[durhang]

I observed an oil leak a week ago in my garage, it was not very large but big enough to get me concern. I decided to finally take my car to an independent BMW mechanic to have this issue checked.

I was not expecting anything major until I got a call from them stating $5,400 worth of repairs:

1. Replace leaking cylinder head gasket
2. Replace leaking transmission pan

I also have a tire pressure sensor issue that needs to be repaired but is minor compare to this.

The car is a 2008 BMW 335i which I bought from Carmax about 6 months ago and has around 80,000 miles. I owned 3 BMWs in the past 10 years and one thing I have notices is frequency of issues have gone up with each newer model and cost.

I have decided this will be my last BMW I will buy, if I decide to go for another one it will leased or will switch to other brands that are more reliable as cost and issues are making it difficult to own a BMW after warranty runs out.

[Kolyan2k]

Everyone and their moms know that owning German car without warranty is asking for it (especially a twin-turbo 335 w/80k miles)...unless you can do work yourself.

[mad_max]

80,000 miles for a 2008 is very high miles if you ask me.

[doubleIN]

Doesn't Carmax offer any kind of warranty? Seems like these issues would have been covered by CPO. but yea it's definitely an expensive car to maintain and repair once the warranty is expired

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by durhang

I bought from Carmax about 6 months ago and has around 80,000 miles.

Did you have a pre-purchase inspection performed before you bought the car?

Odd that both the engine and transmission would spring leaks over a 6 month time span.

If you can't or won't do a lot of your own work, a well-used high-end BMW with no warranty can be a shortcut on the road to bankruptcy.

[Bcube]

A leaking cylinder head gasket is an unusual issue. Was this car previously modded? The usual oil leak for a 335i is the oil thermostat/oil filter housing/engine cylinder attachment; $40 in gaskets and ~$800 in labor if you go to dealer.

[johnnyg238]

For that much money, Buy a beater car, buy tools and work on your car in the meantime. Good way to learn your way around a car and save some money now and in the long run...

[bimmer_335]

I say take it to a different shop or even a dealer. This independent shop sounds way to expensive.

I wouldnt touch a 335i (80k miles) with a pole.... I guess lesson learned.

[luv135i]

They must be charging you for about 40hrs in labor. I would never have bought that car to begin with but I would go to a diffrent mechanic.

[JTILAK07]

that is alot of money to a cylinder head gasket and tranny pan. with 2500-3000 you can rebuild the cylinder head with new parts and new gasket and buy a new tranny pan and gasket plus do a tranny service while you're at it(tranny oil change/flush/new filter).

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by bimmer_335

I say take it to a different shop or even a dealer. This independent shop sounds way to expensive.

I wouldnt touch a 335i (80k miles) with a pole.... I guess lesson learned.

this. take it somewhere else. $5400 to fix two leaks is retarded, always get a second (or third) opinion.

and it's pretty sad that people feel a car with 80k miles is such a high risk car. says something about BMW I guess.

[eaglesfan83]

Thats a high mileage out of warranty 2008. Probably would have used to money to get into something different with less miles. 80 and no CPO or warranty on these cars i asking for trouble soon or later

[slingxshot]

buying a BMW without warranty is like buying a house without insurance. Let's say you pay 500K for a house and it burns down, you just lost 500K. And of course mortgage companies require insurance, but lets say they didn't.... now apply this to the BMW...

[cultr3]

Originally Posted by durhang

I observed an oil leak a week ago in my garage, it was not very large but big enough to get me concern. I decided to finally take my car to an independent BMW mechanic to have this issue checked.

I was not expecting anything major until I got a call from them stating $5,400 worth of repairs:

1. Replace leaking cylinder head gasket
2. Replace leaking transmission pan

I also have a tire pressure sensor issue that needs to be repaired but is minor compare to this.

The car is a 2008 BMW 335i which I bought from Carmax about 6 months ago and has around 80,000 miles. I owned 3 BMWs in the past 10 years and one thing I have notices is frequency of issues have gone up with each newer model and cost.

I have decided this will be my last BMW I will buy, if I decide to go for another one it will leased or will switch to other brands that are more reliable as cost and issues are making it difficult to own a BMW after warranty runs out.

There's nothing wrong with BMW as a brand, this comes with the territory when buying a used car so live with it. To avoid these problems, buy new next time, they don't call it sloppy seconds for no reason.

[Majikthese42]

I don't know if "a" car with 80k is high risk, or even if "a BMW" with 80k is a high risk without a warranty. But obviously "that" BMW was a high risk without a warranty!

It's difficult to believe that two major components could fail like that within 6 months.

[Express]

DIY

[Saintor]

That's just for leaks. Imagine how much $ for a "real" repair.

Earlier this week, dealer wanted me to change the whole rear differential. I tried hard to hear what they said, but now is the time for me to find another garage that doesn't work at 150$/hr with insane diagnostic.

[blackedout335i]

haha what i would do is get a CPO wait 30 days and retake it to bmw they fully replaced all my leaks after i had a CPO i paid 3200 for 24k miles warranty and covers everythinggg! and btw you can finance the CPO and pay monlthy just with a 30% down payment i think it was forgot.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by blackedout335i

haha what i would do is get a CPO wait 30 days and retake it to bmw they fully replaced all my leaks after i had a CPO i paid 3200 for 24k miles warranty and covers everythinggg! and btw you can finance the CPO and pay monlthy just with a 30% down payment i think it was forgot.

what ? Get CPO at 80k miles ? Is that even possible ? And in order to CPO a car it needs to pass visual inspection at BMW.

[blackedout335i]

^ mine passed and i didnt mean cpo my bad lol i ment a aftermarket warrenty.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by slingxshot

buying a BMW without warranty is like buying a house without insurance. Let's say you pay 500K for a house and it burns down, you just lost 500K. And of course mortgage companies require insurance, but lets say they didn't.... now apply this to the BMW...

Your example is flawed. Insurance doesn't pay for repairs and upkeep on your home. and I know many people who have spent way more money on home repairs/maintenance than what my bmw cost.

I know what you are trying to say, but it's still pretty sad that a car with 80k miles is perceived this way.

[335iaz]

I am thankful when I bought my 07 in Nov of 09 that it was CPO'd .. I too just had my valve cover gasket replaced ... CPO paid for it .. btw fellas I am over 90k miles 10 more and my CPO goes bye bye