[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.

[Asiarush]

wow man, So sorry to hear this.
BMW's are great but like everything else in life, sometimes you just land a bad one.
I had a 6 series that was awful, kept on breaking and going back into the shop.
I think you do need to call BMW NA and let them hear about it, you can also try lemon law since you are under warranty anyway.
This is the main reason i never buy from private sellers though, you have no one to turn to.
write down all the dates and what happened and call bmw, if this fail, call your lawyer.

[WWONG]

It's a used car, quit complaining

[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...

[nukezero]

First of all, it should be well aware and known that you do NOT ever bring a car in for major service on a saturday. Of all the socal BMW dealerships I know of, they only like to do oil changes and car washes on saturdays. Haha. If you got a major tear down, they would prefer you come in on Monday thru Friday.

So your mistake was to bring your car in for that kind of repair on a Saturday. No dealer would touch that kind of job on a Saturday.

The second kicker is, I had the same problem you had with the wastegate rattle. I called out the shop foreman, he confirmed it and said they will adjust it or fix it. They had the car for 2 weekdays and the wastegate actuators were replaced. The noise is perfectly gone as the RPMs drop.

I think you need to call other dealerships that are more reputable such as Crevier and give them a try. But do so on the weekdays.

It is unfortunate you have trouble with this vehicle, but it is a BMW and drives like one. I know it sucks having to drop off the car on a weekday, but at least the dealership will give you either a loaner or a rental.

[plokij]

lovely.

[AddictedToBavarian]

I would request BMWNA buy it back and either start over with a different BMW or run for the hills. 335s have become such a fail with things like the wastegate rattle that shops are even calling it normal. Makes me sick. Doesn't it happen enough that they know whether to replace actuator or turbos or something!

[WERND]

If a dealership can't do anything on a Saturday, then they shouldn't tell him to come in on a saturday.

I bet new rotors will fix your brake noise, and a reprogrammed ecu will fix your wastegate rattle. I was thinking of getting mine un-programmed as I think it zapped some power and I never noticed a rattle in the first place. Now after hearing your complaints I think it will just stay how it is.

Whatever you do, don't think that you are somehow asking too much for a used BMW that IS still under warranty to work properly. No matter how many people get on here and tell you otherwise

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by WWONG

It's a used car, quit complaining

It's a 335i, quit complaining.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by tscdennab

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

Whether or not we're talking about the 335/N54, or another model, imho the OP's scenario is typical of BMW dealerships. Who really knows, maybe it's typical of a Lexus dealership as well, the only thing is, nothing breaks on the Japanese car so they're never tested.

How would a Lexus dealership respond to poor design and the same customer coming in over and over under warranty? We'll never know.

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?

[bender rodriguez]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

It's a 335i, quit complaining.

[bender rodriguez]

Originally Posted by John 070

Whether or not we're talking about the 335/N54, or another model, imho the OP's scenario is typical of BMW dealerships. Who really knows, maybe it's typical of a Lexus dealership as well, the only thing is, nothing breaks on the Japanese car so they're never tested.

How would a Lexus dealership respond to poor design and the same customer coming in over and over under warranty? We'll never know.

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 have also notice that buying used under warranty makes the dealership less likely to eat costs like that. Buying new from a dealership and making that home dealership seems to help.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

It's a 335i, quit complaining.

All kidding aside, he's new to the BMW dealership scene, so his expectations are high, as mine were 4 years ago. After a while there is one thing the OP said that hit the nail on the head--it's not worth it losing time from work for a car. I live with the squeal, I already took the car in 2X for it under warranty. It's annoying, but forgettable. Can't change the pads every 3-4 mos., that's crazy.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ritz

I have also notice that buying used under warranty makes the dealership less likely to eat costs like that. Buying new from a dealership and making that home dealership seems to help.

That didn't help for me, because my dealership is s*****--I gave them all one's and the SA called me up and said what the f*** did you do that for! LOL They had 3 1/2 years to shape up. So I switched dealerships--that one has like 46 service bays, girls that hold your hand and take you to your SA, another person gets you your loaner, and the best part, I asked for the seat belt handler to be replaced, pass side mirror, brake squeal, etc., and they actually corrected each issue by replacing parts. My original dealership (selling) would always say can not duplicate.

The fact that my squeal came back tells me it really can't be solved for the long term, so why bother anymore.

[bender rodriguez]

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.

[M40i4me]

Originally Posted by John 070

Whether or not we're talking about the 335/N54, or another model, imho the OP's scenario is typical of BMW dealerships. Who really knows, maybe it's typical of a Lexus dealership as well, the only thing is, nothing breaks on the Japanese car so they're never tested.

How would a Lexus dealership respond to poor design and the same customer coming in over and over under warranty? We'll never know.

CS manager Had a 4 year old Lexus is 250. Car was well maintained and diagnosed with carbon build up after repeated stalling and lack of power. Lexus rebuilt the entire motor for free without any hassle. Prior to this she had many issues with the car and just recently traded it in for a 328xi with sort package. She had owned nothing but Lexus since the first one came out that was a rebadged Camry. (oh wait they all are!) She also drives 20,000 miles a year as I do so we will see how they hold up.

[Falafel Combo]

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)

[ENINTY]

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)

+1. Amen.

[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)....

[Legion5]

It sounds like you're impatient. The waste gate rattle is sometimes fixed in stages ie first they try the easiest solution and then they go on to more expensive solutions.

The brake noise is part of owning a BMW but it can be fixed.

This is all pretty standard stuff, I don't know why you're making it out to be such a huge problem.

[fdriller9]

The squeal comes from the brake pad wear sensor....I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with the brakes unless you're glazing them over. Which is the driver's fault.

Replacing the brakes may temporarily solve the squealing but that's because they swap a new sensor in. Which is what squeals....and when it starts to wear with the pads, the squeal is back.

I don't really see why your mad. You had one poor dealership experience and you tried to get service on a Saturday....

[John 070]

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)

With leasing, there is no exclusivity to the BMW marque. If the entire society broke down and started to believe in the sign and drive 0% down concept, there wouldn't be a single person who didn't have a BMW or the equivalent in their driveway. Luckily society is diverse and has differing opinions on how they're going to get through this thing called life.

The scary thing is that if society did break down like that, now you would actually have people who leased Kia Rio's and not BMW's, because they couldn't afford the BMW lease payment. It would be like some sort of weird Minority Report like movie where the police would come 35 mos. after you got a car and if they determined you would not be able to get a new one, they would kill you, and the roads would be rid of junk like 2007 cars which are 2 years beyond what's acceptable.