[ToadHollow]

Originally Posted by NYC_335xi

Heh thats not all, yesterday my dads porsche got rear ended as well - while I was in it. A series of unfortunate events I'm just glad to have my car back and driving, even though she needs a face lift

Unfortunate is definitely an understatement considering the vehicles involved. Hopefully your dad is an optimist as well!

With your luck; I wouldn't take to gambling for a while .......

[shaddai]

Originally Posted by NYC_335xi

Well, sorry for the long update, It's been a long day. Got a call from the dealership that my car is ready for pick up, the HPFP was replaced under warranty. One thing that does bug me is what the service sheet said, "HPFP was replaced as a one time goodwill in the interest of customer satisfaction". Gee, one time. I cant wait till my next HPFP failure, will probably have to do ethanol tests myself before hand.

On the way home, some guy did make a left from oncoming traffic and I ended up hitting him in the passenger side. His wheel and suspension was screwed, I need a new bumper,grill, and hood. He admitted all fault to my insurance company and on the police report, so it didn't end too bad. Might go M-tech

Oooooh... one time. I wonder how us fools that have multiple pumps replaced get away with it. That's just pathetic. Things are getting interesting (again) - be sure to PM yomama69.

[gqmd]

Originally Posted by NYC_335xi

One thing that does bug me is what the service sheet said, "HPFP was replaced as a one time goodwill in the interest of customer satisfaction". Gee, one time.

If I were you I would NEVER go back to that same dealership again...what idiots to put you through that then put a note like that on your service sheet

[yomama69]

Originally Posted by NYC_335xi

Heh thats not all, yesterday my dads porsche got rear ended as well - while I was in it. A series of unfortunate events I'm just glad to have my car back and driving, even though she needs a face lift

I hope neither of you are injured. Make sure that y'all see a doctor even if you are a little sore. It will get worse before it gets better.

[TRICKE90]

Originally Posted by Slidewayz

Ethanol might maybe be justifiable in Brazil, but definitely not the corn-based stuff here.

Total scam from A to Z.

We might get a switchgrass-based ethanol product that makes sense environmentally and energy-wise, but that's not commercially viable yet.

Do you realize the energy and fossil fuels required to make any kind of ethanol?
It's total political B.S., we are being scammed at every turn and only some people get it.

[Luongo]

USA is more socialistic than Europe now.

The bankrupt US government now owns a bankrupt insurance company, toxic mortgage companies, insolvent mega banks, and failing auto companies.

I agree with your view on ethanol. It is a ridiculous idea to turn food into fuel by throwing government subsidies.

Originally Posted by carve

Ironic in socialist europe they can run straight gas, but in the capitalist US we have to subsidize the corn industry. If you DESIGN the engine with ethanol in mind you can take advantage of the octane, but I think at the pump they just reduce other octane-boosting additives and you don't get a thing.

Unless we can make ethanol out of waste products, it's a TERRIBLE idea. There is one good way to use it though; we could have a seperate ethanol tank and ethanol injector. Engine could have higher compression ratios, but run on normal pump gas. When you floor it or climb a hill, just enough ethanol is metered in to keep it from knocking. Huge efficiency gains while using, most of the time, little to no ethanol. A friend of mine did this to his 240z in college to run extra boost. There's also a rumour Ford is working on something like this on their ecoboost engines. Of course, you need a straight ethanol pump at the stations to make this work, as well as safety features to throttle back when your ethanol tank goes dry. Not sure why nobody talks about this idea.

[godot]

Most of the proponents continue to claim that ethanol has no detrimental effects on vehicles. However it's pretty damning evidence that ethanol harms internals when the same E9x fuel pumps that work fine in Europe suddenly experience substantial longevity issues in the US. Maybe we should encourage BMW to publish some data on the rate of HPFP failures in pure-petrol markets versus markets that use blends.

Eventually all manufacturers should switch to rubber and plastic compounds that can don't deteriorate with prolonged contact with ethanol, but right now that hasn't happened. Perhaps if we're lucky, BMW or an aftermarket company will release a new pump for our cars that is fully compatible with ethanol. And if we're really lucky, they'll install them under warranty as the current pumps fail.

Here's another article that illustrates the trouble boaters are experiencing:
Boaters fuming over ethanol in gasoline

Late next year all stations in Florida are required to start selling blends, but until then I'll be seeking out pure petrol....

[beepbeep]

If fuel pump problems and lower mileage aren't enough to get your juices flowing, here's a Market Watch article about the producers going bankrupt and then asking for the government to bail them out. Raising the percentage to a 15% blend is part of the plan. It's bad science and worse economics mixed with environmental politics. Here's the link:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/eth...lt-fuel-market
or
http://************/pzrpa7

You can just scan every fifth sentence to get the gist. It's enough to drive a man to drink, a much better use of ethanol.

[stressdoc]

I suggest we get our act together and develop a format for a letter that we can start sending to our politicos.

[Spartikus]

It bothers me that this is bringing down the reliability of the brand.

[stressdoc]

I'm sure it is bothering BMW AG too. Things were bad back in '06 when you had to wait weeks for a replacement pump.

[vase330]

Originally Posted by 305

For all the 335 drivers out there it might get worse for you. Assuming Ethanol is the problem. Ethanol might go up to 15%.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/au...ef=automobiles

What will happen is if BMW does not comeout with a FP that can handle the fuel everyone else uses with no problems, people will stop buying their F-ing cars. Yes, I WILL NOT BUY one of their cars if this continues unrectified. Enough BS. Take it from a guy on his 5th 3series. Yes 5th one bought new from BMW. And I freaking mad too when the HPFP suddenly died on me with no warning on a curve in rush hour traffic.

I judt can't understand why BMW wont address this issue satisfactorily. If this were Toyota, you'd see different. I have alawys had a Toyota in the garage as I do now. Day and night difference. The bimmer-phile in me can't come to terms with the dicotomy.

[vase330]

Here is a thought. What else in the car can't withstand ethanol in the long run, yet has not started failling yet? I mean is this going to get worse?

[ocinek]

I have high ethanol content in my area and the HPFP is starting to fail at 8700miles.

[BavarianBullet]

What I've been asking for on this and other BMW forums for months is some sort of database of how many HPFP failures are there and some relevant data from each. Such as:

1) user handle
2) model/year of 335
3) which HPFP failure (1st, 2nd, +)
4) Mileage at which HPFP failure occurred
5) State/locale where car is driven/refueled
6) Do you always use fuel from the same station(s)? (Y/N)
7) Do you use TopTierGas (www.toptiergas.com) only? (Y/N)
8) When your HPFP started showing symptoms, did you put in any non-toptiergas in the weeks before? (Y/N)
9) Is your car tuned? (Y/N)
10) Did BMW warranty the fuel pump replacement? (Y/N)
11) Which dealer replaced the HPFP for you?
12) User comments (256 or 512 char text field)

A questionaire to input and searchable database would be awesome and not very difficult to do. We really need it.

My fuel pump has been fine so far on Shell 93 (knock, knock) in CT but I'm paranoid it's going to go on me.

[T2x]

The first and last mistake you made was buying shell gas.

Use 76!!!!

[ToadHollow]

Originally Posted by T2x

The first and last mistake you made was buying shell gas.

Use 76!!!!

[shaddai]

Originally Posted by BavarianBullet

What I've been asking for on this and other BMW forums for months is some sort of database of how many HPFP failures are there and some relevant data from each. Such as:

1) user handle
2) model/year of 335
3) which HPFP failure (1st, 2nd, +)
4) Mileage at which HPFP failure occurred
5) State/locale where car is driven/refueled
6) Do you always use fuel from the same station(s)? (Y/N)
7) Do you use TopTierGas (www.toptiergas.com) only? (Y/N)
8) When your HPFP started showing symptoms, did you put in any non-toptiergas in the weeks before? (Y/N)
9) Is your car tuned? (Y/N)
10) Did BMW warranty the fuel pump replacement? (Y/N)
11) Which dealer replaced the HPFP for you?
12) User comments (256 or 512 char text field)

A questionaire to input and searchable database would be awesome and not very difficult to do. We really need it.

My fuel pump has been fine so far on Shell 93 (knock, knock) in CT but I'm paranoid it's going to go on me.

There was a survey a while ago that had some of these questions on it. Pretty interesting statistics. I'm too lazy to search for it right now... but it started with OFFICIAL FUEL PUMP SURVEY or something official looking.

[Drakos]

Are these HPFP problems more prodominant in the US? The Shell up here is 91 octane with no ethanol added AFAIK.

[stressdoc]

Good Q, What is the fuel mix in Canada? Ethanol? HPFP failures?

[Drakos]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Good Q, What is the fuel mix in Canada? Ethanol? HPFP failures?

There is no mention of Ethanol as an additive for Shell V-Power in Canada. Just a nitrogen additive as a cleaning agent. I am just curious to know how many HPFP failures there are in Canada. Here is the link to Canada's Shell for V-Power http://www.shell.ca/home/content/ca-...wer_intro.html

[MKE_M3]

Originally Posted by LeifW

I'm with you. It's because of these HPFP issues, that I've now decided to purchase a 328 instead of the 335.

Leif W.

too bad for you and BMW. I think you are missing the point that a significant number of 335i's have not had a problem, mine included with > 30k miles.