335i N54 rattles
Discussion
I looked at a 335i today, N54 LCI model.
It was started from cold, and straight away I noticed a ticking from under the car, around the centre. I would best describe it as what a pin hole in an exhaust sounds like.
On blipping the throttle there was no sign of the infamous waste gate rattle.
I scanned it for faults with Carly and only found a historic rear indicator bulb warning which I cleared.
Took it for a long drive with many full throttle pulls and felt no hesitation or jerking.
When I got back the initial ticking has stopped altogether, but now the waste gate rattle was noticeable when you blipped the throttle, you can hear it for a second or two while the revs dropped back down to idle.
I scanned it again and it was totally clear still.
Would it put you off buying it?
It was started from cold, and straight away I noticed a ticking from under the car, around the centre. I would best describe it as what a pin hole in an exhaust sounds like.
On blipping the throttle there was no sign of the infamous waste gate rattle.
I scanned it for faults with Carly and only found a historic rear indicator bulb warning which I cleared.
Took it for a long drive with many full throttle pulls and felt no hesitation or jerking.
When I got back the initial ticking has stopped altogether, but now the waste gate rattle was noticeable when you blipped the throttle, you can hear it for a second or two while the revs dropped back down to idle.
I scanned it again and it was totally clear still.
Would it put you off buying it?
If I believed car had WG Rattle I'd want the seller to sort it or the car discounted for me to sort it.
My 2009 335i didn't have the WG rattle, according to BMW when they assessed as a possible trade in and as agreed by the eventual private buyer so they don't all ; although as TP1 points out, they can make various noises.
Have you got the full maintenance history , see what's been done ?
My 2009 335i didn't have the WG rattle, according to BMW when they assessed as a possible trade in and as agreed by the eventual private buyer so they don't all ; although as TP1 points out, they can make various noises.
Have you got the full maintenance history , see what's been done ?
Its a trader selling it, and he's fully aware of the rattle.
He's also aware that BMW refuse to sort it under warranty as they say it doesn't affect performance, which is true.
I believe the only solution is new turbos? I doubt they would give a discount enough to sort that out!
There was pretty much nothing in the history to suggest any work like that had taken place, just the usual servicing, tyres, brakes etc.
Its a stunning car and a very rare spec with tons of extras, so its a bit of a dilemma
He's also aware that BMW refuse to sort it under warranty as they say it doesn't affect performance, which is true.
I believe the only solution is new turbos? I doubt they would give a discount enough to sort that out!
There was pretty much nothing in the history to suggest any work like that had taken place, just the usual servicing, tyres, brakes etc.
Its a stunning car and a very rare spec with tons of extras, so its a bit of a dilemma
Then, over and above any warranty the trader offers (and your statutory rights) agree in writing that the trader will replace turbos if they fail and or performance is affected within, say -a month after purchase.
Get a realistic discount on the car and use this to get the BMW warranty for a period; you'll be covered after a month and they will deal if turbos go; I'd say the lack of fault codes now means you're not buying a car with a pre existing fault and assuming it's not been modified (that's if they even find out) then it's fine to warranty.
Consider also a PPI @ a good independent specialist.
Plus make sure you do get all maintenance records.
Get a realistic discount on the car and use this to get the BMW warranty for a period; you'll be covered after a month and they will deal if turbos go; I'd say the lack of fault codes now means you're not buying a car with a pre existing fault and assuming it's not been modified (that's if they even find out) then it's fine to warranty.
Consider also a PPI @ a good independent specialist.
Plus make sure you do get all maintenance records.
He has offered me £425 off the car, which would then allow me 7 months BMW warranty cover.
He has said though that he would want in writing that I would have to then use the warranty for any problems rather than go back to him.
The car is totally standard and never been modified.
He has said though that he would want in writing that I would have to then use the warranty for any problems rather than go back to him.
The car is totally standard and never been modified.
Edited by djdest on Monday 1st May 10:36
djdest said:
He has offered me £425 off the car, which would then allow me 7 months BMW warranty cover.
He has said though that he would want in writing that I would have to then use the warranty for any problems rather than go back to him.
The car is totally standard and never been modified.
Not sure how enforceable that would be, as I'm not sure if you can contract out of your statutory rights and there seem to be more of those these days, the CPA I think it's called, replaced the SOG Act. Autotrader has useful explanatory links. He has said though that he would want in writing that I would have to then use the warranty for any problems rather than go back to him.
The car is totally standard and never been modified.
Edited by djdest on Monday 1st May 10:36
However, 425£ seems decent, but just make sure he covers you for the first month as the BMW Insured warranty does not allow claims for the first month.
If it's not intrusive, is it possible to see a link to the advert of this car; I'm curious, as I'm obviously a fan of 335is, I put 25k miles on mine.
If it has under 60k on it I would put a BMW warranty on it regardless. The N54 is an incredible engine and likened by some to a modern 2JZ, but they have their issues. If you love it, buy it and warranty it. As I am sure you are aware of, small time dealer warranties are pretty crap anyway.
When you do find one, try and buy the LCI under 60k miles and the annual warranty (comprehensive with £250 excess) will be £400 for a year. Its a balance between higher excess and love yearly costs though, as that rattle might not lead to a tangible problem for some time depending on you mileage.
Finding the right spec is a job and a half though, I was set on a manual gearbox with iDrive, but they are so rare I knew I would probably end up compromising. I initially wanted an SE over an M Sport as they look more discreet, but I looked at a 58 LCI SE and it was really basic inside: no leather (and no sports seats), no nav, business audio and it looked tatty. Cheap at £9k with 49k miles though. I was a little disheartened and then went to look at the one I eventually bought, which looked and felt like a different car! Even then, the spec is a little odd as it has heated leather, pro nav, front pdc and logic 7 audio, but no xenon or Bluetooth.
I haven't heard any wastegate rattle from mine, but the diesel-esk rattles engine rattle from cold are a by product of direct injection engines. My old TFSI was really bad for it, people actually though it was a tdi until I moved off.
Mine had developed a rattle at idle in neutral when hot. Any revs at all and it dissappears, which it also does when the clutch is depressed. I'll be sending it in for investigation as I think it's the clutch release bearing.
Finding the right spec is a job and a half though, I was set on a manual gearbox with iDrive, but they are so rare I knew I would probably end up compromising. I initially wanted an SE over an M Sport as they look more discreet, but I looked at a 58 LCI SE and it was really basic inside: no leather (and no sports seats), no nav, business audio and it looked tatty. Cheap at £9k with 49k miles though. I was a little disheartened and then went to look at the one I eventually bought, which looked and felt like a different car! Even then, the spec is a little odd as it has heated leather, pro nav, front pdc and logic 7 audio, but no xenon or Bluetooth.
I haven't heard any wastegate rattle from mine, but the diesel-esk rattles engine rattle from cold are a by product of direct injection engines. My old TFSI was really bad for it, people actually though it was a tdi until I moved off.
Mine had developed a rattle at idle in neutral when hot. Any revs at all and it dissappears, which it also does when the clutch is depressed. I'll be sending it in for investigation as I think it's the clutch release bearing.
Hi
As per a previous post
If you wouldn't mind passing on the link to the 335i that you were interested in it would help me to gauge other people's opinion of a car.
Have been looking for a while....I have found that when you ask about service history it's a case of full history but no mention of waste gates,fuel pump etc....it runs well is a common theme.
They probably do but as you know it is how it has been maintained that is the important part.
Lovely cars
Thanks
As per a previous post
If you wouldn't mind passing on the link to the 335i that you were interested in it would help me to gauge other people's opinion of a car.
Have been looking for a while....I have found that when you ask about service history it's a case of full history but no mention of waste gates,fuel pump etc....it runs well is a common theme.
They probably do but as you know it is how it has been maintained that is the important part.
Lovely cars
Thanks
Those faults wouldn't put me off. Most N54s will rattle and tick. The wastegates aren't an issue until you start getting boost codes and because they are a design issue, Every N54 at some point will have the problem.
Every N54 I've ever seen or heard has done it, I've had new turbos on mine and I expect they will do it again in the future.
The history all depends on the previous owner.
The guy I bought mine from knew about all the issues they have (he ran it under warranty) and talked me through all the issues he had sorted (new WG actuators and HPFP) and had the history to back up those claims.
He was happy for me to get it warm and give it a rev to check for any rattles etc.
If you can, get the BMW warranty. A sub 60k car with £100 excess will be £45 a month and cover everything.
Chances of getting a LCI e90 335i = Small
Chances of getting a LCI E91 335i = Even Smaller
Every N54 I've ever seen or heard has done it, I've had new turbos on mine and I expect they will do it again in the future.
The history all depends on the previous owner.
The guy I bought mine from knew about all the issues they have (he ran it under warranty) and talked me through all the issues he had sorted (new WG actuators and HPFP) and had the history to back up those claims.
He was happy for me to get it warm and give it a rev to check for any rattles etc.
If you can, get the BMW warranty. A sub 60k car with £100 excess will be £45 a month and cover everything.
Chances of getting a LCI e90 335i = Small
Chances of getting a LCI E91 335i = Even Smaller
Oh yeah, I'm fully aware of their rarity! I'm opening up my search to E90/1 335d, or would even go for an LCI 330d if it had a huge spec.
This was the one I looked at on Sunday, it was truly in amazing condition, and the chances of finding one with the same spec again would be very slim!
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I normally wouldn't have bothered with an SE, but the spec and colour (Montego blue) caught my eye.
I stood there literally 50/50 on Sunday morning with the cash in my hand. Had it have been an M Sport I would have bought it.
It also had other extras such as the factory tow bar and a few other bits and bobs that weren't listed on the ad.
This was the one I looked at on Sunday, it was truly in amazing condition, and the chances of finding one with the same spec again would be very slim!
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I normally wouldn't have bothered with an SE, but the spec and colour (Montego blue) caught my eye.
I stood there literally 50/50 on Sunday morning with the cash in my hand. Had it have been an M Sport I would have bought it.
It also had other extras such as the factory tow bar and a few other bits and bobs that weren't listed on the ad.
It's difficult
I had a look at an SE on an 08 plate
Lovely condition,didn't have leather sport seats but not a big deal
Looked like it had been looked after with 120k on the clock
There was a gap in the service history of 3 years and 20k,didn't know anything about that big gap.
I tried and to be fair the lovely guy who was selling it tried to find out but no joy.
I know some people will say that all problems would have been sorted by then....
If you can drop lucky with someone who knows these cars and looks after them then bingo.
I have contacted some people and they have been brilliant..other end of the country though
Keep looking I guess.
I had a look at an SE on an 08 plate
Lovely condition,didn't have leather sport seats but not a big deal
Looked like it had been looked after with 120k on the clock
There was a gap in the service history of 3 years and 20k,didn't know anything about that big gap.
I tried and to be fair the lovely guy who was selling it tried to find out but no joy.
I know some people will say that all problems would have been sorted by then....
If you can drop lucky with someone who knows these cars and looks after them then bingo.
I have contacted some people and they have been brilliant..other end of the country though
Keep looking I guess.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff