BMW's are amazing, I would just avoid anything with a N54 in it IE: 135,335,535,Z4 35i, X6 35i etc... My friend just had his HPFP replaced just recently on his 09 335i with only 2300 miles on it.

Maybe the new single turbo N55 engine will solve the HPFP issues...

 

How is the coffee @ the cyber cafe?

 

If you live in California, you may be eligible for the Lemon Law claim. First, you have to give BMW a chance to fix the problem. If the problem persists (more than 3 or 4 times), you can call this firm http://www.californialemonlaw.com/ to get the process started. In the meantime, keep your car stock (no tint, clear bra, etc). Leave it as is just like how you drove it off the dealer lot.

 

Do the 535 and 135 have fuel pump problems too? Seems like all the rage is directed at 335i. I assume they use the exact same engine.

 

sorry about your bad experience. I started hearing about this fuel pump issue a while back. I love driving the 3 series but its stuff like this that makes me stick with Japanese brands. You may to take them in for stuff but they are not going to leave you on the side of the road. I think someone recently posted on this issue. In the thread I think it was mentioned that someone had the fuel pump issue then had the loaner car fail with the same issue.

 

Hi All,

Thanks for your responses and well-wishes. This will be a long post, sorry. Someone asked about more details... please don't bother reading this unless you're that person - the gist of what I have to say is in the first post. I think I'm doing this mainly for theraputic reasons : )

By way of comparison, here is the story of my last BMW, which I loved:

Test drove. Bought. Enjoyed for 4 years. Maintained per BMW, and NEVER a problem. The end.

Here is the new story, which covers less than a month of time:

I should clarify: I purchased a Certified Pre-Owned 2007 335. Not new, so no return/lemon. I was aware in it's history that the HPFP had been replaced. In fact, I was told by a BMW service advisor that replacement might actually be a good thing, since he "almost never" saw cars come in for a third HPFP. What I wasn't told until I returned to the dealer for something unrelated was that the dealer that sold the car to me replaced it again literally days before I took ownership (that being the third pump for the car). Warning: long version ahead.

I had test-driven this car and it had a noticeable vibration at highway speeds. I naturally told them no deal until they fix. They said of course, but that it would be no problem. They rebalanced the tires, and a tech took it out and said it was perfect. I was ready to buy, so they CAME AND PICKED ME UP (as re-test-driving it would just be a formality). I drove it; it was exactly the same. No difference whatsoever. They had to drive me home, as the car hadn't improved. I then needed to be out of town, and told them go ahead and sell it if you can - don't keep it for me. But to fix the vibration they eventually determined that they needed to replace the driveshaft balancing weight ("dbw" henceforth); needed the part from Germany; it took a long time to get here, etc.

I suppose at this point I should have walked away, but who would believe that a company like BMW wouldn't find a way to fix a problem like this, and it's a Certified Car, which I had been fooled into thinking meant that it was "one of the best of the best". As a reminder I am coming from 4 years of bliss in an e46 330Ci.

So it turned out they still had it when I got back, and I drove it again. They didn't bother telling me, but after they replaced the dbw the hpfp failed again. So they replaced it, didn't mention anything, and sold it to me. (I drove it with the new dbw, and the vibration problem was solved). I noticed on this test drive that it pulled to the left, and I said so to my Sales Advisor. He made something up about the tires needing to "break in" and said that if it wasn't better in a week, they'd align it.

I drove it for a few days, and it was running rough. No long cranks, but a rough idle feel at rest (car on) and while shifting. The gearbox has a small delay before you can get it into the next gear, which is something I'm noticing more, but it isn't dramatic or anything. Just something I don't associate with a 3er.

Then the battery light came on. Drove it for several more days, replicated problem several times. Took in for service and alignment. Battery tests fine, alignment doesn't change pull. Get the car back from service, and it's missing change from armrest (I realize this is not performance related, but it contributes to my increasingly negative feeling for this car and for BMW. Also, I'm sure you're wondering: surely there must be room for human error! Are you sure? I wouldn't normally be, but I LITERALLY just tranferred the change from my old car to my new one before I took it in. The old car has room for 7 quarters in the coin holder which was full, and I had exactly one more dollar in quarters plus a LOT of other change. Instead of 11 quarters, it comes back with 4, and generally less loose change.)

These are the main performance problems, and I know they aren't a big deal/ that there are people with bigger problems out there. I'm really not saying I have the worst case, just that I don't enjoy the car like I though I would/should/did with my last one. I could quibble about the seats that are less comfortable, the floor mats that constantly catch on the clutch or the cabin that has less of a "cockpit" feel, but that stuff woudln't matter if it were fun to drive. With the vibration, rough idle, rough shifting etc... it just isn't.

I readily acknowledge that there may well be a lot of perfect 335's out there, and if you get one, I would imagine it's a blast to drive. Again, I only wanted to post to warn someone who might not have thought that this could happen to them! To that person I say: you run a very serious risk of getting a car with significant problems, and if you're like me you may not have expected this from this brand. Mine is under factory warranty, so it isn't about money (yet). But the time and effort to get to the dealer and then not have a car that many people buy because they're passionate about it (and about driving) is a drag, and not what I personally would have expected from BMW.

Thanks, and good luck on your search.

 

Does this fuel pump issue pertain to M3's ?

 

Can't say I agree with this statement. Really? The OP has nothing better to do? I don't know him at all but based on his near perfect grammar, he seems like a well-educated person probably has better things to do than to make something like this up. Dunno...just my $.02 but you could be right.

To the OP. Wow! Sorry to hear the crap you're going through. Good luck.

 

 

This is why I would never buy a used BMW.

 

535 and 135 have similar issues with the fuel pump.

BMW has had this issue for a while and can't seem to figure it out.

None, it's only related to the twin-turbo I6 (N54) so far. It's not clear whether this will become the issue with the twin turbo v8, or the single turbo I6 (N55) equipped vehicles.

Every car manufacturer has some issues. The turbos are relatively new at BMW so it's natural to have some problems in early years. I have a 528i without the turbo, and non-turbo BMW owners don't have nearly as much to complain about.

You probably heard about the Lexus and Toyota cars that can't stop. That's more problematic, considering that the gas pedal is not new technology.

 

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but I think only for 335i's. Not 328i's or M3's.

On another note, wonder if replacing the N54 with the N55 will change the reliability of the 335i. Even so, I think I like the new 5 series over the 3.

EDIT: TMQ beat me to the answer lol

 

I've had many friends who are BMW enthusiasts, and they steady get crapped on by their cars. They just feel that the expensive and frequent fixes are worth the drive experience. E92fail, that sucks about your car, it's disappointing! But even if you've had a good experience with your last one, people have been complaining about Bimmers being hit or miss for years. Hopefully the dealer will do right by you and get your car situated, it's no fun having a fun car that you never get to drive! I had the same problem when I first got my SC, always in the shop! Good luck man.

 

This is also why I'd just wait a few years before I bought a new BMW. My 2002 330i was great. I'd probably wait until the midlife refresh then buy a 335i. With me its a love hate relationship with BMW. Twice I sold my BMW for a Lexus with more reliability even if my BMW was fine. Then I ended up wanting another BMW and buying one again. I'm sure I'll end up with another BMW sometime in the future. They do really make great fun cars.

 

The EXACT reason I cannot justify a BMW.... way too many problems across the board

Sorry for you issues, I hope they get resolved... and thx for sharing!!!