BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

View Poll Results: How will lingering quality concerns with the biturbo motor affect your purchase?
I'm not worried. I'm buying a 135i. 51 62.96%
I'm kinda worried, but hoping for the best. 17 20.99%
Quality concerns might keep me from buying the 135i. 3 3.70%
Quality concerns might make me buy a 128i instead. 6 7.41%
I have no idea what you're talking about. 4 4.94%
Voters: 81. You may not vote on this poll

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-24-2007, 02:59 PM   #1
1ster
Large Member
1ster's Avatar
160
Rep
937
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Aug 2007

iTrader: (0)

How concerned are you about the biturbo's reliability?

I know this has been discussed to death, but I'm curious about how the lingering biturbo quality concerns will affect people's decision to purchase a 135i.

As for me, it still seems like BMW hasn't finished that last 1% of engineering work on the biturbo motor. The overheating issues on the 335i seem to have been temporarily resolved, but how do you miss an issue like that? I will still probably buy a 135i, largely on the strength of BMW's warranty, but part of me thinks the 128i -- with its bulletproof NA engine -- might be the more satisfying long termer.
Appreciate 0
      10-24-2007, 03:08 PM   #2
boostin
First Lieutenant
4
Rep
316
Posts

Drives: MY00 S2000
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: CT

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1ster View Post
I know this has been discussed to death, but I'm curious about how the lingering biturbo quality concerns will affect people's decision to purchase a 135i.

As for me, it still seems like BMW hasn't finished that last 1% of engineering work on the biturbo motor. The overheating issues on the 335i seem to have been temporarily resolved, but how do you miss an issue like that? I will still probably but a 135i, largely on the strength of BMW's warranty, but part of me thinks the 128i with its bulletproof NA engine might be the more satisfying long termer.
i don't see it as something that will stop me from buying a 135i. when you buy a car brand-new from bmw, they really treat you well when something happens. with that said; i'm hoping the people who are on the fence about the 135i actually end up buying a 128i. this will limit the amount of people that buy a 135i, realize its not for them and trade for a 128i. make sure you want the 135i people! don't ruin it for the rest of us by beating the crap out of one for 1k miles, realize its not for you and trade it in. some poor sap is gonna think he's getting a basically brand new car. :biggrin:

-Chris
__________________
MY00 S2000 #8712
Appreciate 0
      10-24-2007, 03:32 PM   #3
inTgr8r
Lieutenant General
inTgr8r's Avatar
Canada
2422
Rep
11,665
Posts

Drives: M2 Comp
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (10)

I'm not too concerned about overheating.....
I'm more concerned about an engine that runs such high temps under normal conditions.
__________________
'21 M2C Hockenheim Silver
'18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold)
'13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold)
'07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
Appreciate 0
      10-24-2007, 03:42 PM   #4
ichiban
Colonel
ichiban's Avatar
94
Rep
2,012
Posts

Drives: 08 135i
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (2)

better fans should help with that.
Appreciate 0
      10-24-2007, 08:54 PM   #5
~AJ
Private First Class
3
Rep
184
Posts

Drives: None
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: OC

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1ster View Post
...but part of me thinks the 128i -- with its bulletproof NA engine -- might be the more satisfying long termer.
Time is the judge of bulletproofness for any engine.

I accept the fact that ALL machines wear out with use. What worries me is the cost of parts. Like the turbos and those nifty Siemens piezoelectric injectors.

-AJ
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2007, 01:27 AM   #6
JRK
New Member
2
Rep
5
Posts

Drives: bmw
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: ca

iTrader: (0)

I was under the impression that the majority of the issues with the 335's overheating was taken care of now after a certain production date?
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2007, 07:26 AM   #7
marcosowns
Private
United_States
1
Rep
67
Posts

Drives: 2013 FR-S
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

The way I view it, since I am normally very into modding, I think this is the better path for me regardless of reliability. I have no real plans of any modications to my 135i, which means I have no worries in regards to paying for problems that come down the road because I will have the factory warranty. With that being said, I still expect a certain standard of quality to come from the factory and will not put up with constant issues arising. In any case, my mind is completely set on the 135i until I hear/read otherwise.
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2007, 10:15 AM   #8
Andys120
Enlisted Member
1
Rep
48
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Oct 2007

iTrader: (0)

I don't expect to buy soon, perhaps in a couiple of year,so I haven't completely settled on a 135i but it's very tempting especially in convertible form. I think keeping my options open is wise at this point.
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2007, 02:34 PM   #9
2ksc
New Member
0
Rep
7
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Jun 2007

iTrader: (0)

if it comes with an oil cooler there will be no heating issues and the engine will run forever due to cooler oil
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2007, 02:38 PM   #10
BForbes
Moderator
BForbes's Avatar
Bahamas
556
Rep
4,240
Posts

Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Orlando, FL

iTrader: (0)

I'll worry after 4yrs/50k miles.
__________________
- 04 Honda S2000(gone)
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2007, 03:10 PM   #11
Imola.ZHP
Colonel
Imola.ZHP's Avatar
United_States
129
Rep
2,218
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW i3 BEV EE
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mud Island, TN

iTrader: (0)

LoL at this post, I'm aware of the previous 335i issues, but look at it this way, they got to drive free loaners while they were figuring out the problem. I'll drive someone elses car for free for a month or two, I dont care if its a base 328i, thats 1-2k miles NOT going on my car...
__________________

- 2014 CPO i01 BEV Electronaut Edition Capparis White Tera World, '17-
- 2015 CPO i01 BEV Laurel Grey Tera World, '17-
- 2015 i01 REx Laurel Grey Tera World, '15-'17
- 2003 CPO 330i ZHP Imola Red Build 03/03/03, '06-'15
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2007, 05:29 PM   #12
2fast
Private
0
Rep
64
Posts

Drives: 330
Join Date: May 2005
Location: LA

iTrader: (0)

With plenty of 335's and 535's I think by 08 we should have a bullet proof engine.
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2007, 07:16 PM   #13
Nixon
Banned
57
Rep
1,396
Posts

Drives: :
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: :

iTrader: (0)

Now that they will all come with an oil cooler and a dip-stick, I'm not worried about the few problems that have been reported.

I have no worries about the turbos themselves. They are just too damn small and light to ever create the forces that cause big, heavy turbos to frag into pieces. And coking the oil in the turbo after shutdown without cool-down time after extreme driving is a human error, not an engine flaw. I control that. The only extra problems I foresee with the turbos would be vacuum leaks. Every turbo engine owner from any car maker is familiar enough with vacuum leaks that they all know how to spell "vacuum leak" correctly...

Taking the turbos out of the equation, it simply is another 3 liter high output BMW engine like any of it's NA counterparts. I wouldn't be any more worried about the rest of the engine handling 300 hp/ 300 torque than any other NA BMW engine putting out the same hp/torque.

Last edited by Nixon; 08-10-2009 at 03:23 PM..
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2007, 08:58 PM   #14
inTgr8r
Lieutenant General
inTgr8r's Avatar
Canada
2422
Rep
11,665
Posts

Drives: M2 Comp
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (10)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nixon View Post
Now that they will all come with an oil cooler and a dip-stick, I'm not worried about the few problems that have been reported.

...

.
Unless I've missed a change....
Oil cooler is with the sport pkg; not standard.
& the 335 has no dip stick, where did you see that 135 does?
__________________
'21 M2C Hockenheim Silver
'18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold)
'13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold)
'07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2007, 09:03 PM   #15
atr_hugo
No longer moderate
atr_hugo's Avatar
No_Country
325
Rep
4,401
Posts

Drives: '13 135i
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: -

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by inTgr8r View Post
Unless I've missed a change....
Oil cooler is with the sport pkg; not standard.
& the 335 has no dip stick, where did you see that 135 does?
In the UK brochure they mentioned a dipstick on the 135i - BUT, I'm afraid that piece of info was jumbled up with info on one of the diesel engined variants (another typo). * SIGH *
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2007, 09:09 PM   #16
BForbes
Moderator
BForbes's Avatar
Bahamas
556
Rep
4,240
Posts

Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Orlando, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by imola.zhp View Post
LoL at this post, I'm aware of the previous 335i issues, but look at it this way, they got to drive free loaners while they were figuring out the problem. I'll drive someone elses car for free for a month or two, I dont care if its a base 328i, thats 1-2k miles NOT going on my car...
I feel you. Oh no! Were going to have to take home a BMW loaner . Many would kill for a problem like that.
__________________
- 04 Honda S2000(gone)
Appreciate 0
      10-25-2007, 10:20 PM   #17
TESLAASTRO
DE STIJL
23
Rep
493
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Sep 2007

iTrader: (0)

it is what it is....the fun, the thrills that i think this car will produce supercede what may or may not happen years from now
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2007, 09:13 AM   #18
Imola.ZHP
Colonel
Imola.ZHP's Avatar
United_States
129
Rep
2,218
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW i3 BEV EE
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mud Island, TN

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nixon View Post
I've done over 70k (out of a total of over 100k) in my Audi A4 with an APR chip installed in it without any engine problems. So I'm biased. At 208 hp/ 245 torque out of a 1.8 liter Audi engine, that is 115 hp per liter and 136 ft-lb torque per liter. With 300hp/300 ft-lb out of a 3.0 liter BMW engine, the 135i's 100 hp per liter and 100 ft-lb torque per liter output seems pedestrian in comparison. If Audi can build an engine that can handle much higher output per liter ratios for at least 70k+ miles, I'm pretty confident in BMW's engine doing even better.
So your comparing the spec's from your APR chipped A4 to a stock 135i? That hardly seems apples to apples. I havnt done all the research on the chips for the 135i/335i/535i, but if I recall, 115/liter is more than possible with a mild chip...

Problem solved?
__________________

- 2014 CPO i01 BEV Electronaut Edition Capparis White Tera World, '17-
- 2015 CPO i01 BEV Laurel Grey Tera World, '17-
- 2015 i01 REx Laurel Grey Tera World, '15-'17
- 2003 CPO 330i ZHP Imola Red Build 03/03/03, '06-'15
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2007, 11:31 AM   #19
Nixon
Banned
57
Rep
1,396
Posts

Drives: :
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: :

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by atr_hugo View Post
In the UK brochure they mentioned a dipstick on the 135i - BUT, I'm afraid that piece of info was jumbled up with info on one of the diesel engined variants (another typo). * SIGH *
I've got two official BMW UK website pages that both say the 135i gets the dipstick. On the first link it lists some diesel features, but they are marked as "not available" for the 135i. So while it is a bit confusing, I don't think it is incorrect. I hope they are not both typos!! I can't see that the dipstick would be a UK-only feature.

http://www.bmw.co.uk/images/pdf_broc...W-1CP-135i.pdf
http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/pricesand...-bmwuk,00.html
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2007, 11:37 AM   #20
atr_hugo
No longer moderate
atr_hugo's Avatar
No_Country
325
Rep
4,401
Posts

Drives: '13 135i
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: -

iTrader: (0)

I hope it has a dipstick also. I wouldn't bet on it though. ; -)

BTW, the second link also shows diesel features - common rail injection, variable vane turbos.
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2007, 11:51 AM   #21
Nixon
Banned
57
Rep
1,396
Posts

Drives: :
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: :

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by inTgr8r View Post
Unless I've missed a change....
Oil cooler is with the sport pkg; not standard.
& the 335 has no dip stick, where did you see that 135 does?
Sorry, I've already spec'ed out the sports package in my mind, so I overstated that. Your right, 135i's with sport pkgs.

As for the dipstick, see my other post.
Appreciate 0
      10-26-2007, 12:34 PM   #22
Nixon
Banned
57
Rep
1,396
Posts

Drives: :
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: :

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by imola.zhp View Post
So your comparing the spec's from your APR chipped A4 to a stock 135i? That hardly seems apples to apples. I havnt done all the research on the chips for the 135i/335i/535i, but if I recall, 115/liter is more than possible with a mild chip...

Problem solved?
I don't think your getting my point. I'm not trying to say the A4 engine is better because of the output per liter is higher. I'm just saying that I've got experience with a turbo engine with a higher output per liter than the 135i turbo engine. This is something most NA BMW owners don't have, so I'm trying to expose you to a new perspective on how to look at the 135i turbo engine.

I'm just saying that looking at the 135i engine from the perspective of output per liter, it won't be as stressed as the engine I already have (per liter). Since the 135i will have a lower output per liter than the car I currently own, I personally am less worried about engine problems in the 135i than in my current car.

I'm not putting bragging rights out there on my current car. I'm not dogging the 135i for it's output per liter. I'm just explaining my perspective of running a higher output per liter engine and not having problems. The only thing the chip has to do with it is that it takes the chip to get my engine to that level of output.

There is no problem to solve. I'm not trying to get into a pissing contest about what engine is better than the other. Does that make sense?
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:13 PM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST