2009 BMW 3-Series

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 18, 2008 12:51 pm)

Biginning with 2003, 325i Sedan, Coupe, Sport Wagon
Automatic for sale in California, Mass, New York,
and Vermont are fitted with an updated motor
identified as PZEV (Partial Zero Evaporative Emissions)
M56 B25 which is a further development
of the M54 2.5 liter motor with these changes:
 
- Duel down-stream catalytic converters with high cell
density technology
 
- Wide-band Oxygen sensors mounted upstream of the catalysts
 
- High-pressure , four outlet fuel injectors
 
- Revised VANOS system with a fixed position for reduced
emissions at start-up
 
- Secondary Air Injection system with mass air flow sensor
 
- Carbon filter added to the air intake to reduce hydrocarbon
emissions
 
- Stainless steel fuel injectors and fuel rail, tank vent valve,
and evaporative canister
 
- Stainless steel fuel tank with intergrated fuel pump,
fuel filter, and fuel pressure regulator - YES -
due to the nature of the sealed stainless steel fuel
tank with it's intergrated pump, filter, pressure regulator,
a component failure requires replacement of the fuel tank as a complete unit. It is not serviceable !
 
- Aluminum cylinder head cover with intergrated ventilation
valve
 
- The external heat exchange surfaces of the radiator
are coated with a catalyst to reduce ozone in the air
drawn through the radiator (see sticker and funny
looking parts when you open the hood)
 
- Pistons with 3mm fire lands
 
Based upon the item listed above (integrated gas tank), I would not buy this car on principal alone. I do not think it takes an automotive engineer to figure out that this is a very bad design (and idea), especially since these forums are filled with posts regarding fuel pump issues.
 
Thanks Again.

Replies to this message:
• xeye (Nov 18, 2008 4:16 pm)
  • teebone1958 (Nov 18, 2008 5:27 pm)
    • Mr_Shiftright (Nov 18, 2008 5:47 pm)
    • fedlawman (Nov 18, 2008 7:32 pm) and 2 more...
  • roadburner (Nov 18, 2008 8:41 pm)
• witek (Aug 25, 2009 9:57 pm)

Replying to: teebone1958 (Nov 18, 2008 1:21 pm)

Replies to this message:
• teebone1958 (Nov 18, 2008 5:27 pm)
  • Mr_Shiftright (Nov 18, 2008 5:47 pm)
  • fedlawman (Nov 18, 2008 7:32 pm)
    • teebone1958 (Nov 19, 2008 5:57 am) and 1 more...
• roadburner (Nov 18, 2008 8:41 pm)

Replying to: xeye (Nov 18, 2008 4:16 pm)

Replies to this message:
• Mr_Shiftright (Nov 18, 2008 5:47 pm)
• fedlawman (Nov 18, 2008 7:32 pm)
  • teebone1958 (Nov 19, 2008 5:57 am)
    • kyfdx (Nov 19, 2008 8:16 am)

Replying to: teebone1958 (Nov 18, 2008 5:27 pm)

Replying to: teebone1958 (Nov 18, 2008 5:27 pm)

Replies to this message:
• teebone1958 (Nov 19, 2008 5:57 am)
  • kyfdx (Nov 19, 2008 8:16 am)

Replying to: xeye (Nov 18, 2008 4:16 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Nov 18, 2008 7:32 pm)

Thanks fedlawman,
 
This is great information, I will take your suggestion and google the combination of words you suggest.
 
I also found (last night) that the parts (fuel pump and plastic tanks) where available for the N51 SULEV engine, which would indicate that the design of the newer SULEV variant of the engine has been improved to allow for easier maintenance of moving parts (although some parts are a little more expensive, they are now within reason).
 
Otherwise, once the lease on my 2006 325 Coupe is up in April, I want to turn it in and get either the 328 (which is SULEV here in NY) or the 335 coupe. I test drove the 328 Coupe (230 HP) and it has much more power than my current 325 coupe (186 HP).
 
I am going to test drive the 335 Coupe soon. Once I do, I do not know if I will be able to turn back though. An extra plus on the 335 coupe is that there are no SULEV issues to consider as there is only one engine (N54) as you pointed out.
 
In general, I like the lease option as it gives me a 3 year test drive.
 
Thanks Again, this is the information I was looking for....

Replies to this message:
• kyfdx (Nov 19, 2008 8:16 am)

Replying to: teebone1958 (Nov 19, 2008 5:57 am)

Well, it seems my 08 335i (manual with sports package) may have also fallen victim to HPFP (high pressure fuel pump) failure. I took the car in yesterday because for the past two-three days, ignition times have been intermittently taking upward of 5 to 7 seconds. Classic symtoms of the well known, wide spreed, fuel pump failure that has plagued the 335i since it's intitial debut 2 years ago! I thought my late production (June 2008 build date) model would have a propper fix but I guess not. I thought wrong. This leads me to believe that either BMW has no propper fix, or that they are intentionally selling cars with fuel pumps that have a high propability of failure. I don't have access to the statistics but judging by reports on edmunds, m3post, topix and many other smaller websites (just google 335i fuel pump), I'd bet the chances are around 50-50 for a 335i to have this issue. I haven't heard of any 09s failing, but I have no reason to assume the 09s have been propperly fixed.
I haven't heard back from the dealer yet, but judging by the many posts I've read, I'd bet not only is the fuel pump bad..but they will try to patch it up with software rather than replace the pump. A software fix, according to forum reports, will result in higher throttle pressure during ignition as well as higher rpm for lower gears.
Such a fix, according to forum reports, not only alters normal throttle characteristics and introduces turbo lag, but also has a good chance of being temporary at best. Reports of fuel pumps failing even after a software fix are all over the net. I'd be happy if they just replaced the pump with a propperly designed one.
 
For now, I must live with the 328 auto that they loaned me. I wouldn't mind this car if it were smoke free (obviously..someone has smoked heavily in this car before .. it's even worse when the AC is turned on)..and if it didn't have a hard limiter (5k rpm) which not onlyl cuts engine power 5krmp, but actually feels as though it pulses the brakes! This almost caused an accident the first time it happened since I was unaware that such a mechanism was in place!!
 
Please note:
I'm actually very pleased with BMW support and service. They took the car in immediately and were very nice. I do appreciate the loaner..even if it is a lesser car. Such service more than compensates for the inconvience which is some-what expected for high performance machines. I just hope they do the right thing and replace the fuel pump, if it is indeed faulty, with a good one.
 
Mainly at this point,.. I already miss my 335i..and want her back soon.
 
I will keep the world community posted on this.. I hope it turns out well.
 
Joseph
San Diego

Replies to this message:
• shipo (Nov 19, 2008 10:37 am)
• kdshapiro (Nov 19, 2008 10:52 am)
• roadburner (Nov 19, 2008 11:27 am)
• pat (Nov 19, 2008 8:25 pm)
  • jmaroun (Nov 20, 2008 12:00 pm)
    • pat (Nov 20, 2008 2:51 pm)

Replying to: jmaroun (Nov 19, 2008 10:19 am)