135i: the car with the most faults...

Alext · 06-17-2009, 06:01 PM

...that I ever owned. And I have owned a few cars.

So far the car is only 6 months old and has had the following issues:

1. Rear trunk brake light casing cracked. Off to dealer to replace.
2. Rear tailight faulty. Off to dealer again.
3. Jacking block fell off. Another trip.
4. Creaking dash around A-pillar. Unresolved.
5. Vibrating rear-vision mirror housing (at high speed) due to poor fit. Resolved with tape.
6. Steering wheel roundel that looks worse than the 'cold' badge on my 15 year old bathroom tap due to corrosion. Unresolved.

Sure the car has brought a lot of enjoyment and that helps to offset the bad things. And it isnt the most expensive either. But, as I said above this car has more issues than any other I have owned and definitely the one that has spent the most time at the dealer too! Pick up your game BMW!

1speedbike · 06-17-2009, 06:33 PM

Wow, that sucks.. I'm sorry your 1er experience isn't the greatest. Maybe you got a lemon though? I've had zero problems that I personally haven't caused, other than the longer crank times leading to the eventual HPFP failure I forsee in the future. But most people have had that problem..

max102654 · 06-17-2009, 08:23 PM

I am not sure you can lemon a car because of some nusiance interior and exterior build quality issues. My most unreliable car was a V8 Mustang. After 5000 miles, the transmission quitted and car would stall during quick turns or even on the highway. The 2nd most unrealiable car was a VW Jetta. After 70k miles, car would not start or overheat and everything in the interior just fell apart. I learned my lessons and went with a Toyota Camry. With 160k miles on the car when I finally sold it , not a single problem. My husband's BMW Z3 has also been great, with 170k miles and still running strong.

I hope this 135i will not give me too many problems. I already went to the dealer once at 1000 miles due to the SES light and a fuel vent valve was replaced. I read about the HPFP problems and I am just crossing my fingers.

1013mm · 06-17-2009, 08:26 PM

steering roundel and third brake light for me and and some vibration in the dash somewhere.

MONTEGO_E82 · 06-17-2009, 09:17 PM

SI B51 21 09
Body Equipment June 2009
Technical Service

SUBJECT
Rattle Noise from the Center Vent on the Instrument Panel

MODEL
E82, E88 (1 Series) produced up to 3/2009

SITUATION
Intermittently, when driving over rough roads, a creaking or rattling noise can be heard from the area of the center vent on the instrument panel.

CAUSE
The center vent opening in the instrument panel is slightly oversized to allow for proper fitting of the vent. When the body, and thus the instrument panel flexes, the vent moves in relation to the opening in the instrument panel, creating the noise.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

MONTEGO_E82 · 06-17-2009, 09:17 PM

SI B51 18 09
Body Equipment May 2009
Technical Service

Load Graphics
SUBJECT
Noises from the Glove Box Area

MODEL
E82, E88 (1 Series) produced up to 12/2008

SITUATION
A rattling noise may be heard from the glove box area when driving over rough surfaces.

CAUSE
This may be caused by:

The glove box shock absorber

The glove box cover making contact with the inner shell of the glove box

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty

MONTEGO_E82 · 06-17-2009, 09:18 PM

SI B51 07 09
Body Equipment March 2009
Technical Service

Load Graphics
SUBJECT
Creaking Noise from the Center Armrest

MODEL
E82, E88 (1 Series) produced up to 11/2008

SITUATION
A creaking or squeaking noise can be heard from the center armrest when loads are applied to it, such as when the customer moves his or her arm on the armrest.

CAUSE
Relative movement between the armrest cover and the console housing

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

jeremyc74 · 06-17-2009, 09:22 PM

Jacking block "fell" off? More likely you hit something on the road and it got torn off. The design isn't great but I'd tried to pull them off and it's not easy. It's hard to imagine a molded piece like that that was so far out of wack it fell off the car.

The rattles, annoying, but still pretty minor.

The HPFP situation bothers me much more than any of that would.

In any case, I'm betting BMW takes a pretty serious hit in quality ratings over the next 3-5 years because of stuff like this. They still build great driving cars, but they need to get their act together when it comes to stuff like this. Letting penny pinching accountants run the business is what put the Big 3 in the situation they're in.

x5mad · 06-17-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Jacking block "fell" off? More likely you hit something on the road and it got torn off. The design isn't great but I'd tried to pull them off and it's not easy. It's hard to imagine a molded piece like that that was so far out of wack it fell off the car.

.

Why put fault on the driver? The whole point of the thread is to highlight poor fit and finish. Meaning these things DO happen. By your reasoning there it means that they are put so well together that things dont fall off. As we have all atested to - product failures DO happen, cars are not perfect.

Zuzu · 06-17-2009, 10:36 PM

And dont get me started Alex..
# Interior trim replaced
# ECU upgrade
# HPFP replaced
# Rear quarter window not aligned
# ECU upgrade..AGAIN
# Tear apperaing in Soft top.

All this in Just eight months and like you Alex I have owned new BMW's for the past 20 odd years and I would have to say this is by far the worst BMW I have had for faults..

cagekicker · 06-17-2009, 10:37 PM

remember what they say about first year productions???

jeremyc74 · 06-17-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x5mad

Why put fault on the driver? The whole point of the thread is to highlight poor fit and finish. Meaning these things DO happen. By your reasoning there it means that they are put so well together that things dont fall off. As we have all atested to - product failures DO happen, cars are not perfect.

Have you ever tried to take one of the jack pads off? They don't fall off. They are easy to tear off if you hit something on the road though. The whole point of this thread is to bitch about things that BMW has done wrong. I'm fine with that, because they do make mistakes, but lets blame them for things that aren't really their issue. The jack pads don't just fall off.

My135 · 06-17-2009, 11:06 PM

It is the worst BMW I ever own. It kept sucking my mod money:-(:-(:-(

WaFu · 06-17-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagekicker

remember what they say about first year productions???

1 series isn't a first year production.

Alext · 06-18-2009, 12:41 AM

I just want to clarify that I definitely did NOT hit anything with the vehicle. I am very careful about the way I drive over rough/uneven surfaces and steep inclines (having owned rather low ground clearance vehicles). I also felt that to knock that thing off would have taken some force and I would have most certainly known about it! No damage around or to the holder either. All I remember was when I was driving once I heard a loud clunk in the rear wheel well, so that might have been it falling off then. Definitely were no obstacles on the road large enough to make that sound.

My dealer actually told me that he had seen a few cars that were missing their blocks.

Zuzu: not good huh. I hope I dont get the HPFP failure! Lucky we have a warranty.

MOCKBA · 06-18-2009, 01:22 AM

It looks like you have early 2008 production. My car manufactured in Apr of 2008 and solid rock. Rear brake light didn't fall even at rear ending. I never owned so good car, no any one visit to a dealer even for some small problem.

Alext · 06-18-2009, 01:33 AM

Mine is a July 2008 production actually haha.

Zuzu · 06-18-2009, 01:51 AM

Mine is April 08 production...So there goes your theory..

dragon1761 · 06-18-2009, 02:24 AM

i think it is a hit or miss type deal from what it seems. It seems like there are more things wrong with the 135i than the 128i, however, due to the fact there are more people on this site with 128i that it might be another factor.

x5mad · 06-18-2009, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Have you ever tried to take one of the jack pads off? They don't fall off. They are easy to tear off if you hit something on the road though. The whole point of this thread is to bitch about things that BMW has done wrong. I'm fine with that, because they do make mistakes, but lets blame them for things that aren't really their issue. The jack pads don't just fall off.

I understand your point of view and where your coming from but who would have thought a rear brake light can come off? It has certainly been a complaint - and yes a well put together one would be extremely difficult to yank off. Does it mean that that person would have HAD to hit something or be rear ended?

Also on my 2008 X5 I had a solid metal rear latch that holds the rear seats upright come apart and snap in the first week. Logic would say impossible to break within normal usage - but indeed it happened. So, have an open mind until proven otherwise.

oneill3 · 06-18-2009, 05:28 AM

The worst car I ever owned was a Mercedes SLK. Had the car for almost three years and had numerous problems;

Computer had to be reset 3 times (3 seperate visits)
Gear box had an oil leak
Plastic part of the folding roof was warped and had to be replaced
Seat beat sensor failed twice (2 seperate visits)
Air conditioner kompressor failed and needed to be replaced
plus one or two other things that I can't remeber of the top of my head.

So far the 135 had been faultless but I've only had it for 2 weeks

sunking420 · 06-18-2009, 06:25 AM

I bought a new BMW 318is in 1991 and that car had I think 4 recalls while I owned it and two after trade in. It was a great car nonetheless. This 135i has so far got 13,000 trouble free miles. The fit and finish are outstanding. I think it's just the individual vehicle. Some are just cursed from day 1. If others are having lots of problems, BMW does need to address these quality control issues.

06-17-2009, 06:01 PM	#1
Alext Banned 138 Rep 2,042 Posts Drives: B M W Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everest iTrader: (2)	135i: the car with the most faults... ...that I ever owned. And I have owned a few cars. So far the car is only 6 months old and has had the following issues: 1. Rear trunk brake light casing cracked. Off to dealer to replace. 2. Rear tailight faulty. Off to dealer again. 3. Jacking block fell off. Another trip. 4. Creaking dash around A-pillar. Unresolved. 5. Vibrating rear-vision mirror housing (at high speed) due to poor fit. Resolved with tape. 6. Steering wheel roundel that looks worse than the 'cold' badge on my 15 year old bathroom tap due to corrosion. Unresolved. Sure the car has brought a lot of enjoyment and that helps to offset the bad things. And it isnt the most expensive either. But, as I said above this car has more issues than any other I have owned and definitely the one that has spent the most time at the dealer too! Pick up your game BMW!
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06-17-2009, 06:33 PM	#2
1speedbike Brigadier General 732 Rep 3,274 Posts Drives: 2022 X4 M40i, 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MKE iTrader: (15)	Wow, that sucks.. I'm sorry your 1er experience isn't the greatest. Maybe you got a lemon though? I've had zero problems that I personally haven't caused, other than the longer crank times leading to the eventual HPFP failure I forsee in the future. But most people have had that problem.. __________________ 2022 X4 M40i - 2008 135i - 2015 F700GS On Order - 2024 i4 M50 Scruffy's gonna die the way he lived... Mmhm.
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06-17-2009, 08:23 PM	#3
max102654 Enlisted Member 5 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 135i convertible Join Date: May 2009 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I am not sure you can lemon a car because of some nusiance interior and exterior build quality issues. My most unreliable car was a V8 Mustang. After 5000 miles, the transmission quitted and car would stall during quick turns or even on the highway. The 2nd most unrealiable car was a VW Jetta. After 70k miles, car would not start or overheat and everything in the interior just fell apart. I learned my lessons and went with a Toyota Camry. With 160k miles on the car when I finally sold it , not a single problem. My husband's BMW Z3 has also been great, with 170k miles and still running strong. I hope this 135i will not give me too many problems. I already went to the dealer once at 1000 miles due to the SES light and a fuel vent valve was replaced. I read about the HPFP problems and I am just crossing my fingers.
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06-17-2009, 08:26 PM	#4
1013mm aka 1013MM 1246 Rep 9,545 Posts Drives: pokingly flush Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles / HK iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 135i [8.26]	steering roundel and third brake light for me and and some vibration in the dash somewhere. __________________ -John Project YOSHI Sale Thread
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06-17-2009, 09:17 PM	#5
MONTEGO_E82 Enlisted Member 6 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 2011 bmw 335xi Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	SI B51 21 09 Body Equipment June 2009 Technical Service SUBJECT Rattle Noise from the Center Vent on the Instrument Panel MODEL E82, E88 (1 Series) produced up to 3/2009 SITUATION Intermittently, when driving over rough roads, a creaking or rattling noise can be heard from the area of the center vent on the instrument panel. CAUSE The center vent opening in the instrument panel is slightly oversized to allow for proper fitting of the vent. When the body, and thus the instrument panel flexes, the vent moves in relation to the opening in the instrument panel, creating the noise. WARRANTY INFORMATION Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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06-17-2009, 09:18 PM	#7
MONTEGO_E82 Enlisted Member 6 Rep 40 Posts Drives: 2011 bmw 335xi Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	SI B51 07 09 Body Equipment March 2009 Technical Service Load Graphics SUBJECT Creaking Noise from the Center Armrest MODEL E82, E88 (1 Series) produced up to 11/2008 SITUATION A creaking or squeaking noise can be heard from the center armrest when loads are applied to it, such as when the customer moves his or her arm on the armrest. CAUSE Relative movement between the armrest cover and the console housing WARRANTY INFORMATION Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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06-17-2009, 09:22 PM	#8
jeremyc74 Banned 76 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	Jacking block "fell" off? More likely you hit something on the road and it got torn off. The design isn't great but I'd tried to pull them off and it's not easy. It's hard to imagine a molded piece like that that was so far out of wack it fell off the car. The rattles, annoying, but still pretty minor. The HPFP situation bothers me much more than any of that would. In any case, I'm betting BMW takes a pretty serious hit in quality ratings over the next 3-5 years because of stuff like this. They still build great driving cars, but they need to get their act together when it comes to stuff like this. Letting penny pinching accountants run the business is what put the Big 3 in the situation they're in.
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06-17-2009, 10:36 PM	#10
Zuzu Major General 2816 Rep 7,637 Posts Drives: M2C HS 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	And dont get me started Alex.. # Interior trim replaced # ECU upgrade # HPFP replaced # Rear quarter window not aligned # ECU upgrade..AGAIN # Tear apperaing in Soft top. All this in Just eight months and like you Alex I have owned new BMW's for the past 20 odd years and I would have to say this is by far the worst BMW I have had for faults..
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06-17-2009, 10:37 PM	#11
cagekicker Major 16 Rep 1,335 Posts Drives: '09 crimson red 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: miami (vice city) fl. iTrader: (0)	remember what they say about first year productions??? __________________ 6MT/ Sport Package/ N54/ Asa wheels/ Eibach pro kit springs/ Active autowerke Exhaust/ 35% tint
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06-17-2009, 11:06 PM	#13
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	It is the worst BMW I ever own. It kept sucking my mod money:-(:-(:-( __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
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06-18-2009, 12:41 AM	#15
Alext Banned 138 Rep 2,042 Posts Drives: B M W Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everest iTrader: (2)	I just want to clarify that I definitely did NOT hit anything with the vehicle. I am very careful about the way I drive over rough/uneven surfaces and steep inclines (having owned rather low ground clearance vehicles). I also felt that to knock that thing off would have taken some force and I would have most certainly known about it! No damage around or to the holder either. All I remember was when I was driving once I heard a loud clunk in the rear wheel well, so that might have been it falling off then. Definitely were no obstacles on the road large enough to make that sound. My dealer actually told me that he had seen a few cars that were missing their blocks. Zuzu: not good huh. I hope I dont get the HPFP failure! Lucky we have a warranty.
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06-18-2009, 01:22 AM	#16
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	It looks like you have early 2008 production. My car manufactured in Apr of 2008 and solid rock. Rear brake light didn't fall even at rear ending. I never owned so good car, no any one visit to a dealer even for some small problem. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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06-18-2009, 01:33 AM	#17
Alext Banned 138 Rep 2,042 Posts Drives: B M W Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Everest iTrader: (2)	Mine is a July 2008 production actually haha.
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06-18-2009, 01:51 AM	#18
Zuzu Major General 2816 Rep 7,637 Posts Drives: M2C HS 6MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sydney Australia iTrader: (0)	Mine is April 08 production...So there goes your theory..
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06-18-2009, 02:24 AM	#19
dragon1761 Lieutenant 83 Rep 528 Posts Drives: 128i SGM 08; 328i AW 14 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Arcadia, CA iTrader: (0)	i think it is a hit or miss type deal from what it seems. It seems like there are more things wrong with the 135i than the 128i, however, due to the fact there are more people on this site with 128i that it might be another factor.
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06-18-2009, 05:28 AM	#21
oneill3 Private 5 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 135i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	The worst car I ever owned was a Mercedes SLK. Had the car for almost three years and had numerous problems; Computer had to be reset 3 times (3 seperate visits) Gear box had an oil leak Plastic part of the folding roof was warped and had to be replaced Seat beat sensor failed twice (2 seperate visits) Air conditioner kompressor failed and needed to be replaced plus one or two other things that I can't remeber of the top of my head. So far the 135 had been faultless but I've only had it for 2 weeks __________________ "I'm here to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I'm all out of bubblegum"
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06-18-2009, 06:25 AM	#22
sunking420 First Lieutenant 11 Rep 334 Posts Drives: '08 SGM 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Flagler Beach, Florida iTrader: (0)	I bought a new BMW 318is in 1991 and that car had I think 4 recalls while I owned it and two after trade in. It was a great car nonetheless. This 135i has so far got 13,000 trouble free miles. The fit and finish are outstanding. I think it's just the individual vehicle. Some are just cursed from day 1. If others are having lots of problems, BMW does need to address these quality control issues.
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