Common BMW 335i Failures: Problems, Solutions And More!

If you are looking for a reliable car, you cannot go wrong with a BMW 335i. Although it may not be the first vehicle that comes to mind when shopping for a used luxury mid-size car, its superb comfort and excellent performance make it a great choice, but you should also be aware of common BMW faults 335i that can present.

In the market it has a resale value that is also good, since it only depreciates 53% in five years.

How good is the BMW 335i?

The BMW 335i enjoys below-average reliability, with some of its model years scoring better than others. One website gave it a rating of 2.0 out of 5.0, ranking it 28 out of 31 luxury midsize cars in its category.

Others, meanwhile, rated the 2015 BMW 3 Series Sedan 4D 335i a 79/100, placing it well within the top 10 luxury midsize cars in its category for that year.

With these figures it is clear that the BMW 335i can easily enjoy a long service life with proper handling and regular maintenance.

Common failures and problems of the BMW 335i

Although the BMW 335i is a reliable luxury midsize car, it does have its fair share of problems. Here are the most commonly reported BMW 335i failures for the different model years:

1- Noise and vibration due to low refrigerant level

According to some 2009 BMW 335i owners, problems with the air conditioning system are common for some units of this model year. Annoying noises may be heard when the A/C system is operating and the steering wheel may vibrate excessively. If these problems stop when the A/C system is turned off, the problem may be a low refrigerant charge in the system.

Some owners have reported hearing a “rope in fan” type noise on the passenger side when idling and feeling vibrations in the steering wheel. The vibrations stop when the air conditioner is turned off.

Others experienced a constant vibration in the steering wheel for weeks. When they took their vehicle to the dealership they were told they needed a new A/C evaporator.

2- Problems with engine noise

Many 2008 BMW 335i owners have complained of issues such as engine rattling and the check engine light coming on. The turbocharged engine in your car developed wastegate problems that worsened over time , even more so under harsh driving conditions.

Wastegate chatter or turbo chatter is the result of excessive movement between the wastegate and the wastegate seat. Other symptoms of this problem are chattering during cold starts, chattering during deceleration, loss of power, check engine light on, poor engine performance, and a logged OBD trouble code.

5- Disadvantages of the serpentine belt

Bad serpentine belts are one of the common 2008 BMW 335i failures. According to some owners, their serpentine belts broke and melted in their engines . This caused his vehicle to break down in the middle of the road.

Several drivers experienced even worse problems, as their car broke down without warning. Some owners also had to deal with losing power steering and the car refusing to start again.

6- Faults in the high pressure fuel pump

Many owners of the 2007 BMW 335i have complained of problems with their high-pressure fuel pump. The check engine light may also come on and the car may show a lack of power.

According to several owners, their vehicles suddenly lost power and started longer than usual. Others pointed out that their car lost torque after hitting the accelerator . In some cases, affected BMW 335is stuttered going up steep grades and their transmission slipped going down steep grades.

BMW has issued a service bulletin to address this issue.

7- Air conditioning problems

According to many 2007 BMW 335i owners, problems with its cooling system are common in some units of this model year. Some of them experienced high temperatures in the passenger compartment of their vehicle despite the fact that the A/C system was active.

Others complained of problems with their car’s water pump, thermostat, and fuel pump.

8- Engine problems

Engine problems are among the most reported problems with the 2007 BMW 335i. Engine overheating, low gas mileage, rough running and turbo failure are typical of some units of this model year. According to some owners, when their car overheats, it automatically goes into “limp” mode . Others experienced a rough idle accompanied by an activated check engine light.

In conclusion

If you’re in the market for a BMW 335i, be prepared to accept the good and the potentially bad. But do not worry. As long as you’re aware of the potential issues for the specific model year you’re planning to get, buying this mid-size luxury car should be low risk. Look up the most common problems affecting the model you’re looking at, and make sure the dealer has cleared everything up before you take your BMW 335i home.