66k miles in without a plug change that I know of (45k recommended), I'm taking off from the house and when I hit the gas the car bucks (feels like misfiring) and the check engine light comes on. Luckily I already had some new plugs and the socket, so I changed then out and all is good. The car feels much more eager now

Since the PS fluid was I went ahead and R&R's the fluid. Drained the reservoir and filled with fresh, started it up and turned in both directions a few times. Did that a total of 3 times before replacing with fresh. On the first drain the fluid looked pretty nasty (brown) so I'm glad I got around to doing that.

Also knocked out an oil change.

I haven't done that much, but this car is wonderful to work on.

Next up is a brake fluid flush and I still need to replace the headlights

[Edited on August 6, 2014 at 8:28 PM. Reason : and of course I need all 4 tires thankfully the rears are under warranty]

8/6/2014 8:25:28 PM

Here's what the old plugs looked like:



larger pic - https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3900/14847326335_fbc598e51f_o.jpg

8/6/2014 8:27:38 PM

Any of you former n54 owners have a good rec for walnut blasting locally? It's time.

9/9/2014 8:42:46 AM

...anyone?

9/26/2014 6:29:56 PM

trade it in

9/27/2014 12:05:59 PM

nah. my next car is going to be an M2. still love this thing in the meantime

9/28/2014 2:59:05 PM

I've got a "stealth" hitch for this vehicle if anyone wants it...
It's a brand new Valley 81821 Stealth hitch receiver. $60

I've also got a Dark Burl Walnut Trim Set for this vehicle as well as a full set of Bosch ignition coils if anyone is interested.

10/7/2014 5:27:54 PM

So I've been having a misfire issue on cylinder 3, my first problem on this car in nearly 4 years of ownership.

Replaced all the plugs, was better for a few days then misfire returned. Replaced the coil and same thing...better at first then issue was back. Code scan indicates a misfire on cylinder 3. Misfires were worse when engine was cold, got better as warmed. Could reset the check engine light by turning car off and on. Now check engine light is on continuously. I'm thinking it's got to be an injector at this point, but I needed some work done at Shade Tree Garage (brake fluid flush,headlight) anyway so I took it into them so they could hook up their fancy computer thing to it. When I dropped it off they start talking about the walnut blasting thing, and how that build up can cause a check engine light/misfires. Haven't heard back yet, but I'm expecting them to recommend that. Does that sound legit?

Quote :

"Any of you former n54 owners have a good rec for walnut blasting locally? It's time."

Get anywhere with this kiljadn? How much was it?

11/4/2014 7:48:11 PM

Yep, carbon buildup could be the cause. Car will run so much smoother after getting it done as well.

11/5/2014 9:40:18 AM

On the misfire issue, the shop said they got a 2AAF code, indicating a faulty fuel pump. I think they're warrantied to 120k miles so I'm going to take to BMW.

Drivers side headlight is out (maybe just low beam), and changing the bulb didn't fix. They're saying it's either the module or controller. I asked how much and he said if I'm lucky, $400, if unlucky, $800. Going to try to fix myself I guess...that's a lot of $ for a fucking headlight.

11/5/2014 10:58:34 AM

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313&_nkw=2007+BMW+335i+headlight+module&_sacat=0

Good luck

11/5/2014 12:50:17 PM

Thanks BJ...need to do a little troubleshooting first tho

11/5/2014 12:53:59 PM

Yeah, sorry - went to Shade Tree Garage up in North Raleigh. Truett's a good guy. Got some good guys working for him. Walnut blasting cleared up all my issues with hesitation and misfiring. Forget what the cost was off-hand. Will look at the bill tomorrow and report back.

11/5/2014 8:14:24 PM

^ What exactly were your issues? Did you ever get misfire codes? Were your issues ever resolved by turning the car off and on again (evidently this can indicate an injector)?

That's the shop I go to, and will probably be getting the blast done soon. They're pushing for it, I'm just concerned that it's going to end up being an injector(s) and I'll get the blast for nothing, but their tech tells me all N54s need it at some point and I'm just over 70k.

4/30/2016 1:30:54 PM

Was driving my 07 335i the other day and the power steering went out. so did the AC, etc. so I knew it was the serpentine belt. Turns out the power steering pump along with a bunch of other shit was bad. Ended up costing $6,200 to fix

Had zero engine issues before this.

6/30/2016 1:12:04 PM

Damn that's alotta scratch. Who did the work?

[Edited on June 30, 2016 at 1:34 PM. Reason : and did the belt break, causing the other shit to break?]

6/30/2016 1:33:45 PM

^^ Jesus CHRIST!

6/30/2016 3:22:34 PM

Cars probably only worth twice that

6/30/2016 3:23:29 PM

Welp, it happened again Monday. This time they said a screw "worked its way loose" on the steering pump and caused all the fluid to drain out.

to answer the other questions - Leith BMW fixed it. I had a mechanic buddy of mine look at it and he said to just take it to them. Good thing I did because they're covering the new repair.

Quote :

"and did the belt break, causing the other shit to break?"

Basically the first time they said that it's not the fact the belt broke, but what caused it to break. Apparently the power steering pump had been replaced before (recall? or known problem with the old kind?) and they said that while they were in there I might as well replace some leaky seals, etc. that would affect resale value and would need to be replaced down the road eventually.

The options were to basically take the loss and keep driving it (love the car, happy to keep driving), sell it as is for like $2500-3k to BMW, fix just belt and try to sell it privately basically ripping somebody off (was not comfortable doing), or to fix it completely and sell it for what it's worth at which point I'd probably have to take on a car payment to get something comparable.

Quote :

"Cars probably only worth twice that "

yeah pretty close. I think KBB has it at about $15k last time I checked. could maybe get a little more if I sold it privately to the right buyer just because it's a little bit of a rare combination (manual coupe with red leather) but who knows now.

Whipping a sweet Sonata loaner car for the time being

7/21/2016 3:58:15 PM

Quote :

"Leith BMW fixed it."

If they fixed it righ the first time, you wouldn't have to go through this. The only reason to go to dealer is to buy a part which (after a multi-week search) cannot be found anywhere else on the interwebz.

Not sure if they are still open, but Shade Tree dudes in North Raleigh do good work. I am sure there are more indy shops that could have completed this repair for half the price.

7/26/2016 8:11:04 PM

^ yeah that's where I go. Their prices are a little better, but not half dealer rates in my experience. They do good work though, offer loaners, and seem to try and save me money when they can.

However they want $110 for an oil change. Can't imagine BMW wants too much more than that.

7/26/2016 8:36:19 PM

Buddy of mine works with Bimmer Performance Center in North Raleigh. They really know their stuff and do good work. I would definitely give them a shot anytime you need work done on a BMW.

7/26/2016 10:01:47 PM

^^indy shop prices are typically horrible for oil change. they are on par with dealer simply because consumables are expensive and job takes equally as long as dealer. you figure for 335i oil and filter kit is $60ish? so figure in 30min job and it makes $110 rate reasonable.

7/27/2016 1:56:37 PM

Yeah $60 might be what the average consumer pays for the consumables, but I can't imagine they pay that much.

8/10/2016 12:19:06 PM

I wonder what the dealer would charge for the m3. 8.5qt of 10w-60 + a ~$14 filter

8/11/2016 1:42:53 AM

My girlfriend just did two oil changes this past Sunday ('04 VW Beetle and '95 YJ) and the total for all the oil and two filters was $50. (Mobil Synth for the VW, cheap non synthetic Valvoline for the YJ, puralator filters)

She's glad I showed her how change her own oil, especially since the beetle usually is about $100 at most euro shops.

Look for oil deals, stock up when they go on sale. Not like the oil has THAT short of a shelf life...

[Edited on August 11, 2016 at 9:40 AM. Reason : .]

8/11/2016 9:39:39 AM

I just always get those oil change specias at Autozone or Advanced...$30 or less for 5 quarts of synthetic + filter, and you can always just return the filter later if you don't want it.

8/11/2016 9:45:12 AM

$110 for a BMW oil change is nothing to complain about. Subaru charged me $85 to change the oil in the BRZ I had.

Leith Porsche wants $250-300, depending on your oil preference. And it still costs me $75 to change the Cayman's oil myself in my own garage. (I buy MobilOne at Walmart - $24/5 quart jug)

[Edited on August 11, 2016 at 12:19 PM. Reason : ]

8/11/2016 12:18:01 PM

$75? how much oil does the cayman need? Jesus.

8/12/2016 10:04:56 AM

^ I too was trying to do the math there...

8/12/2016 11:27:48 AM

9 quarts.

[Edited on August 15, 2016 at 9:04 AM. Reason : OEM Porsche filter is > $20]

8/15/2016 9:04:25 AM

Jesus. You're getting ripped on those Porsche filters bro.

I can see it costing $50-$60 (Two 5 quart jugs and $8 mann filters)...

8/15/2016 9:39:25 AM

A new engine for my car is pretty health into 5 figure territory. Using the OEM oil filter seems like a reasonable decision.

8/15/2016 3:22:28 PM

Shit I just put an S&P oil filter in my 335 (instead of the usual Mann...hell I actually thought that was OEM ). So far so good!!!

^ yeah in the scheme of things, not that much more...don't know about u but I don't drive it much, and don't change the oil very often

8/15/2016 4:00:25 PM

BMW and Porsche source their filters from Mahle.

$8/filter.

Nuff said.

(I confused Mann with Mahle earlier, but both are quality filters and Mahle is a supplier for BMW and Porsche IIRC)..

[Edited on August 15, 2016 at 4:56 PM. Reason : .]

8/15/2016 4:47:37 PM

Thanks for the heads up but it's $15 from Advance. Where are you finding these filters for $8?

8/16/2016 8:54:21 AM

^ did you check Amazon and eBay?

Advance/AutoZone is only good for cheap oil.

8/16/2016 8:58:35 AM

Walmart is cheaper than AA and AZ. Mobil 1 Synthetic is $22/5 qts there.

I'd find somewhere that you can "bulk" buy a 4 or more Mahle filter pack.

8/16/2016 9:34:01 AM

Quote :

"Walmart is cheaper than AA and AZ"

I get those $25-$30 deals that come with a free filter...and I prefer Castrol. But good to know WalMart is that cheap though.

8/16/2016 10:35:28 AM

if I didn't need such a ridiculous weight to keep my car from using oil (10w-60) I'd be using rotella T6. that stuff has a 50k mile change interval on big rigs. I used it in every other vehicle I've had, including motorcycles I've raced and my f250 PSD that I used to tow my toy hauler with. always 18-26/gal at Walmart and always a good experience

8/16/2016 2:37:20 PM

Yeah Walmart MobilOne 5 quart jugs are < $23 all the time. Not a sale price. 0w40 for Cayman.

8/16/2016 3:37:18 PM

$200-300 for Porsche oil change seems very reasonable at the dealer, considering M3/5/6 oil+filter is $150 at the dealer at minimum.

I changed oil myself and get oil online at $12/quart. 7 quarts+filter=$100 (shipped)... and that's online just in parts! Pay to play.

'05 Lexus ES330 was $32 at the random oil changing place. I would not bother lifting the car for that price.

[Edited on August 23, 2016 at 1:45 PM. Reason : .]

8/23/2016 1:44:08 PM

Quote :

"$12/quart. 7 quarts+filter=$100 (shipped)... and that's online just in parts! Pay to play."

Why didn't you just use Mobile 1 or Castrol?

8/23/2016 2:15:26 PM

Quote :

"I would not bother lifting the car for that price."

That's what ramps are for.

Id be interested in a Black Labs oil analysis with the $32 oil change compared to a Mobil 1 self service $30 oil change...

8/23/2016 3:27:31 PM

^ pretty sure he meant "lifting" = "turning a wrench"

8/23/2016 3:37:40 PM

synapse, I did. Castrol TWS 10-60 for M cars is $12/quart

^^i meant not doing it yourself. when you are 37 you get lazier and lazier to do work yourself.

8/23/2016 4:21:28 PM

I can understand/respect that.

8/23/2016 4:40:24 PM

^^ pay to play indeed

8/23/2016 4:51:01 PM