Mid Mileage N55 2011 135i reliability? WARRANTY NECESSARY?

[CrimsonXV]

Hello,

I'm new to the turboed BMW scene (been in the e46 world for 7 years). I'm buying a 2011 135i w/ DCT this weekend. The car has 45,000 miles and has only 1 month left of the factory warranty. The car checked out with "flying colors" in my PPI.

I have done a bit of reading on the N55 vs N54 reliability, but most threads out there are a few years old at this point. Now that the N55 has been around for 3-4 years I hope to get better/updated feedback.

Is the N55 prone to issues which make an extended warranty worth the near $4000 price tag. If the answer is yes, only power train, or are there suspension components, etc that are failure prone and worth covering as well?

It's worth noting that I am decently mechanically apt and performed a fair amount of maintenance on my e46 including VANOS rebuild and full cooling system overhaul myself.

Thanks

[fcman]

I've had mine for 10,000 miles without a single hiccup. Just hit 40k today. I would probably recommend a warranty for unexpected issues but I would be careful who you get the warranty from. A buddy bought a 750i and a $4k extended warranty from a pretty reputable company. Couple weeks ago his car wouldn't start so he took it in.

5 injectors malfunctioning and a $3500 fix, warranty company won't cover it because they claim injectors are simply "malfunctioning", rather than "broken." Not sure what the distinction is there, all I know is he is essentially out $7500 now.

The N55 has shown to be pretty reliable, but I will probably get rid of mine when the CPO warranty runs up.

[gmartan]

No mechanical problems with mine in the past four years but make sure you have the latest firmware that fixes the throttle lag. It will make you crazy.

[barnsdale]

I'm at 50,000KM and no issues that I've experianced so far. Sunroof just needed to be recalibrated but took 10 mins LOL it was like being a jet pilot for a week on my commute

[loesch]

Think how much you can fix for $4,000, especially if you do your own labor. Those things are almost guaranteed to end up being a rip off.

[CrimsonXV]

Originally Posted by gmartan

No mechanical problems with mine in the past four years but make sure you have the latest firmware that fixes the throttle lag. It will make you crazy.

I just did a quick google search on N55 firmware update and most results had JB4 in the title. Is this firmware update an aftermarket "upgrade" with a tune like JB4 or COBB? Or is it an official BMW update that a dealer could do for me (covered by warranty)?

Originally Posted by loesch

Think how much you can fix on the $4,000, especially if you do your own labor. Those things are almost guaranteed to end up being a rip off.

I looked up a DIY for replacing the HPFP, doesn't seem like a bad job at all especially if the pump only costs ~$400. Though I've read the later N55s got the new pump design so shouldn't have the issues of the old one failing. How do I know if I have the old or new HPFP in a 12/10 MY 2011?

I'm also suspect of the injectors potentially failing. Is that as easy of a job to replace as the HPFP seems to be? Or are those more of a PITA?

Also what about potential turbo failure? I've read a lot about N54s needing turbos replaced. Does the N55 twin-scroll turbo have common failures as well? I'd hate to have to replace a turbo.


Thanks for the advice guys!

[kleach18]

I bought mine new and just hit 40,000 miles this month. It's been FBO since about 3000 miles. No major problems except for my clutch recently started slipping bc I'm make too much torque. I just change my oil every 7500 miles bc I drive the sh*t out of it when I drive it! I track it and autocross it regularly.

[DSSG]

$4,000? Maybe because you are the second owner?

I plan on buying an extended warranty from BMW, and I've been quoted $2,000. Anyway, I'd only buy the BMW and get the full boat!

[loesch]

Originally Posted by Pimpin325Ci

I just did a quick google search on N55 firmware update and most results had JB4 in the title. Is this firmware update an aftermarket "upgrade" with a tune like JB4 or COBB? Or is it an official BMW update that a dealer could do for me (covered by warranty)?



I looked up a DIY for replacing the HPFP, doesn't seem like a bad job at all especially if the pump only costs ~$400. Though I've read the later N55s got the new pump design so shouldn't have the issues of the old one failing. How do I know if I have the old or new HPFP in a 12/10 MY 2011?

I'm also suspect of the injectors potentially failing. Is that as easy of a job to replace as the HPFP seems to be? Or are those more of a PITA?

Also what about potential turbo failure? I've read a lot about N54s needing turbos replaced. Does the N55 twin-scroll turbo have common failures as well? I'd hate to have to replace a turbo.


Thanks for the advice guys!

The update he was referring to is the official factory BMW DME update. Nothing to do with JB4 or Cobb. In fact you will want to make sure you don't have those things installed if you get the update done.

This is the update... http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1033690

[houtan]

Originally Posted by loesch

The update he was referring to is the official factory BMW DME update. Nothing to do with JB4 or Cobb. In fact you will want to make sure you don't have those things installed if you get the update done.

This is the update... http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1033690

I would definitely do this update before your warranty is up. I would mention a couple of the complaints in the thread and take the SIB number with you so there is no confusion on what it is you are referring to.

other than that, i have a 2011 135i going out of warranty in a couple of weeks. like you, i am also fairly handy so i am not planning to get the extended warranty and save the 4k for when an actual problem shows up.

[Miko226]

Yes. BMW parts and labor are expensive and the extended warranty will likely pay for itself in 1 or 2 trips to a repair shop if a major component has an issue

[e36addict]

I may consider it just for DCT issues alone. Mine has 76k on it, and since 50k i've done HPFP-$350.. Water pump-$350.. and the turbo failed at 72k-$900 from PureTurbos.. I do all my own labor though, and get great prices on parts through the dealer. Not looking forward to future DCT issues, since the control unit alone is ~$1500

[c_ozanich]

Mine has 65k with no issues, FBO since 35k. I did replace waterpump but those are known to fail under stock conditions so I don't attribute that to the mods.

If you are going to mod/void warranty anyway better off saving

[Clovef]

I am at about 35.5k without any parts problems. I do have the dct throttle lag and ideal fluctuations that the new software mentioned above should fix. There is a Vanos bolt recall as well. I have an extended warranty because of DCT but am considering getting a refund for the remainder. I was going to wait for the new software first just to be safe. BMW parts are rediculously expensive and some stupid thing can really cost you. Still generally the underwriter prices warranties so 60% of price is the expected expense. So if the warranty cost $2000 they are estimating the actual expenses to them to be 1200 and make $800 in profit. They sell warranties to make money, not to help the car owners.

[bloppitybloop]

I'm considering moving from an e90 N54 to an e82 N55 so it would be interesting to see if there is anyone out there who has had significant problems with the N55.

[CrimsonXV]

I bought my car in December, 4 months ago with about 47k miles on it. I had a coolant light/leak come on at about 50k miles and had to replace a leaking coolant expansion tank. That's the only issue I've had with it but we all know BMWs have weak cooling system components.

Other than that my driver's window will stop rolling up and go back down 2 or 3 times before I can get it to go all the way up. Doesn't happen all the time though. I haven't had a chance to research/look into it.

[fcman]

I've had mine for 18 months, now at 43k miles. In the past 4 months I have had repairs which would have been around $2000 if I did not have a warranty, these were fairly common n55 issues. I would not buy an aftermarket warranty, but I would try to find one with CPO

[CrimsonXV]

Originally Posted by fcman

I've had mine for 18 months, now at 43k miles. In the past 4 months I have had repairs which would have been around $2000 if I did not have a warranty, these were fairly common n55 issues. I would not buy an aftermarket warranty, but I would try to find one with CPO

What were your repairs?

[fcman]

Originally Posted by CrimsonXV

What were your repairs?

Woah just realized that I was the second poster in this thread, right before my problems started.

Water pump, hpfp, DCT software update. Also had battery die on me, $500

[CrimsonXV]

Originally Posted by fcman

Woah just realized that I was the second poster in this thread, right before my problems started.

Water pump, hpfp, DCT software update. Also had battery die on me, $500

What was the cause of the DCT software update? And cost for that if you remember.

[bradbill]

fortunately no probs with mine yet

[Solo_M_Tech]

Mine has 45k kms on it, 2012 model. Modded, no issues. Not even a hiccup yet. Fingers crossed! The N55 has been proven to be very reliable. ONly a hand full of N55's have had significant failure, leading to a full engine replacement. The details behind those are sketchy anyways. (Owners won't say what caused the failure). I would save the 4k, or find a better CPO warranty.