Okay okay, I love BMWs and would gladly drive a 335i, but after reading stories about these newer BMWs with the N54, I wonder if it's worth it. I saw the mention of the HPFP issues in the "Drove a new 535i" thread and became curious. I have literally spent hours researching, looking at forums, etc.

As much as I'd love to drive one, seeing story after story, complaint after complaint about the issue, well, let's just say it makes me glad that I drive a Honda. The thought of a new 50k BMW (and 60k+ for a 535) stranding me is absolutely absurd and ridiculous, and equally as much out of the question. I don't expect any car these days to strand me, much less a new BMW.

I know first hand how BMWs drive and feel, why they are actually worth the asking price, but being stranded by a car this expensive? Are you kidding me? Then there are the poor bastards who have had like 3 replacements and they continue to fail, so by now they're just waiting to break down again; others are weary about taking (their brand new 50k) cars on trips. Are you serious?

I guess I didn't really think about how complex the N54 is, with the TTs and all. Obviously BMW needs to hire better engineers. I mean, 300 hp (conservatively) and 0-60 in 5 flat, but could you imagine your $1,000 a month BMW stranding you? I would be so embarrassed! And yeah, I know the whole "Well for every bad report there are a thousand good ones you don't see" argument, but this seems like a significant issue, significant enough that BMW NA sent letters explaining the extension of that part under warranty to all N54 owners.

Yeah, my TL is FWD and not German, but it certainly won't leave me sitting on the side of the road because the fuel pump seized.


I just can't fathom having to deal with an issue like that, in a car like that.

 

The fuel pump may be a pos. The n54 probably isn't.

I guess as a older German car fan I don't see the problem. Then again I'm not their demographic. It isn't an excuse and bmw should fix the problem, but their newer tech almost always has teething problems.

Try googling Nikasil m60
M42 and timing case profile gasket is also a good one.

 

I have the N54 under the 135i hood right now. I had one HPFP failure already.

Before the fuel pump went out, you will notice it. Unless you are a totally ignorant idiot, you will notice it. It just does not die suddenly.

I have minor annoying issue with BMW but so far only have left me stranded once when the steering angle sensor failed on my M5. I am more than happy to accept minor issues with the benefit of a fun car to drive.

I had more serious problem with honda/acura. The last honda (07 odyssey), the quality isn't too good either. Weak brakes still a problem with honda. That has never changed since my 1st accord (new 92).

A lot of stuff is blown out of proportion (good or bad). I personally think honda/acura quality is way overrated and BMW quality tends to be underrated.

 

You make it seem like every 5 series breaks down and leaves you stranded...

 

Or that no Honda ever suffers mechanical difficulties *cough*secondgenTLtransmission*cough*. In fact...I worked at the Port today and drove a brand new Fit with 2 miles on it. The airbag light was already on.

 

It's a first year issue & any year after that isn't a common problem. It's just stupid negative news that spreads like wild fire; once it happens to 1 owner, it suddenly happens to 10 others.

 

still not as bad as honda's tranny failure

 

I have a 335i. Not one problem yet.

and by the way 0-60 in 5 flat is conservative too

 

I'd buy a BMW before I bought another Acura. In fact, the last two cars we've owned since I sold my TL-S have been Audi's. Not only have they both been more reliable then any Acura I owned, but they look much nicer too!!

 

I don't think we should excuse BMW for the HPFP issues though. It may be blown out of proportion but people are still having this issue 2-3 model years later and BMW certainly is aware of the problem. They should have re-engineered this part years ago...

 

Probably would have cost more to re-engineer it than to fix it when it breaks

 

Possibly...but still no excuse. to bmw

 

Any idea how many N54 have been sold? There are TONS of them so of course you will hear more stories of the pump failures.

Do more research and you will notice the polls that have been taken on the forums. Theres a good amount of members who have had NO issues.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=poll+pumps

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ght=poll+pumps

If you really concerned then buy an M3.

 

The dealer fixed my friend's car, and then he sold it. A car of supposedly high caliber should not be doing this. POS. He is driving a new camry now.

 

The higher the caliber the more temperamental they usually are. Think of exotics.

That's why Camery's last forever, very basic and simple...low caliber.

 

As if Toyota doesnt have their own issues these days...

 

The BMW has probably 100 more possible things that can go wrong than a camry can have.
The more complicated things get, the more likely is of something to go wrong.

 

Yikes!!! Tell him to be careful. Toyota is on a roll these days

 

yeah, living in chronic fear...

 

I'd be curious on some hard figures. I'd be willing to bet it's under 4-5% failure rate. It's just that the 4% with problems are MUCH more vocal then the 96% of those who have not had any issues.

 

i consider the prices of repair when buying used..

i'd probably come out cheaper fixing a honda's tranny opposed to fixing a few nit pick parts on a BMW..

i love german cars, but its no secret that repair on them is outrageous.

<---- 944 owner

when normal wear and tear parts break on my honda's and acuras.. a short trip to the auto store and some help from friends and family does the trick. when parts go out on my 944... it'll be a few weeks/months to save up for that repair lol

 

Alright, so thus far the N54 has been compared to a Honda and a Camry - not exactly fantastic company. My Acura left me stranded in the middle of North Dakota (tranny, big surprise) and my friend wasn't able to driver her new Highlander for 2 months while the recall was worked out. Interestingly enough, I still don't consider either of these cars a "POS". They are issues, EVERY car has them, and every company (My Acura, My friends Highlander, and the issues with the N54) have been fixed free of charge to the consumer.

ALL of these car forums need to settle down with the "4% of the first model year of this car had a problem 3 years ago so it's a totally un-drivable piece of shit" comments. It just gets WAY too over-blown.

Just say you're a BMW-hater from the get-go instead of hiding your true colors...

 

Funny though b/c for an Acura forum we have a lot of members who are pro-German manufacturers on here. I think that catches a lot of newer members off guard

 

I thought it was interesting how short lived the twin turbo was.

In CR, 335/330 (they lump them together as one model through the years) is below average for reliability except for '06. TL is above average throughout the 2nd and 3rd generation. Audi A4 was average. I think there is more to it than these single part failures. What they don't tell you is what the difference actually means.

 

The HPFP problem has apparently been fixed, with a redesigned fuel pump that began shipping to dealers in either late '09 or early 2010. These are known as the 943 pumps, vs. the older 881 pumps that were failure prone. Those numbers denote the last 3 digits of the part number. Dealers were instructed in February to return any old 881 pumps on their shelves to regional parts warehouses.

Thus, some folks might still get pump failures, but they will get the redesigned pump as a replacement.

There were also some early problems with wastegate actuators and subsequent software reflashes that caused poor throttle and turbo response, but that has largely been solved by updated parts and software updates.

My pop has a 2009 335i and no problems so far.

 

Toyota...

"Moving forward....because our brakes don't work."

 

Mid-lower levels BMW/M-B/Audi are not high caliber or exotic. They're AMG/M/S series counterparts may fall under that title.

Far as I am concerned these 3 Series are daily drivers and they should be as reliable as any Japanese cars. However they are still not because these companies know that people think they are driving high end cars and think they should be paying top dollar to fix them. Even though these companies can easily make these cars as reliable as any Japanese makes. They won't because that'll hurt they're bottom line.

 

I read that it was happening up to '09 cars as well. Also someone above was right that the new redesigned fuel pump with new part number code just got out recently, so within a year or two, the problem should be fixed.



Like OP, I have been doing alot of research since my next car WILL be a E90 330xi or 335xi (within 2 years). I have been comparing the two nonstop. this issue was that I DO NOT want a car with problems. with that being said, it looks like they fixed the issue and that a 335 is more complicated than a 330 so it would rightfully have more issues...BUT now that the new pumps are coming out, I plan on buying, within 2 years, a 335xi sedan all the way.


but how big a deal is this really: does anyone have a $$$ range that the HPFP would cost outside of warranty?? is it like $500 or does it get into the thousands??

[[other than that, the big deal comes when the car doesn't start and you have to waste time bringing it into the dealer. but as said above, i guess you can see the signs early...but for a person like me having to drive so many miles daily to take care of business, bringing in a car even for a day could be disastrous.]]

 

my acura has been super unreliable. cant wait to get rid of it in a couple of years. but i want something with a warranty, so it may be longer. until then ill continue repairing it because i dont have a car note

 

I never called it exotic, I compared it to exotics. And a 335 is a higher caliber car than Camry. Any car can be considered a daily driver. For some people a S65 is a daily driver, doesn't mean it's not high caliber. Not really getting your point. I think you're just arguing semantics.

Anyway, my 335 has been rock solid, not one problem, just oil and tire changes. My Honda Prelude, on the other hand had major issues. All cars have problems, even Japanese cars.

 

the bmw fuel pump is like $300. how much is a honda tranny? 3-4 grand?

 

Not to mention the pump warranty has been extended to 10 years 100,000 miles. So unless you're driving 35,000 miles a year, most owners are covered.

 

So BMW changed the fuel pump design and extended the warranty for it? Nice.

Unlike Acura who still is just putting the same design that are refurbished units back into the 2nd gen TL.

 

New Bimmers come with the N55.

 

That's really cool BMW did that. Good for them.

And that's just more reason why I have no desire to buy another Acura. They just don't get it...

 

so is this the answer to my question above? I want to know how big a deal this HPFP is financially. yes, it would waste a day getting a new one installed, but how much does it actually cost with labor to get a new one outside of warranty?

so we are only talking $300 plus how many hours to install??

the reason i ask is because i am considering an E90 335xi to buy within 2 years time before I graduate college, and I drive my cars alot and try to keep them as long as possible...so thats why I am wondering about this fix out of warranty.

and to add to the argument, I too would not buy another Acura unless they make something incredible. I had to pay $3500 out of my pocket for a 2nd transmission that will probably fail again. hopefully it lasts until I get my BMW...

 

You do realize that BMW offers 4 years warranty and service right.

They have every incentive to make their car better quality product.

Last time i check, Acura does not offer free service.

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...3&postcount=25

Theres a new design out already replacing the old pumps. Old pumps are also covered for 10 years and 100k miles.

Good chance by 2 years you wont have to worry about paying out of pocket for it.

 

I'd still get a 335i

 

Honestly, it's worth it. I'm fully aware of the problems associated with the 335i, but all the worries go away when I step on the gas and feel those turbos spool up.