128 water pump life span

[olds350]

It seems in reading the forum that the 135 suffers from the water pump failing at around 60-80k miles. The lowly 128 doesn't seem to suffer the same fate. I'm right at 94k miles on my e88. I wanted to reach out to the 128 owners and ask one of two questions.

At what mileage did you have to change out the water pump?

If you are still on the original water pump, what's your current mileage? I'm curious if anyone is over 100k on the original pump...

[Zombie_Head]

Currently on 54,000 kms and original pump.

From my understanding they are the same pump, but since there is less heat compared to the turbo guys (and having the pump running when the engine is off) the pump lasts longer.

A few of owners replaced theirs at 60-80k miles, while a lot more users see 90K+.

Personally i will replace mine at 80-100k if it did not fail already.

[olds350]

Originally Posted by Zombie_Head

Currently on 54,000 kms and original pump.

From my understanding they are the same pump, but since there is less heat compared to the turbo guys (and having the pump running when the engine is off) the pump lasts longer.

A few of owners replaced theirs at 60-80k miles, while a lot more users see 90K+.

Personally i will replace mine at 80-100k if it did not fail already.

Yeah, I'm going to follow that same logic and replace mine when I hit 100k miles unless I have to do it sooner. This seems like one of the primary soft spots on these cars.

[02Pilot]

I bought my car with 103k miles and the original pump and thermostat. I changed them preemptively soon after I got the car.

[StuP]

I'm contemplating a change at 50-60k miles.

I suspect it not the miles as much as the driving conditions. My commute home is 25 miles of crawling stop start traffic, (90+ minutes), which, during the summer in Atlanta, gives the cooling system a workout.

[519.E82]

Mine went out at 139k km or 86.3k miles, water pump and thermostat was replaced

[10"]

it doesn't matter if it's a 128 or 135 or a 118 for that matter. it's an electric water pump used by BMW....they fail at around 60-80k miles VERY OFTEN. get it changed....

[jeddo45]

Originally Posted by olds350

It seems in reading the forum that the 135 suffers from the water pump failing at around 60-80k miles. The lowly 128 doesn't seem to suffer the same fate. I'm right at 94k miles on my e88. I wanted to reach out to the 128 owners and ask one of two questions.

At that mileage did you have to change out the water pump?

If you are still on the original water pump, what's your current mileage? I'm curious if anyone is over 100k on the original pump...

The '08 128i in my family just had the water pump go out at 99k.

It's really not a consistent mileage where it goes out but more often then not it will go between 65k - 100k.

I knew it was going out because on short drives, the radiator fan was on full blast working hard. So if you hear your fan working extremely hard when your barely driving, that's a good indicator your pump is going out but that doesn't happen all the time.

Just do one of two things:

1. Get it replaced
2. By the parts ahead of time

It's not if, but when it will go out.

[StuP]

So, does any supplier have a good package deal on a pump / thermo + necessary other bits ?

[KNS]

Mine failed at 44,000 miles

[sprp85]

108k on original pump.

No excessive fan, no abnormal readings on WP parameters when monitored via Carly.

[chris_flies]

Carfax didn't say anything when I bought it about the water pump being replaced, but, bolts holding it in look newer than the other bolts near them, so it was probably replaced. 174k miles and is only gone through one, just waiting for the inevitable now...

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by StuP

So, does any supplier have a good package deal on a pump / thermo + necessary other bits ?

FCP euro does a good job on pricing and lifetime warranty.

[Lucky1]

About to hit 125k miles on the original pump and my plan is to not worry about it. Its looking like a hot summer though. Hopefully it won't be an issue.

[Tarpon]

My '08 128 with 92k miles still has the original. I am in the process of replacing my radiator with an all aluminum one due to a leak at the top elbow. Also going to replace upper, lower hoses and the one to expansion tank.
I have also been replacing the coolant every two years since I bought it new in 08.

[MotoWPK]

Is there are typical failure mode for the water pumps? Mechanical (seal, bearing, impeller...), electrical (motor, controller...)?

[ejm3]

Mine failed at 52k (135i).
I was going to replace it at 60k pre-emptively but never got that far.

Its bone stock, never tracked and generally babied.

Problem is that there's virtually no warning and it leaves you high and dry when it craps out.