2008 135i downpipe and had software

[Clownshoe]

So I am not going to be popular for this... but how reliable are they?

A guy who works for me just called up asking advice on a car. He will be paying over the odds for it as it has downpipe and exhaust, etc. Should I recommend he stays away? I know how I was at his age and my first BMW... any BMW... at any age come to think of it, but I have heard horror stories about the N54...

So swallow your BMW pride and would you recommend someone who would battle to pay for an expensive fix to buy it?

 

[Acheron]

The N54 is not quite as big a nightmare as many assume it to be. It has a few common issues that creep up on you and can be costly (e.g. replacing injectors), but if they are maintained correctly tend to give many thousands of trouble free kilometers. I would not recommend anyone who can just about afford to buy the car to do so.

I would worry less about the modifications and more about the maintenance history of the car as minor modifications such as software and exhaust mods do not cause the common issues I mention above to become more prevalent.

 

[Clownshoe]

[/IMG]

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99000 so just out of motor plan. I told him to get the service history. Otherwise it actually looks like a decent buy.

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[Acheron]

My first concern just looking at the pic (besides the fake 1M bumper) would be those wheels. I wouldn't be surprised if he's running some skinny tyres in the rear to get those 19's to fit (due to the terrible 1-series offset)

 

[akash]

First thing.

He needs to get all the info he can on the car.

MP history
What DP is on the car
What software
Who was the tuner that did the install

If its well known names, that should be of some comfort.

He also needs realize, that the car would have been pushed hard, how hard he would have to find out.

One very important lesson he should learn before buying a modded car.

"You PAY to PLAY"

The guys that mod their cars are willing to take that calculated risk.

If he cant afford it at this stage, hes better of with a stock N54. I would say with MP still available, but that would be hard to find.

 

[Clownshoe]

It is apparently back on the stock 18s... those are 20s

 

[JadielM]

Man... That car's beautiful.

It depends on his affordability and intentions after purchasing the car, IMO. As previously mentioned, N54's are not as horrifically unreliable as people make them seem. But my take on it is that if he isn't prepared to modify and tinker with it, he should walk away and get an N55.

 

[M135i]

Remove and extend the plan at sellers cost?
That could be part of the deal, and give piece of mind. Looks beautiful though! Hard to say no to a car like that


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[splintheter]

All I know is every time I go to my BMW Indy there is a different N55/N54 135i there for work.

Read in to that as much or as little as you want.

I have almost pulled the trigger on buying another one a few times, but its the only Non M car that seems to have over the top maintenance and repair bills.

 

[Dhp507]

All I know is every time I go to my BMW Indy there is a different N55/N54 135i there for work.

Read in to that as much or as little as you want.

I have almost pulled the trigger on buying another one a few times, but its the only Non M car that seems to have over the top maintenance and repair bills.

:withStu:

If he has a good RMi approved Workshop who does Warranty claims I think he should look at taking out aftermarket Warranty. Should he be set on the Car

 

[Fuzz@tinyNET]

I see the car has Namibia plates? Is the car based there?

Is the a BMW tuner / repairer close by that's fluent with these cars? An already costly exercise might turn into a nightmare in the wrong hands...


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[Clownshoe]

Will see what happens now. Car is in Namibia. So am I at the moment.

No idea on the credentials of tuners here. There are some pretty hot cars, no idea how far they go before they blow up.