[BMWMusician]

I've had a question that's been on my mind lately, as I've been spotting more and more e90's in my area (near Houston), and I'm just scratching my head, are people not experiencing similar issues I've had, or just buying up these cars maybe because of depreciation, or what? Doesn't seem like the parts price or labor has dropped (or maybe I'm wrong)?

So I was curious to see since owning your E9X, how much have spent towards maintenance?

I have a 08 E93 335i (3 yrs ownership so far) and here's a just a overview of something of the issues/things I had to take care of in 3 years. I'm sure there's a grand or two missing from here, but this is just off the top of my head. Also, the car had a ton of work done prior to ownership (HPFP, leaky injectors, transmission leaking, wiring, etc):

• Issues/Maintenance:
  $530 for tpms transmitter sensors (around $265 per sensor)
  $175 for two front tire sensors ($80 a sensor + labor install)
  $650 for oil sensor (replaced in 2015, failed in 2016 but dealer replaced)
  $600 for DTML pump
  $5300 for abs hydraulic unit (oh boy!)
  $0 Convertible would not close (I thank the dealer, they said they just greased the line and worked fine)
  
  Routine/Easy Expenses:
  
  $330 for 3x oil changes
  $500 for 2x rear run flat tires
  $150 for an alignment
  $20 for air filter
  $10 for updating gas cap to more sturdy blue version
  $150 rear brake pads (including wear sensor + paying a good friend to do)
  $40 diy power steering drain and refills
  $120 for PPI (said everything was fine except needs new brakes)
  
  Future Expenses:
  $850 The dealer told me the car has a leaky gasket (guessing VCG)
  $450 The door is making a clicking noise with the window (My guess is the regulator)?
  $100 for brake flush (DIY)
  $100 for brake pads (DIY)
  ~$80 for coolant flush (DIY)
  $20-30 for cabin air filter

[delmarco]

2/15/2016 purchase of a 1 owner CPO 2011 335i xDrive with 40k miles (5/2011 build date)

Year One- 2016 - 3/2016 - 43,000 miles
$80 oil change at dealership
$60 for engine and cabin air filters
$120 for brake fluid flush


Year Two - 3/2017 - 48,000 miles
$585 for four new Continental DWS tires to replace the four OEM original crappy Continental SSR run flats
$250 for a rear quarter panel fender dent repaired at BMW dealership
$200 for broken and leaking headlamp washer fluid pump at BMW dealership

Quoted at BMW dealership $1200 for four new run flat SSR tires. Declined
Quoted at BMW dealership $1300 for leaky oil filter housing gasket. Declined

Year Three - 3/2018 - 53,000 miles

$80 Oil Change at BMW dealership
$120 Brake Fluid Flush
Quoted at BMW dealership $492 for a new battery. Declined
Quoted at BMW dealership $500 for new spark plugs. Declined

for the year so far.

I will also need new front/rear brakes $500 DIY (or $800+ at dealership) before the year ends or in the next 3,700 miles.

I am an exception in the BMW E90 forum because I own two cars and do not drive my BMW everyday. It is parked and garaged in the winter months from December to February (hence why I need a new battery) and casually (weekend) driven the rest of the year.

I believe the daily E90 driver will experience a lot more wear and tear spending then myself.

[e90yyc]

Below data is Canadian $ and kilometers. Bought the car last July.

[BMWMusician]

Originally Posted by delmarco

2/15/2016 purchase of a 1 owner CPO 2011 335i xDrive with 40k miles (5/2011 build date)

Year One- 2016 - 3/2016 - 43,000 miles
$80 oil change at dealership
$60 for engine and cabin air filters
$120 for brake fluid flush


Year Two - 3/2017 - 48,000 miles
$585 for four new Continental DWS tires to replace the four OEM original crappy Continental SSR run flats
$250 for a rear quarter panel fender dent repaired at BMW dealership
$200 for broken and leaking headlamp washer fluid pump at BMW dealership

Quoted at BMW dealership $1200 for four new run flat SSR tires. Declined
Quoted at BMW dealership $1300 for leaky oil filter housing gasket. Declined

Year Three - 3/2018 - 53,000 miles

$80 Oil Change at BMW dealership
$120 Brake Fluid Flush
Quoted at BMW dealership $492 for a new battery. Declined
Quoted at BMW dealership $500 for new spark plugs. Declined

for the year so far.

I will also need new front/rear brakes $500 DIY (or $800+ at dealership) before the year ends or in the next 3,700 miles.

I am an exception in the BMW E90 forum because I own two cars and do not drive my BMW everyday. It is parked and garaged in the winter months from December to February (hence why I need a new battery) and casually (weekend) driven the rest of the year.

I believe the daily E90 driver will experience a lot more wear and tear spending then myself.

Me and you are almost in similar situations. My 335 has 51k, and I dont drive it everyday (have a everyday vehicle). I was experiencing battery faults and codes (hence winter as well, which was weird this season living in tx), but bought a battery tender, charged it, and all went away.

[BMWMusician]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Below data is Canadian $ and kilometers. Bought the car last July.

Not bad imo. You saved some money diy'ing alot, and what happened to the differential pinion seal?

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by BMWMusician

Not bad imo. You saved some money diy'ing alot, and what happened to the differential pinion seal?

True. So far it's been a bit more $ than I would like, but I've worked for BMW before and therefore had full knowledge of what I was getting myself into, so I can't complain.

I only paid $3k CAD for the car so I'm happy overall! Just one previous owner, and he maintained it exceptionally well... all dealer serviced, and brand new brakes a few months prior to me buying it.

I'll be doing a PS pump in a couple weeks too, but with a used part. Current pump is groaning. So that'll add about $150 to my tab.

Diff pinion seal was leaking... That's the extent of it as far as I know. The torque converter is also sweating a bit, but nothing major. Oil pan is leaking (minor) but it isn't the gasket, which was done a couple years ago. Fixing it will likely entail replacing whole pan. Thanks but no thanks, haha...

In the end, it's really all worthwhile when I get into it and drive.

[tlow98]

Year 1 - 60k miles
- $120 Tensioner/pulley
- $3x windshield moulding
- $48 oil change
- $540 trans fluid change (opted to do this @60k miles)
- $70 air filter + cabin Filter

Year 2 - 73k miles
- $48 oil change
- $2x rear tail light seal
- $7 rearview mirror glue
- $175 (?) Rear brake rotors and all 4 pads

Year 3 - currently 84k miles
- $48 oil change
- $14 wiper blades (front only)

Oddities of my ownership - I change the oil @5k -7.5k based on the fact that the car sees a lot of cold starts in hilly San Francisco. Basically, I feel bad for the car. You should see when my wife pulls away on a cold start - zero f*cks given. I also did the trans fluid that likely wasn't needed, but I am hoping to own this car for an extended period so I'm trying to maximize the transmission life. It's the only job I've paid to have done on the car.

[floydarogers]

Excluding tires, $13282 for my 2010 335d with 127000 miles. It would have been $4500 higher except BMWNA stepped up with 12/120K warranties on the DEF tank and NOx sensors.

[bennye90]

E90 328xi @ 170k km.. for the past 45k km I have replaced (canadian prices)

Rear Wheel Bearings $120 parts + $150 labour
Rear Shocks $120 parts + self labour
4 Tires to Continental ExtrCont DWS06 $850 parts + $90 labour
BMW Style 197 Rims $420 for the set
Oil Change x5 $60 per change with filter etc. = $300 + self labour
Coolant Flush $25 + self labour
Cabin/Engine Filter Change $40 + self labour
Spark Plugs $65 parts + self labour
Power Steering Flush $25 + self labour
Fuel (91 Shell V-Power) = $5745 so far

Grand total (excluding fuel)= $2205.. considering that tires/wheels were an upgrade then it'd be $845

Need to change in the future
Control Arm Bushings for the front
Find the culprit for slow coolant leak in one my hoses
Transmission/Diff/Transfer Case Flush

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by BMWMusician

$5300 for abs hydraulic unit (oh boy!)

Ugh, sorry to see you paid for this. You don't need to hear this now, but when other's read this know there is a $300 fix and it's pretty easy to DIY.

[sorin1987]

My car: 2011 BMW E90 325i MSport
year 1 55k miles
490£ - clutch kit. advised by an independent garage I took my car to to check on a whining noise only on 2nd gear at low rpms. The sound was still there, old clutch was clearly in perfect condition. Got my money back from my warranty and a free Service and MOT to make up for their mistake.
500£ new tyres
13£ driver side headlight light bulb

1.5 year - 69k miles
1350£ - spark plugs, coils and Nox sensor. Car is misfiring. Changing these didn't fixed the issue. Car is going to BMW dealership next Monday for diagnostic and investigation.

Close future - 125£ diagnostic and investigation for my misfires at BMW and then fixing whatever the issue is at an independent BMW garage.

[kfriceman]

Originally Posted by BMWMusician

I've had a question that's been on my mind lately, as I've been spotting more and more e90's in my area (near Houston), and I'm just scratching my head, are people not experiencing similar issues I've had, or just buying up these cars maybe because of depreciation, or what? Doesn't seem like the parts price or labor has dropped (or maybe I'm wrong)?

So I was curious to see since owning your E9X, how much have spent towards maintenance?

I have a 08 E93 335i (3 yrs ownership so far) and here's a just a overview of something of the issues/things I had to take care of in 3 years. I'm sure there's a grand or two missing from here, but this is just off the top of my head. Also, the car had a ton of work done prior to ownership (HPFP, leaky injectors, transmission leaking, wiring, etc):

• Issues/Maintenance:
  $530 for tpms transmitter sensors (around $265 per sensor)
  $175 for two front tire sensors ($80 a sensor + labor install)
  $650 for oil sensor (replaced in 2015, failed in 2016 but dealer replaced)
  $600 for DTML pump
  $5300 for abs hydraulic unit (oh boy!)
  $0 Convertible would not close (I thank the dealer, they said they just greased the line and worked fine)
  
  Routine/Easy Expenses:
  
  $330 for 3x oil changes
  $500 for 2x rear run flat tires
  $150 for an alignment
  $20 for air filter
  $10 for updating gas cap to more sturdy blue version
  $150 rear brake pads (including wear sensor + paying a good friend to do)
  $40 diy power steering drain and refills
  $120 for PPI (said everything was fine except needs new brakes)
  
  Future Expenses:
  $850 The dealer told me the car has a leaky gasket (guessing VCG)
  $450 The door is making a clicking noise with the window (My guess is the regulator)?
  $100 for brake flush (DIY)
  $100 for brake pads (DIY)
  ~$80 for coolant flush (DIY)
  $20-30 for cabin air filter

Spent your money more wisely, you are paying excessively for oil changes.

-Kevin

[BMWMusician]

That was once a year since I drove less than 8k miles. The dealer charged around $110 for the first two, and then I did my own two months ago. $80 for the oil and filter, and add another $20-$30 for oil filter cap, 17mm socket, oil drain container to pour old oil, and misc expenses like gloves and shop towels.

Of course I expect the cost to be less, and since the dealer spotted a leaky gasket, im guess they might replace the eccentric shaft and do another oil change?

[delmarco]

Originally Posted by kfriceman

Spent your money more wisely, you are paying excessively for oil changes.

-Kevin

I was thinking the same. $330 for an oil change is excessive!

[BMWMusician]

It was actually 3 oil changes. One per year. Two from the dealer and one I diy'ed (includes all the extras to do it too).

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by bennye90

E90 328xi @ 170k km.. for the past 45k km I have replaced (canadian prices)

Rear Wheel Bearings $120 parts + $150 labour
Rear Shocks $120 parts + self labour
4 Tires to Continental ExtrCont DWS06 $850 parts + $90 labour
BMW Style 197 Rims $420 for the set
Oil Change x5 $60 per change with filter etc. = $300 + self labour
Coolant Flush $25 + self labour
Cabin/Engine Filter Change $40 + self labour
Spark Plugs $65 parts + self labour
Power Steering Flush $25 + self labour
Fuel (91 Shell V-Power) = $5745 so far

Grand total (excluding fuel)= $2205.. considering that tires/wheels were an upgrade then it'd be $845

Need to change in the future
Control Arm Bushings for the front
Find the culprit for slow coolant leak in one my hoses
Transmission/Diff/Transfer Case Flush

Not bad... What is about control arm bushings that's causing you issues?

Alright, so I'm not looking to open up a debate about oil brands, but what are you using that you've done changes for $60 filter included? I'm interested in this.

[kfriceman]

Originally Posted by BMWMusician

It was actually 3 oil changes. One per year. Two from the dealer and one I diy'ed (includes all the extras to do it too).

I knew it was three and that is way too much money for that work and what extras are you talking about???

-Kevin

[Pladi]

what a depressing thread...

[tcphoto]

I've only owned my E92 for 20 months and average $67 a month. That is for maintenance and replacing plastic bits that deteriorated or broke. I will be doing the OFHG and VCG this summer and would like to upgrade to a set of Style 437's, so I'm sure that number will go up. It's much better than the $110 average that the E46 required and I hope that I shopped smarter on this car.

[BMWMusician]

Originally Posted by kfriceman

I knew it was three and that is way too much money for that work and what extras are you talking about???

-Kevin

To diy it myself I needed to get the oil filter wrench ~$10.

17mm socket $5
Oil drain container to put oil $8
Gloves and shop towel $5

[BMWMusician]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Not bad... What is about control arm bushings that's causing you issues?

Alright, so I'm not looking to open up a debate about oil brands, but what are you using that you've done changes for $60 filter included? I'm interested in this.

I bought a oil kit that consisted of the BMW oil they sell online + the Mann filter

So 7x bottles of oil at $10 each ($70 + filter)

I know, could have got it cheaper (the oil), but I ordered it from a great company online, good service.

[ThugzZ BunnY]

just under $13k in two years. im actually very glad I don't have the car anymore cause it was a legit addiction. only around $1500 of that was maintenance.