Getting cold feet on 2009 335i purchase

I found a very nice 2009 335i but I'm having second thoughts because of the well known reliability problems with the N54 engine (HPFP principle among these). I realize BMW has altered warranty policy to deal with this or perhaps to deal with the class action suit but I'm more worried about being stranded when the HPFP or some other 335/N54 component dies with no advanced warning. Can anyone cite the statistics for 335i/N54 known problems? For example, do 100% of N54 engines eventually suffer HPFP failure?

Bro... HPFP is backed by a 120k warranty and I believe 8-12 year coverage (I don't even think on that anymore). I've ripped off almost 30k in less than a year (it'll be a year in may), and only once when a spark plug went did I worry about not driving that day (and they told me the car was running on one less cylinder).

Car is bullet proof especially if you keep taps on preventative things.

They upgraded the part... Think red rings with Xbox once they changed up parts the problems all but vanished.

Also I'd make them give me a free walnut blast on the intake valves if your getting it from a dealer.

Originally Posted by beeky

I found a very nice 2009 335i but I'm having second thoughts because of the well known reliability problems with the N54 engine (HPFP principle among these). I realize BMW has altered warranty policy to deal with this or perhaps to deal with the class action suit but I'm more worried about being stranded when the HPFP or some other 335/N54 component dies with no advanced warning. Can anyone cite the statistics for 335i/N54 known problems? For example, do 100% of N54 engines eventually suffer HPFP failure?

My understanding of the situation is, no, 100% do not eventually fail. The reason is that it was a computer issue which eventually caused the HPFP to fail. If an owner got the recall done, you shouldn't have an issue. Is the car a CPO? See if you can get maintenance records, too. If you have a car that someone has babied and maintained well, you probably shouldn't worry about the car.

I got my 2009 335i xDrive CPO with N54 engine on January 2012. The car never got recalled for the HPFP according to my BMW SA and the VIN service history, however it is protected with the extended HPFP warranty. My car did have an issues with both the FZD Roof Center Module, and Low Pressure Fuel Sensor which were both covered by the new car warranty. I also had my front/rear brake pads and rotors replaced a month ago which was also covered by my new car warranty. MY BMW runs perfect now like an Ultimate Driving Machine should.

are you more worried about being stranded or the price of repairs if something goes wrong?

if getting stranded get AAA
if its money on repairs get an extended warranty

Hondo

I just bought a 2009 335xi Coupe / N54 w/ 30k miles last month. Because of the 120k warranty on the HPFP, that is not a worry of mine at all. I did ask them to pull all the service records and it hasn't been replaced yet. Mine was not CPO, but I did buy the Extended Maintenance coverage.

I have a 2008 335i coupe. 41k on the clock...bulletproof. HPFP and injectors replaced under recall (although no problems surfaced). I have an extended warranty but so far so good. Regular maintenance is the key to any car. Crap happens to any vehicle. Just enjoy or you'll always be looking over your shoulder waiting for something to break. If that is the case, shop elsewhere where you'll be more comfortable with your decision. Good luck..

pay for a true PDI through carchecks i think it is.

Originally Posted by beeky

I found a very nice 2009 335i but I'm having second thoughts because of the well known reliability problems with the N54 engine (HPFP principle among these). I realize BMW has altered warranty policy to deal with this or perhaps to deal with the class action suit but I'm more worried about being stranded when the HPFP or some other 335/N54 component dies with no advanced warning. Can anyone cite the statistics for 335i/N54 known problems? For example, do 100% of N54 engines eventually suffer HPFP failure?

HPFP failure is a thing of the past, as it was a result of pump cavitation reaultent of low LPFP pressure at cold startup.

A software changed fixed that. Is word not getting around? There was a nationwide recall....how did you come across the issue without the resolution?

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

HPFP failure is a thing of the past, as it was a result of pump cavitation reaultent of low LPFP pressure at cold startup.
A software changed fixed that. Is word not getting around? There was a nationwide recall....how did you come across the issue without the resolution?

+1. the N54 is a fantastic motor. Way under rated at 300/300. N4S

I've just hit 70k on my 2008 335xi, and I'm running perfectly. Take trips to Boston and Chicago with it several times to each location. Every car is different, of course. My 2 cents.

Change oil and tires, will have brakes done within about 12k miles, but overall, its been a fun time.

Ray

He has not been back since. Boo. I do want to say it obviously this guy has either not driven this car he is talking about or has a Merc or Lexus because he would never have posted this if he had driven in one..

Originally Posted by Leekay07

He has not been back since. Boo. I do want to say it obviously this guy has either not driven this car he is talking about or has a Merc or Lexus because he would never have posted this if he had driven in one..

Leekay I had to laugh at your excellent mind reading skills.

I have driven the car and I think is is delightful. My concern was failures without warning. I have been stranded twice in the past and I have no desire to have it happen again. In the pre-cell phone days I walked a couple of miles at night in a snow storm to get to the nearest phone after my RX-7 just quit with absolutely no warning.

Actually, I decided to buy the car if I can get a reasonable deal on it. The positive replies to my original question pushed me over the edge. My feet are cold no more.

Thanks to all who answered my question or tried to read my mind,
-=b

Nobody here says a BMW won't strand you. You want that get a lexus. We're just saying if you keep an eye on the car and do any kind of preventative looking the odds will drastically drop IMOP.

Enjoy the car, and what you feel stock is nothing close to what the car can do when you throw a 500 (JB4) or an 800 cobb tune on it.

AMAZING mod potential! glad to have you in the 335i club

Before I got my 2009 335i last year, I too had a bout of cold feet. A quick skim through this forum from a few years ago was enough to do it! HPFP issues, fuel injectors. water pump failures and so on - all doom & gloom.
However, on reading in detail and following though for a couple of years you I was getting a very strong sense that by 2009 BMW had solved most of the "teething" problems. The HPFP warranty gave me a good deal of reassurance and I pressed on in a search, eventually finding a CPO car, previously with a private owner, and clearly well looked after. Suoer fun and zero issues so far.

You should do it....if I had the money for a nicely equipped one....I woulda gone for it!