[GMonkey]

I'm doing some research in to replacing my car and trying to get honest cost of owning and repairing a 2008-2011 335xi 6MT. This is going to be a daily driver, with plans to be able haul expanding family.

I know every brand has its faultsCadillaca DTS and SLS with the northstar will pull the head bolts out of the motor at around 100k-140k miles.

Are there any intervals that things will fail (turbos, differentials,etc)?


what is a reasonable life expectancy to expect from the car (200K miles or more?)


Also are the ECM tunes out there actual worth it or does it put undue stress on the drive-line components? Or is it that the driver just need to learn how to properly drive the factory tuned car?

I am a mechanic with reasonably good skills so many things are with in my abilities.



thanks for any information that anyone can give.

[ndog14]

Have you read up on the HPFP? If not, do so and don't read any more of this post or following ones until you do so.

These cars are too new to know if part X fails at Y mileage on the majority of these cars. The N52 has the tick and the N54, and N55 in much lesser amounts, have the HPFP problem.

Other stuff common to bimmers... window regulators... valve cover gasket needs to be done regularly because it turns to plastic.

If you have the money to maintain them and are willing to pay out of pocket for a new HPFP after the 10yr/120k warranty I see them having no problem doing 200k.

JB (JuiceBox) and CobbAccess and Procede are popular ECU tunes for these cars. If you get a 335 then you can start reading up about them.

Below is link to the old school maintenance guide to bimmers if you want it to last longer than Larry King or Dick Clark.

[Kolyan2k]

Wastegates rattle is a common issue and can result in new turbos. mine were replaced at 40k miles. 200k miles out of 335i.....i mean if you are mechanic and can fix things why not, but for most people its just not worth it