Discussion
Hi guys, I went to see the above car the other day, and really liked the car. I did a bit of research on known problems, and they all seem to have been taken care off, my 1 issue is the car didn't appear to have a great service history, the car is also modified though not all paperwork was present, waiting for more.
It has:
Evolve 3" downpipes
VRSF 7" massive intercooler
VRSF charge pipes
BMS Dual Cone Intake system
MHD Platform with Stage 2+ 98 Map loaded
Genuine and factory fitted BMW Performance exhaust
Its running 18psi boost apparently 400bhp and 500lbs/ft.
Had a new fuel pump last October, Boost solenoids and all vacuum hoses replaced 2016.
Ive been a merc man for a few years so opinions welcome.
I also read the alloys are prone to cracking, they are mint, and there was no strange noises from the engine, no rattle from wastegates or anything.
It has:
Evolve 3" downpipes
VRSF 7" massive intercooler
VRSF charge pipes
BMS Dual Cone Intake system
MHD Platform with Stage 2+ 98 Map loaded
Genuine and factory fitted BMW Performance exhaust
Its running 18psi boost apparently 400bhp and 500lbs/ft.
Had a new fuel pump last October, Boost solenoids and all vacuum hoses replaced 2016.
Ive been a merc man for a few years so opinions welcome.
I also read the alloys are prone to cracking, they are mint, and there was no strange noises from the engine, no rattle from wastegates or anything.
I would be wary of internals with that much extra performance. However these are otherwise very strong engines and they should be able to take extra power. Some have taken them to 900hp.
Look at HPFP, someone on here is on their third one and that's an LCI car. Check turbos run fine. Car like this is complex so a mechanical check by a specialist would be good.
Look at the type of buyer too. Has this been well maintained? Everything genuine?
Look at HPFP, someone on here is on their third one and that's an LCI car. Check turbos run fine. Car like this is complex so a mechanical check by a specialist would be good.
Look at the type of buyer too. Has this been well maintained? Everything genuine?
Internals aren't a problem surely? there supposed to be rock solid engines?
Does anyone know if you can change the way the paddles operate on the early DCT cars? Im used to left down and right up and would prefer that if im honest. Hell can you fit say an M3 wheels with nicer paddles? I wouldn't mind doing that in the future as a nice mod.
The fuel pumped was changed in October. How much are new one's? I can live with 2-300quid, its silly numbers like 1k like certain parts are on AMG that I cant.
The turbo's seemed fine like I said, the boost solenoids have been changed and I heard no rattles or anything noises that shouldn't be there, didn't notice anything coming out of the pipes that shouldn't either.
Does anyone know if you can change the way the paddles operate on the early DCT cars? Im used to left down and right up and would prefer that if im honest. Hell can you fit say an M3 wheels with nicer paddles? I wouldn't mind doing that in the future as a nice mod.
The fuel pumped was changed in October. How much are new one's? I can live with 2-300quid, its silly numbers like 1k like certain parts are on AMG that I cant.
The turbo's seemed fine like I said, the boost solenoids have been changed and I heard no rattles or anything noises that shouldn't be there, didn't notice anything coming out of the pipes that shouldn't either.
Edited by Smokey32 on Sunday 16th April 13:27
Smokey32 said:
Internals aren't a problem surely? there supposed to be rock solid engines?
Does anyone know if you can change the way the paddles operate on the early DCT cars? Im used to left down and right up and would prefer that if im honest. Hell can you fit say an M3 wheels with nicer paddles? I wouldn't mind doing that in the future as a nice mod.
The fuel pumped was changed in October. How much are new one's? I can live with 2-300quid, its silly numbers like 1k like certain parts are on AMG that I cant.
The turbo's seemed fine like I said, the boost solenoids have been changed and I heard no rattles or anything noises that shouldn't be there, didn't notice anything coming out of the pipes that shouldn't either.
The 335i facelift (2010) had paddles responding like how you want, and I'm 99% sure that I've read of people swapping out their pre facelift paddles as a mod; probably some owners changed to actual M3 paddles too.Does anyone know if you can change the way the paddles operate on the early DCT cars? Im used to left down and right up and would prefer that if im honest. Hell can you fit say an M3 wheels with nicer paddles? I wouldn't mind doing that in the future as a nice mod.
The fuel pumped was changed in October. How much are new one's? I can live with 2-300quid, its silly numbers like 1k like certain parts are on AMG that I cant.
The turbo's seemed fine like I said, the boost solenoids have been changed and I heard no rattles or anything noises that shouldn't be there, didn't notice anything coming out of the pipes that shouldn't either.
Edited by Smokey32 on Sunday 16th April 13:27
Check out e90post.com, there's a UK section but generically the main, USA flavoured,section, has a lot of info on mods.
I ran a 2009,59, 335i coupe from 59-84k miles with only the injectors needing replacing. It was stock, but in my experience it ran fantastic.
I did have full service history, plus all invoices, and there were none of the "usual problems" with the car prior to my ownership either.
Wheels tend to crack, more so if you have RFTs on. I replaced with Michelin Pilot Super Sports and had no problems.
I'm sure the various pumps that can go wrong are only in 000s to replace.
Certainly from a modification point of view the seller has chosen all the "right" ones and gone down the very well trodden tuning path. That BHP figure even sounds quite conservative to be honest.
Does it come with the original airbox and downpipes? It will be harder to sell without being able to return to standard and the OE catted downpipes are very expensive to replace.
The known issues are well documented and mentioned in other posts above, many cars running significantly more power than this one and and limited reports of catastrophic failure.
Does it come with the original airbox and downpipes? It will be harder to sell without being able to return to standard and the OE catted downpipes are very expensive to replace.
The known issues are well documented and mentioned in other posts above, many cars running significantly more power than this one and and limited reports of catastrophic failure.
Thanks guys.
I will look into the paddles thing then. Yeah ive read the 2010 and later cars have normal shifting. It is a bit odd. Must be a simple fix, if not ill look at a M3 wheel if there a simple swap.
Its got decent, proper tyres on, and I have no intention of putting runflats on there, ever. Alloys are mint and freshly refurbed.
Yeah im waiting on confirmation of the service history. Hes got all paperwork of stuff hes done and that, but at the mo its totally lacking in is first 6 years, obviously wont be buying it if he cant find anymore, hopefully he does, because I really like the car.
I will look into the paddles thing then. Yeah ive read the 2010 and later cars have normal shifting. It is a bit odd. Must be a simple fix, if not ill look at a M3 wheel if there a simple swap.
Its got decent, proper tyres on, and I have no intention of putting runflats on there, ever. Alloys are mint and freshly refurbed.
Yeah im waiting on confirmation of the service history. Hes got all paperwork of stuff hes done and that, but at the mo its totally lacking in is first 6 years, obviously wont be buying it if he cant find anymore, hopefully he does, because I really like the car.
I actually preferred the one paddle do both option , on my DCT, and in manual mode mostly used the stick 
6 years seems a big gap, E92s were straightforward, service book with lots of items with the I Drive counting down for them all.
Did BMW do the servicing, if so they should have records and will stamp retrospectively.
How many owners ?
6 years seems a big gap, E92s were straightforward, service book with lots of items with the I Drive counting down for them all.
Did BMW do the servicing, if so they should have records and will stamp retrospectively.
How many owners ?
I think the internals are strong enough to run that much power, but warranties are probably out of the question so any bills will need to be pocketed. However, parts are OK prices on these cars, the bigger cars that BMW make are the ones that need a warranty, to be honest.
The LCI models have a different engine, called the N55 which is not a twin turbo power plant, however is the most modern of them all and has only been put out of production a few months ago, replaced by the B55. It is single turbo however (twin scroll), and the tuning capability may be different. Tuned cars do not drive how BMW intended for them to drive, so if you think that it doesn't drive well with the 400hp then try a standard one. It is entirely up to preference however, and 400hp is not 300hp.
The LCI models have a different engine, called the N55 which is not a twin turbo power plant, however is the most modern of them all and has only been put out of production a few months ago, replaced by the B55. It is single turbo however (twin scroll), and the tuning capability may be different. Tuned cars do not drive how BMW intended for them to drive, so if you think that it doesn't drive well with the 400hp then try a standard one. It is entirely up to preference however, and 400hp is not 300hp.
Smuler said:
I actually preferred the one paddle do both option , on my DCT, and in manual mode mostly used the stick
6 years seems a big gap, E92s were straightforward, service book with lots of items with the I Drive counting down for them all.
Did BMW do the servicing, if so they should have records and will stamp retrospectively.
How many owners ?
He's found 1 receipt from 2014 I think.6 years seems a big gap, E92s were straightforward, service book with lots of items with the I Drive counting down for them all.
Did BMW do the servicing, if so they should have records and will stamp retrospectively.
How many owners ?
Yeah he's ringing BMW tomorrow to get some more info.
Its had 5 owners. To be honest that doesn't bother me too much with larger engine petrol cars, see it all the time on AMG's. All depends on this service history.
Noticed there is a nice 1 on autotrader, 2009 model, identical spec it would seem, for similarish money. Just this had some nice mods that I would end up doing myself and the performance exhaust and the paint and wheels are immaculate.
Smuler said:
is it the service book that's missing or are there missing stamps in a book?
If the latter. Have you a copy, of the book and can you post it here? Myself or some others may be able to compare and see what's missing.
What's the mileage?
Everything is missing. All he has is inspection book I think. No service book. He's sure it has 1, but hasn't unpacked everything from moving house and cant find it at the mo.....If the latter. Have you a copy, of the book and can you post it here? Myself or some others may be able to compare and see what's missing.
What's the mileage?
Its only done 53k.
Like said, just waiting on what he comes back with.
Smokey32 said:
Everything is missing. All he has is inspection book I think. No service book. He's sure it has 1, but hasn't unpacked everything from moving house and cant find it at the mo.....
Its only done 53k.
Like said, just waiting on what he comes back with.
Just a service book, never heard term inspection book (other than services were called inspections on previous generation); this ad shows a picture of the type of bookIts only done 53k.
Like said, just waiting on what he comes back with.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
If it's been main dealer serviced, there will be the history available. It's just a case of asking them.
At 53k it's a good time to get the BMW warranty (~£45 a month) and will cover everything.
They are great cars, I've had mine 2 years but unfortunately had pretty much every problem that you can. Still I love it.
At 53k it's a good time to get the BMW warranty (~£45 a month) and will cover everything.
They are great cars, I've had mine 2 years but unfortunately had pretty much every problem that you can. Still I love it.
Dannbodge said:
If it's been main dealer serviced, there will be the history available. It's just a case of asking them.
At 53k it's a good time to get the BMW warranty (~£45 a month) and will cover everything.
They are great cars, I've had mine 2 years but unfortunately had pretty much every problem that you can. Still I love it.
Dann, wouldn't all the mods void the BMW warranty? At 53k it's a good time to get the BMW warranty (~£45 a month) and will cover everything.
They are great cars, I've had mine 2 years but unfortunately had pretty much every problem that you can. Still I love it.
400bhp sounds about right for an N54 with intercooler and downpipes. They make about 315 std, map to about 370-375 and the pipes and intercooler add about 10-15 each. Apparently the standard inlet breathing is good so the cone filters may not be doing too much, back section of the exhaust isn't supposed to be too bad either; that's what I recall Sal at Evolve explaining to me.
Torque is about 340 standard and 400 remapped. Pipes and FMIC add about 15 each.
Inlet and outlet Vanos solenoids wear and stick giving limp mode faults, water pumps usually pack up between 60 and 70k miles. Rear brake callipers corrode and bind. DSC / antilock ECUs packup; expensive to sort with stock parts but relatively low cost to sort by refurb / exchange. If the fuel pump has been replaced, do you know if the injectors have been done too ? When the fuel pumps go, I believe its linked to the pump's synthetic rubber seals being degraded by the bio ethanol used in our unleaded. When the rubber breaks down it can contaminate the fuel which, in turn, kills injectors. Fuel pump issue is far worse in the USA where they have a much higher percentage of bio ethanol in their fuel.....
Great cars, sold my old one last year and now regret it. I'm currently looking for another one
Good luck
Torque is about 340 standard and 400 remapped. Pipes and FMIC add about 15 each.
Inlet and outlet Vanos solenoids wear and stick giving limp mode faults, water pumps usually pack up between 60 and 70k miles. Rear brake callipers corrode and bind. DSC / antilock ECUs packup; expensive to sort with stock parts but relatively low cost to sort by refurb / exchange. If the fuel pump has been replaced, do you know if the injectors have been done too ? When the fuel pumps go, I believe its linked to the pump's synthetic rubber seals being degraded by the bio ethanol used in our unleaded. When the rubber breaks down it can contaminate the fuel which, in turn, kills injectors. Fuel pump issue is far worse in the USA where they have a much higher percentage of bio ethanol in their fuel.....
Great cars, sold my old one last year and now regret it. I'm currently looking for another one
Good luck
Edited by Crackie on Wednesday 19th April 00:21
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