[KwlAznKid]

i know this topic has been beaten to death already probably but please forgive me since i'm a 335i noob.

i currently have a e46 m3 and am thinking of getting a e92 and am debating if the 335i is worth the extra money but what a lot of people have told me that even though the 335 is way more fun car than the 328 the fuel pump issues have still not been completely addressed by bmw, and in my case the e92 will be used so it might be out of warranty or soon to be out of warranty... can you guys please shed some insight on this problem? HAS BMW taken care of this issue with the replacement fuel pumps or is this still a reoccuring problem?

and a side question, how much mpg do you guys average in your 335? any other pointers or things to watch out for/think about are appreciated as well.

as of now im sort of leaning towards a 328.. anyone i'm making a horrible mistake?

[Alpine419]

335 ftmw. i dont regret getting it over the 328 at anytime. the joy and power of driving that car is worth it. i avg about 22, combined hwy and city.

an aside...are there still an assload of m3's at gilman parking structure and library walk ?

[frozendevl]

After reading these forums for a a little while I can give you these answers:
1. The fuel pump is an issue, just not as big an issue as it seems here. Remember that people are much more vocal when they are dissatisfied, than when satisfied. You will rarely hear someone going out of their way to say something is great, but they will to complain.
2. It seems that the 335 and 328 get about the same fuel economy (-+2 mpg), but times when the 335 gets better mpg on the highway.

With that said, I don't own either car, so I'm going by information which I have soaked from here. Let other people chime in with their first hand views. Like you, at first I was looking at only getting the 328 because of the HPFP, but after getting into a 335 I just couldn't settle for the 328. The real question you have to ask, are you will to sacrifice power for an issue that may or may not even occur for you.

[sickem]

I have never driven an E46 M3 but my feeling is if you go from that to a 328i E92 you're going to be pretty underwhelmed. Not sure why people worry so much about the HPFP...it's covered under warranty. I got about 22 mpg in my 328 E90 in mixed driving, so you're not going to do any worse than that in a 335i.

[KwlAznKid]

Originally Posted by Alpine419

335 ftmw. i dont regret getting it over the 328 at anytime. the joy and power of driving that car is worth it. i avg about 22, combined hwy and city.

an aside...are there still an assload of m3's at gilman parking structure and library walk ?

thanks for the info! lol and i'm not sure but i'm assuming so, i graduated over a year ago i just never changed my location

Originally Posted by frozendevl

After reading these forums for a a little while I can give you these answers:
1. The fuel pump is an issue, just not as big an issue as it seems here. Remember that people are much more vocal when they are dissatisfied, than when satisfied. You will rarely hear someone going out of their way to say something is great, but they will to complain.
2. It seems that the 335 and 328 get about the same fuel economy (-+2 mpg), but times when the 335 gets better mpg on the highway.

With that said, I don't own either car, so I'm going by information which I have soaked from here. Let other people chime in with their first hand views. Like you, at first I was looking at only getting the 328 because of the HPFP, but after getting into a 335 I just couldn't settle for the 328. The real question you have to ask, are you will to sacrifice power for an issue that may or may not even occur for you.

good points, it's just ive heard of people going though over 5 fuel pumps.. and that scares me haha, but what does HPFP stand for?

[frozendevl]

Originally Posted by KwlAznKid

thanks for the info! lol and i'm not sure but i'm assuming so, i graduated over a year ago i just never changed my location



good points, it's just ive heard of people going though over 5 fuel pumps.. and that scares me haha, but what does HPFP stand for?

High Pressure Fuel Pump
And the people that go through 5 pumps are the anomaly. Someone posted statistics on the pump not too long ago. If I remember correctly it said that 70% of 335 owners will have 0-1 fuel pump issues, and that included people that go in for scheduled maintenance and get a new pump. If you want to see the actual link just look around on the general forum, it's there somewhere.

[KwlAznKid]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

Unfortunately after five model years the X35i HPFP failures on the N54/N55 engines has not been resolved though BMW has tried at least (5) different HPFP designs.

By BMW's own estimates ~30% of all 2007-2010 x35i models will need a new HPFP in addition to the tens of thousands of HPFPs BMW has been replacing annually in the U.S. No one knows the true failure rate as BMW does not release this data but it's probably in the ~50% range when you look at their conservative past estimate of 5% and the current recall suggesting ~30%.

If the latest recall actually cured the HPFP failures then we'd all be very happy. If you search (see the forum HPFP failure Stickies, etc.) you'll find owners who have had the latest 446 HPFP and software update experiencing HPFP failures in as little as a few months of operation after the recall update and new HPFP. Many x35i owners have had 2-3-4 HPFP replacements. BMW has not provided any evidence that they have identified the root cause(s) of the HPFP failures which continue right into the 2011 N55 models, nor that they have a properly engineered solution for this safety defect.

In addition to the inconvenience of needing to take your vehicle to the dealership regularly for failed HPFPs, fuel injectors, ignition coils, sparkplugs, turbos and wastegates... there is the safety and reliability issues to consider. If you go to the NHTSA.gov link below you can read the safety complaints filed by actual BMW x35i owners from 2007-2011 who have had accidents, near misses and people who have been stranded on the side of the road hundreds of miles from their destination in snow storms when the HPFP failed without any warning.

Only you can decide what you risk tolerance is, but there is plenty of information available for you to make an informed purchasing decision.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=447262

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/

wow thanks for that information, exactly what i was looking for. haven't had time to read all the links yet since i'm at work but definitely appreciate your help

[Thud]

Originally Posted by KwlAznKid

i know this topic has been beaten to death already probably but please forgive me since i'm a 335i noob.
i currently have a e46 m3 and am thinking of getting a e92 and am debating if the 335i is worth the extra money but what a lot of people have told me that even though the 335 is way more fun car than the 328

Hi, welcome! Let me explain something. It turns out that the 335i is the only one true BMW. This is a conclusion I've come to after reading some recent threads here. Nothing other than a 335i (with 6MT) counts as a true BMW.

Now, we all know that anything besides a 3-series isn't a true BMW, because BMW got famous because of the 3 series. Anything bigger is a boat, not a driver's car. And the 1-series? Bah! Poor-man's BMW.

SUV's are right out!

So that leaves us with the 328i/ix, 335i/ix, 335is, 335d, and M3 (we're only counting US models, since Europeans don't subscribe to the same retarded logic that some folks in North America do).

First off, we can discount any "ix" model, because true BMW's are rear-wheel drive only.

The 335is is basically just a 335i with bolt-ons and a tuned n54. It's a "poor man's M3." So the 335is is not a real BMW. Especially not with that newfangled DCT!

The M3? Bah. Less torque than a 335i, and it doesn't have a straight 6. Real BMW's have straight sixes! Didn't you know that?

The 335d-- it's an abomination and there's no logical reason for ever owning one. So that's definitely out, and anybody who buys one is an idiot.

The 328i - it's too slow to be a real BMW. It can't even get out of its own way. It's only for people who can't afford a real BMW.


So there you have it. The only one true BMW is a 335i (but only with 6MT).

At least that's according to some 335i owners.

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by Thud

Hi, welcome! Let me explain something. It turns out that the 335i is the only one true BMW.

He is right, the 335i is the one true BMW because it lives up to its reputation by breaking down all the time. My 325i is more like a honda (reliable), but cooler.

[328skidpad]

got a loaner today 2011 328xi with non sport suspension and auto

there is a big difference in driving dynamics ( driver -car- road) between my 335 coupe 6mt and the loaner ( Modded CDV) especially with the AC on.

3 yrs 15K miles no fuel pump issues on my 335

[BTTGMan]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

Unfortunately after five model years the X35i HPFP failures on the N54/N55 engines has not been resolved though BMW has tried at least (5) different HPFP designs.

By BMW's own estimates ~30% of all 2007-2010 x35i models will need a new HPFP in addition to the tens of thousands of HPFPs BMW has been replacing annually in the U.S. No one knows the true failure rate as BMW does not release this data but it's probably in the ~50% range when you look at their conservative past estimate of 5% and the current recall suggesting ~30%.

If the latest recall actually cured the HPFP failures then we'd all be very happy. If you search (see the forum HPFP failure Stickies, etc.) you'll find owners who have had the latest 446 HPFP and software update experiencing HPFP failures in as little as a few months of operation after the recall update and new HPFP. Many x35i owners have had 2-3-4 HPFP replacements. BMW has not provided any evidence that they have identified the root cause(s) of the HPFP failures which continue right into the 2011 N55 models, nor that they have a properly engineered solution for this safety defect.

In addition to the inconvenience of needing to take your vehicle to the dealership regularly for failed HPFPs, fuel injectors, ignition coils, sparkplugs, turbos and wastegates... there is the safety and reliability issues to consider. If you go to the NHTSA.gov link below you can read the safety complaints filed by actual BMW x35i owners from 2007-2011 who have had accidents, near misses and people who have been stranded on the side of the road hundreds of miles from their destination in snow storms when the HPFP failed without any warning.

Only you can decide what you risk tolerance is, but there is plenty of information available for you to make an informed purchasing decision.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=447262

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/

time to put on your trollerskates everyone

[shockin330i]

Originally Posted by KwlAznKid

wow thanks for that information, exactly what i was looking for. haven't had time to read all the links yet since i'm at work but definitely appreciate your help

Trackrat is just mad...

The n55 is just fine.

[blacknbean]

before the recall there would be atleast 3-4 hpfp on the front page at all times for yrs straight. now a hpfp thread is rare. so it seems that if bmw hasnt elimated the problem they have cut the failure rate down dramatically. in my 2yrs with the car ive also never had a failure.

[KwlAznKid]

so this is a recall item as opposed to a warranty item? does that mean that if the fuel pump goes out at ANYTIME bmw will replace it? (and unlimited amount of times?)

[shockin330i]

Originally Posted by KwlAznKid

so this is a recall item as opposed to a warranty item? does that mean that if the fuel pump goes out at ANYTIME bmw will replace it? (and unlimited amount of times?)

I believe its 10 years or so. plus if it happens over x amount of times you can lemon it.

[Tortfeasor 335xi]

Originally Posted by blacknbean

before the recall there would be atleast 3-4 hpfp on the front page at all times for yrs straight. now a hpfp thread is rare. so it seems that if bmw hasnt elimated the problem they have cut the failure rate down dramatically. in my 2yrs with the car ive also never had a failure.

I would not make this assumption. I think the lack of threads has more to do with this being old news and people not wanting to shit up the forums with new redundant threads.

Example: I just had 5 injectors and the fuel pump replaced last week. 2008, unmodified 335xi with only 12,000 miles. I had to have it towed in to the local dealer. But this is the first I mentioned it on here because its the first time its seemed relevant.

[shockin330i]

Originally Posted by Tortfeasor 335xi

I would not make this assumption. I think the lack of threads has more to do with this being old news and people not wanting to shit up the forums with new redundant threads.

Example: I just had 5 injectors and the fuel pump replaced last week. 2008, unmodified 335xi with only 12,000 miles. I had to have it towed in to the local dealer. But this is the first I mentioned it on here because its the first time its seemed relevant.

You have an 08 with 12k miles? No wonder it broke down on you. these cars don't like sitting very much..

[d_crome]

Thought I'd offer my 2 cents.

I was a former E92 335 owner which I sold in 09 as I was leaving the US for a while.

Now in 11 I returned and like the 335 to the point where I was shopping for another.

I did test drive the M3 and I was seriously underwhelmed - my 335 felt more responsive (granted I had aftermarket coilovers that improved the dynamics a bit). I also like the low end torque the 335 offered over the M3 - so this is a big issue for you considering you're coming from an E46 M3. I originally wanted the E46 M3 before I purchased the 335, my reason for the 335 over the M3 was twofold:

- The M3 didn't perform unless you pushed it harder (higher rpm's etc)
- The M3 was the previous generation chassis, at the time, the design was already 8 years old.

That sold me on the 335.

I followed up with the new owner of my 335 (I sold it on the forum to a great chap) and he let me know the troubles he'd encountered with it (it only had 30K on the clock when I sold it). He only had one HPFP, but he did have other issues, wastegates and turbos in particular.

I recently bought a beater - not a 335.

Why?

Well you have to look at the current predicament - the end of the E90/E92 is about 5 months off.

Why buy a car that:

- A has a history of mechanical failure (that are EXPENSIVE)
- Will take a massive depreciation hit when the F series shape is released (regardless if it's ugly or underperforms vs the current E90 - Joe Public only knows the body shape and thats enough to make your resale value plummet).

A lot of guys still buy E46 M3's - and if it's doing you no harm right now - my advice would be keep it - it looks better than the new M3 (imho - telling the difference between a 335 and M3 is a difficult task for a non BMW owner, plus the E46 styling still looks great on the M).

I'd hold out till the new 3 series comes out - that way you can decide to either get a new chassis/design or save some serious $ and pick up an E92 and just get a very comprehensive extended warranty. The HPFP is covered by a 100k/12 year BMW warranty, but once that's expired you're up for a pretty penny in replacing it.

Fuel wise I'd get around 28-32 on the hwy (yes - commuting I drove like a Granny).

I'd say your best bet is to sit back and hold off for the next gen 3.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by frozendevl

After reading these forums for a a little while I can give you these answers:
1. The fuel pump is an issue, just not as big an issue as it seems here. Remember that people are much more vocal when they are dissatisfied, than when satisfied. You will rarely hear someone going out of their way to say something is great, but they will to complain.
2. It seems that the 335 and 328 get about the same fuel economy (-+2 mpg), but times when the 335 gets better mpg on the highway.

With that said, I don't own either car, so I'm going by information which I have soaked from here. Let other people chime in with their first hand views. Like you, at first I was looking at only getting the 328 because of the HPFP, but after getting into a 335 I just couldn't settle for the 328. The real question you have to ask, are you will to sacrifice power for an issue that may or may not even occur for you.

The fuel pump issues is covered for a ten year period n super easy to replace. The power n tuner ability u get is no compairson than some chance HPFP failure...also dont be misled the problem is prevalent buts its not like u will be breakin down every week..had mine only fail once..just use some techron every 5k keep injectors and fuel system clean.

[Fx1]

get a remapped 335D and watch all the stock 335i owners cry

No issues either.

720NM or torque is pretty insane.

[Trojan4evr]

HPFP is only $200 on Tiescher. So yeah, I'd take 335i any day. I loved it so much I went and got an N55 135i and love it the same amount.

[shockin330i]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

A 10 yr. warranty doesn't prevent the HPFP from failing repeatedly nor being stranded on the side of the road any time day or night a long ways from home and help. It also does not prevent being in an accident when the HPFP suddenly fails without notice when the vehicle is at speed and the engine stalls or violently shakes. See the safety complaints filed at NHTSA.gov for real world BMW x35i owner experiences. It is what it is.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/

Still haven't heard of any "accidents" due to hpfp....

I think trackrat is on a mission to try and bring bmw down...