeal is normal. If you complain the dealer will show you a form from BMW stating that this is normal for performance brakes.

I think that every BMW has throttle lag (not turbo lag as some call it) but the issue with the 135i is that it is not predictable. PPK fixed this but it came back after the next dealer software upgrade and persists even though the PPK is allegedly still in place. It keeps a really good car from being a great car.

[cheshirecat79]

Those of you with the DCT stalling/RPM issues at idle/slow speed, please refer to this thread along with the service bulletin I posted in there. Print it out or take the bulletin number to your dealer. There has been a recent revision of the DCT software which seems to have fixed the issue.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=675318

[drufe]

Originally Posted by cheshirecat79

Those of you with the DCT stalling/RPM issues at idle/slow speed, please refer to this thread along with the service bulletin I posted in there. Print it our or take the bulletin number to your dealer. There has been a recent revision of the DCT software which seems to have fixed the issue.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=675318

Thanks! I'll definitely be printing that SIB out and taking it to them at my next visit. Let's hope it corrects the problem for good this time.

[other_evolved]

Originally Posted by gmartan

Brake squeal is normal. If you complain the dealer will show you a form from BMW stating that this is normal for performance brakes.

I read that and I find it strange. I've had a couple of cars with performance brakes....Brembos, race pads, etc. and they did not squeal like these brakes do.

[awns729]

Originally Posted by other_evolved

2011 135i manual....build date is late 2010. I've only owned it for a month (CPO) but I've noticed three things:

1. Brake squeal at lower speeds. Is this typical?

2. Throttle lag which from what I've read is a result of a software update? I feel like I don't get the full "oomph" from anything less than 1/2 throttle.

3. A metallic rattling upon start up....I'm not sure what this is. Would it be waste gate rattle? I have the BMW PE, so I wonder if that's just inherent as I've had other exhausts on prior cars and some of them rattle.


All minor problems, I'm still in love with the car!

#3 Mine has a rattle that I think is coming from the clutch, both on startup and shutdown. Put the clutch in and out multiple times and see if the rattle keeps happening just a little bit. I think I've read about this issue before. Could also be the wastegate, but hopefully its this.

[cheshirecat79]

The wastegate rattle sounds a lot like marbles rattling around in a metal can- almost like your cats have fallen apart and pieces of ceramic are bouncing around inside them.

Usually it'll go away once the car warms up.

[AmericanFear]

Originally Posted by other_evolved

Yep.....I bought it CPO and was told they replaced the pads/rotors during the CPO process.

Same thing here. just got an 09 CPO and i noticed the brakes squeal alot, i just assumed it was because theyre performance pads. certain brake pad materials squeak more than others, but they stop differently too.

[ejm3]

Originally Posted by Wiz135

2012 135i manual

Things that were reported since day one of owning the car and still is not fixed. I've been to multiple different dealerships multiple times to try to solve all these issues. (car is 1.5 years old now)

1. Speaker buzzing/high pitch noise when key is not on/radio is not on.
2. Ticking/static noise coming from speakers and/or driver's door where door lock is at at highway speeds.
3. Random stalling when clutch is engaged (in 1st or 2nd gear) and random shutting off when car is out of gear (clutch let off) coasting to a stop.
4. Driver's side headlights flicker when fluid washers turn on at highway speed.

I actually test drove a 2011 135i manual the other day to see if that one has a static noise coming from the driver's door at highway speeds and it did. It seems like a N55 model global issue, as well as the high pitch speaker noise.

I don't have any of those issues in my 2012 135i.
Sure my non-HK stereo blows but I don't get and static.

[Bmer Otto]

2011 135, 106k with no issues.

[Martin.]

Once the HPFP gets replaced, is it with a new upgraded part and is that it for good or is the new part just as likely to fail itself?

[Swadeness]

Originally Posted by other_evolved

2011 135i manual....build date is late 2010. I've only owned it for a month (CPO) but I've noticed three things:

1. Brake squeal at lower speeds. Is this typical?

2. Throttle lag which from what I've read is a result of a software update? I feel like I don't get the full "oomph" from anything less than 1/2 throttle.

3. A metallic rattling upon start up....I'm not sure what this is. Would it be waste gate rattle? I have the BMW PE, so I wonder if that's just inherent as I've had other exhausts on prior cars and some of them rattle.


All minor problems, I'm still in love with the car!

For those of you with the exhaust rattle (especially if you have had exhaust work done) check this bracket on your exhaust. I developed an awfull exhaust rattle that was especially apparent at low coasting speeds and at 750 RPM just above idle. This rattle sounded just like the dreaded wastegate rattle. The problem I found with this bracket is even with the bolt tightened down all the way there was room for the lower bracket to vibrate. It will feel like you have it tight at first but when you give it a good twist, the bracket can still move around.

I fixed it by cutting down a washer and wedging it into the bracket. This shimmed up the bracket enough to let the bolt tighten everything down solid. Its an easy enough thing to check out that you may save yourself some time and money.

[swmrdrn]

Broken Vanos Bolts at 22,000 for me. Still waiting to get the car back.

[CRuben09]

Broken VANOS bolts for me too at 26,000 miles

[swmrdrn]

Below are the pictures of the broken Vanos Bolts. You can see that the intake side Vanos unit has for bolts still intact while on the exhaust side the heads are all missing. The second image shows the 4 bolt heads and the threaded part of one of the bolts. These parts were recovered from the oil pan. After reassembly with the new parts the Vanos solenoid failed on the test drive and that was replace. The mechanic said the failure was due to metal shavings in the oil. They then did an oil change as well.

[swmrdrn]

Lets try that again....



.

[CRuben09]

That looks ugly... I didn't request the removed parts.

[PhillyfaanM3]

2011 135i Vert w 12,300 miles & not one issue.(probably just jinxed myself). I love this car.

[gmartan]

Originally Posted by abirmaher

My 2011 135i with DCT has been pretty good no major issues expcept for this hesitation when Im going to take off from a stand still. There is like a delay before the car will actually move. I found a post by another member describing the same issue and how he was able to fix it so I am going to try and get my dealership to do the same thing. Other than that its been great and I love it.

I did a PPK addition to my 2011 to get rid of the unpredictable throttle delay but it came back a year later. I now have throttle surging after braking to a stop. The idle is floating all over when the car is brought to a stop now. Dealer is absolutely useless. I'm interested in possible fixes.

The break squeal at slow speeds is continuous otherwise nothing is broken.

[IS+1]

2011 N55, picked up in April 2010 - 107,000 km - no mechanical issues at all (no engine mods, occasional track use)