Quote:
Originally Posted by JCL
I waited a year to buy my 535 when the 3.0tt came out, and missed some of the early problems. The high pressure fuel pump issue doesn't bother me much, as it only caused a reduced power mode for me and the replacement was warranted. The extra-extended HPFP warranty will help the next owner. The turbos don't worry me at all, as I was selling turbo diesel engines for my whole career. Naturally aspirated heavy diesels have been pretty rare for quite a while. Factory-engineered turbos are fine IMO, it is the aftermarket turbo kits that create more risk.
I think that given the complexity of the current models, I wouldn't want to own any of the current generation outside of the warranty period. It is partly why I don't understand the over-maintenance strategies designed to contribute to longer engine life, as I don't think the engines are the weak link, or rate-determining-step, in any vehicle retirement decision. I don't think there will be a lot of 300,000 mile current-model vehicles 10 years from now, due to software and electronic issues.
My 535 is 3 next month. Time to sell it with a year of warranty left on it, I think.
|
You are probably right about the declining long-term reliability of any modern BMW. I am going to be in the market to replace my 320,000 mile e36 in the near future and have convinced myself that the e92 328i would be the better way to go over a 135i or 335i as far as long term ownership is concerned. I have owned my e36 for 9 years and plan long term ownership for it's replacement. Since I tend to own cars for such a long period of time, I was thinking e92 over e46 just to keep it fresh for as long as possible (unless I say screw maintenance costs and get an e46 M3). I just don't see how the N/A six couldn't save me money over the long term.
What is the warranty on the hpfp these days? I thought I heard a crazy high number, like 10 years or something?