2008 BMW 135i: Fun, Fast, Refined and Dead Reliable

What about the fuel pump problem?

http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2009/07/2008-bmw-135i-coupe-going-in-for-service-soon.html

What's been the least reliable in your fleet?

GTR?

Just saw this...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5727420&postcount=40

How is it going to affect the LT 135i which if I am not mistaken, the ECU has been flashed.

+1 on the HPFP fuel pump problem... It's going to fail. Simply clearing the code fixes nothing. It will come back with a vengeance.

The 135i has been reflashed to stock so it can be sold.

Agree with cx7lover. You don't keep any cars long enough to use a term such as "dead reliable". That's especially true when, as sodaguy points out, it had starting issues.

Relative to your overall fleet, it's doing well, but let's not overstate things.

New cars SHOULD be reliable. This thread sounds like it was a surprise the 135 has been reliable (fuel pump aside for the moment). I dunno, am I crazy to think that after plunking down $40k for a new car like this, that I expect it to be reliable? 26,000 miles is nothing these days. 40 years ago, it was another story.

I do think that initial quality is just one of many predictors of long term quality. It doesn't determine it, but it does contribute to it. And one car's short term reliability (or lack their of) does not mean that all models will be the same.

"Relative to your overall fleet, it's doing well, but let's not overstate things."

Scott is just saying that THIS car for THIS period has been dead reliable. Everyone else is just over analyzing it, making assumptions, and drawing their own conclusions.

I do think that initial quality is just one of many predictors of long term quality. It doesn't determine it, but it does contribute to it. And one car's short term reliability (or lack their of) does not mean that all models will be the same.

"Relative to your overall fleet, it's doing well, but let's not overstate things."

Scott is just saying that THIS car for THIS period has been dead reliable. Everyone else is just over analyzing it, making assumptions, and drawing their own conclusions.

New cars should be reliable but are often not. What I do hear about BMW's is the problems come AFTER the warranty expires...

"Scott is just saying that THIS car for THIS period has been dead reliable."

That's like saying the Lakers has the lead after the first quarter...

Totally pointless.

I think these blogs are more useful for the features and performance of a car rather than the reliability. I would think that having a large rotation of people driving the vehicle, with each person (ab)using the vehicle in a different manner would contribute heavily to the various minor issues they seem to run into.

@ bloodyr,

Can't say that I agree because I think the main goal for the LT blog is find out how these cars will be in the daily life. Otherwise what's the point of doing it long term since they already had the cars for at least a week or so for the "first drive" and "full test".

My understanding is that BMWNA will only replace the fuel pump if a very specific code is thrown. If the code was thrown when they brought it to the dealer, I assume it would have been replaced. My money is on the notion that the code they cleared was one that is indicative of a reflashing.

@bloodyr
And doesn't it say something about this car that it withstood 26k miles of abuse with zero issues?

2002blksle: "Scott is just saying that THIS car for THIS period has been dead reliable."

When using a term as strong as "dead reliable" over a period of 15 months, I don't think this car qualifies. The starting problems take that away.

No, it doesn't, mopho. ANY car should. My recently sold '99 Civic did so for 143k miles.

@CaptainChaos - Yes, but no. BMW also does a pressure test, SIB 125506. I had that done many times on my 335i. I know it well. Typically it has to fail both (both a code thrown and failing the pressure test), although the regional BMW tech can override. My first pump threw the code but barely passed the pressure test. They reflashed the car and cleared codes and the problem got worse, so next week it got a new HPFP (after again barely passing the pressure test). Fast forward a few months and 3000 miles and the replacement pump (the supposed improved part) throws a code, a service engine soon light, and fails the pressure test. New pump. Two replacement pumps and 4 dealer visits (3 actual repairs) in ~ 5400 miles/10.5 months of ownership.

Needless to say, the vehicle qualified for the lemon law and I'm now driving something else. Sadly, I have heard of many other lemon cases involving the N54 powerplant.

I should also clarify that there are many codes that indicate the HPFP should be replaced. It's not just one specific code. I know of at least four.

Their definition of dead reliable is awfully strange.

Had a 2007 335i sedan with 28K miles of trouble free service. Have a 2008 335cic with 4900 miles in 12 mos. of use - no problems. Nice to have the 10 year/120K fuel pump warranty from BMW in case anything happens. Still things can happen on any car...

people...such negativity.

funny, but I was just thinking today how this car had had fewer POSTED problems than many of the other long-term cars.

then again, maybe the bar has been set artificially low.

what say you guys keep it for another year (sorry, Caroline) and give us a LONG long-term test?

can you break your own rules?

I'll mention a few UNRELIABLE NEW CARS of varying price points:
-ZR1 Corvette
-EVO
-S5
-A4
-E550
-Camry
-Accord
Check the data. Spending $20k, $40k or $100 does not buy, postpone, guarantee any sort of reliability. Reliability is about Quality Control. Check the data: Six Sigma multi-winner--BMW. Least total facility defects...year after year.

Also, you need to check the definition of "Initial Quality." Stop misusing it.

Last; have any of you "RELIABILTY CRITICS" even purchased a new car in the last decade? Doesn't sound like it if you're handle is Stingray454 or you're talking about some old bucket mile Honda.

The HPFP affects all N54 engines. However, all you have to do is go to your local dealer with a copy of the service bulletin in hand, say you have long cranks, and even if they detect no error codes, just badger them about it.

Say your friend got stuck on the way to work in limp mode and you'll be damn pissed if it happens to you and leave them horrible survey reviews (I once left a dealership I don't normally go to, but was forced to use for emergency service a bad survey review and they called me for weeks practically begging for forgiveness). Say they can keep it overnight so they can start it up cold.

I've had my car for a bit over a year and except for a flat tire, have had 0 problems. While some people I know have got lemons (check the 1er section on bimmerpost.com and you'll find plenty of complaints) you'll see that the vast majority of owners have had 0 problems whatsoever including HPFP.

Reliability is about Quality Control

That's funny

The amount of problems a car has in its first year DOES mean something.....I have a feeling that the ones bashing the BMW are Nissan fans. I am not a BMW fan at all but the 135 seems to be a solidly built and reliable car so far. Why try and argue the point? The Nissans in the fleet have been crap so far.....far less reliable than the cheapest cars in the fleet. The Suzuki...the Fords...even the Smart have not had tranny failures and have left people stranded. We will see if this years Fit loses ITS trans. Begging for a longer test to see what fails at 50,000 miles or more is stupid. This website is a business not Consumer Reports.

This car is reliable relative to the others in the fleet, but I'm not really impressed. Especially since the 135 is grossly overpriced (add a few thousand and get a 335!)

"By carreragt3Author Profile Page on August 20, 2009 8:58 PM

I'll mention a few UNRELIABLE NEW CARS of varying price points:
-ZR1 Corvette
-EVO
-S5
-A4
-E550
-Camry
-Accord
Check the data. "

How about you tell us where you got this "data" from? I think you pulled it out of your arse.

"Reliability is about Quality Control. "

I disagree. Quality control is only a portion of what makes a car reliable. A lot of it has to do with engineering, design, and durability testing done BEFORE a car is released to production.

"Check the data: Six Sigma multi-winner--BMW. Least total facility defects...year after year."

Do you even know what six sigma is? Who declared BMW a winner? Cite sources. Define "total facility."

Your B.S. has been called. Your move.

@ carreragt3,

Bimmer fanboys should just stay within the bimmerfest forums, outside world is dangerous...

10 months old - not 1 problem - my 135 is a hoot to drive and yes its a BMW blah blah..very tired of the hits.. drive it, drive other, and judge what's right for you.. and you will be happy.

growing up I always said I'd have a Vette.. but when the time came and could afford one.. Chevy was in the dumps along with mismanagement of US auto industry. BMW - won. It's time GM/Chrysler/Ford stopped creating copy's of their line and creating 3 versions. Make one car and make it great! A Ford is a Ford; not a Mercury too.

I would venture to say, BMW will get my next purchase. (umm love the Z4 35i) Either way, I'm still paying for GM/Chrysler each and every day I work. Thankfully I still have a job to go to.

"feels so high school" compared to the 1.

nailed it.

stingray454, how about paying $40 for a Honda Pilot and having the timing belt break on a brand new truck on a road trip?

Both Pilot and Accord had severe engine issues in Edmunds fleet.

southphillyman, 135i is better than 335i AND cheaper at the same time. I think it is a bargain.

stingray454

Yeah..

My CX-7 has a flawed A/C Compressor.. doesn't matter if was perfectly built, it is a poor design and has to be replaced with a new design.

If a car has a poorly designed part, quality control and how tight the tolerances at the factory means so absolutely nothing. If a hood latch is built to spec, but the actual DESIGN is not proper, it doesn't matter, you've got an unreliable latch.

but the actual DESIGN is not proper, it doesn't matter, you've got an unreliable latch.

but the specs aren't correct*

This car has NOT been reliable. Not sure how people can say this vehicle has been good. In its time with Edmunds it would not start and there have been issues with fault codes. That's not good.

I've owned 3 BMWs and a Mini. The Mini had 1 problem (reflashing the ecu fixed it). In 2 years it just ran. I've had my 335i for 6 months and already it's had a handful of issues that needed visits to the dealer. Compared to my 2006 330i and 2003 330i it's not been as bad...they spent far more time in the dealership for broken/flawed pieces.

Fun to drive, yes. But if you go to the dealer to resolve an issue or if the car simply won't start (happened to this car), it's not a reliable car.

Impressive. I hereby nominate the 135i for "Most Reliable Ugly Sports Coupe".

Jeremy Clarkson sez the 135 is crap so I guess that's all you need to know...

;p

(He's also said he doesn't ride motobikes cuz he's heterosexual...)

Stingray454 must be upset with the Corvette reference.

Here is my response:
1) Black Belt,
2) Dingolfing.

Not writing a research paper here genius...not going cite references in a blog.

Need data? Dig for yourself: ASQ: defect analysis and data. Ironic that you req. data but provide none yourself. Easy to rebut...harder to qualify. At least I mention a registrar.

You probably think QA means question and answer. At least Nissan owners think that.

desmolicious - Jeremy Clarkson said in late 2007 that the BMW 135i is the best car BMW makes:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article3103294.ece

tettes, does that make it a good car? Just asking. I could say the CTS is the best car GM makes. That's damning praise though.

It's great to see all that passion out there!

Reliability is definately a design issue first.
As an engineer you have to come up with solutions that are capable of fulfilling the desired functions and meet the design specifications. Every critical component has a life exepectancy designed into it. Once you have taken that hurdle successfuly you have to be able to manufacture your product while consistantly meeting your specification.

Meeting your own spec is what is called quality!!
That's what six sigma is all about.

People like to say that Audi/VW have high quality interiors when what they really mean is that the designers at that company did a good job picking the materials and the layout.

All of this of course doesn't mean you cannot incorperate six sigma during the design phase.

So to me, having the 135i last 26000 miles with little to no issues does mean that BMW did their job right. I also don't beleive that they designed their product such that it is supposed to fall apart the moment it is out of warranty.

Sure beats the GT-R where the "design" (read: launch control) had to be changed after the horse was already out of the gate!

Yeah, and honda transmissions seem to be less reliable than the rest of the car....

blueguydotcom - no, of course clarkson's endorsement doesn't make the 135i a good car.

i was simply replying to desmolicious's post, which said clarkson thought the 135i was crap.

clarkson said no such thing.

that's it.

@desmolicious you're close: Clarkson hated the first generation 1-series, but very much enjoyed the 135i, which came later.

And @blueguydotcom no offense but yeah, a Jeremy Clarkson recommendation has just *a bit* more credibility than one of yours, sorry. (Though, if you begin hosting Top Gear and writing in the automotive section of the Times, let me know.)