power-fade

Reading some local E90 threads and apparently there are some problems with the new 335i....requiring a new engine!!!!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71386

nlpamg

The fuel pump has been a known issue... this is the first time I've heard of them having to replace the entire engine. I think it was either someone got SOL or the dealer wanted to make an easy buck from BMWNA to change a big ticket item like the engine.

But, it's stories like this that kind of make me glad that the 7 dealers I went to in November wouldn't budge on the price of the 335 coupe (they wanted MSRP or more) and the wait time (some wanted me waiting for as long as 3 months while others promised "4-8" weeks).

Saprissa

BadAssC230k

+10

MercedesFTW

Well this just makes us C32/55 owners feel better that we aren't driving one.

But, I was driving behind one the other day, wasn't sure if it was stock or not, but it sounded SICK!

sdsilverm3

Typical problems for a first year model.

ProjectC55

Blown Engine?

sdsilverm3

Sure, why not? The E46 M3 had its fair share of rod bearing failures so I don't know why we act like we're surprised. BMW will eventually get it right but the price people pay to be the first.

c32AMG-DTM

Was the "price people pay to be first " a bit 'tongue in cheek'? I see you're driving a two-thousand-FIVE C55...

Separately, nice mods list - very tasteful improvements IMHO

e1000

the C55 may have been new in 2005, but the W203 chassis was around for years and the 55 engine was also first used in other cars.

The 335i uses a completely new chassis and a completely new engine, AND this engine happens to be BMW's first foray into FI in many many years for a production road car.

lap

there was at least one known serious engine problem i recall with a 2002 c32 owner...
To me, its what the Company does to remedy the issue with "minimal" impact to it's client that speaks volumes

Vadim @ FD

Speaking with many AMG owners over the last eight years, I only recall on engine failure (C32) and that was partially his fault.

Compared to all the problems M cars - blown engines on E46 M3s, oil leaks, SMG failures on E60 M5s - 32s, 55s and 65s have been bulletproof.

Lagunatic

I was victim to the rod-bearing failure on my 2003 E46 M3. It was unbelievable how many problems I had with that car. And the happy ending is that I now drive a C32 that I love.

amgmark

I just leased a 335i E90. The car is pretty cool. Just waiting on my Xede and wheels and I will be all set. Stock vs. stock the C32 is faster and more fun to drive. Once I get the Xede there won't even be a question of which is faster..

I've lowered the care and it seems to handle better than my C32.. I can take corners at about 10mph faster in the 335i..

I have heard about fuel pump problems.. I can't believe I've heard it can take months to fix because of a shortage of pumps.. How stupid!

My next car will definitely be a C63 when my 335i lease is up.. I wanted a new car and no AMG's yet and couldn't step down to a C350.. and the CLK550 doesn't have 4 doors!

c32AMG-DTM

current-gen 3 series chassis (e90, e92, e93) isn't exactly "new," fyi - it debuted in early 2005... but yes, agreed, this is their first FI gas engine in awhile.

MRAMG1

Although my motor never gave out, the clucth in ALL BMW's falls way short when it comes to racing. And you really CAN'T get a good replacement. I to traded my M in for the C32 and I LOVE IT, and wouldn't go back.

See yeah

FrankW

i never had any engine problems with my first year E46 328Ci, but then again I only had it for a year. My friend on the other had with the 99 328i sedan had numerous problems for being a first year car. as he describes it "going up hill pressing the throttle actually made the RPM drops and slow the car down" result of faulty Vanos valve springs.

problems bound to exist in these first year cars...don't act surprised

ProjectC55

Thank YOU Vadim! I agree!


That's why I feel Sdsilverm3's statement is way too general.


I have not heard of the major and leading Japanese cars and and Leading American cars(CorvetteZ06,Dogde/Chrys Hemi's,Ford 4.6,5.8L H.O.and others I've missed) having Blown Engines in their first yrs of production.

rbaker

Speaking of rod bearing failures & how dealers take care of it... when I was looking to upgrade my 330 to an E46 M3 many years ago I asked many BMW dealers how they were dealing with the rod bearing issue & resulting blown engines people had been experiencing, and if the problems were fixed on the new production vehicles yet (an obvious concern to any prospective buyer). Every one of them lied to me and said there were no such problems and that it was all just a bunch of internet rumors & lies started by kids & jealous people. They held their company line even after I'd tell them I saw one blow up with my own eyes at a track event at Thunderhill in 2002, and the car only had a few thousand miles... then they blamed it on the owner over-revving the engine. Funny, you can't over rev an SMG can you!!!

If you look at the size of BMW engines & how much power they make, they are pushing them _very_ hard. Being run that close to the limit and introducing new technology & manufacturing methods has it's drawbacks and it doesn't leave much margin for error (bleeding edge is called that for a reason). That's part of the reason I chose the C55 as that big V8 isn't hardly stressed, and I didn't have to worry about pitching rods out the block! But, you're right and BMW doesn't have any excuse for introducing products that aren't ready for prime time. They should know better.

I have seen & heard of a few problems with American hot rods too. Vipers had many overheating problems, a few lost head gaskets. Z06's (and even regular Vettes) had a few occasional oiling & piston knock problems, and rear ends overheating. I also saw one pitch it's rods also at Thunderhill in a MAJOR way... had to shut the track down for 20+ minutes for cleanup. They also had a fair share of electrical problems, and the usual oil leaks aren't that uncommon. A few SVT Mustang's have pitched parts too, even if it's not that common.

The Japanese seem to do better, which really doesn't surprise me. I'm a design engineer & contract manufacturer that works with some of these companies and the Japanese are the most thorough I deal with, even if not the most creative. American companies try, but they waste far too much time playing politics, squeezing pennies out of everyone and don't focus enough on what counts unless the sales & accounting guys "allow" it from the engineers.

power-fade

The Mercedes M113 engines (V8's) are built like a tank and have been around since 2000.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M113_engine

markmam1

this is whats wrong with bmw as you may see they like their high revving engines a lot 8450 redline on a 5.0 V10. i mean see what im talking about ever since i can remember almost on all of the mercedes engine line up only redlines at 6000 rpm or close to it only exception would be the 1991- 1993 300ce the new 24 valve inline six. and now the 6.2 v8 amg's. i mean you can redline any mercedes all day and still function good you got nothing to worry about check engine. because from what i think mercedes has the brains and the skills to have their cars redline at freaking 8000 rpm like the honda s2000 but why not because they are trying to have the car to be more reliable. remember about the rumor about the AMG worker that said he can delimeted a C32 amg because the car at a normal state 350hp is only using 65% of the engine for it to last long and i guess thats true.just put it this way a NA inline six from a BMW M3 333hp works harder than a blown 3.2 V6 at 6 odd lbs of boost. you know. its just simple logic "no max out engine, engine long, high rpm engine , loco engine, engine no long"

my .2 centavos

ProjectC55

Basically what I'm saying is that it's too general a statement to say a "Blown Engine is typical" for all new first yr cars. Show me a Lexus,Acura or Infiniti that has experienced this and I'll stop buying cars all together. I have not heard of major problems with the Dodge /Chrystler Hemi engines in the first yr. The Dodge Viper does not have a Hemi Engine and the majority of Z06 vettes and H.O. Stangs are not plagued with the problems BMW has been having with their first yr cars.

So basically I'm negating the" Engine failure" statement as being something that's "typical" for a car in it's first yr. Another thing is I don't see how BMW wins Engine of the yr with all these problems

ProjectC55

Actually the M113 engine has been out since "1998".

zoink

Man If all goes smoothly, I'll be getting a 535xi soon (my first wagon ever ) and hope it is not problematic.

Not sure what I was thinking especially after having nightmare w/ 1st year of W211 E55 couple years ago Must be the wife and $11K off MSRP for <1 month old car.

Fifth Ring

The post says that the engine is being replaced because of a misfire. That does not add up. They don't bother to diagnose whether it's fuel or ignition? It could be an injector, or plug or wires, or computer. Instead, they'll replace a $30,000 engine (just a guess) to fix a misfire!

I guess it's possible that BMW is pressing dealers to just do plug-and-play engine swaps rather than monkey around with the engines. The old engine will get rehabbed and sold to the next customer.