M125i 6 cylinder 1 series
Discussion
Griff43V8 said:
I see u have recently had the water pump done - How did the failure show itself? - Dash warning of pump failure? Complete shutdown? - I see BMW chose to hide the engine temp from customers, which May be ok in normal operation, however crazy if offered limp mode / no warning.
I used to have a E82 135i with the N55 engine + DCT gearbox, and the electric water pump failed on that at 80mph in the outside lane of the M4 just before J8/9, car was at about 55k miles when it happened. First sign I got was when the dash lit up like a xmas tree, and after about 10sec digesting what it could be, and realising what it probably was, it went into limp mode, and I was then checking mirrors to get across the 3 lanes onto the hard shoulder before it died on me......luckily this was before they started the Smart M-Way mods on that section of the M4 and there was still a hard shoulder.......which I did manage to reach before it was fully in limp home mode.
Also, I had extended warranty, so sat on hard shoulder and waited for BMW recovery to Sytner - Maidenhead, which being a Saturday was open, but obviously had to leave car there, and get train home, and back again a few days later......and obviously didn't have to pay for the replacement either.
So, yes, there's not much warning if it goes....and you don't have much time before you are effectively immobile.
Edited by aeropilot on Tuesday 30th April 16:38
My replacement was a little less dramatic - I bought Carly last year and was running diagnostics on it every month or so, and on one run I got an error message indicating a communication error with the pump, so got it done when it was in for a starter motor.
That's normally the first sign they are on the way out, also seen reports of the engine fan being on constantly just before they go.
That's normally the first sign they are on the way out, also seen reports of the engine fan being on constantly just before they go.
bodhi said:
My replacement was a little less dramatic - I bought Carly last year and was running diagnostics on it every month or so, and on one run I got an error message indicating a communication error with the pump, so got it done when it was in for a starter motor.
That's normally the first sign they are on the way out, also seen reports of the engine fan being on constantly just before they go.
Same as my mate with his N52’s; he kept an eye on the codes and replaced them once there was a communication error. That's normally the first sign they are on the way out, also seen reports of the engine fan being on constantly just before they go.
Griff43V8 said:
not a great system if codes come up without warning light of possible future failure
No different to any modern car that the manufacturer decides that a water temp gauge is not a requirement..... 
By the time a warning light is activated, water temp has already climbed without any warning. At least with a water temp gauge you could see the needle start to climb before it gets to a point that the ECU calls a halt to proceedings when you are in the outside lane of a motorway.....
BMW seem to think oil temp gauge is more important than a water temp gauge.
I'd rather have both, not a one or the other situation.
aeropilot said:
Griff43V8 said:
I see u have recently had the water pump done - How did the failure show itself? - Dash warning of pump failure? Complete shutdown? - I see BMW chose to hide the engine temp from customers, which May be ok in normal operation, however crazy if offered limp mode / no warning.
I used to have a E82 135i with the N55 engine + DCT gearbox, and the electric water pump failed on that at 80mph in the outside lane of the M4 just before J8/9, car was at about 55k miles when it happened. First sign I got was when the dash lit up like a xmas tree, and after about 10sec digesting what it could be, and realising what it probably was, it went into limp mode, and I was then checking mirrors to get across the 3 lanes onto the hard shoulder before it died on me......luckily this was before they started the Smart M-Way mods on that section of the M4 and there was still a hard shoulder.......which I did manage to reach before it was fully in limp home mode.
Also, I had extended warranty, so sat on hard shoulder and waited for BMW recovery to Sytner - Maidenhead, which being a Saturday was open, but obviously had to leave car there, and get train home, and back again a few days later......and obviously didn't have to pay for the replacement either.
So, yes, there's not much warning if it goes....and you don't have much time before you are effectively immobile.
Edited by aeropilot on Tuesday 30th April 16:38
Griff43V8 said:
thks for reply, yes I too have now discovered that:
all UK 125i have Triple Inlets with Dissas, same CR and build as 130i, requiring only a simple 130i map upload to get 275bhp
VANOS solenoids need replacing @ c.100k and are easy and inexpensive
The oil filter gasket needs replacing @ c.100k and are easy and inexpensive
The Water pump and thermostat are an ongoing concern as elec. or mechanical failure results in overheating / breakdown / engine shutdown at best - not straightforward to replace due to design burying it deep down under inlet etc - Replacement Cost Unknown **
MPG reports vary enormously. Some people claiming 50 mpg on light throttle cruise (seems unlikely / inaccurate readings) - Am hoping for c 40 mpg cruising around motorway limit and 35 mpg min Overall average, incl backroad blasts - These would be both surprising and reasonable for a daily driver, covering 12k pa
Not sure where you're getting that VANOS solenoids need changing at 100k, or the oil filter gasket. They need doing when they need doing. And in terms of gaskets expect that at any point - sump, oil filter housing, cam cover, valvetronic actuator seals will all start to weep at some point. My E91 has had all gaskets done. But it hasn't had the VANOS solenoids changed (now on 136k).all UK 125i have Triple Inlets with Dissas, same CR and build as 130i, requiring only a simple 130i map upload to get 275bhp
VANOS solenoids need replacing @ c.100k and are easy and inexpensive
The oil filter gasket needs replacing @ c.100k and are easy and inexpensive
The Water pump and thermostat are an ongoing concern as elec. or mechanical failure results in overheating / breakdown / engine shutdown at best - not straightforward to replace due to design burying it deep down under inlet etc - Replacement Cost Unknown **
MPG reports vary enormously. Some people claiming 50 mpg on light throttle cruise (seems unlikely / inaccurate readings) - Am hoping for c 40 mpg cruising around motorway limit and 35 mpg min Overall average, incl backroad blasts - These would be both surprising and reasonable for a daily driver, covering 12k pa
Water pump isn't that costly to sort. OEM pumps can be had for under £300. I think my total bill was c£800.
MPG - I've seen 34mpg at best, on a long cruise. Around town I average low 20s though.
aeropilot said:
No different to any modern car that the manufacturer decides that a water temp gauge is not a requirement.....
By the time a warning light is activated, water temp has already climbed without any warning. At least with a water temp gauge you could see the needle start to climb before it gets to a point that the ECU calls a halt to proceedings when you are in the outside lane of a motorway.....
BMW seem to think oil temp gauge is more important than a water temp gauge.
I'd rather have both, not a one or the other situation.
Plenty of later BMW’s have done away with any form of temp gauges. My 130i and 335i both had oil temp gauges whereas my wife’s 330i has none unless you access the hidden menu.By the time a warning light is activated, water temp has already climbed without any warning. At least with a water temp gauge you could see the needle start to climb before it gets to a point that the ECU calls a halt to proceedings when you are in the outside lane of a motorway.....
BMW seem to think oil temp gauge is more important than a water temp gauge.
I'd rather have both, not a one or the other situation.
Swervin_Mervin said:
Not sure where you're getting that VANOS solenoids need changing at 100k, or the oil filter gasket. They need doing when they need doing. And in terms of gaskets expect that at any point - sump, oil filter housing, cam cover, valvetronic actuator seals will all start to weep at some point. My E91 has had all gaskets done. But it hasn't had the VANOS solenoids changed (now on 136k).
Water pump isn't that costly to sort. OEM pumps can be had for under £300. I think my total bill was c£800.
MPG - I've seen 34mpg at best, on a long cruise. Around town I average low 20s though.
.................in what realm is £800 for a waterpump change (allegedly best done every 50k..) not costly?!Water pump isn't that costly to sort. OEM pumps can be had for under £300. I think my total bill was c£800.
MPG - I've seen 34mpg at best, on a long cruise. Around town I average low 20s though.
The 100k is the general consensus on BMW forums as max mileage for all / most of above, with prevention being better than cure
Griff43V8 said:
Swervin_Mervin said:
Not sure where you're getting that VANOS solenoids need changing at 100k, or the oil filter gasket. They need doing when they need doing. And in terms of gaskets expect that at any point - sump, oil filter housing, cam cover, valvetronic actuator seals will all start to weep at some point. My E91 has had all gaskets done. But it hasn't had the VANOS solenoids changed (now on 136k).
Water pump isn't that costly to sort. OEM pumps can be had for under £300. I think my total bill was c£800.
MPG - I've seen 34mpg at best, on a long cruise. Around town I average low 20s though.
.................in what realm is £800 for a waterpump change (allegedly best done every 50k..) not costly?!Water pump isn't that costly to sort. OEM pumps can be had for under £300. I think my total bill was c£800.
MPG - I've seen 34mpg at best, on a long cruise. Around town I average low 20s though.
The 100k is the general consensus on BMW forums as max mileage for all / most of above, with prevention being better than cure
Besides, I used to run French cars and the bills for the BMW would pale into insignificance against the bills I had running those. And no idea why you would choose to change one every 50k. Some have run on the same pump to nearly 200k. I'd work on the basis of 100k for a typical lifespan.As for the consensus - I wouldn't worry about the sort of fretting and fannying about that goes on on most one-make forums. Unless you want to run something in showroom fresh condition I'd just buy one and drive it. Fault fix when required. The N52 is a pretty solid lump on the whole.
Swervin_Mervin said:
Because big bills are so few and far between that if you average the cost out it's not much Besides, I used to run French cars and the bills for the BMW would pale into insignificance against the bills I had running those. And no idea why you would choose to change one every 50k. Some have run on the same pump to nearly 200k. I'd work on the basis of 100k for a typical lifespan.
As for the consensus - I wouldn't worry about the sort of fretting and fannying about that goes on on most one-make forums. Unless you want to run something in showroom fresh condition I'd just buy one and drive it. Fault fix when required. The N52 is a pretty solid lump on the whole.
That's been my approach with my 4, but I'm no longer working so if need be can wait to get recovered! Besides, I used to run French cars and the bills for the BMW would pale into insignificance against the bills I had running those. And no idea why you would choose to change one every 50k. Some have run on the same pump to nearly 200k. I'd work on the basis of 100k for a typical lifespan.As for the consensus - I wouldn't worry about the sort of fretting and fannying about that goes on on most one-make forums. Unless you want to run something in showroom fresh condition I'd just buy one and drive it. Fault fix when required. The N52 is a pretty solid lump on the whole.
If that would cause major inconvenience maybe a preventative change is worthwhile, after all you're unlikely to need to do it again.
Like I said previously my first Z4 needed one at 60K, my second was on the original at 91K. My 325i needed one at 135K and my current 330i is on 125K so I keep the RAC cover up to date!
But the lack of a temperature gauge does seem a bit cheap-skate. E90 and 91 don't have one, but I think E92 and 93 do - how does that make sense? E86 Z4s have one too but my 123d didn't so I imagine 125is don't either.
Griff43V8 said:
.................in what realm is £800 for a waterpump change (allegedly best done every 50k..) not costly?!
The 100k is the general consensus on BMW forums as max mileage for all / most of above, with prevention being better than cure
It doesn’t need to cost that much if you ship cleverly. A Pierburg pump and thermostat can be had for roughly £360. The 100k is the general consensus on BMW forums as max mileage for all / most of above, with prevention being better than cure
I’m on my fifth N52 and have never changed a waterpump. My N54 was on 115k on the original pump. Personally I think it’s been blown a bit out of proportion on the internet, I’m not saying that they don’t go but in my experience they’re not too bad.
getting paranoid now.... is this an issue on the 125i?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yLtSoIARaY
I have narrowed down my car choices to include the 125i believing that it is exceptionally unlikely to suffer a £1k+ engine or trans failure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yLtSoIARaY
I have narrowed down my car choices to include the 125i believing that it is exceptionally unlikely to suffer a £1k+ engine or trans failure
I'd ignore any BMWDoctor videos. I'll say no more than that regarding my opinion on them.
ETA: If it helps reassure you, I was casually recently looking at howmanyleft to see how many E91 330i Tourings were left. I only looked at the MSport Auto version, and do you know that there are supposedly still 235 on the road out of a peak of 288 in 2011?
ETA: If it helps reassure you, I was casually recently looking at howmanyleft to see how many E91 330i Tourings were left. I only looked at the MSport Auto version, and do you know that there are supposedly still 235 on the road out of a peak of 288 in 2011?
Edited by Swervin_Mervin on Thursday 2nd May 11:13
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