[CharlesCA]

I want to thank everyone on the forum for their insightfulness and sharing of the issues with this car. I went in knowing full well of a lot of the common issues with this car. This post is to share my anecdotal evidence so others can learn from it. Never get this car without a CPO warranty at the bare minimum. I am not upset or mad, I was just hoping that the common problems would not happen to me . Wishful thinking.

The service dept I went to gave me a hard time about loaners and would not honor an advertised oil change price on their website. I don't need this hassle so I sold the car in March of 2015.

I purchased a 2011 335d CPO with 44k miles in Southern California August of 2014. I bought this car for the reasons we all do... the torque! The passing power on the freeway is incredible. Cruising at 90-100mpg getting 30+mpg is amazing. Drove spirited a lot of the times. Averaged 29.3mpg over the history of the car http://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/335d/2...arlesCA/312628

The car started to get better MPG at the end but I was done. The carbon build up problems were starting to happen.

Service History

Miles, Problem, Replaced
(The first few records are not from invoices - it's from something the dealer prints out each time you go to service)

21723 (2/26/13)
M57 SCR components

22183 (4/22/13)
Exhaust differential pressure sensor
Diesel particulate fiter DPF occasional malfunction

40781 (5/20/14)
Exhaust differential pressure sensor
Diesel particulate fiter DPF occasional malfunction

(I PURCHASED CAR)
44870 (8/26/14)
Gas door lid did not open
Replaced ejector - 51-17-8-228-939

A/C fan buttons peeling
Replaced a/c fan buttons - 64-11-344-143

44953 (8/27/14)
Unable to connect phone to bluetooth
Replaced telematics control unit 84-10-9-231-092

47634 (9/18/14)
Service Engine Soon light on (no symptoms did not pull code myself)
Replaced throttle
11-71-7-804-384

iDrive trim piece broken
Replaced controller 65-82-9-334-611

54680 (1/19/15)
Vehicle check ($90)
Oil change ($107)
Would NOT honor $80 oil change on their website

58152 (3/1/15)
All covered under CPO - $50 deductible paid
Service Engine Soon light on (rough idle)
I pulled the codes
P02d1
P02ce
BMW found faults 4593 - smooth running controller cylinder #2
4596 - smooth running control cylinder #3
4AE6-DDE zero quantity adaptation injector cylinder #2
4AF5-DDE zero quantity adaptation injector cylinder #3
Carbon build up in swirl ports inside intake plenum and ports. Performed carbon cleaning intake manifold and valve cover.
Removed and replaced two injectors #2 and #3
2x 13-53-7-808-089

58504 (3/6/15)
All covered under CPO - $50 deductible paid (not covered under CA emissions warranty)
Service Engine Soon light on (smooth running)
I pulled the codes P208e and P20ee
They pulled the codes PD35-DDE
Found defective SCR meeting valve
Replaced metering unit 18-30-7-807-206


(SOLD CAR 3/10/15)

[kbsilver]

Sorry to hear you go. I guess some are just lemons, as can happen with any car. While I still have my fingers crossed we've reached 60K miles with only one CBU cleaning event and an AC belt as issues. However not giving loaner cars and not fixing problems the first time is a dealer issue, and was likely was part of your negative overall experience. Not honoring the $80 oil change is understandable (the oil and filter is more expensive) but it should have said does not include diesel or M vehicles in the fine print.

[CharlesCA]

Originally Posted by kbsilver

Sorry to hear you go. I guess some are just lemons, as can happen with any car. While I still have my fingers crossed we've reached 60K miles with only one CBU cleaning event and an AC belt as issues. However not giving loaner cars and not fixing problems the first time is a dealer issue, and was likely was part of your negative overall experience. Not honoring the $80 oil change is understandable (the oil and filter is more expensive) but it should have said does not include diesel or M vehicles in the fine print.

I am not sure I would call it a lemon but it seems to have the problems the other people on this forum have. Carbon build up leading to failure of all kinds of parts.

The oil change was for all E9x excluding M cars. The D only takes 1 quart more oil than a 335i so I don't see why it was not honored. The excuse was that BMW put that special on the website, not them, and they had 'no control'.

Each time they gave me a loaner they made me feel guilty for giving me one stating that 'they don't have any available' but one miraculously appears when they look for one.

The only way I will get back in a BMW is either a lease or get rid of the car before the factory warranty expires.

[GadgetBMW]

Definitely wish you the best and can't blame you one bit for parting ways with your 335d under the circumstances. I appreciate the sharing of your experiences with the car AND your good attitude in spite of the issues. Just curious, have you replaced your 335d with something else or thought about what you want to replace it with? I met a nice 335d owner about a year ago who ended up replacing his 335d with a Fiesta ST.

[lazyninja87]

Great post. Thanks for sharing it with us. Remember the good times *appropriate reminiscing soundtrack plays in background*

[kbsilver]

Originally Posted by CharlesCA

The only way I will get back in a BMW is either a lease or get rid of the car before the factory warranty expires.

My take is that BMW (and others) are on a path of reduced reliability in trying to meet increasing emissions requirements and CAFE requirements in squeezing more efficiency out of an internal combustion engine.

For example one energy savings technique of the new 4 cylinder gas engine is a variable output oil pump. Pump less oil, use less energy. There are some instances of oil starvation failures including snapped camshafts on this engine.

I'm also thinking this path of decreasing emissions and increasing fuel economy is unsustainable. That either the future regulations will need to be relaxed, or the internal combustion engine is near the end of it's day's. Hybrid technology will help, for a while, but at a cost.

The Tesla is looking better all the time. Too bad it's so $$$$. Sorry but the i3 just does not cut it for me on looks, size or range.

[Hoooper]

Originally Posted by kbsilver

The Tesla is looking better all the time. Too bad it's so $$$$. Sorry but the i3 just does not cut it for me on looks, size or range.

Yeah the i3 is more of a leaf or 500e competitor. Nothing at this point competes with a Tesla, and to be honest they really arent expensive if you compare them to other cars in their class, but they do hold their value better than others most likely because of relatively low supply coupled with the number of people who want a Tesla but can only afford one on the used market. Its performance puts it easily into the M5 and S63 class which have similar starting prices and similar optioned out prices.

[montr]

CharlesCA, I am the first owner of 2010 335d. My car was one of the first 2010 as I custom ordered it back in August 2009 (was unloaded from the boat in Savannah in October 2009). I did experience many of the same problems and more. When the problems started to pile up, it was too late for the lemon law here in GA.

Looks to me that BMW built a high percentage of lemons with the 335d.

[RDA3440]

I think every Brand of vehicle can share these types of issues.

I picked up my 2010 335D in late July of 2014 with 94,000km on it. It's now March 2015 and it has over 140,000km on it. It was a bit weak when I first got it, and had some very minor glitches. It was dealer serviced (but we should all know that it doesn't mean **** unless you do it yourself or watch it being done). I took nothing for granted, got it for a decent price and went on my way.

I'll have nearly 200K on it before the end of this year. I drive it hard and long on the highways (99% highway mileage). Mileage is awesome, power is freaking fantastic - a far cry from my beloved TDI Golf which also ran fantastic. All my past cars have been perfect save for some of the winter beaters I've had. I service it properly, and inspect it often. It just keeps getting stronger and smoother.

My one concern about this car is the transmission but even it seems to be holding up PERFECTLY and shifting flawlessly every time.

I love this car even with NO warranty! (Warranties don't work for me because of the mileage I drive annually).

[dixy2k]

OP
sounds like CBU.
They will replace everything on your car before they are finally capable of understanding CBU is causing it.

There is one guy here you need to PM, iaknown

[Twilight1]

Originally Posted by GadgetBMW

Definitely wish you the best and can't blame you one bit for parting ways with your 335d under the circumstances. I appreciate the sharing of your experiences with the car AND your good attitude in spite of the issues. Just curious, have you replaced your 335d with something else or thought about what you want to replace it with? I met a nice 335d owner about a year ago who ended up replacing his 335d with a Fiesta ST.

Hey, who are you calling nice ?

I bought the Fiesta ST as an alternative to driving a loaner because I knew the car would be gone for an extended period, which turned out to be a month.

Turned out I enjoyed driving the ST as much or more than the BMW. 1500 lbs lighter and a slick shifting manual works for me. Plus you get to enjoy people's
expression when they ask you why you traded a BMW for a Fiesta !

And tuning is so easy with the Cobb Accessport.

[CharlesCA]

Originally Posted by GadgetBMW

Definitely wish you the best and can't blame you one bit for parting ways with your 335d under the circumstances. I appreciate the sharing of your experiences with the car AND your good attitude in spite of the issues. Just curious, have you replaced your 335d with something else or thought about what you want to replace it with? I met a nice 335d owner about a year ago who ended up replacing his 335d with a Fiesta ST.

While I miss the power, I don't miss the problems. I replaced the 335d with a CT200h. I've searched long and hard for any issues with the Prius motor and none really seem to come up. 40mpg on the first tank so far. Pretty happy .

[AzureHaze]

Originally Posted by Twilight1

And tuning is so easy with the Cobb Accessport.

Saw Matt Farah from The Smoking Tire transform his Fiesta with the stage 3 tune a while back and seeing that car go looks like a hoot!

[bvanlieu]

Originally Posted by CharlesCA

I am not sure I would call it a lemon but it seems to have the problems the other people on this forum have. Carbon build up leading to failure of all kinds of parts.

The oil change was for all E9x excluding M cars. The D only takes 1 quart more oil than a 335i so I don't see why it was not honored. The excuse was that BMW put that special on the website, not them, and they had 'no control'.

Each time they gave me a loaner they made me feel guilty for giving me one stating that 'they don't have any available' but one miraculously appears when they look for one.

The only way I will get back in a BMW is either a lease or get rid of the car before the factory warranty expires.

I think that oil special is very much pushed by BMW USA to get people in dealerships and covers over 90% of their vehicles, 4 or 6 cyl gassers that take 5/30 LL01.

The fine print at my local dealer excludes M (TWS) and D's.

The 8th quart and the fact that LL04 is a bit more, you can understand and not get to bent out of shape.

I got bent out of shape when my dealer told me it would cost $200 for the OC instead of 100-120 that I expected

Otherwise you did have quite a few issues and I can understand your feelings on moving on. Many have similar fears but we love these cars so damn much that we continue to roll the proverbial emissions dice with them.

Be well and drive hard

- b

[CharlesCA]

Originally Posted by bvanlieu

I think that oil special is very much pushed by BMW USA to get people in dealerships and covers over 90% of their vehicles, 4 or 6 cyl gassers that take 5/30 LL01.

The fine print at my local dealer excludes M (TWS) and D's.

The 8th quart and the fact that LL04 is a bit more, you can understand and not get to bent out of shape.

I got bent out of shape when my dealer told me it would cost $200 for the OC instead of 100-120 that I expected

Otherwise you did have quite a few issues and I can understand your feelings on moving on. Many have similar fears but we love these cars so damn much that we continue to roll the proverbial emissions dice with them.

Be well and drive hard

- b

My SA told me it was $300 with DEF and $240 without DEF. I showed them the webpage (D was /not/ excluded on their site) and they managed to do it for me at "cost of parts" + $30 labor which worked out to be $120 or so.

[bvanlieu]

Originally Posted by CharlesCA

My SA told me it was $300 with DEF and $240 without DEF. I showed them the webpage (D was /not/ excluded on their site) and they managed to do it for me at "cost of parts" + $30 labor which worked out to be $120 or so.

Ha! I am glad you were able to get that. I debated post service by pulling up the parts costs and saying 120 or so was reasonably not $200 however the SA would admit nothing.

I paid and won't use them again for oil. Seems like more then one dealership wants to double dip in labor (oil and DEF, charging 120-150 for labor for a 30m overlapping service).

Fool me once...

- b

[WreckerX5d]

Originally Posted by bvanlieu

Ha! I am glad you were able to get that. I debated post service by pulling up the parts costs and saying 120 or so was reasonably not $200 however the SA would admit nothing.

I paid and won't use them again for oil. Seems like more then one dealership wants to double dip in labor (oil and DEF, charging 120-150 for labor for a 30m overlapping service).

Fool me once...

- b

"But we're not your average service dept"... was the excuse the dealer gave me when they tried to justify a $300 alignment. I'm not surprised on the oil change price either. After the 50k maintenance warranty, I just changed it myself.