elbozi

I am looking at picking up a 08 535i with 41k miles, alpine white, with sport, convience, ipod, navigation, black dakota leather,
xenons, projector lights, heated seats, steering wheel, park assist, basically loaded for $23k. I am getting it from a guy who buys
a bunch of these BMW's out of Cali, all lemoned. It looks completely new, from every angle, had it on the lift, paint is flawless.
Not sure how it was kept in such great shape. Car tracks straight as an arrow, and is whisper quiet.

Now the carfax on this car is terrible, it was lemoned out in California, and resold on BMW lots out there several times over lemoned
each time back to BMW, it was also in an accident early on at about 15k miles, no airbag. I will have to see if BMW will look into
the records to see what the extent of the damage was.

It will have a few months warranty left. But after that it would seem it is not CPO'able. So I kinda go into no mans land.
Provided the accident was minor, if it was lemoned on fuel rail/HPFP problems. Then how difficult is it to hopefully ride out
the storm assuming BMW figures out the HPFP problems as a dIY guy. I have swapped motors and done lots of work on Civics, haven't
rebuilt a tranny or anything that extensive, but changed heads, valve covers,timing belts, etc. It seems the bulk of the time to
get these E60 off and running again it is almost always a combo of HPFP (covered under extended warranty), fuel rail, injectors.

So my main queation! : How hard is it to swap they rails and injectors as a DIY job? Also anyone seen the price on those parts from their repair orders?

What has been the dealership prices for these repairs put back on BMW? I am trying to weigh in self insuring and going with the car,
my other option is a 09 TL with navi for $25k and 32k miles or a 07 Lexus GS350 AWD with 40k miles for $26k. I should not have ever driven
the 535i, everything else seems to pale in comparison. Guess I should really stay away from the M5!

BLaCk aBi

it was declared a lemon by 300 people
do you really wanna be number 301?
stay away from it
keep searching

Gilgorm

"Lemoned several times"? Walk away. There are lots of good 5s out there. Keep looking. To check out some prices go to www.realoem.com

elbozi

not sure how similar this is to the setup on the 535i twin turbo motor, but these diy instructions look pretty dooable,

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...eplacement.htm

The article does mention that the injectors are $80 - $120 a piece. I can imagine for this engine it could get even more
pricey! This plus fuel rail looks like it could easily run close to a $1000 just in parts to roll across all 6.

ProMed

2 questions for you. A car can be branded a lemon more than once in California? A car with a lemon title still maintains the OEM BMW warranty?

elbozi

Your probably right. Thanks for the link, it looks like fuel rail is $200 part 13537575480, and I can't quite tell if each injector (13537585261)is $309 with core swap it says qty 6, or $309 for all six = $1804. Otherwise it's just $51 per injector.

elbozi

I called BMW earlier in the week and confirmed it is under warranty coverage. However I understand they don't cpo their lemoned cars. Maybe it was
only lemoned one time, and it just kept getting handed off, it has changed owner ship a lot. :S



08/13/2007 US Customs Vehicle exported from
Germany
and imported to
Port Hueneme, CA

08/21/2007 Nick Alexander Imports
Los Angeles, CA
323-583-1901
www.alexanderbmw.com Pre-delivery inspection completed

09/15/2007 14 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Porter Ranch, CA Odometer reading reported
Registered as personal lease vehicle

09/23/2007 Nick Alexander Imports
Los Angeles, CA
323-583-1901
www.alexanderbmw.com Computer module replaced
Electrical
Computer reprogrammed

11/09/2007 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Porter Ranch, CA Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Registered as personal lease vehicle
Loan or lien reported

03/06/2008 California
Damage Report Accident reported
Involving front and rear impact
Vehicle towed

06/29/2009 23,533 Center BMW
Sherman Oaks, CA
818-907-9995
www.centerbmw.com Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated

08/07/2009 24,934 Nick Alexander Imports
Los Angeles, CA
323-583-1901
www.alexanderbmw.com Engine checked

08/26/2009 BMW of North America, LLC VEHICLE REACQUIRED
Vehicle reacquired by the manufacturer pursuant to applicable state consumer warranty laws or to promote customer satisfaction.

---------------------------------------
09/11/2009 25,521 California Motor Vehicle Dept.
Odometer reading reported

09/15/2009 Nick Alexander Imports
Los Angeles, CA
323-583-1901
www.alexanderbmw.com Vehicle serviced

09/25/2009 Center BMW
Sherman Oaks, CA
818-907-9995
www.centerbmw.com Vehicle serviced

09/25/2009 25,751 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Irving, TX New owner reported
MANUFACTURER BUYBACK
OR LEMON REPORTED

09/25/2009 California
Motor Vehicle Dept. Title or registration issued
to manufacturer

10/19/2009 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Pacific Region
Listed as
a manufacturer vehicle

======================================
01/12/2010 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pleasanton, CA New owner reported
MANUFACTURER BUYBACK
OR LEMON REPORTED
Loan or lien reported

====================================
11/24/2010 41,687 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Irving, TX Odometer reading reported
12/10/2010 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Pleasanton, CA New owner reported
MANUFACTURER BUYBACK
OR LEMON REPORTED
Loan or lien reported

=====================================
12/28/2010 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
New owner reported
MANUFACTURER BUYBACK
OR LEMON REPORTED
Registered as lease vehicle

-------------------------------------
02/04/2011 41,707 BMW of Fremont
Fremont, CA
510-360-5900
www.bmwoffremont.com Brakes checked
Battery/charging system checked
Maintenance inspection completed
Tire condition and pressure checked
--------------------------------------
02/28/2011 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Pacific Region
Listed as
a manufacturer vehicle
-------------------------------------

pukka

I can't believe you are even considering this car.

elbozi

Yes, I was smitten, but let better judgement get a hold of me. I bought a 09 TL Tech today. Will try the 535i again if they get all the issues worked out.

luigi524td

Reasonable choice ... your lust for that particular 535 might have turned ugly too quickly.

Best to cool your jets with the TL for now. I hear they are fun and reliable cars.

ENJOY!!