Paging all the E9X fans and a “you know your oil leak is bad...”

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535) 10/26/2018 at 10:39 • Filed to: None

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First off, anyone have tips on what to look for on a 2009 328i x drive? There is one near me for $10.5k with 70,000 miles which seems pretty reasonable. Price seems high for the year but low for the miles. I think with a naturally aspirated 6, AWD, and a little more room and the ability to add a roof rack I would be a bit happier with a 3 than the beetle. The only problem? It’s black.

Second, you know your oil leak is bad when your 4 year old can see it(if you’re unfamiliar with four year olds their observation skills for slight things are generally subpar). Yesterday my 996 deposited two decent size oil stains after parking. When I got home I laid next to the engine while it was running to see if I could spot the leak. Oil was running down pretty consistently from one part and *I think* starting from the cam actuator solenoid cover, so much so, my four year old laid next to me and when I pointed in the general direction she was like “hey I see the oil running down!”. Thankfully the seal is a $17 part and I may not even have to jack the car up. I’m hoping it’s not coming from higher up, it’s not common for these seals to leak that much. And  the AOS is a little above there and that’s a way more involved replacement.

E92M3 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 10/26/2018 at 10:48

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328i is fine, but why not get a 335i? Can probably find one for the same price or a couple grand more. 

E90M3 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 10/26/2018 at 10:54

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I’ve got a 2009 328i, what do you want to know. 

E90M3 > E92M3 10/26/2018 at 10:55

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The 335i’s have a lot potential expensive problems, which is why I went 328i over 335i. 

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 10/26/2018 at 10:55

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My car was leaking oil so bad that t he parking spot I usually park in at work is still covered in oil 2 months after getting the leaks fixed.

DipodomysDeserti > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 10/26/2018 at 11:11

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My experience with newer BMWs is that age is more of a factor than mileage. The rubber and plastics they use on the fuel system are made of the finest of German cheeses, and crack and wear out. If things like fuel pumps/hoses/seals haven’t been replaced, you’ll have to start doing that. I’ve been maintaining my wife’s out of warranty X1 (different powertrain, but they generally use all the same materials in the fuel system). I get my OEM parts pretty cheap from AutohausAZ. These vehicles aren’t nearly as hard to work on as people make then out to be. Also, if you have an iPhone buy the Carly  app. It’s expensive, but it lets you program, read codes and register batteries.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > E92M3 10/26/2018 at 11:18

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I have considered this option. Mostly, I have fears about reliability. Also, this 328 is 4 miles from my house. No LCI 335 manuals are for sale in town that I see. And also it’s one of those situations where I find myself spiraling:

-335i x drive

- well maybe 335i

- maybe 335is

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > E90M3 10/26/2018 at 11:20

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Any key thing that should have been done by 70k? Any worries between 70k-100k for maintenance ? I assume at 100k I’m looking at some coolant system stuff and maybe suspension refreshing.

You ever wish it were faster?

Matt Nichelson > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 10/26/2018 at 11:22

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I have a 2009 328i but not an awd. From m experience: Valve cover gaskets and likely the cover itself will need replacing soon unless it’s already been done, pretty much every bulb in the headlight housing is a pain in the ass to get to, the passenger side interior door handle will melt eventually and need replacing, coils aren’t too bad and can be done yourself, oil is 0w30 or 0w40 euro blend (i use Mobil 1 0w40 and haven’t had any issues) and takes almost 7 quarts, battery  is in the trunk amd get pricey depending on where you get it from, 09 is pre-lci so if you swap to LED bulbs for anything be mindful of what you get because it could throw a code, haven't had amy VANOS issues yet but that's something to think about, 02 sensors can be done on your own but may start needing replacing after 100k, and some other things I can't think about at the moment. As Skychismo said, the rubber and plastic quality is not that great. Have I talked you out of it yet? 

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > DipodomysDeserti 10/26/2018 at 11:23

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Interesting; I hadn’t heard much for complaints about the fuel system; good to know and I’ll research more. I expect the coolant system to need love at 100k from a BMW. 

I’m a decent  wrench and one thing I’ve discovered with the beetle is I’d rather fix things myself than bother with warranty work.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 10/26/2018 at 11:24

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Like a dog marking its territory a fine out of warranty  German automobile marks it’s parking spots with a good dropping of oil.

functionoverfashion > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 10/26/2018 at 11:34

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I think that’s mechanically very close to our former 2007 X3. The electric water pump is kind of a bitch, because it doesn’t really give warning signs before it quits, and it’s expensive. We didn’t come across anything major until over 150,000 miles, aside from the water pump - that was a $1,200 trip to a shop because it failed 50 miles from home, and it’s one of those things where we replaced the thermostat, hoses, expansion tank, belt tensioner, etc. at the same time.

I think there are more reasonably-priced options on the market now, and you can DIY it’s not that bad.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Matt Nichelson 10/26/2018 at 11:34

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Ehh; for the same money what else am I going to get that’s reasonably sporty, practical, and manual?  I don’t mind working on a car. 

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > functionoverfashion 10/26/2018 at 11:37

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Thanks! In general with BmW I think a coolant system overhaul is a bit expected before 100k.  I’ve considered looking at X3s but the availability with a manual and reasonable miles are slim.

functionoverfashion > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 10/26/2018 at 11:40

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Indeed, ours was a manual but 209k on the odometer. The guy who bought it has been keeping it up though! Who knows.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 10/26/2018 at 11:42

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A Mustang or a Dodge Challenger.

E90M3 > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 10/26/2018 at 12:08

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The cooling system and some coil plugs would be my concerns. I’ve got a leaking gasket, but it’s really not that bad. I’ve got 72k on mine now, put 32k on it and it’s been pretty good.

I’ve never needed it to be faster, I don’t feel the need because I have my M3. 

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 10/26/2018 at 12:16

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The challenger wouldn’t really work for my parking situation(too long; I’d have to street park it; which I wouldn’t love to do). Mustang probably would, ehh, I’ll mull it over.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 10/26/2018 at 12:24

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The Challenger is *only* about 9 inches longer than the Mustang.

You can also get an Infiniti G35/G37 /Q60

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 10/26/2018 at 12:35

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Mustang would be tight as is; the BMW is just under 180” long and would be fine . My off street parking pad and garage aren’t arranged that well. Anything over about  185” and I wouldn’t be able to get a car in and out of the garage. 

I drew a pic because Friday:

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 10/26/2018 at 13:36

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Ah... well with that space restriction, then I suggest a 1st or 2nd gen Lexus IS

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_IS#Second_generation_(XE20;_2005%E2%80%932013)

E92M3 > functionoverfashion 10/26/2018 at 20:22

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^This. If the electric waterpump has not been replaced already, do it for the piece of mind. They seem to all fail within 70-100k. It cost me almost $800 for the part, to DIY on my ex’s X5. It was a pain in the ass to get to. Don’t forget to get 4 new bolts with it, or you run the risk of snapping one off if you reuse them. They are one time use, like headbolts.