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2009 BMW 3-Series

278 messages,  Last post on Nov 04, 2010 at 12:41 AM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, BMW, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 14 of 29

#125 of 278 Re: 2009 328ci SULEV Fuel Pump [teebone1958] by fedlawman

Nov 18, 2008 (8:32 pm)

Replying to: teebone1958 (Nov 18, 2008 6:27 pm)
I found this at "RealOEM.com" (re-spaced to fit here):
 
Description Supplement Qty Part Number Price
FUEL TANK, METAL WITH FILLER PIPE 1 16116763569 $2,985.30
 
Here's the link...
 
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AZ33&mospid=47721&btnr=16_0533&hg=- 16&fg=05
 
"RealOEM.com" does list the M54 and M56 engines as being available in the E46. And there is definitely a difference between the M54 plastic tank with outboard pump and the metal M56 tank with integral pump. The questions I would ask are - 1. Why does a $3000 "plug and play" part cost $4000 to install? I know plenty of mechanics that could replace the tank in one day (at about $80/hr, that's maybe $700 labor). 2. Is it possible to fit the M54 fuel tank and related accessories/plumbing to an M56 car?
 
Finally, according to "RealOEM.com," the E90 and E92 328i are offered with 2 engines - the N52 (ULEV) and N51 (SULEV). According to the website though, both of these engines have plastic fuel tanks with serviceable fuel pumps (part #16147194207 for the N51). The 335i only has the N54.
 
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=VC53&mospid=49546&btnr=16_0688&hg=- 16&fg=15
 
Bottom line? It looks like it's not an issue with the current line of BMW's - just the early SULEV cars from the early 2000's. I found lots of discussion on the web - just google some combination of the words N51 SULEV BMW engine and see what comes up.

#126 of 278 Re: 2009 328ci SULEV Fuel Pump [xeye] by roadburner

Nov 18, 2008 (9:41 pm)

Replying to: xeye (Nov 18, 2008 5:16 pm)
You nailed it!

#127 of 278 Re: 2009 328ci SULEV Fuel Pump [fedlawman] by teebone1958

Nov 19, 2008 (6:57 am)

Replying to: fedlawman (Nov 18, 2008 8:32 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....

#128 of 278 Re: 2009 328ci SULEV Fuel Pump [teebone1958] by kyfdx HOST

Nov 19, 2008 (9:16 am)

Replying to: teebone1958 (Nov 19, 2008 6:57 am)
If you are happy with the 328, then don't drive the 335... That will be one very expensive test drive...

#129 of 278 new 335i fuel pump malfunctioning by jmaroun

Nov 19, 2008 (11:19 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

#130 of 278 Re: new 335i fuel pump malfunctioning [jmaroun] by shipo

Nov 19, 2008 (11:37 am)

Replying to: jmaroun (Nov 19, 2008 11:19 am)
...and if it didn't have a hard limiter (5k rpm) which not onlyl cuts engine power 5krmp, but actually pulses the breaks. This almost caused an accident the first time it happened since I was unaware that such a mechanism was in place!!
 
Call me a skeptic, but sorry, I absolutely don't believe that there is a device on your loaner car that will press the brake pedal for you if you exceed 5,000 RPMs in any gear.

#131 of 278 Re: new 335i fuel pump malfunctioning [jmaroun] by kdshapiro

Nov 19, 2008 (11:52 am)

Replying to: jmaroun (Nov 19, 2008 11:19 am)
There does not seem to be a lot of information relating to this issue. You may be one of the unlucky ones. I hope your new 09 S4 fairs better.

#132 of 278 Re: new 335i fuel pump malfunctioning [jmaroun] by roadburner

Nov 19, 2008 (12:27 pm)

Replying to: jmaroun (Nov 19, 2008 11:19 am)
We told you not to buy another BMW...

#133 of 278 Re: new 335i fuel pump malfunctioning [jmaroun] by pat

Nov 19, 2008 (9:25 pm)

Replying to: jmaroun (Nov 19, 2008 11:19 am)
Well, I'm sure we all hope it turns out well. Sounds like you've already decided that it won't, though...

#134 of 278 Re: new 335i fuel pump malfunctioning [pat] by jmaroun

Nov 20, 2008 (1:00 pm)

Replying to: pat (Nov 19, 2008 9:25 pm)
Pat,
 
That makes no sense. I know what has happened, to many others whom have posted their experiences. Just read the posts yourself and try to be a fair moderator.
 
Looks like my car will need another day of further analysis..(3 days)..before a fix will be implemented.
 
Joseph
San Diego

Messages Page 14 of 29

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