Fox, 135i advice

[ui]ICEMAN

[ui]ICEMAN

[ui]ICEMAN

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
2,612
Location
Florida/UK
I think I'm going to buy a white 135i this weekend, I have a deposit on it to hold it but I wanted to know what you think about them and if there are any glaring issues.

The car is a 2008, has the premium pack and has 40k on it. It's just going to replace the Cooper S since I do 450 miles a week now and the Mini is a little grating. I don't care much for having to keep the runflats, especially since my 911 is my weekend car.

Thanks, looking forward to hearing your views :)
 
Hi mate,

One thing to look out for iirc on these engines is the injectors. Not quite sure how to check them but I've heard that they're a weak point!
 
tabs said:
Out of interest why are you looking at such a small car to go 450 miles a week?
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I have an Rx350 '10 if I need something larger. In all honesty I like to have a car that's fun and comfortable rather than larger car for no real reason. I'd drive my 911 every day if I wasn't worried about parking it :)
 
There are major problems with this engine and most centre around the high pressure fuel pump (HPFP). It is a significant failiure risk in these engines but the disadvantage to you as an owner is limited only to hassle and resale problems as BMW North America now warrant the HPFP for either 100k or 120k miles (Cant remember which).

Other problems centre around the injectors, but this doesnt appear to be as common as the HPFP. The direct injection petrol engines seem to quite troublesome unfortunately. Infact as I write this, my parents E60 is incapacited on the drive with 'Engine Fault'.

I think I'd be after a 335i anyway for longer distance stuff but I can see the appeal of the 135i.

There isnt much you can do to check whether the car has problems - and despite what some say there is still no real known fix to the HPFP problems. BMW NA has launched a voluntary recall but to be honest all this really is is what they've been doing all along anyway.
 
I'm going to pay for the BMW extended warranty since the factory warranty expires at 50k or 4 years. If I could find a 335i for the same money I'd be tempted too but this is a fairly good deal as it's from my Porsche dealer.

The 135i seems to get great reviews overall and it can't be any less reliable than my Mini lol!
 
It could well be - the HPFP thing is a huge issue and some people have had 5 or 6 failures. It seems BMW just replace the pump with another which then fails again. And again. But its covered even if you dont have warranty - so its just hassle.
 
HPFP seem to be the route cause of failure in most modern direct injection petrols, and diesels for that matter

BOSCH are the most serious culprits
 
At least BMW are admitting and covering it at least. Although it sounds like a right PITA.

Is it really cheaper for them to keep replacing them rather than fix the problem?
 
Tute said:
At least BMW are admitting and covering it at least. Although it sounds like a right PITA.
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Only BMW North America have done this....

Is it really cheaper for them to keep replacing them rather than fix the problem?
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Lots of people have lots of theories. Some people wonder if they even know what the problem is, and liken it to constantly replacing a blown fuse..
 
I was researching this and IIRC, x35i engines are now being fitted with a revised fuel pump (i think it's a 3rd or 4th revision as i think there with 3 or 4 different parts numbers for the pump) I also read that BMW NA will fit all cars with HPFP failure with the revised part.

However, this is just what i've read so i'm not sure how much truth there is about it. I'd be happy to be put right :)
 
Gaygle said:
I was researching this and IIRC, x35i engines are now being fitted with a revised fuel pump (i think it's a 3rd or 4th revision as i think there with 3 or 4 different parts numbers for the pump) I also read that BMW NA will fit all cars with HPFP failure with the revised part.
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This is correct.

The revised part still fails. Even people with 2011 335i's are suffering and this is the new N55 engine..

Some people suspect the fuel pump isnt the problem, some other problem is blowing fuel pumps..
 
[ui]ICEMAN;17923721 said:
I'm going to pay for the BMW extended warranty since the factory warranty expires at 50k or 4 years. If I could find a 335i for the same money I'd be tempted too but this is a fairly good deal as it's from my Porsche dealer.

The 135i seems to get great reviews overall and it can't be any less reliable than my Mini lol!
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Iceman also speak to warranty direct. You may get a better deal with less exclusions than the actual bmw extended... Doesn't hurt to just get a quote. I'm thinking of doing the same on my Audi. The Audi extended came in more than the warranty direct.. They'll give me 5yrs or 100,000 miles bumper to bumper for just under $5k.. Which yup seems a lot, but anything goes on these german numbers out here and that 5k is gone pretty damn quick.
 
Well I bought it today, still has over 2 yrs of factory warranty and maintenance on it. I must admit, it's a great car, not that far off my 911 in terms of pace and a very nice, comfortable place to be. I just have a couple of things to fix on it, I need to replace the steering wheel trim as it appears to be peeling and some of the stitching has come loose from the back of the wheel itself. I'm thinking BMW will probably just replace this for me though under warranty.

I'll post up some pics tomorrow :)
 
Some pics for you guys :)

I'm really really happy with this one, I can honestly say, if I had to sell the 911, I'd be happy driving this thing.

I'm so used to Porsche charging for everything, I was quite surprised to see how well spec'd the 135i is, it even has the dynamic Xenon lights.

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