BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      08-31-2011, 12:54 PM   #1
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135i Reliable?

First off, thanks for all the comments in my thread about the 135i being a good family car or not. Lots of things for my wife and I to consider.

In my research on this board (and on the web) it seems like there have been a significant number of issues with the 135 (and to a lesser extent the 335). I also saw that Consumer Reports gave it a below average in reliability. I understand that some of these issues are due to the HPFP, but are there other significant issues with the car?

By the way, I test drove a 135 with my wife and the "check engine light" came on about 3 minutes into the drive. We turned around and brought the car right back to inform the salesperson helping us. His comment was, "Oh yeah that's just an issue with the emissions or with the gas cap not being tight." (The gas cap was tight, by the way.) I realize this was only one car, but it has spooked me a bit, especially after reading some comments on this board.

So, is the 135i reliable or not? (I'm looking at a 2009 model, by the way.)
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      08-31-2011, 12:56 PM   #2
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If you do a search you will come up with a few discussions about this issue...
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      08-31-2011, 01:06 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KinoBoom View Post
If you do a search you will come up with a few discussions about this issue...
I hear you, and I actually did do a search (as I mentioned). There seems to be wildly differing view points on the car, which is the cause of my post/confusion. My family needs a car that is going to be reliable (no suggestions to buy a Honda or Toyota please) so I'm trying to be informed before I take the step of buying a 135.
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      08-31-2011, 01:07 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chunkaway View Post
I hear you, and I actually did do a search (as I mentioned). There seems to be wildly differing view points on the car, which is the cause of my post/confusion. My family needs a car that is going to be reliable (no suggestions to buy a Honda or Toyota please) so I'm trying to be informed before I take the step of buying a 135.
Maybe you should consider a Lexus? :P
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      08-31-2011, 01:27 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by adobeee View Post
Maybe you should consider a Lexus? :P
OUCH!
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      08-31-2011, 01:42 PM   #6
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      08-31-2011, 02:07 PM   #7
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2008 BMW 135i  [7.56]
2011 BMW 328i  [8.00]
I think my 135i is just as reliable as any other German car. There's always going to be issues. If you buy new, or used with remaining warranty, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Also, saying the 335i has problems to a lesser extent is, in my opinion, not true. The problems I've seen and read about are shared and come down to the N54 engine (most notably, fuel pump issues).

Searching, as others have suggested, will help... but you'll mostly find older posts about HPFP failures, which I think has been largely resolved. Just something to keep in mind.
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      08-31-2011, 02:09 PM   #8
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Have you considered a fully loaded 128i instead of a 135i?
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      08-31-2011, 02:22 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adobeee View Post
Have you considered a fully loaded 128i instead of a 135i?
that's not a bad idea if you're worried about reliability
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      08-31-2011, 02:32 PM   #10
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Yep, get a 128i if getting anything older than 2011. The N55 (2011 and newer) has not had the types of issues that the N54 had.
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      08-31-2011, 02:42 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kamal View Post
I think my 135i is just as reliable as any other German car. There's always going to be issues. If you buy new, or used with remaining warranty, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Also, saying the 335i has problems to a lesser extent is, in my opinion, not true. The problems I've seen and read about are shared and come down to the N54 engine (most notably, fuel pump issues).

Searching, as others have suggested, will help... but you'll mostly find older posts about HPFP failures, which I think has been largely resolved. Just something to keep in mind.
As for the comment about the 335, I was simply going off the number of problems reported on TrueDelta. The 335 has slightly fewer problems reported than the 135 per 100 cars.

I have searched quite a bit, but as I said the reaction/comments are Jekyl and Hyde. Some people swear the car is bulletproof and others have had a plethora of issues. When I was looking at a Subaru WRX, there were a few people who had issues, but for the most part it was very consistent.

It sounds like BMW has found a decent fix for the HPFP, which is good, although it seems as if that is still a concern for some people. I have only owned one BMW and that was a 2007 328xi that I had for about 6 months. (Sold it because I found it very boring to drive.)
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      08-31-2011, 02:44 PM   #12
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N55 has had pump failures as well.

I've had my car for 2 years. During year one I had the 3rd brake light break and fall out and the HPFP shit the bed. It was great for the next 6 months then it started hesitating a bit under WOT in high gears. I finally took it to the dealer and they informed me that I had carbon buildup on the valves and they had to sandblast them clean. The latter is the one that really concerns me - if the car has carbon buildup every 15-20k miles, that would be a costly maintenance issue out of warranty. It really sucks because I ADORE this car.
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      08-31-2011, 02:45 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by adobeee View Post
Have you considered a fully loaded 128i instead of a 135i?
I did drive the 128i, but to be honest, after I drove the 135i I stopped considering it. I mean, it was a nice car, but the performance was nothing spectacular, and the dealer wanted close to what they were asking for the 135. By the way, I'm mostly looking at the 2008-2009 models since I'm trying to stay right around $30-31K.

I think if I decide to pass on the 135, I'll probably look at a WRX or something of that ilk. Not nearly as sophisticated, but it is fun and fairly reliable.
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      08-31-2011, 02:47 PM   #14
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I call BS on the gas cap. If it was causing the MIL, then they should have replaced it. If I saw that on a test drive, that would be a lost sale. I didn't buy an auto 135i at a toyota dealership for this very reason. Cold start shudder, took the car 30s to idle and stop shuddering. Meanwhile the salesguy was kinda chunky. Suffice to say, he didn't look comfortable either.
Find a good dealership(BMW) where you trust the service dept. My local guy took amazing care of my 1er as if it was his own. (Something I didn't expect because my 1M order at this dealership went from 1st on the list to 3rd in 1 week. Gave up on that venture anyway.)
Any car is superb if you take care of it, especially if you can tell when the car is performing slightly abnormally, you can nip any problem in the bud. Personal experience: my car had a slightly longer idle than normal(nothing I would normally worry about), checked with my AP and found a couple codes. Took it in, got a loaner, met a great service advisor, 3 injectors and a new HPFP later my car is running smoother than I remember.

One word of caution: I have seen a lot of dealers selling BMW's OUT OF WARRANTY(before the expiration period). I would not trust these, check with your local BMW dealer with the VIN if the warranty on the car is still valid on those that claim warranty.

Some cars have been babied while other have been abused. Do your due diligence with research and meet the previous owner if you buy from a private party.

Recalls on my car:
Seat belt, HPFP(thrice), 3rd brake light
No other problems
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      08-31-2011, 02:47 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KingOfJericho View Post
N55 has had pump failures as well.

I've had my car for 2 years. During year one I had the 3rd brake light break and fall out and the HPFP shit the bed. It was great for the next 6 months then it started hesitating a bit under WOT in high gears. I finally took it to the dealer and they informed me that I had carbon buildup on the valves and they had to sandblast them clean. The latter is the one that really concerns me - if the car has carbon buildup every 15-20k miles, that would be a costly maintenance issue out of warranty. It really sucks because I ADORE this car.
I have heard/read about the brake tail light thing and of course the HPFP, but I have never heard of the valve issue. Hmm....
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      08-31-2011, 02:59 PM   #16
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2008 BMW 135i  [8.50]
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=359016

Info on the carbon buildup

-NurEinser
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      08-31-2011, 03:18 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NurEinser View Post
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=359016

Info on the carbon buildup

-NurEinser
Thank you! As a newbie, I'm blindly searching for issues, but the more experienced of you can steer me in the right direction immediately. Much appreciated!
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      08-31-2011, 03:41 PM   #18
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I am a newbie too, but I thoroughly researched the 135i thru this a couple other forums to know what I was getting myself into.

There are some awesome and helpful mods on this site. The button helps too =b
Honestly, the worst of the probs of this car is the fuel pump but thats warrantied to either 120k or 100k miles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chunkaway View Post
Thank you! As a newbie, I'm blindly searching for issues, but the more experienced of you can steer me in the right direction immediately. Much appreciated!
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      08-31-2011, 05:24 PM   #19
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2010 128i Rock Solid

My 16 month old 128i is rock solid and has ample performance for public roads. When you add family car into the equation it makes even more sense. I did have a recall for To seal the tail lights, but had not developed any leaks.

If you really want a car that does double duty look at a first model TSX with a manual.
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      08-31-2011, 05:32 PM   #20
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Mine has been flawless for almost 21.7k miles since brand new. Runs like a champ, no issues/regrets!
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      08-31-2011, 05:38 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NurEinser View Post
I call BS on the gas cap. If it was causing the MIL, then they should have replaced it. If I saw that on a test drive, that would be a lost sale. I didn't buy an auto 135i at a toyota dealership for this very reason. Cold start shudder, took the car 30s to idle and stop shuddering. Meanwhile the salesguy was kinda chunky. Suffice to say, he didn't look comfortable either.
Find a good dealership(BMW) where you trust the service dept. My local guy took amazing care of my 1er as if it was his own. (Something I didn't expect because my 1M order at this dealership went from 1st on the list to 3rd in 1 week. Gave up on that venture anyway.)
Any car is superb if you take care of it, especially if you can tell when the car is performing slightly abnormally, you can nip any problem in the bud. Personal experience: my car had a slightly longer idle than normal(nothing I would normally worry about), checked with my AP and found a couple codes. Took it in, got a loaner, met a great service advisor, 3 injectors and a new HPFP later my car is running smoother than I remember.

One word of caution: I have seen a lot of dealers selling BMW's OUT OF WARRANTY(before the expiration period). I would not trust these, check with your local BMW dealer with the VIN if the warranty on the car is still valid on those that claim warranty.

Some cars have been babied while other have been abused. Do your due diligence with research and meet the previous owner if you buy from a private party.

Recalls on my car:
Seat belt, HPFP(thrice), 3rd brake light
No other problems
Oh, I agree about calling BS on the gas cap issue. I did say to the guy, that doesn't even make sense, because I checked the gas cap when we pulled over. He kind of stammered and said, "It must be an emissions issue." Uh, yeah. By the way, this was at a BMW dealer in Portland, Oregon. (This car was actually under warranty by the way.)
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      08-31-2011, 05:46 PM   #22
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From what i gather, and i did alot of that before i bought my 135, is the hpfp and brake light are primarily the issues. The car, mechanical wise seems to be pretty tough. Consider a CPO car and have worry free driving for 100k.
But If you are the type to constantly worry about issues that "could" happen, then you truely may want to consider a less high performance type car...honda, toyota etc.
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