2013 M135i - Some questions

[samo_m135i]

Hi All, Im new on the forum - I have a small intro and pics of my car under the introductory section. I have a few questions on my recent purchase of a 2013 BMW M135i 5dr auto..

1. My plan ends on the 26th November - Its R19 500 to renew for a year - my car has 41 000km currently, front brake pads were just replaced and they said they will do rear before plan ends... I cant really afford to pay R19 500 to extend the M plan, what do the rest of you guys with no M plan do? Is it safe to have this car out of M plan? Can issues experienced on them be repaired outside bmw dealers at a much more reasonable price? Obviously servicing has to be done at the dealer to keep fsh.
2. Has anyone experienced engine failure? and why?
3. Anyone has downpipe? Hows the car running? Any new issues? I know it affects M plan and will only consider thereafter.
4. Any recommended warranty - with the best possible cover...
4.1) Any issues with the 8 speed ZF auto - can it be repaired privately?
4.2) Carbon clean up - is this really necessary? Has any of you done it? Happy with it?
5. Lowering kits - Eibach/H&R - hows the ride?
6. Stability at higher speeds - Is it normal for the steering to twitch over the smallest bumps and uneven surfaces... like there is not much feel to the steering wheel... how can I improve this? How can I get the car to remain straight with lessened body roll?

Any information will be appreciated,

Thanks
Sameer

 

[tman]

Great detailed post, welcome to the forum. I am sure you will get some knowledgable petrol heads to steer you in the right direction

Sent on the move using Tapatalk

 

[MR_Y]

Welcome Sameer.
Are you the same Sameer behind OG 2 Scoops?

 

[sash]

If your decision not to extend is because you can’t afford it, do you really want consider modding the car? If anything goes out of plan it can easily surpass the 20k for the mp extension.

Most of the guys out of plan have warranties and have saved the money that would have spent on extending mp in case there issues after.

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

How long do you plan on keeping the car?
These things are never so simple.. Touch wood my F30 335i was built properly! No major issues with my car at all, she is on 86,000 KMs if that is a reference, that motor and turbo never skipps a beat.. Car is 100% stock mechanically, never been tuned.

Oil pump went
Belt Tensioners went
Full Aircon system went
Some odds and ends..

But the motor, gearbox, diff, all are good.. Look I think I'd rather take a chance with the 6cyl motors than the smaller ones.. Mine still has plan till next year so not sure what I am going to do either hey.. But this is not my only car, mostly my weekend car now anyway truth be told!

Carbon clean is something I will personally be looking into soon, I think with my KMs the motor could benefit from it..
ZF are the best guys to repair the ZF8 box, also their gearbox oil swop and service is something I too will look into..

I shall leave the rest up to the experts.

 

[Twinz]

Question #6
Since you just bought the car...do wheel balancing and wheel alignment. And while they do that ask them to check the torque on the strut tower brace. If none of those things fix the twitchyness than its time for lowering kits.

 

[samo_m135i]

Welcome Sameer.
Are you the same Sameer behind OG 2 Scoops?

Thanks, and no Im not :sorry:

---

If your decision not to extend is because you can’t afford it, do you really want consider modding the car? If anything goes out of plan it can easily surpass the 20k for the mp extension.

Most of the guys out of plan have warranties and have saved the money that would have spent on extending mp in case there issues after.

Hmm, I guess something to consider then - so which is a good aftermarket warranty?
I could take a loan and pay it of over few months... to extend the plan and that solves everything as my mileage is low and only extending time is necessary...

I am actually a VW fan and previously owned a few GTI's, always had downpipes... no issues at all - and I use to be regular at drags lol...

It seems though BMW is different, modding can lead to issues...?

---

How long do you plan on keeping the car?
These things are never so simple.. Touch wood my F30 335i was built properly! No major issues with my car at all, she is on 86,000 KMs if that is a reference, that motor and turbo never skipps a beat.. Car is 100% stock mechanically, never been tuned.

Oil pump went
Belt Tensioners went
Full Aircon system went
Some odds and ends..

But the motor, gearbox, diff, all are good.. Look I think I'd rather take a chance with the 6cyl motors than the smaller ones.. Mine still has plan till next year so not sure what I am going to do either hey.. But this is not my only car, mostly my weekend car now anyway truth be told!

Carbon clean is something I will personally be looking into soon, I think with my KMs the motor could benefit from it..
ZF are the best guys to repair the ZF8 box, also their gearbox oil swop and service is something I too will look into..


I shall leave the rest up to the experts.

I would keep it a maximum of 2 years as I really dont feel comfortable keeping such a high maintenance car longer than that... I bought it just over 2 months ago... and I did research after LOL... those parts that went - out of plan Im guessing its a costly affair...

Cool, thanks man

---

Question #6
Since you just bought the car...do wheel balancing and wheel alignment. And while they do that ask them to check the torque on the strut tower brace. If none of those things fix the twitchyness than its time for lowering kits.

I did change the wheels, they did the balancing... I will check wheel alignment and the torque on the strut lower brace, thanks :thumbs:

 

[TheMo]

Welcome! those are awesome cars!

These cars can get expensive when certain parts go but I think if the car has been maintained then it should be okay. Have a look at innovations motor warranty its like R350 or so a month and can help when certain parts go.

You can put a downpipe on the car, the car is so much more enjoyable with one and I don't think it would make the car more unreliable or anything, but you never know for sure. I had DP and JB4 on my previous 135i and maintenance was still manageable

I see you say you dont want to keep the car long due to maintenance but you'll be so sad after you sell, I sold mine like 6 months ago and now I need to buy another one!

Post some pics! :smilebounce:

 

[sash]

Hmm, I guess something to consider then - so which is a good aftermarket warranty?
I could take a loan and pay it of over few months... to extend the plan and that solves everything as my mileage is low and only extending time is necessary...

I am actually a VW fan and previously owned a few GTI's, always had downpipes... no issues at all - and I use to be regular at drags lol...

It seems though BMW is different, modding can lead to issues...?

I think you misunderstood, modding doesn't neccessarily lead to issues, there are various other factors involved. VW is more lenient compared to BMW wrt to modifications and you stand to lose out on your motorplan, which you essentially paid for.

Consider the difference between a car like yours where it is easy to extend the motorplan and another, same model, but out of plan, the value of yours should be more ( even more than the 19K it costs to extend the plan)

 

[samo_m135i]

Welcome! those are awesome cars!

These cars can get expensive when certain parts go but I think if the car has been maintained then it should be okay. Have a look at innovations motor warranty its like R350 or so a month and can help when certain parts go.

You can put a downpipe on the car, the car is so much more enjoyable with one and I don't think it would make the car more unreliable or anything, but you never know for sure. I had DP and JB4 on my previous 135i and maintenance was still manageable

I see you say you dont want to keep the car long due to maintenance but you'll be so sad after you sell, I sold mine like 6 months ago and now I need to buy another one!

Post some pics! :smilebounce:

Thanks bud, so I did some research today and I found some reputable places I can take my car to for repairs and the costs are really much more reasonable then BMW..
I also found some warranty options so it seems I may be keeping the car longer after all hehehehehe

---

Hmm, I guess something to consider then - so which is a good aftermarket warranty?
I could take a loan and pay it of over few months... to extend the plan and that solves everything as my mileage is low and only extending time is necessary...

I am actually a VW fan and previously owned a few GTI's, always had downpipes... no issues at all - and I use to be regular at drags lol...

It seems though BMW is different, modding can lead to issues...?

I think you misunderstood, modding doesn't neccessarily lead to issues, there are various other factors involved. VW is more lenient compared to BMW wrt to modifications and you stand to lose out on your motorplan, which you essentially paid for.

Consider the difference between a car like yours where it is easy to extend the motorplan and another, same model, but out of plan, the value of yours should be more ( even more than the 19K it costs to extend the plan)

Cool thanks, I have weighed my options out and it seems I will be alright... Tune Tech guys are very helpful

---

I blacked the grills, did the white reflective bars and 3 stripes..
I had an 18" BBS Galaxy wheel fitted

 

[chou56929]

1.I dont have plan nor will have plan in future purchase either. Repairs within the warranty is terrible to me, problem was not fixed after few visit.
However, I do love the service plan, covers all, but after market arent bad priced at all.

Hear some ppl just send in for oil service only, so they have record with bmw that is "serviced", so maybe this is one way to do it.

I send mine to my tuner to work and repair and service what not, all record on invoice and keep well, so i dont see problem with it.


2. nope, only thing around it.
my lpfp has failed and upgraded, shock been upgraded due to age and mileage, DV has failed due to age and also upgraded ( this was one headache with BMW three visit and no change was made, send to my guy, and boom, fixed in few hours)

3. Yes, no issues if correct catalyst fooler is fitted or sw is fitted

4. Any recommended warranty - with the best possible cover...
Your own saving account tbh......

4.1) Any issues with the 8 speed ZF auto - can it be repaired privately?'

ZF auto should be solid gearbox, can always send to ZF to service, there have few branches over the country and they are also forum sponsor, can check they subsection in the forum.


4.2) Carbon clean up - is this really necessary? Has any of you done it? Happy with it?

Have done it, feels more responsive afterward, just my carbon doctor tech dont know how to fit JB4 back......

5. Lowering kits - Eibach/H&R - hows the ride?

HnR I have, Harder the ride it is, but the look tho , and handling improve too.

6. Stability at higher speeds - Is it normal for the steering to twitch over the smallest bumps and uneven surfaces... like there is not much feel to the steering wheel... how can I improve this? How can I get the car to remain straight with lessened body roll?

Mine feels pretty solid, have alignment checked to correct car spec at alignment place, cheap tyre will give away the traction very easy, so choose wisely..
To improve the feel and reduve body roll, do tyres and aligment first, check suspension and do test on them perhaps, then throw in coilover or spring + shocks = happy corners

 

[samo_m135i]

1.I dont have plan nor will have plan in future purchase either. Repairs within the warranty is terrible to me, problem was not fixed after few visit.
However, I do love the service plan, covers all, but after market arent bad priced at all.

Hear some ppl just send in for oil service only, so they have record with bmw that is "serviced", so maybe this is one way to do it.

I send mine to my tuner to work and repair and service what not, all record on invoice and keep well, so i dont see problem with it.


2. nope, only thing around it.
my lpfp has failed and upgraded, shock been upgraded due to age and mileage, DV has failed due to age and also upgraded ( this was one headache with BMW three visit and no change was made, send to my guy, and boom, fixed in few hours)

3. Yes, no issues if correct catalyst fooler is fitted or sw is fitted

4. Any recommended warranty - with the best possible cover...
Your own saving account tbh......

4.1) Any issues with the 8 speed ZF auto - can it be repaired privately?'

ZF auto should be solid gearbox, can always send to ZF to service, there have few branches over the country and they are also forum sponsor, can check they subsection in the forum.


4.2) Carbon clean up - is this really necessary? Has any of you done it? Happy with it?

Have done it, feels more responsive afterward, just my carbon doctor tech dont know how to fit JB4 back......

5. Lowering kits - Eibach/H&R - hows the ride?

HnR I have, Harder the ride it is, but the look tho , and handling improve too.

6. Stability at higher speeds - Is it normal for the steering to twitch over the smallest bumps and uneven surfaces... like there is not much feel to the steering wheel... how can I improve this? How can I get the car to remain straight with lessened body roll?

Mine feels pretty solid, have alignment checked to correct car spec at alignment place, cheap tyre will give away the traction very easy, so choose wisely..
To improve the feel and reduve body roll, do tyres and aligment first, check suspension and do test on them perhaps, then throw in coilover or spring + shocks = happy corners

Thanks for the detailed response! :smilebounce:

Normal service intervals at the dealer - agreed, anything else - has to be outsourced, not many can afford to send these cars to the dealer out of m plan.

cat fooler - I heard there is no need for this on bmw

I have bridgestone potenzas all round - not sure how good this is, on my gti it worked well... I hear michelins pilot sport cup 2 are solid

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

The best tyre for grip is the one with the softest compound I have found, Michelins yes.. Some of the best there is.. But you pay the price for soft compound tyres as they barely last. I have no issues with my Potenza RFTs, after my alignment was sorted my car is solid again.. Check some obvious things first too, not all alignment places know what they doing.. My 2c...

 

[samo_m135i]

The best tyre for grip is the one with the softest compound I have found, Michelins yes.. Some of the best there is.. But you pay the price for soft compound tyres as they barely last. I have no issues with my Potenza RFTs, after my alignment was sorted my car is solid again.. Check some obvious things first too, not all alignment places know what they doing.. My 2c...

Yeah I fully agree, to get the alignment right you have to hunt... lately every time I did alignment they had to do it twice... it’s ridiculous

 

[Tkburn]

I renewed the plan on my f30 335i , and I’m glad I did , renewal was R19k. Repairs in that time about R50k

 

[yush1]

I renewed the plan on my f30 335i , and I’m glad I did , renewal was R19k. Repairs in that time about R50k

What went wrong?

 

[khumalbs]

Hi All, Im new on the forum - I have a small intro and pics of my car under the introductory section. I have a few questions on my recent purchase of a 2013 BMW M135i 5dr auto..

1. My plan ends on the 26th November - Its R19 500 to renew for a year - my car has 41 000km currently, front brake pads were just replaced and they said they will do rear before plan ends... I cant really afford to pay R19 500 to extend the M plan, what do the rest of you guys with no M plan do? Is it safe to have this car out of M plan? Can issues experienced on them be repaired outside bmw dealers at a much more reasonable price? Obviously servicing has to be done at the dealer to keep fsh.
2. Has anyone experienced engine failure? and why?
3. Anyone has downpipe? Hows the car running? Any new issues? I know it affects M plan and will only consider thereafter.
4. Any recommended warranty - with the best possible cover...
4.1) Any issues with the 8 speed ZF auto - can it be repaired privately?
4.2) Carbon clean up - is this really necessary? Has any of you done it? Happy with it?
5. Lowering kits - Eibach/H&R - hows the ride?
6. Stability at higher speeds - Is it normal for the steering to twitch over the smallest bumps and uneven surfaces... like there is not much feel to the steering wheel... how can I improve this? How can I get the car to remain straight with lessened body roll?

Any information will be appreciated,

Thanks
Sameer

My 335i Motorplan expired last year. The car is on 135000km. The engine and gearbox have given me zero issues so far. I dont believe carbon is so much an issue on the N55 as opposed to the N54 engine. It seems you dont do much mileage so brakes wont be too much of an issue - they are very pricey. I think it is R3000 for the front pads.

On the stability / steering feel - this is my biggest issue with the 335i. Its more steering feel i have issue with and the quality of the damping. When the road get twisty and bumpy i get the impression the rear wants to jump off the road into the hedges. Its the compression and rebound i am not happy with. its very floaty. However on turn in the its solid - it resists understeer. I think those anti roll bars they put in are very good.

To address the damping and steering feel i believe solution is quality aftermarket dampers and springs.

 

[Tkburn]

I renewed the plan on my f30 335i , and I’m glad I did , renewal was R19k. Repairs in that time about R50k

What went wrong?

Control arms.
Coil packs and spark plugs
Steering rack
Turbo and wastegate
Mirror motors
Boost pipe x 3
Shocks
Cooling system overhaul , radiator , water pump , fan , hoses etc