[quickstarter]

Hi,

Is there anyone here running a higher mileage diesel here? Other than CBU do these cars age gracefully or do they start having lots of failures? Is this one of those cars that settles down after the bugs are worked out or do things just keep breaking?

My father made me an offer that is hard to refuse on his 2010 335d, and it is a compelling car. The car has 75K miles, and he has had it since new. I've read through many CBU posts, know the risks involved, and to be honest the potential headaches are more than a bit off putting.

What I know:
At one time the car was at the dealer for 3 months when it had 50K miles. He says it was a for a check engine light that they wouldn't turn off and that the dealer replaced many many components and finally cured it with a new computer. He said this was not related to CBU, which I find hard to believe. I know he has had at least a few injectors replaced and other expensive stuff done. The car just had a new transmission installed under warranty. Do these cars eat transmissions? My dad is 78 years old and doesn't drive aggressively. The car has an extended factory warranty until 95K, which I hope is transferable. The car has been garaged, dealer serviced, and well cared for since new. I'm on the USA west coast and the car is on the USA east coast so I can't go through the stack of dealer receipts. I would love to drive it cross country.

Right now I drive 8-10K miles/year with a lot of city driving. My state (WA) does not require emissions testing for diesels, so I could block off the EGR. I'd probably keep the car for about 30K miles.

Should I run away or is the fun worth it?

[kbsilver]

As long as the price is right the fun is probably going to be worth it. CBU is the single most consistent issue with these cars. As CBU cleaning is now essentially routine, I would not let that deter you. However, lots of city driving will likely cause CBU to occur faster. Mechanically the engine will probably last forever. The nagging issues are around EGR coolers, hoses and anything that may happen with the DEF system. DEF issues are not all that common, but when they happen they can be expensive.

The transmission problem is unusual, I have not heard of many of these. The trans is the same one that was used in the older generation X5 4.8

[quickstarter]

Thanks for the feedback. The right price definitely helps accept the faults. I just just don't want a car that is in the shop every other month regardless of price.

Four years ago when I bought my '07 w203 benz(current car) I cross-shopped with equivalent age 3 series. All of the BMW interiors looked aged while all the Benzes looked new. I worry about cheap plastic parts that biodegrade. I want to know how the E90 3 series hold up when they are 5-10 years old. The Benz has its share of cheap parts, but overall it has aged very well. The E36 and E46 seemed to age OK with the exception of plastic parts in the engine compartment like coolant tanks, etc.

Regarding the transmission I did find a few threads about transmission failures on cars manufactured before a certain date (10/09 I think). Something was changed on the transmission afterwards. I suspect this car was an early build '10, but the fact that the transmission has been replaced is a positive.

[9mmkungfu]

Originally Posted by quickstarter

Regarding the transmission I did find a few threads about transmission failures on cars manufactured before a certain date (10/09 I think). Something was changed on the transmission afterwards. I suspect this car was an early build '10, but the fact that the transmission has been replaced is a positive.

Slightly off topic, but would you mind posting or PMing a few of the links? I have a 2010 with a 10/09 build date and am just curious to see whether I fall within the specified time frame.

[doc5339]

Originally Posted by 9mmkungfu

Slightly off topic, but would you mind posting or PMing a few of the links? I have a 2010 with a 10/09 build date and am just curious to see whether I fall within the specified time frame.

My wife's 2009 335d just got a new transmission under EVP; 11/2008 build date.

Really did not think it needed a new transmission. It has a mild-moderate shift "lurch" at times. Hendrick BMW Charleston, SC could not get it to clear by re-flashing, so they ordered and installed brand new trans.

[DnA Diesel]

I'm at 110,000mi (170,000km) and still running strong...lto's of highway miles in that 110k, but I don't baby it either...425 ft-lbs has a way of making it hard to putter around slowly...

As others have noted, if you have or get CBU, cleaning is almost becoming a non-issue.

Enjoy, especially if the price is right.

Cheers
D.

[quickstarter]

Originally Posted by 9mmkungfu

Slightly off topic, but would you mind posting or PMing a few of the links? I have a 2010 with a 10/09 build date and am just curious to see whether I fall within the specified time frame.

This is the thread with the most info on transmission failures:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=586464

Starting on page 2:
"335d's built up through 8/2009 had the ZF 6HP26Z which was then upgraded to the more stout ZF 6HP28 which has a higehr torque rating. The ZF 6HP26/6HP28 is also found on the E65 7-series, E63/64 6 series, E53 X5, E70 X5 4.8i, and whole slew of other cars by other manufactures including Maserati Quatroportte, Range Rover Sport etc"

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by doc5339

My wife's 2009 335d just got a new transmission under EVP; 11/2008 build date.

Really did not think it needed a new transmission. It has a mild-moderate shift "lurch" at times. Hendrick BMW Charleston, SC could not get it to clear by re-flashing, so they ordered and installed brand new trans.

Did it lurch when pulling forward from low speed or a stop?

[doc5339]

Originally Posted by taibanl

Did it lurch when pulling forward from low speed or a stop?

Lurch was noticed at low speed 2nd-3rd gear mostly, if I remember correctly?