[M340i Pride]

lol, those three dealers are very familiar to me.

as for the brakes, that might not be the pad issue. but wastegate rattles are unacceptable, period... they should not be rattling. get that fixed but be patient: those usually take time for the dealer to fix, because dealers like to try few inexpensive method to fix before they really use the expensive parts.

[plokij]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

just accept it man....GERMAN CARS are not known for reliability!

I have 95k miles.....and I have tons of issues.....but fuck it!

current issues - RED seltbelt light, airbag light, service light, and brake light(new brakes/sensors) are displayed at all times.....another rear window won't roll up(one was fixed under warranty)....

depends on the german car... with the exception of some 986 model boxsters, porsche is fantastic. you can literally run a 911 for decades. certain mercs are made with a build quality that is second to only bentley & rolls. you will get tired of an e350 bluetec well before it gets tired of being driven and starts to wear out.

i see what you mean about the nagging issues like electronics & sensors. but overall, the powertrain reliability of some german cars are head & shoulders above the rest of the industry.

i think traditionally, most bmw owners have high powertrain expectations and are forgiving of the little stuff because the budget permits it. free flowing credit, creative financing, CPO psychology, and mortgage refi atm machines over the last decade may have changed the buyer base a bit, but the usual bmw owner still exists. from this perspective, the x35i models are disappointing and also ominous of bmw corporate's intentions.

i have trouble imagining the traditional bmw buyer base sticking around in the future. we're already seeing audi pull away with their clean exterior lines and appealing interiors. it's obviously not a concern for bmw, what do they care who buys their cars. it's just a buyer demographic shift. i feel it's almost a full-blown ricer scene at this point. not necessarily a bad thing, just really different for them.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by plokij

free flowing credit, creative financing, CPO psychology, and mortgage refi atm machines over the last decade may have changed the buyer base a bit

It surely has changed everything. The majority of us barring job changes have less disposable income today, than 10 years ago. It seems like people who buy a 335is for 60k think they're getting a great deal. They don't even believe you if you say your 335i coupe had a base of 40,300 (one guy told me I am a liar--shows he hasn't even followed the 335 for 4 years).

I don't even think showing a new car in the driveway at all times is indicative of the good life. It leads people to assume the person is a lessee.

Anyone who doesn't believe car prices have exploded, well, a G37S SEDAN, not coupe, is 40,200 base. That is a car that was $8100 less than my 335i in 2007.

[CombatNinja]

If you're ready to get rid of your USED car after two minor issues that in no way rendered the car unusable at any point, get rid of it right now and buy yourself something Japanese.

[blue2fire]

What do you expect when you buy one for the price of a Hyundai? No one will lay out the red carpet for you, you can either invest the time and effort to fix it or just sell it and get something else.

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by BANKAI

I recently purchased a 2007 335i Sedan with Sport & Premium package. It had under 35k on the odo and it is my first BMW purchase. I bought it from a private seller and it is still under factory warranty as well as an extended 100k warranty + maintenance service.

With all the frustration this car has caused and time wasted away from work I am about to take it to Carmax to see how much they'll give me.

Read on if you don't minded a long winded rant:

After about a week of owning it I noticed what is known on this board as the wastegate rattle. Besides the constant tinny sound at low rpms, there is a distinct rattle when the RPMs drop from about 1500-1700 with no load.

Dealer #1: Pacific BMW Glendale, CA
My car spent 4 days @ Pacific BMW where they diagnosed the rattling to the wastegate. At this time, the wastegate actuators were replaced. The rear pads and sensors were also replaced, as they were diagnosed to be the culprit of the squealing while braking. The radio was also replaced for a fading display. Pacfic BMW also took this time to do some recall work which involved some faulty injectors and the HPFP.
All work was done under warranty.

The day I got my car back, I noticed the exact same rattle and the exact same brake squeal on my way home. I drove it for 2-3 days just to make sure I could recreate the symptoms, which I could and set up an appointment to bring it back in.

After the weekend, I brought it in again stating the the exact same issues, rattle & squealing existed. Informally, the SA told me that squealing brakes are a part of owning a BMW (Is this for real??). They kept it another 4 days and said they verified the rattle is from the wastegates and everything is within spec. Some "noise-free" paste was applied to the pads to remedy the brake squeal. Within 3 hours of picking up my car, the same rattling when the RPMs drop from 1500 existed, and the brakes are still squealing! I hadn't even driven 10 miles.

Frustrated, I called my SA and explained to him that nothing is fixed. It is exactly the same as the first time I brought it in besides the radio display. He contacted the shop foreman and told me that they are standing by their decision that these noises are normal for the N54 motor. I stated to him that I cannot accept the fact that BMW would design a car that rattles at idle or driving and squeals when it comes to a stop. I said I would take my car to another dealership for a 2nd opinion (which he supported).

Dealer#2: Century West BMW North Hollywood, CA
After getting off the phone with my SA @ Pacific BMW, I set up an appointment with Century West BMW. I explained the situation about wanting a 2nd opinion regarding the rattle and about getting a loaner car. The loaner car was confirmed and I arrived early to my appointment the following day. Unfortunately, my appointment happened to be on a Saturday and a foreman is NOT there. This information was obviously very important to my situation, as I found out later. When my SA came to greet me, I explained the situation, he immediately gave the impression that I would have to come back when the foreman was there. A mechanic was walking by and so the SA asked him to go on a test drive to listen to the problem. The rattle was duplicated and the mechanic confirmed it is the wastegate rattle but without the shop foreman there, he can't do anything. So basically, I woke up at 8AM on my Saturday just to waste time and gas going to Century West BMW.

Dealer#3: New Century BMW Alhambra, CA
Frustrated from the previous dealership and not wanting to waste my Saturday for nothing, I called New Century BMW to see if a shop foreman was on site. No shop foreman here either, but the service concierge listened to what had just happened at Century West BMW and apologized for the frustration and requested that I come into their dealership. He confirmed that a courtesy vehicle would be provided as well.

The SA here @ New Century BMW asked me to duplicate the problem and so I did... right before his very eyes. He then went to get a mechanic, who apparently was too busy and did not come out to listen to the rattle. Anyhow, to make a long story short, the SA said that there is no shop foreman and that there is no way I could leave my car. The justification was that it would sit there until Monday to be looked at.


I will probably call BMW North America on Monday just because they have wasted so much of my time already. I just can't believe that I have had a BMW for less than a month and I can't wait to get rid of it. Is this really the Ultimate Driving Experience? Rattle @ idle, rattle while driving and squealing when coming to a stop???

I will stop complaining now. Thank you for reading.

Wow, you buy used, get wastegate actuators, rear pads, sensors, radio, injectors, and the HPFP replaced, ALL for FREE and under warranty and you want to get rid of it because you are super sensitive to a little rattle? Take care, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!!!

[plokij]

Originally Posted by John 070

It surely has changed everything. The majority of us barring job changes have less disposable income today, than 10 years ago. It seems like people who buy a 335is for 60k think they're getting a great deal. They don't even believe you if you say your 335i coupe had a base of 40,300 (one guy told me I am a liar--shows he hasn't even followed the 335 for 4 years).

I don't even think showing a new car in the driveway at all times is indicative of the good life. It leads people to assume the person is a lessee.

Anyone who doesn't believe car prices have exploded, well, a G37S SEDAN, not coupe, is 40,200 base. That is a car that was $8100 less than my 335i in 2007.

always an interesting discussion. the great wealth vacuum...

national compensation data:



consumer price index (moving in the opposite direction until the 2008 crash, and now back to trending higher than wage increases):



prices go higher when interest rates are low. free flowing credit & creative financing benefits these guys:



who bribe our government so that they can run the wall street casino for these guys (who make most of their compensation through stock options):



"just be happy you have a job" as they say.... crooks.

i do think that most people are done with driving cars they can't afford. the hangover has set in, perhaps?

[Neutrino45]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ritz

I just got a 328i a few months ago and also had high expectiations of BMW dealerships. Truth is they seem just as bad as any other brand. I had a peeling plastic strip which they said was not under warranty so they painted it for me. Did a bad job and now the car creeks when I drive from the plastic strip flexing.

Hey, your dealership fucked you. They replace peeling plastics all of the time if your car is under warranty. They've done it for my car and many others on the forum.

[bimmer_335]

Originally Posted by John 070

btw I don't agree with the rotors needing to be changed. The rear squeal is typical of 335's. People have stated that replacing the pads (even though there is 70% left) has temporarily stopped the squeal, but it does come back. But this part costs what, $106 list? BMWNA is not about to eat a part that costs $106 list just to satisfy a customer--they'd have to retrofit each and every 335 they've manufactured, and continue to manufacture. Detroit does something smart--they have engineers research the groans and squeals that certain pads make with certain rotor materials, to avoid this situation. BMW is nowhere nearly as large as GM. So if rear pads get replaced prematurely, it's internal to the dealership. That's why the quiet stop is applied and the pads are not "usually" replaced. Who is gonna eat say the $52 wholesale part?

I disagree... I've never experienced rear brake squeal on mine... my rear brake pads & rotors were replaced at 34k miles. So it does sound about right if yours were replaced at 35k. I'd think probably rotors are fairly thin by now... and I'd have them replaced.

As for wastegate rattle... every body's different but it never bothered me... I dont even hear it anymore if its there lol... I guess that comes with owning a performance car. Its a common issue with 335 and yeah, find a dealer who is willing to fix it for good or call BMW NA.

...and whenever thoughts of taking 335 to carmax comes to your mind... just step on the throttle and you'd be good for next week...

[BANKAI]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

What do you expect when you buy one for the price of a Hyundai? No one will lay out the red carpet for you, you can either invest the time and effort to fix it or just sell it and get something else.

I guess I would expect it to at least run like a Hyundai. lol

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by BANKAI

I guess I would expect it to at least run like a Hyundai. lol

Dude, everyone wish BMW can be reliable as Hyundai (the recent ones).

[John 070]

Originally Posted by lux.sh

Dude, everyone wish BMW can be reliable as Hyundai (the recent ones).

Believe it or not, with the latest generation of Sonatas, the Sonata owners actually love their cars. That car is a slam dunk. Only snobs make fun of a great car like that. When I get off the rental car shuttle I push and shove and elbow other businessmen (because I don't have the executive aisle available to me LOL) to try to grab that Sonata. In Dallas, I got stuck with the Altima for a week....

[Taipei-TT]

It's a fact of life...when you choose a dealership to buy a car, make sure you check out the service department first, that will have a FAR larger impact on your overall ownership experience than the sales department will.

I think you have really high expectations....it doesn't sound to me like the dealerships are NOT trying to help you...but you do need to give them a chance to solve it before you complain about it.

But if what you really value out of your car ownership is better service, why not sell the BMW, and take the money and buy something new from a reputable dealership. Dealerships always give their new car customers preferred service.

[shabadoo25]

Originally Posted by John 070

Believe it or not, with the latest generation of Sonatas, the Sonata owners actually love their cars. That car is a slam dunk. Only snobs make fun of a great car like that. When I get off the rental car shuttle I push and shove and elbow other businessmen (because I don't have the executive aisle available to me LOL) to try to grab that Sonata. In Dallas, I got stuck with the Altima for a week....

I just traded in a new Sonata turbo for a CPO 335i.

There is no comparison between those 2 cars. Hyundai still has a way to go when it comes to body roll and suspensions in their cars.

If you want a very reliable Asian car, I recommend it. However, it's nothing like driving a BMW.

[waterp7]

Originally Posted by tscdennab

OP, I think you are slightly exaggerating the problem. You can't expect your problems to be solved on a Saturday.

On another note, I think that if the brake squeal is not gone, the brake rotors need to be changed.

I read here are many people with replaced turbos under warranty due to wastegate rattle. Good luck...

+1 I had the brake squeal problem for awhile. Even with the pads replaced it came back. Finally bought new rotors and pads and had them replaced. No more squeals so far after 2k miles.

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by John 070

Believe it or not, with the latest generation of Sonatas, the Sonata owners actually love their cars. That car is a slam dunk. Only snobs make fun of a great car like that. When I get off the rental car shuttle I push and shove and elbow other businessmen (because I don't have the executive aisle available to me LOL) to try to grab that Sonata. In Dallas, I got stuck with the Altima for a week....

Yep. Sonata officially surpassed Toyota Camry in growth rate of sales. Camry is still recording #1 sales by 140,000/yr, but no longer #1 seller. I couldn't believe the article when it said Sonata caught up by 110,000/yr. Simply amazing. I thought that segment was dominated by Accord/Camrys. I mean the americans couldn't drill through, euros couldn't, a damn hyundai does.

Originally Posted by shabadoo25

I just traded in a new Sonata turbo for a CPO 335i.

There is no comparison between those 2 cars. Hyundai still has a way to go when it comes to body roll and suspensions in their cars.

If you want a very reliable Asian car, I recommend it. However, it's nothing like driving a BMW.

You are stupid if you think we are comparing driving dynamics of the two vehicles. Its not just hyundai, every goddamn car in the segment (camry, accord, altima, etc) drives like a grandma's buick compared to a 3 series.

[Timothy J]

Originally Posted by BANKAI

I will probably call BMW North America on Monday just because they have wasted so much of my time already. I just can't believe that I have had a BMW for less than a month and I can't wait to get rid of it. Is this really the Ultimate Driving Experience? Rattle @ idle, rattle while driving and squealing when coming to a stop???

Wow! What a long list!!!!

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by WWONG

It's a used car, quit complaining

+1

I have been saying for yrs..these cars should be purchased new..

[RambleJ]

Originally Posted by Timothy J

Wow! What a long list!!!!

+1
OP, you bought a used 2007 335 and expected it to be perfect?! Maybe the dealership you went to at first was a bad idea, but don't blame the car. Find a better dealer and get the issue taken care of.

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by BANKAI

I guess I would expect it to at least run like a Hyundai. lol

If you want a car that runs like a Hyundai for the price of a Hyundai: Buy a Hyundai. Not a 4 year old USED car that isn't exactly known for reliability.

[BANKAI]

I think my expectations were too high. I expected my BMW to run flawlessly during it's factory warranty period... which I'm still 14,000 miles shy of. Another lofty expectation was for a BMW dealer to actually fix problems on a BMW... the first time, or even the 2nd time.

[Philz BMW]

Originally Posted by shicobico

Take 10 steps back from the tree, and look at the forest. BMW has some serious reliability issues, across the board (the dealerships sure are not helping). Sounds like Audi 10 years ago. Whether it's HPFP, water pumps, angel eye light bulbs going out, air bags not deploying, valve lifters, waste gate rattles, ... Absolutely unacceptable.

I hate BMW's current management and their hyper-expansion vision strategy. These cars will be in everyone's pocket in a few years, and will loose their exclusivity, have to cater to a larger market segment (appeal to more people, for less $$$ = become more tame) and eventually be diluted down to become the Toyota of German auto makers, replacing VW. What a sad decent.

When you want to do stunts like that, you create a new market segment, and go at it. Like Infinity/Nissan, Acura/Honda, Audi/VW ... BMW/LEB (Less Expensive Brand)

How are cars that can be had anywhere from 30k to 80k (the majority I'd say) in any way exclusive?