2nd hand 135i purchase advice

[Diabolik]

Hi,

Looking at buying a 2008 BMW 135i. The owner says the car has had software done after his last service (in Jan sometime), however I took it for an ACR test (dunno if thats right acronym) at BMW on Friday last week, with instructions to check out the software etc. To date there hasn't been a change regarding the motorplan status even though the engine data was sent on Friday. The service agent at BMW says that its possibly because of lack of drive since last service with only 2000kms put on, so there is probably insufficient data for BMW to act on. Its frustrating because he cannot say if BMW checked it and its case closed. Car is perfect in every other regard.

My question is, if it hasn't been picked up yet, will it ever? How would I go about getting the software flushed so that there isn't an issue with the motorplan. TBH, I don't know if its legitimate software because he says he was recommended by BMW SMG to take it to that specific person.

Help please!! :argh:

 

[Rooi_Willie]

Maybe find out who the installer was and take it back to him and ask to remove it??

 

[Josh-ZN]

Get everything in writing. Especially from bmw

 

[msm]

Interesting situation. I've heard the in some instances, BMW have no way of telling if there is different software on a car.

 

[Diabolik]

Maybe find out who the installer was and take it back to him and ask to remove it??

That is plan A, hopefully there isn't any issues.

Get everything in writing. Especially from bmw

Ok, so I should be able to get in writing from BMW that there is no indication of software tampering etc?

Interesting situation. I've heard the in some instances, BMW have no way of telling if there is different software on a car.

Any instances relating to Durban software mods?

 

[Twinz]

Buy & Drive. :thumbs:

They will probably not pick up anything. You can always have it removed by an independent BMW specialist such as ART or Zeemax.

There is another member on this forum that bought recently with s/w and the dealership is non the wiser.

If you drive the car with s/w and then without it you not going to be happy with the performance of your 135...you will want what you tasted before...its that addictive. :inlove:

 

[Diabolik]

Buy & Drive. :thumbs:

They will probably not pick up anything. You can always have it removed by an independent BMW specialist such as ART or Zeemax.

There is another member on this forum that bought recently with s/w and the dealership is non the wiser.

If you drive the car with s/w and then without it you not going to be happy with the performance of your 135...you will want what you tasted before...its that addictive. :inlove:

Thanks, as it stands I don't think they can pick up. Is there someone called Shaan working at Xcede performance? EDIT: nm, quick google sorts that out. Yes there is.

 

[HardM3]

In my experience (all 3 being 135's), there is a very slim chance that BMW will pick up the SW. I've had one of my cars go in for injectors and hpfp once with SW and all that happened was that the SW was no longer active (I assume they reloaded a new compatible standard version). Then another one went in for clutch with SW/DP/Decat Midsection and still nothing from BMW's side. SW was still active after that.

If it was Xcede that did the software, they will be able to read the file and flash it back to standard but like Twinz said, driving the car now compared to when you removed it is like :nonono: In anycase, when you buy the car privately, you will be required to take the car for a change of motorplan ownership (This includes 'X' point check to approve the relisting of MP on new owners name and costs about 1800)- Instead of taking the chance yourself after buying the car, tell the seller to do it for you before and if he gets into hot water, back of from the deal. He may want you to pay for it or a deposit though. I would flash it first and save the file for reload after any/all checks, etc - Just the safest way. :thumbs:

 

[TheDonC89]

Yes i purchased a 135i and bmw said there must be sw as its bit too strong but they couldn't pick up anything so they said they will let it by. Got my car dyno'd last fri and my car is far from modded! With afe induction i was only pushing 218.5wkw 431nm at coast.

 

[LukeS2K]

Dude thats Helluva strong stock. Definately software.

You sure thats wheel kilowatts?

 

[HardM3]

Yes i purchased a 135i and bmw said there must be sw as its bit too strong but they couldn't pick up anything so they said they will let it by. Got my car dyno'd last fri and my car is far from modded! With afe induction i was only pushing 218.5wkw 431nm at coast.

Your car is about 20 - 25 kw stronger than stock 135's so besides the induction, it probably has 'something' on it :thumbs:

.....unless its one of those 'special' cars :rollsmile:

 

[TheDonC89]

Not really, I think most guys push low 200s stock I have AFE induction kit, need to dyno with standard airbox

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Really? Well I be dammed! Then I have no clue what's on my car :fencelook:

 

[HardM3]

I'm here at altitude and generally you would find that most stock 135i wkw range from 190 to about 200 - I'm talking with nothing at all :thumbs: I have even accounted for some different dyno readings...

So if he is at coast, then he is about 15 - 20 wkw stronger maybe more as some 135's I've heard are doing late 190's :thumbs:

 

[Diabolik]

In my experience (all 3 being 135's), there is a very slim chance that BMW will pick up the SW. I've had one of my cars go in for injectors and hpfp once with SW and all that happened was that the SW was no longer active (I assume they reloaded a new compatible standard version). Then another one went in for clutch with SW/DP/Decat Midsection and still nothing from BMW's side. SW was still active after that.

If it was Xcede that did the software, they will be able to read the file and flash it back to standard but like Twinz said, driving the car now compared to when you removed it is like :nonono: In anycase, when you buy the car privately, you will be required to take the car for a change of motorplan ownership (This includes 'X' point check to approve the relisting of MP on new owners name and costs about 1800)- Instead of taking the chance yourself after buying the car, tell the seller to do it for you before and if he gets into hot water, back of from the deal. He may want you to pay for it or a deposit though. I would flash it first and save the file for reload after any/all checks, etc - Just the safest way. :thumbs:

Thanks, I did take it for the bumper to bumper check with a specific instruction to check software compatibility. Its been almost a week, so I don't think they can tell. Cost R1500.