[connor92]

Hey guys I have a 2009 335i LCI sedan (n54) with 88k miles which has cost me a small fortune in repairs. Here's the repair list:

Radiator $635.93
Ac compressor and drier $1528.50
Oil pan gasket $1006.70
Labor cost for thrust arm bushings $275
Passenger seat mat sensor $953.91
Fuel sending unit $579.25
Ignition coil $254
Passenger door lock actuator $452.95
Rear drivers side door lock actuator $479.42
Ignition coil $307.82
Oil filter housing gasket and various cooling system parts $2700

Total since I bought the car in October of 2017 $9173.48

Worst part is I'm still making payments on the car and most recently ran into transmission problems. Shop says it'll be between $1400-$3000 to fix.

Question is after I fix it do I sell it or keep it? What else could go wrong?

Thanks guys

[alpnwss]

You could have saved $554 doing ignition coils yourself. And got them from FCPEuro with a lifetime warranty. They're probably the easiest thing you can do to your car besides changing your air filter.
Either way most people are gonna tell you you weren't prepared for the maintainance and this is what you bought into, or that you should learn to wrench a little and you can start to work back against that total. Oil changes is one of those things. Or find a friend with some skills and a toolbox and buy him some beers.

[Korz55]

Time to trade in for a Honda.

[connor92]

Originally Posted by alpnwss

You could have saved $554 doing ignition coils yourself. And got them from FCPEuro with a lifetime warranty. They're probably the easiest thing you can do to your car besides changing your air filter.
Either way most people are gonna tell you you weren't prepared for the maintainance and this is what you bought into, or that you should learn to wrench a little and you can start to work back against that total. Oil changes is one of those things. Or find a friend with some skills and a toolbox and buy him some beers.

I did actually do ignition coils myself but I got a bad batch, I did buy them from amazon which was a total mistake. Tbh I thought these cars would be an improvement from my old e46s.

[213e90n51]

The acuators? How did they go out? You couldnt DIY? I can open the door panels pretty easy and did two window regulators in them already.

[connor92]

Originally Posted by 213e90n51

The acuators? How did they go out? You couldnt DIY? I can open the door panels pretty easy and did two window regulators in them already.

The power door locks would jam, either keeping it in the locked or unlocked position. Guess I could have diy'd but these e90s just seem so complex compared to my old e46s.

[porsche959]

How much you want for it? Let me inherit your mistake.

[213e90n51]

What is going on with the transmission?

[connor92]

Originally Posted by 213e90n51

What is going on with the transmission?

Getting code 4f85, ratio monitoring clutch e frequency x1. Happens on freeway around speeds of 40-50mph when car downshifts then goes into limp mode.

[fastboatster]

I don’t want to make it feel worse than it is by saying that many of the repairs could have been done for half the price. I’d like to say it might make more sense to get a new to you transmission rather than rebuild the one you got. I assume the quote for 3k implies their are going to rebuild yours.
I am, however, surprised so many things went wrong on your car, and failing trans on a stock 335i at these miles is something unusual. Was it used and abused before you bought? Maybe POs had “toones”, and neglected trans oil service? How do you drive it?

[connor92]

Originally Posted by fastboatster

I don’t want to make it feel worse than it is by saying that many of the repairs could have been done for half the price. I’d like to say it might make more sense to get a new to you transmission rather than rebuild the one you got. I assume the quote for 3k implies their are going to rebuild yours.
I am, however, surprised so many things went wrong on your car, and failing trans on a stock 335i at these miles is something unusual. Was it used and abused before you bought? Maybe POs had “toones”, and neglected trans oil service? How do you drive it?

I actually drive it moderately. Of course I was stupid and didn't get a PPI. Found out later it had 5 previous owners. Now I'm paying the price. Big lesson learned.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Solely my opinion here...but if I was making payments on an 11 year old car I’d want it to be something reliable like a civic or a Corolla...for sure not an n54 powered bmw...

[fredcase]

Sell it. These cars are a complete money trap.

[JSal335is]

According to CarGurus, a 2009 E90 335 with 87k is for sale at, "$9,495" in Streamwood, IL. Given that since you invested, "$9173.48" on mechanical repairs on a depreciating asset with a skeptical history of owners, making payments and an estimated repair cost of approximately 30% (on the high end) of what its valued, I'd hate to see you go down this path knowing that other maintenance and an unknown, "found out later.." issues is to come ahead. IMHO I would have broken up with her. Good luck to you!

[213e90n51]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

Solely my opinion here...but if I was making payments on an 11 year old car I’d want it to be something reliable like a civic or a Corolla...for sure not an n54 powered bmw...

You can keep driving a broken 335i. It will get you places but sometimes hit limp mode and feel broken but still faster than a camry. When i worked at bmw so many customers with engine issues and warning lights came in for recalls and the service advisors would tell them to take care of these but they wouldnt mind. Saw some 335is with the same lights come in for a year

[JingChai]

Biggest question is how much money do you have in your savings for any unexpected expenses? If it's anything less than $5,000, I would get rid of it.

[Smgs1992]

LS swap it put in a manual transmission and buy a honda to daily. Or sell it and realize you're probably gonna end up owing alot more on whatever you buy than it is worth.

[connor92]

Thanks guys. Luckily I my dad is letting me use his 2013 Hyundai Accent as a daily. Most likely will become my daily. It's paid off and has really low running costs. I think I'll pay off my car and sell it. Hopefully I'll be back in a bmw someday, next time I'll be smarter about my car purchase.

[Hoody007]

Here’s my service log for my 335i - I also have an ’09. $7600 in total to service since purchase in January 2018 @ 81K.

Service history is everything on these cars - I learned my lesson the hard way with my previous BMW, a ’04 330Ci. If you want to drive an older BMW and not go bankrupt, the solution is to DIY and research parts (for example, the door lock actuators come in pairs for much cheaper than buying them individually). It has been my personal experience that the E90 is much better built than the E46 - all else being equal, you should expect a lower TCO.

FWIW, mine was a two-owner, always dealer serviced car with lower than average miles, meaning that OCIs were always around 7500ish miles.

You’re in Hawaii where I’d expect labor and parts costs to be a bit higher, but $2700 for is quite high - I paid $825 for the same job in Atlanta. You’re not taking this to the dealer, right? You might want to find a new shop.

[Serf27]

Dear god. At those prices I would get rid of it.
I’m not sure if you have the tools/space to perform some of those repairs, but $500 for a 10 door lock actuator swap is absurd.

You can sell it after the trans work, but you won’t get as much as you’ve invested.

Future things to look for since they aren’t mentioned:
Water pump/thermostat
VC gasket
Spark plugs
The other 2 door actuators
Possibly 4 window motors/regulators
HPFP
Turbo wastegate rattle
Possibly engine main seals
I may be missing more items.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by Smgs1992

LS swap it put in a manual transmission and buy a honda to daily. Or sell it and realize you're probably gonna end up owing alot more on whatever you buy than it is worth.

Yeah because LS swapping a BMW is cheap and likely within his capabilities.

[bimmer pleaser V2]

Originally Posted by connor92

Hey guys I have a 2009 335i LCI sedan (n54) with 88k miles which has cost me a small fortune in repairs. Here's the repair list:

Radiator $635.93
Ac compressor and drier $1528.50
Oil pan gasket $1006.70
Labor cost for thrust arm bushings $275
Passenger seat mat sensor $953.91
Fuel sending unit $579.25
Ignition coil $254
Passenger door lock actuator $452.95
Rear drivers side door lock actuator $479.42
Ignition coil $307.82
Oil filter housing gasket and various cooling system parts $2700

Total since I bought the car in October of 2017 $9173.48

Worst part is I'm still making payments on the car and most recently ran into transmission problems. Shop says it'll be between $1400-$3000 to fix.

Question is after I fix it do I sell it or keep it? What else could go wrong?

Thanks guys

N54 engine is sort of money pit to begin with but seems like you in particular are having bad luck. Also, where are you getting these repairs done? at the dealership? Other than warranty or recall work you should absolutely stay away from stealerships. DIY or independent all the way.

I am seeing a couple of more gaskets leaks in your future, OFHG and VCG plus turbo problems, electric water pump, starter....I'd say cut your losses and get rid of it. You are going to lose a lot of money but it'll be a life lesson to do some research before buying these kind of cars. You can only use a 12 year old Bimmer as your weekend car and only if you can do all the maintenance yourself.