Fuel Pump failure on 335i

Originally Posted by sliknick

i have 8k in miles on my 335i coupe and my pump just failed the other day per the descriptions on all these threads... bummer... wonder what my timeline willb e for repairl.... NEVERE!!!!! gahhhhh

Sorry to hear that.

Build month? Delivery date?

I suggest a poll, where both failure and non-failure are entered by build date. We need to know what % are failing from each specific build date.

My build date was 01/07 and my car has about 2500 miles on it now. Quite a while ago it had kind of a bucking rough start down the road one morning. Didn't notice anything till I got out of the driveway and started to accelerate a little. This was one of the colder mornings of the year here in Orlando and was at least 1000 miles ago or even 1500 or more, not sure. I wasn't even really aware of the fuel pump deal at the time. Nothing has happened since. What do you guys think? Was this probably an omen? Or has it been trouble free long enough since that incident for it to be the dreaded fuel pump problem?

Originally Posted by gotturbo

My build date was 01/07 and my car has about 2500 miles on it now. Quite a while ago it had kind of a bucking rough start down the road one morning. Didn't notice anything till I got out of the driveway and started to accelerate a little. This was one of the colder mornings of the year here in Orlando and was at least 1000 miles ago or even 1500 or more, not sure. I wasn't even really aware of the fuel pump deal at the time. Nothing has happened since. What do you guys think? Was this probably an omen? Or has it been trouble free long enough since that incident for it to be the dreaded fuel pump problem?

My car is also build date 1/07. It has done bucking in first gear (manual transmission) on a "cold" (45 F) morning. Once warm, it is fine. The problem has gone away, so I don't worry about it.

My Service Advisor called me yesterday to tell me that they are going to reimburse me for one month's payment on my car for my trouble with this issue. (I've been waiting since March 6 for my fuel pump, and it still hasn't come in.) The reimbursement will take some of the sting off of this problem for me, especially since my monthly payment is pretty high (in the $700's). When the fuel pump comes in and the work is complete, the dealership is going to cut me a check. Then BMWNA is going to reimburse the dealership, since it's not the dealership's fault that the fuel pump hasn't come in.

The Service Advisor also told me that it's a good thing my car hasn't been dead (un-drivable) all this time, or else BMW would have to offer to buy it back from me. Interesting point for all of you who have been without your car for several weeks. If you are without your car for 30 days, then BMW has to offer to buy it back from you. Keep that in mind.

Originally Posted by Emission

My car is also build date 1/07. It has done bucking in first gear (manual transmission) on a "cold" (45 F) morning. Once warm, it is fine. The problem has gone away, so I don't worry about it.

Mine is a step, and I don't worry about it either. Life is too short for that. Hopefully our 01/07's will be alright, but I'm sure there will be other issues. As long as the dealer takes care of me, I will keep buying BMW's. I have loved it so far.

The Service Advisor also told me that it's a good thing my car hasn't been dead (un-drivable) all this time, or else BMW would have to offer to buy it back from me. Interesting point for all of you who have been without your car for several weeks. If you are without your car for 30 days, then BMW has to offer to buy it back from you. Keep that in mind.

Should I really invoke the Lemon Law?

Background: I took delivery of mine 10/6/07. At 6,000 miles the pump went out. Car is undrivable and has been at the shop since March 13th. We're into month two now. No timetable set for the new pump.

The dealer is very sorry and gives me frequent followup. But so far, they have no news. They're offering now two lease payments given we're now into the second month. Driving an X3 courtesy vehicle.

I guess I can ride with it for a couple months. The X3 is really not fun for me, though.

But I am worried about recurring problems when I get it back. I wonder what my chances are of having them swap me for a new 335i convertible???

Originally Posted by Schweitzer

Should I really invoke the Lemon Law?

Background: I took delivery of mine 10/6/07. At 6,000 miles the pump went out. Car is undrivable and has been at the shop since March 13th. We're into month two now. No timetable set for the new pump.

The dealer is very sorry and gives me frequent followup. But so far, they have no news. They're offering now two lease payments given we're now into the second month. Driving an X3 courtesy vehicle.

I guess I can ride with it for a couple months. The X3 is really not fun for me, though.

But I am worried about recurring problems when I get it back. I wonder what my chances are of having them swap me for a new 335i convertible???

I say yes. Come to the Dark Side and join me in my quest to get adequate compensation from BMW

Originally Posted by Schweitzer

Should I really invoke the Lemon Law?

Background: I took delivery of mine 10/6/07. At 6,000 miles the pump went out. Car is undrivable and has been at the shop since March 13th. We're into month two now. No timetable set for the new pump.

The dealer is very sorry and gives me frequent followup. But so far, they have no news. They're offering now two lease payments given we're now into the second month. Driving an X3 courtesy vehicle.

I guess I can ride with it for a couple months. The X3 is really not fun for me, though.

But I am worried about recurring problems when I get it back. I wonder what my chances are of having them swap me for a new 335i convertible???

What dealer are you at? Have you contacted other dealers?

I am at Century West, but I have no problem with them. They've been very gracious all along. But what can they do when the part they need is not available and it would appear it is beyond their control?

The last thing I want is to commence litigation over this, which can be a long, adversarial process. And I have a great relationship with this particular dealer. They're less than a mile from my house, which is very convenient.

I think I might just drop by and talk with the sales manager and give him an update. But AT THE VERY LEAST, BMWNA should be able to meaningfully communicate with these dealerships some sort of timeline of availability for this part....AND IT BETTER BE A PART THAT DOES NOT INHERENTLY HAVE THE SAME FLAW, not just a replacement.

I wonder if they have any idea how frustrating it is, both for the customer and the dealership, to have to advise their customers daily that they still have no idea when the part will be shipped. It's embarrassing at both ends, quite frankly. And I don't want to be difficult about it. I just want SOME IDEA as to resolution. Are we talking about another month? Two? Three? Four???? Heck, my lease is only for 24 months to begin with!

Originally Posted by Schweitzer

I am at Century West, but I have no problem with them. They've been very gracious all along. But what can they do when the part they need is not available and it would appear it is beyond their control?

The last thing I want is to commence litigation over this, which can be a long, adversarial process. And I have a great relationship with this particular dealer. They're less than a mile from my house, which is very convenient.

I think I might just drop by and talk with the sales manager and give him an update. But AT THE VERY LEAST, BMWNA should be able to meaningfully communicate with these dealerships some sort of timeline of availability for this part....AND IT BETTER BE A PART THAT DOES NOT INHERENTLY HAVE THE SAME FLAW, not just a replacement.

I wonder if they have any idea how frustrating it is, both for the customer and the dealership, to have to advise their customers daily that they still have no idea when the part will be shipped. It's embarrassing at both ends, quite frankly. And I don't want to be difficult about it. I just want SOME IDEA as to resolution. Are we talking about another month? Two? Three? Four???? Heck, my lease is only for 24 months to begin with!

Unfortunately, there has been no headway on a new design/new manufacturer for the fuel pump. My inference is they are still researching what flaw is in the design, possible alloy failure, seal failure, etc. Maybe lemoning it will send BMW a strong message, if I were in any of your shoes I would probably lemon it, I find it absurd that you paid for a car just for it to be at the dealership the majority of the time you have had it. This mistake on BMW's part is growing, I have TWO colleagues now w/ this issue, and this is becoming a larger problem as it goes. If BMW does not go w/ a different manufacturer or redesign, this car will be a flop, since they all use the same fuel pump, they are all ticking timebombs. You should really look into lemoning it, since it is a lease, you won't lose much if you don't lemon it, since you are being compensated, and given a replacement vehicle, but the principle is still there that BMW should be sent a strong message.

Well its clear my mistake was purchasing this hunk of junk rather than leasing

My SA called me today to tell me that the fuel pump arrived last night. So that makes it exactly 7 weeks since the fuel pump was ordered. 7 weeks! Have I set a record here? I dropped off my car this afternoon so that they can install the new pump. I hope to God that the problem is gone when I pick up the car tomorrow.

Originally Posted by drjensen

My SA called me today to tell me that the fuel pump arrived last night. So that makes it exactly 7 weeks since the fuel pump was ordered. 7 weeks! Have I set a record here? I dropped off my car this afternoon so that they can install the new pump. I hope to God that the problem is gone when I pick up the car tomorrow.

Good luck man, i know how you feel as you and i dropped our cars off around the same time.

I just picked up my car with a new fuel pump. The SA did not know if this new fuel pump is a redesigned one or just an exact replacement. He said that BMW could not tell him, either. I drove it home with no issues and felt nothing disturbing with how it ran. I'm witholding final judgment until I drive it for a few days. I'll see how it goes tomorrow morning on a cold engine.

My 335 coup3 is an 01/07 build. My fuel pump has not failed yet. The SA is saying it is a throttle problem. Car would race at start then the warning light (half engine) appeared 3 days ago. They are filing a PUMA really don't know what the problem is, "may be 2-3 weeks before we know". Fuel pumps, throttles, who knows what other part of the system will fail?

My pump went at 2000 miles. Suddenly one morning, took alot of cranks to start it, ran very ruff all the way to work. Engine light came on when I parked it. Road service towed it to the dealer ..... that was March 21st. I am STILL waiting for a pump. I'm not sure of the build date...but I got the car in Sept 2006. I think you can suspect trouble if you start to have difficulty starting the car. BTW...when I started the car for the tow truck... it started without any problem and the engine light was off..!!??!! My dealer has been more than nice...keeping me informed, provided a loaner ( 2007 328i ) offering to make monthly payment .... nice is nice but I still can't wait to get it back !!!!!!!

Just throwing it out there it may help someone. Every 4-5 engine starts, it would take my car a long time to start. I mentioned it to my SA and the next day he said that it had to do with the fuel pump and sooner or later it'd give out. So if anyone has that kind of symptom don't ignore it

Wow....this is beginning to look like the 335i is a bad investment. I am new to BMW and was hoping to get one of these for my wife. Can't have one that breaks down...this is just a bimmer bummer.

Originally Posted by Statguy

Wow....this is beginning to look like the 335i is a bad investment. I am new to BMW and was hoping to get one of these for my wife. Can't have one that breaks down...this is just a bimmer bummer.

Almost any car beyond basic transportation is a bad investment!

Seriously though I think eventually BMW is going to solve this problem regardless of the cause. Only the people on sites like this and other BMW enthusiast boards are aware of what a widespread problem it's becoming, but BMW is already selling the same engine in the 535i so it's here to stay. They have no choice but to solve the problem long-term. I already have a car on the way so I'm taking the optimistic approach to this . . .

Does anyone who is on the inside know what exactly is failing on the pumps? Is it always the same check valve, bellows or seal, or is there no pattern?

Still, considering the number of pumps out there cycling every day, the odds of any one failing would still seem to be small, considering the vast majorty who don't have problems aren't here, and most who do have problems show up here..

Originally Posted by Lost Horizon

Does anyone who is on the inside know what exactly is failing on the pumps? Is it always the same check valve, bellows or seal, or is there no pattern?

Still, considering the number of pumps out there cycling every day, the odds of any one failing would still seem to be small, considering the vast majorty who don't have problems aren't here, and most who do have problems show up here..

Not true, both of my colleagues who purchased 335i's who are not part of this board are both waiting for a fuel pump. One colleague's failed a month ago, and should be getting a replacement pump any day now. The second colleague's failed a week ago, and he was told the line was too long now to give a date. The minority of the people having fuel pump issues find there way here. The majority of the people who have fuel pump issues have not posted here.

Originally Posted by Lost Horizon

considering the vast majorty who don't have problems aren't here, and most who do have problems show up here..

thats fan boy talk right there.

Originally Posted by bmw949

thats fan boy talk right there.

Only 'till my pump burps... I'm fully booked on the rant about the missing oil cooler, and accidentally got up on the optimistic side of life this morning, just for a change of venue..

Thx for bringing me back to my senses..

Bought mine in December. 8,500 miles problem with the fuel pump. SA at first acted like it was a surprise. After 3 weeks, He told me to call BMWNA and complain. Still don't have my car. Is it true if it's out of service for 30 days they will do a buy back if it's leased?
Grandma