[Yangorang]

I have a 2008 BMW 328xi and was just doing a basic drain / fill of the coolant today. Draining and filling the coolant is about the same on the xi it seems as the regular rear drive models, but one thing I noticed while I was down there was the front subframe on the xi model is very different. It seems like the front subframe completely blocks access to the water pump and thermostat. Has anyone changed these on their xi and can comment? Does it require dropping the whole subframe if they go bad?

[carypearson]

I have a 2008 335xi and have had the water pump die twice now (once at 80K miles and again at 155K miles)

The subframe make it VERY difficult to get to the water pump, but it is possible. you have to drop the sway bar and move some coolant lines, but if I can do it anyone can.

[tvpham93]

I recently did mine about 5k miles ago. I did it without dropping the subframe on my 335xi. You could drop it, it would make it alot easier but its doable with the subframe still attached.

[Yangorang]

Ugh from the sounds of it I'm not going to look forward to when that water pump goes....currently at 62k miles on the original pump.

[GreaseJunkie]

The trick is to drop the sway bar from the D-mounts and pull the radiator fan out. You have to use a 1/4in socket and long extension to get to some of the hose clamp fittings, and be prudent in making sure the new clamps face down in the same direction so you can tighten them. All in all, it's not fun, but not nearly as bad as people make them out to be. The worst part IMO is those quick-disconnect radiator hoses. It always feel like theyre going to break just before they let loose.