[Timujin]

Originally Posted by dixy2k

+1

if we're silent, then there is no problem.

I agree, but I can't really bitch (to BMW) until it happens. If there is another way I can contribute until I have a problem let me know.

[Kaylin032]

My 2011 335d M sport has 62,000 miles and runs better than new.

I've always changed the oil every 6k-7k miles.
After 20,000 miles, I learned about the lack of lubricity with ULSD and started using Diesel Kleen in every tank.
For the last 6 months I started using Clear Diesel and Diesel Kleen (yes, both) in every tank.

I have a light foot and a long commute, and live in the Dallas area where the diesel allegedly has higher cetane (I also notice that diesel is a lot cheaper in other states!). Every 1-2 months I end up taking a road trip (250-300 miles) that probably helps bake the heck out of any soot in the engine. I almost never end up shutting the car off during a DPF regen cycle.

Do all these things matter? Idk. I suspect that if you have a lead foot and take short trips all the time and don't use fuel additives and only change the oil every 14k then you probably won't have a trouble-free car. I do know that my original intention was to have a diesel car that lasts 300,000 miles and threads like this do have a psychological impact. But I don't know how the people with problematic cars maintain (or don't maintain) them.

At the end of the day Kelly Blue Book says my car is worth more than what I owe and that I would not be able to find any other car that comes close to the power and efficiency of this one for the amount of residual on my car note... so for now I'll probably keep it.

K

[dixy2k]

Since I bitch a lot here, I owe you an explanation on how I drive and maintain my car.

I change the oil and filter every 5000-6000 miles. Never more than 6000 mile. I only use the BMW recommended oil.
Never used additives as they are not approved nor recommended by BMW.

I have always filled up the tank with Shell or Chevron diesel.
I took several trips of more than 300 miles every 2-3 months at constant speed most of the time (cruise control) at speeds between 65-80.

I have no idea when the regen takes place, therefore I don't know if I shouldn't shut the car off at an inappropriate time.
I drive for short trips most of the time, 3 min, 7 min, 10 min, 15 min mostly in the city. Here we have lots of traffic and stop lights.
I am not the type of driver who races other cars between stop lights.
I occasionally like to feel the torque under my seat, but not too often.

I always took the car in for the recommended service intervals. The dealer apparently always performed an x point inspection on the car.
Had the EGR replaced and software update during the recall campaign.
I had the transmission software reset as it was shifting in a rough manner from 2nd to 3rd.

I don't think I abused this car in any way, nor did I drive it differently than I would drive any other car.
Had a few other cars (all gassers) before with lots of mile on them by the time I sold them. None had any trouble. All Japanese though, non turbo... if that helps.

[Puerto Rican 335d]

on the contrary I use additives DIESEL injector cleaner and Cetane Booster, I treat my car like a million dollar bitch but I spank it like a two cent whore and yet to see what becomes. I was using lower lever cetane diesel and switched to American petroleum a.k.a. Phillips 76 and car has been driving very well, the fucks down here DONT or WONT tell you the cetane levels and most DIESEL pump you cant even see the numbers in the screen when pumping. time will tell what happens in the mean time I just keep what Im doing and hope for the best!!

[335dFan]

Originally Posted by Kaylin032

My 2011 335d M sport has 62,000 miles and runs better than new.

I've always changed the oil every 6k-7k miles.
After 20,000 miles, I learned about the lack of lubricity with ULSD and started using Diesel Kleen in every tank.
For the last 6 months I started using Clean Diesel and Diesel Kleen (yes, both) in every tank.

I have a light foot and a long commute, and live in the Dallas area where the diesel allegedly has higher cetane (I also notice that diesel is a lot cheaper in other states!). Every 1-2 months I end up taking a road trip (250-300 miles) that probably helps bake the heck out of any soot in the engine. I almost never end up shutting the car off during a DPF regen cycle.

Do all these things matter? Idk. I suspect that if you have a lead foot and take short trips all the time and don't use fuel additives and only change the oil every 14k then you probably won't have a trouble-free car. I do know that my original intention was to have a diesel car that lasts 300,000 miles and threads like this do have a psychological impact. But I don't know how the people with problematic cars maintain (or don't maintain) them.

At the end of the day Kelly Blue Book says my car is worth more than what I owe and that I would not be able to find any other car that comes close to the power and efficiency of this one for the amount of residual on my car note... so for now I'll probably keep it.

K

My sentiments somewhat. I use Clear-Diesel only one every 4 tanks. I have only 28k miles. I have a medium foot usually sometime during my daily use, but for the most part I drive like the grandpa that I am, except when at the track. I wish I could drive a half-hour per day on the autobahn at 100+ mph, but that won't be happening probably ever again.

[335dFan]

I have wondered recently whether the mileage on the car when the EGR recall was done has any bearing on when (probably not "if") the CBU rears its ugly head. I had mine done at 4,783 miles.

[Mark M]

Originally Posted by 335dFan

I have wondered recently whether the mileage on the car when the EGR recall was done has any bearing on when (probably not "if") the CBU rears its ugly head. I had mine done at 4,783 miles.

My gut is telling me that if the recall really did correct this problem, then BMW and their techs would be reciting this line to all of us d owners every time we mention carbon buildup worries. But BMW hasn't come forth with any publication to make us d owners feel at ease.

My understanding, the recall fixed a poor design EGR that was prone to sticking with minimal buildup and included a software update, but BMW never discloses what the software update has changed.

The fact that the heavier X5d is not suffering issues like this tells me the problem we face is a combination of:
1. Light weight car with a huge diesel power plant that runs on EGR the majority of the time due to the strong torque available at low rpms.
2. Lack of a low pressure EGR system on the 335d to mix cleaner exhaust with the sooty high pressure EGR exhaust.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Mark M

My gut is telling me that if the recall really did correct this problem, then BMW and their techs would be reciting this line to all of us d owners every time we mention carbon buildup worries. But BMW hasn't come forth with any publication to make us d owners feel at ease.

My understanding, the recall fixed a poor design EGR that was prone to sticking with minimal buildup and included a software update, but BMW never discloses what the software update has changed.

The fact that the heavier X5d is not suffering issues like this tells me the problem we face is a combination of:
1. Light weight car with a huge diesel power plant that runs on EGR the majority of the time due to the strong torque available at low rpms.
2. Lack of a low pressure EGR system on the 335d to mix cleaner exhaust with the sooty high pressure EGR exhaust.

I'm reading about LP EGR and supposedly the exhaust gases are fed through back through the turbo & intercooler on these set ups. Both have advantages and disadvantages. One advantage of LP is "stable cylinder - by - cylinder EGR distribution", disadvantage is fouling of the inlet side of the turbo. It seems that these dual LP/HP EGR systems are for heavy vehicles (Trucks). LP EGR causes a loss of TQ which is made up with extra fueling among other things.

I'm thinking LP EGR isn't the difference maker but engine load and maybe driving conditions.

[acewiza]

Originally Posted by Socom

I'm thinking LP EGR isn't the difference maker but engine load and maybe driving conditions.

LP EGR is much cleaner. That is the difference.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by acewiza

LP EGR is much cleaner. That is the difference.

True but it's used in conjunction with HP EGR. It's not an either or. The HP is still throwing soot. The LP just reduces 02 when mixed with outside air. Now does the rate at which the HP opens change with LP in the mix? Who knows. I would guess not so much otherwise we would hear about c logged EGR coolers on the X5. Too many variables to consider.

[acewiza]

Originally Posted by Socom

It's not an either or.

Depends on your perspective - forest for the trees sort of thing.

They thought the E90 was good to go only with HP EGR. The E70 also got LP EGR to support increased engine loads. There are 2 variables: CBU and LP EGR.

Don't try to tell me people driving 335Ds are not subjecting their vehicles to high loads. It's sports sedan for chrissakes. And you can also bet there are plenty of soccer moms putting around in their trendly little SUVs, never pushing the throttle past 10%.

Looks pretty obvious to me. LP EGR is the difference - at least one of the main ones.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by acewiza

Depends on your perspective - forest for the trees sort of thing.

They thought the E90 was good to go only with HP EGR. The E70 also got LP EGR to support increased engine loads. There are 2 variables: CBU and LP EGR.

Don't try to tell me people driving 335Ds are not subjecting their vehicles to high loads. It's sports sedan for chrissakes. And you can also bet there are plenty of soccer moms putting around in their trendly little SUVs, never pushing the throttle past 10%.

Looks pretty obvious to me. LP EGR is the difference - at least one of the main ones.

Well there is about a 1400 lbs weight difference between the two vehicles. I suspect we need to know the duty cycles for the HP EGR on the X5.

[acewiza]

Originally Posted by Socom

Well there is about a 1400 lbs weight difference between the two vehicles. I suspect we need to know the duty cycles for the HP EGR on the X5.

And whatever it is you'll find it is different (i.e. much lower) because of the LP EGR, which is a more efficient, cleaner EGR method.

Likely the only real reason it was left off the E90 was because they thought could get away with it and reduce cost.

[acewiza]

This what the intake of an '08 6.7 Cummins with HP EGR looked like:



Cummins thought they could get away with it too.

[dixy2k]

is that your BBQ?

[acewiza]

Yeah, I got an HP EGR BBQ - love that diesel soot flavor!

[MandMs335Msport]

Originally Posted by acewiza

This what the intake of an '08 6.7 Cummins with HP EGR looked like:



Cummins thought they could get away with it too.

Shit, now I am scared! My truck is a '10 6.7! Feck!!

[17:1]

Originally Posted by Kaylin032

My 2011 335d M sport has 62,000 miles and runs better than new.

I've always changed the oil every 6k-7k miles.
After 20,000 miles, I learned about the lack of lubricity with ULSD and started using Diesel Kleen in every tank.
For the last 6 months I started using Clear Diesel and Diesel Kleen (yes, both) in every tank.

I have a light foot and a long commute, and live in the Dallas area where the diesel allegedly has higher cetane (I also notice that diesel is a lot cheaper in other states!). Every 1-2 months I end up taking a road trip (250-300 miles) that probably helps bake the heck out of any soot in the engine. I almost never end up shutting the car off during a DPF regen cycle.

Do all these things matter? Idk. I suspect that if you have a lead foot and take short trips all the time and don't use fuel additives and only change the oil every 14k then you probably won't have a trouble-free car. I do know that my original intention was to have a diesel car that lasts 300,000 miles and threads like this do have a psychological impact. But I don't know how the people with problematic cars maintain (or don't maintain) them.

At the end of the day Kelly Blue Book says my car is worth more than what I owe and that I would not be able to find any other car that comes close to the power and efficiency of this one for the amount of residual on my car note... so for now I'll probably keep it.

K

I'm of the same mindset as well. I wanted to get 300k out of the car too. I love my 335D and would say that the car is smoother now than the first day I drove it. I think I will keep an eye out for signs of carbon build up and get my engine cleaned once they crop up. Is this a common issue? Well, this last time I brought my car in for an SES light both me and my SA looked at each other with the same thought, CBU. He said he just replaced all six injectors on another car. I'm pretty sure he's not on this forum, but again, it's anecdotal evidence.

[daveN007]

Clearly we have established that "unclean living" is the cause of 335d carbon build up.

People who have experienced it are morally inferior to those who have not.

God decides.

[dixy2k]

Originally Posted by Jhayd11

The BMW Customer Relations and Services Department is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., ET. You can reach us at 1-800-831-1117.

Speak to them, get an reference number. They should ask you to go to a BMW dealership (which I assume you are already working with). If this is a CBU issue, I have heard of two cases (including my own) of BMW NA working with the dealer to cover the costs of the clean out.

Just got off the phone with a rep and apparently he is not aware or there is nothing in the system that shows similar issues with his model (335d).

He said it would be a good idea for anyone with issues on their car to call in and let them know what the problem is. That way they can keep track of the problems and let BMW know about it.
He could not see any recalls or any other active campaign regarding this model.

Again, if we don't complain then automatically there is no problem with this model.

[r.carson]

Originally Posted by dixy2k

Just got off the phone with a rep and apparently he is not aware or there is nothing in the system that shows similar issues with his model (335d).

I believe that is a canned statement...or they don't really know the brand, as they are hired to answer phones and take notes...maybe for other car manufactures as well; because they said the same thing when I asked if there have been cases with diesels. The agent would call me and try to get off the phone with a simple, "we are working on it"... I'd keep him on the phone and he'd read canned statements over and over like a punching bag. "Sir, I understand your frustration, we are looking into it". Worst customer relations period...if you want to call it that. I had a direct extension and not once in 3 months did "he" answer the phone; he was always polite.

I think it's great if everyone with their car in he shop for a SES light would call and leave a statement.

x8868 leave a message for Zack. <- now maybe he can collect all the reports.

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by Socom

True but it's used in conjunction with HP EGR. It's not an either or. The HP is still throwing soot. The LP just reduces 02 when mixed with outside air. Now does the rate at which the HP opens change with LP in the mix? Who knows. I would guess not so much otherwise we would hear about c logged EGR coolers on the X5. Too many variables to consider.

Its the overall burn effect of lp and hp