E92 335i - Oil u nderneath - Sump gasket?

[moebiusuk]

I went to view a 335i yesterday. Very clean inside and out with a very large book of receipts. I studied every receipt and found the HPFP, waterpump, thermostat, injectors etc etc had been replaced which is really good news. Service history was up to date with around 75% done at BMW. Even though the receipts didn't show whether turbos had been replaced, the wastegate didn't rattle at all.

Anyway, I checked underneath and noticed the underside of the car was damp with oil. I was with the car for about 90 minutes overall. The car was cold when I arrived so I did the usual checks and that's when I noticed it. There wasn't an oil patch on the ground under the car but the underside of the car was damp. I started it and warmed it up to listen for noises and periodically checked underneath but there was no dripping. I took it for a test drive (hard at some points) and when we got back, I let it cool down a bit and checked again. I started it again after a while and let it run idle for 15minutes and in all that time, it didn't drip.

So I'm fairly pleased with the car but from what I've read, getting that oil pan gasket placed is quite an expensive job. Not because it's difficult but because it's time consuming. Apparently, the subframe needs to be removed. The dealer has given me £700 off the list price because of this.

Is this is a common issue? Is it that big a problem that I should walk away from the car? Or take the discount and get it repaired?

[trickywoo]

I’d want the dealer to fix it and have that in writing too.

A dealer offering £700 off makes it sound like they know it will cost more than this to fix.

Unless you can be certain what is leaking I’d walk away.

[moebiusuk]

Yeah that's what I was considering too.

Thanks very much

[Andy70]

if its the same underneath as the e90 (which I suspect it is), my sump gasket needed doing on that and my chap took out the subframe. My bill was 500 quid but that was investigating other issues while he was there. So seems to be something that does need looking at on some. I got rid of the car in the end as the cam ledges needed doing too. So I drive a nice e92 335i now :-)

[moebiusuk]

Ah £500 doesn't seem too bad considering the work it takes. Apart from this unknown leak, everything else seems fine. It's a tough one but I'm not in any rush so I'll have think.

[Andy70]

moebiusuk said:

Ah £500 doesn't seem too bad considering the work it takes. Apart from this unknown leak, everything else seems fine. It's a tough one but I'm not in any rush so I'll have think.

If that is all that's apparently wrong with it, try and negotiate the lowest price possible and get the job done as cheap as possible, good luck

[Zygersaf]

Depends what is is that's leaking... the sump on my DCT gearbox was leaking, replacing that (plus rear shocks) cost me 1500 euro. Without knowing exactly what is leaking and to what extent honestly I would say walk away on this one, find one that has had the turbos done by BMW and doesn't have the problem instead. Theres plenty of 335i's on the market at the moment.

[Mike335i]

What's the budget for a 335i? Gearbox preference?

[moebiusuk]

I decided to go for it so it's on my driveway now.

It's a 56 plate with 88K miles with detailed receipts from day one. 2 owners and I'm 3rd. They gave me another £250 off so I got it for £5250.

There wasn't any oil on the tarmac under the car when I got there today so I'm confident it's nothing major and they've given me enough off that I can use the budget I had to sort it out and refresh other bits.

Thanks very the advice everyone. Researching for a 335i is nerve wracking because there is nothing but bad news online.


EDIT: It's a manual, by the way.

[JD2329]

A common I6 BMW issue that typically rears its head around 70-80k miles.
You can live with it for quite a while but the job is a bit of a PITA as you're aware.
If it hasn't been replaced already the rocker cover gasket won't be far behind.
Sounds a nice car at a decent price.

[moebiusuk]

Yeah thankfully I've been given enough off list price that it's all within budget. I've been thinking about installing the upgraded PCV and chargepipe etc etc too for preventative maintenance.

Really enjoying it so far though but noticed the MULF is faulty. My phone can't see the car bluetooth name when it's in pairing mode even though all the menus work fine on the headunit. Very common issue. But other than that, it's been great. Still no rattle so I'm happy.

[Acidrop]

That's a very good price considering all the work that's been done on it.

How did you see there was an oil leak from underneath with presumably the under tray on? The leak could be from anywhere, but even if it is from the sump, you can get it done for around £250. You just need to know where to take it.

If you haven't already, now is the time to flash MHD Stage1+. It will transform the car for next to no money at all.