[lwgrenier]

I bought my '11 335i XDrive in September with 55k miles. Is now at 60k and has had the following problems:

Leaking front strut
Squeaking pulleys/tensioner
Leaking valve cover gasket
OFHG looks like it is beginning to leak
Thermostat housing and internals replaced

When I got the car I put new tires, a shipping fee, and a $2k non-BMW (crap) warranty on it so I have about $19k left on the loan. Should I sell it and take the hit or do you think it might run for a while now that I've fixed these issues?

[JETmn]

All of those are standard maintenance or common problems with the 335. How is any of that like a lemon? Sounds like you bought an 8 year old car to me.

[Mean E92]

This is pretty standard. It's what happens when you buy a BMW 50k miles and above. You will start having issues, a lot of issues. I bought my 11 335i with 69k miles and in 2 years of ownership I had the same issues you described and also an engine replacement. I spun a bearing somehow but it was most likely due to my belt shredding and entering the front crank seal into the engine. I had a leaky OFHG and I didn't catch it in time. The leak caused the belt to slip and shred. If you want to minimize the risk of spending 12k$ on an engine swap I recommend you address the OFHG and the squeaking pulleys/tensioner and belt.

This is the nature of modern used BMW's. Why do you think a lot of people just lease them and return them after 3 years haha?

[biz77]

Obviously you've never heard the horror stories about maintenance costs of BMWs outside of the warranty period or the acronyms: Bring My Wallet and Break My Wallet?

Seriously though, it could be worse. You could have bought an E60 M5 or something with an N54 engine.

[lwgrenier]

Yeah I guess I didn't do my research. Just seems like what I pay monthly for maintenance and the loan is what I'd pay for a new BMW. I was hoping to be able to put money into mods but I have a long way to go before I can do that. And the car isn't getting any younger. Still, can't deny it's a blast to drive.

[Pladi]

Originally Posted by JETmn

All of those are standard maintenance or common problems with the 335. How is any of that like a lemon? Sounds like you bought an 8 year old car to me.

Although i have replaced most of that stuff on my car and love my car, the fact is: All those issues on a 8 year old car should not happen. I have two other cars and are both Japanese.. those types of issues are UNHEARD OF. I can take ma mazda from canada to California with no worries but if i wanted to do that with my BMW which i should be able, i am thinking what will break before i cross the country .. water pump, fuel pump oil leaks.. you name it.. its not normal..

Reliability is absolutely garbage.. its sad but true. Performance is amazing.. why cant they get both right like Mercedes.. (Hint hint my next car)

[Johnny Boost]

Originally Posted by Pladi

Although i have replaced most of that stuff on my car and love my car, the fact is: All those issues on a 8 year old car should not happen. I have two other cars and are both Japanese.. those types of issues are UNHEARD OF. I can take ma mazda from canada to California with no worries but if i wanted to do that with my BMW which i should be able, i am thinking what will break before i cross the country .. water pump, fuel pump oil leaks.. you name it.. its not normal..

Reliability is absolutely garbage.. its sad but true. Performance is amazing.. why cant they get both right like Mercedes.. (Hint hint my next car)

Mercedes will have just as many, if not more, issues. But good luck with that!

[tvon]

Out of curiosity did you get a Pre-Purchase Inspection done? I'm wondering if any of the issues were noted then or if they have shown up after the fact.

[lwgrenier]

I did but apparently it wasn't very thorough. My uncle is a dealer and he got it for me through a car trading site. Had good accident history but I don't think it was well taken care of seeing as it came with a leaking valve cover and strut and noisy belt.

[lwgrenier]

Pladi and Johnny Boost I don't know if the problem is with the brand as much as it is with turbocharged engines. I feel any NA 6 cylinder bmw or mb is far more reliable than a car like ours.

[JETmn]

Originally Posted by Pladi

Although i have replaced most of that stuff on my car and love my car, the fact is: All those issues on a 8 year old car should not happen. I have two other cars and are both Japanese.. those types of issues are UNHEARD OF. I can take ma mazda from canada to California with no worries but if i wanted to do that with my BMW which i should be able, i am thinking what will break before i cross the country .. water pump, fuel pump oil leaks.. you name it.. its not normal..

Reliability is absolutely garbage.. its sad but true. Performance is amazing.. why cant they get both right like Mercedes.. (Hint hint my next car)

Sounds like you haven't owned a German car before. I have 2 Mercedes also and they are just as bad. I don't know why you think Mercedes isn't as bad for maintenance.

[JETmn]

Originally Posted by lwgrenier

Pladi and Johnny Boost I don't know if the problem is with the brand as much as it is with turbocharged engines. I feel any NA 6 cylinder bmw or mb is far more reliable than a car like ours.

No, my Z3 based M Roadster had major issues too.

[Mean E92]

Originally Posted by JETmn

No, my Z3 based M Roadster had major issues too.

German cars are just so complicated and sensitive. That's why we always have issues.

[lwgrenier]

Was thinking about trading in for a g37. Do any of you know much about reliability of these cars? I know a lot of people go from a g37 to a 335i not vice versa. I'd be sacrificing luxury but thinking it might be worth the maintenance costs.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by lwgrenier

I did but apparently it wasn't very thorough. My uncle is a dealer and he got it for me through a car trading site. Had good accident history but I don't think it was well taken care of seeing as it came with a leaking valve cover and strut and noisy belt.

The valve cover is notorious for leaking at the mileage you have.

[E92n55slo]

I bet if you fix those common matinence items you listed the car will last a while, the n55 motor is pretty reliable, I havnt had a single issue yet, obly owned it for 10k miles though but I'm at 112k now

[Pladi]

Originally Posted by lwgrenier

Was thinking about trading in for a g37. Do any of you know much about reliability of these cars? I know a lot of people go from a g37 to a 335i not vice versa. I'd be sacrificing luxury but thinking it might be worth the maintenance costs.

G37 is alot more reliable. My brother has one. ZERO issues for years. But they are not as fun to drive. Good cars though.

[boneheaddoctor]

I got rid of two Mercedes as an agreement with my wife to buy this E92 335i. But they were older Mercedes and not the same league as newer ones. The newer one (1983 300D) I've driven daily for nearly 13 years....had 240k miles on it and was STILL running reliable, and my 1971 280se, it (the 300D just developed a horrific case of rust before i donated it to charity. Really only ever had normal maintenance items that whole time, But the W123 was NOT the same and ANY new cars out there. Still have my 1979 Mercedes 300SD and no plans to get rid of it, my Tuck, my Cruze Diesel and my Civic (that one is up for sale). More of a driveway space thing and not finding money to pay for something else.

I seriously hope mine stays reliable.....only time will tell.

[jlegelis]

boneheaddoctor, I love these cars as much as anyone here, but just to set expectations, a tuned, turboed E92 is IMHO going to require *a lot* more maintenance than an MB W123 (probably the best engineered Mercedes ever), or a virtually bullet proof Honda. The increased complexity, heat, power, and pressure, not to mention generally shorter 'service life' on many E9X components will require a pretty high level of maintenance, especially as these cars age. As a defense, save some money for repairs, and find a really good independent tech who will work with you to anticipate and solve problems, rather than just replace parts.

YMMV, Just my $0.02.

-JohnL, Boston, '13 E92

[boneheaddoctor]

jlegelis, nope I had no false expectations this e92 will match or even equal both of those cars. I've been driving 40 years and well over 2 million miles...those two cars have been the best most reliable ones I've ever owned...and I fear I might ever own.

[YoungBlood]

Originally Posted by lwgrenier

Was thinking about trading in for a g37. Do any of you know much about reliability of these cars? I know a lot of people go from a g37 to a 335i not vice versa. I'd be sacrificing luxury but thinking it might be worth the maintenance costs.

Honestly they’re so boring I could cry, unless you get the sport package and a manual. I owned one previous to my 335i. My buddy has a g37 sedan currently. Stock tune, on snow tires, I gap him from a dig by like a bus length at 100mph. Summer tires, and e85 and it’s hilarious how slow the g37 feels compared to my 335i. But, I spent $100 in maintenance besides oil changes the whole time I owned my g37, and it was on warped rotors. Never missed a beat besides that. But it also has a shitty auto, no torque, and a very meh interior.