BMW 335i 2007+

1398 messages,  Last post on Feb 07, 2011 at 5:21 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series

#910 of 1398 Re: 335xi functions [xeye] by roadburner

Aug 20, 2007 (5:04 pm)

Replying to: xeye (Aug 20, 2007 3:48 pm)
Still, I haven't had any issues, but I haven't pushed the motor.
 
I sure would keep an eye on the oil temperature. I'd definitely want the cooler installed.
 
The second thing is the 335xi equipped as mine is supposed to have something called "BMW Ambiance Lighting front and rear". Just what the heck is this? I expected my car to have this nice waterfall lighting on the side door panels. My sales guy pointed me to these two tiny LEDs on either side of the central map light.
 
Your sales guy is totally clueless. All new 3ers have the lights he pointed out- so did my wife's 1997 528i, and for that matter, so does her X3 truck. The ambience lighting is the door panel lighting you referred to.
Sounds like you need to find another dealer...

#911 of 1398 Re: 335xi functions [roadburner] by xeye

Aug 21, 2007 (3:36 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Aug 20, 2007 5:04 pm)
I am planning on pursuing the oil cooler installation. From some earlier posts, I have a feeling that I may run up against a stone wall if the car is not exhibiting symptoms of overheating (as would presumably be logged in the ECM/key fob.) When I picked up the car, I called out a mechanic who suggested I contact BMW as he had done some after-sale oil cooler installations.
 
As for the so-called "ambiance lighting", the BMW web site describes this as two tiny red LEDs, in the roof panel front and rear, that are supposed to illuminate the interior with a soft red glow when the headlights are on. Perhaps I need to turn up the interior lighting (significantly), but I don't see these lighting up anything. There are definitely no lights, LEDs, or any other kind of lighting in the door panels as I've seen shown in marketing information.
 
I've actually been impressed with the vehicle knowledge of my sales rep so I'm not ready to crucify him yet. In this case, I fault BMW Engineering for designing something so feeble and especially BMW Marketing for spinning this way beyond any gyroscopic sense of balance.
 
xeye

#912 of 1398 oil cooler installation by stephend

Aug 23, 2007 (3:13 pm)

I have read that many people might opt to install the oil cooler. Is the BMW dealership installing it. I might be wrong but my guess is that if you have someone else besides the dealership install the oil cooler than any warranties on the car might be voided.

#913 of 1398 Oil Cooler - NOT! by xeye

Aug 24, 2007 (4:45 am)

As I've mentioned in earlier posts, my 335xi did not arrive with an oil cooler. The car is a week 28 '07 build with manual tranny and Sport Package, but 17" wheels and all-season tires and lacking the lowered sport suspension because of the xDrive.
 
When I picked up my car, the sales guy called out a service tech to confirm that there was no oil cooler (DUH!). The tech at my dealership, Herb Chambers Foreign Motors West BMW, told me to call BMW Customer Relations to get the process started to get the cooler installed. (Note: When I ordered the car, I did not know that Herb Chambers was in the process of buying the dealership. I would have walked away had I known that. It was announced while I was waiting for delivery. The dealership was previously employee-owned.)
 
So I called BMW Customer Relations yesterday morning.
 
Has anyone spoken to Christa there? Absolutely no help at all. She's a parrot repeating "Management in Germany decided that only cars with 18" wheels get the oil coolers". I asked what the justification was for this. She repeated the standard phrase "The management...". I asked to have the call escalated. Can't do that apparently. I asked for the number of the president of BMW NA. "Sorry, we don't have that number." I asked for the number in Germany. "Sorry, we don't have that number."
 
I got a P.O. box in New Jersey. I asked to whom should I address the letter. She said "BMW". She said they read the letters and forward them appropriately. Yeah, to File 13, no doubt.
 
I called my dealership to ask how much it would cost to have the oil cooler installed. The Parts dept didn't know how much the labor would be, so I was transferred to a service advisor. She didn't know how much the parts were, so she wanted to transfer me to Parts. She eventually took my name & number and then never called me back.
 
This dealership, I found later, is rated 1.9 stars out of 5.
 
What a surprise!
 
Fortunately, the oil temp hasn't gone above 240, but I'm still in the break-in period and have no intention of ever taking it to the track.
 
Does anyone have experience paying for installation of the oil cooler kit in a 335*?
 
xeye

#914 of 1398 Dealer Ratings by pat

Aug 24, 2007 (5:45 am)

Seems like a good time to suggest that everyone drop by the Dealer Ratings & Reviews feature and report your sales and service experiences, good and bad.

#915 of 1398 Re: Oil Cooler - NOT! [xeye] by tcn2k

Aug 24, 2007 (8:47 am)

Replying to: xeye (Aug 24, 2007 4:45 am)
I have a 335i january 2007 build and have been fighting with bmw na in regards to the oil cooler till now. Same old crap, and no cooler either. My temp has reached nearly 300 at one point. My car is an early build and only have a temp guage max out at 300 rather the the now 340. They moved it up since they figured it was cheaper then putting in an oil cooler to every car.
 
I plan to take mine to the track, I told bmw na to expect my call to come haul the car when it over heats. BMW NA sucks!

#916 of 1398 Deja vu from 20 years ago by dougsilver

Aug 24, 2007 (11:59 am)

This type of stuff is another nail in the coffin for me NOT going back to try a BMW a second time. This type of "customer service" is similar to what I dealt with 20 years ago when I owned a 1986 325ES. Sounds like the attitude there still is "hey, you own a BMW--that alone should make you happy so leave us alone"
 
Doug

#918 of 1398 Re: Deja vu from 20 years ago [kdshapiro] by dougsilver

Aug 24, 2007 (3:09 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Aug 24, 2007 1:42 pm)
Of course there are problems with all cars. But, in GENERAL, it seems like there are more problems (and costlier ones) with the Germans versus the Asians (just my opinion based on my experience and those of several friends and acquaintances that have owned both). Your Lexus experience is the exact opposite of our friends, who are now on their third ES3xx. They are impressed with the reliability but even more impressed with the way they are treated by the dealer and service department (versus what they were going through when they had their BMW 528)
 
Before the moderator slaps me, I guess this stuff should be in "maintenance" thread.

#919 of 1398 Re: Deja vu from 20 years ago [dougsilver] by kdshapiro

Aug 24, 2007 (5:39 pm)

Replying to: dougsilver (Aug 24, 2007 3:09 pm)
While anecdotally that may be true, I know a few Lexus owners like the one in the thread. My point is when you buy a new car, you play the odds. I played the odds with an extroaordinary reliable BMW with unbelievable customer service (for scheduled maintenance).
 
Everybody has a different take on things, your opinion is no more valid or invalid than anybody elses.
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