New to me 08 535i Owner
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
My Ride: 2008 BMW 535i Sport Package
Hey guys. Just picked up a black 08 535i this weekend.
This is my first forray into the world of European automotives and stock turbos,
coming from an slightly modded 02 Acura RSX Type-S and a more heavily modded 2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe 6MT.
I've frequented G35Driver.com, and now doing some new research at bimmerforums.com and some guys suggested I come here.
So here I am!
I'd like to be pointed in the right direction on lip kits, preferences on interior and exterior LED merchants, and known issues for our cars.
..... I'm not afraid of the "search" button, but I figured I'd go ahead and ask now. lol
Also, what's up with the LED tail retrofits? Is this something applicable to 08s?
The dealer has to replace a cracked tail light on my car and I wanted to see if I should get them
to give me the money and get something nicer in the process.
This is my first forray into the world of European automotives and stock turbos,
coming from an slightly modded 02 Acura RSX Type-S and a more heavily modded 2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe 6MT.
I've frequented G35Driver.com, and now doing some new research at bimmerforums.com and some guys suggested I come here.
So here I am!
I'd like to be pointed in the right direction on lip kits, preferences on interior and exterior LED merchants, and known issues for our cars.
..... I'm not afraid of the "search" button, but I figured I'd go ahead and ask now. lol
Also, what's up with the LED tail retrofits? Is this something applicable to 08s?
The dealer has to replace a cracked tail light on my car and I wanted to see if I should get them
to give me the money and get something nicer in the process.
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,561
Likes: 0
From: Milky Way, Earth, N. America, CA, San Jose, 95136, Latitude N 37� 16.837, Longitude W 121� 50.461
My Ride: 2004 530i | Sapphire Black | Sport | Premium | NAV | Logic 7 | DPE R07 Variant S Gloss Black with Polished Lip 20x8.5 front 20x10 rear | Falken FK452 tires 245/30/20 front 275/30/20 rear | H&R Coilovers | Smoked Tail Lights | M5 trunk spoiler | AC Schnitzer style roof spoiler | HID 8000K headlights & foglights | 35% tint all around | Sprint Booster | Speed Innovation ECU tuning | M5 trunk finisher | M-Tech body kit | Remus Quad Exhaust | AC Schnitzer style pedals | Euro Stickers | RPi Ram Air Induction | Smoked LED Side Lenses | AC Schnitzer style e-brake handle | AC Schnitzer style shifter | AC Schnitzer style iDrive knob | AC Schnitzer style carbon fiber diffuser | carbon fiber hood/trunk/steering emblems | carbon fiber grilles | carbon fiber door pillars | MTEC v2 Angel Eyes | Hamann style carbon fiber splitter
welcome.. enjoy your stay...
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,084
Likes: 0
From: Thousand Oaks, California
My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
Congrats on the new (to you) car and enjoy the forums!! 
Senior Members
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
From: 11791
My Ride: 2008 BMW 535XI white
Model Year: 2008
welcome
you have 08, which means LCI, so you have new version headlight and tailight, dont need to upgrade
if you need other LED interior or exterior, contact john (brabusw209amg)
for known issue with tt model, it might be the HPFP (high pressure fuel pump)
this forum is very helpful, enjoy your new ride
you have 08, which means LCI, so you have new version headlight and tailight, dont need to upgrade
if you need other LED interior or exterior, contact john (brabusw209amg)
for known issue with tt model, it might be the HPFP (high pressure fuel pump)
this forum is very helpful, enjoy your new ride
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
From: New York, New York
My Ride: See my signature
welcome
you have 08, which means LCI, so you have new version headlight and tailight, dont need to upgrade
if you need other LED interior or exterior, contact john (brabusw209amg)
for known issue with tt model, it might be the HPFP (high pressure fuel pump)
this forum is very helpful, enjoy your new ride
you have 08, which means LCI, so you have new version headlight and tailight, dont need to upgrade
if you need other LED interior or exterior, contact john (brabusw209amg)
for known issue with tt model, it might be the HPFP (high pressure fuel pump)
this forum is very helpful, enjoy your new ride
The HPFP issue is the only major issue that seems to comes up a lot with the 535 (there are a number of minor known issues with all E60s such as squeaking from the B pillar area of the windows). Most members don't have the HPFP problem. But some do and some have had it multiple times. BMW now has a super, super long warranty on the HPFP. Other than that one issue, the 535, to me, is a fantastic car -- almost all the performance of the 550 (and MORE if you get an ECU reflash) for $10K less. It is the best value of any of the E60s IMHO.
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
My Ride: 2008 BMW 535i Sport Package
Thanks everyone. I appreciate your responses.
Any comments on lip kits and front and rear bumpers and suppliers?
Seems like a lot of people go with M5 kits, at least from what I've seen so far.
So they are carrying a longer warranty on this specific part now? That's great. Nissan would have changed the specs to say the
issue was within normal specs....
Any comments on lip kits and front and rear bumpers and suppliers?
Seems like a lot of people go with M5 kits, at least from what I've seen so far.
+1 on all. Brabusw209amg (john) is a fantastic vendor and stand up guy and supplies most members' lighting mods.
The HPFP issue is the only major issue that seems to comes up a lot with the 535 (there are a number of minor known issues with all E60s such as squeaking from the B pillar area of the windows). Most members don't have the HPFP problem. But some do and some have had it multiple times. BMW now has a super, super long warranty on the HPFP. Other than that one issue, the 535, to me, is a fantastic car -- almost all the performance of the 550 (and MORE if you get an ECU reflash) for $10K less. It is the best value of any of the E60s IMHO.
The HPFP issue is the only major issue that seems to comes up a lot with the 535 (there are a number of minor known issues with all E60s such as squeaking from the B pillar area of the windows). Most members don't have the HPFP problem. But some do and some have had it multiple times. BMW now has a super, super long warranty on the HPFP. Other than that one issue, the 535, to me, is a fantastic car -- almost all the performance of the 550 (and MORE if you get an ECU reflash) for $10K less. It is the best value of any of the E60s IMHO.
issue was within normal specs....
Members
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Welcome aboard.
Former g35 owner here too.
Drove mine for about 4K miles. Decided to sell it (I hated the exhaust sound, it was very slow - felt like a 200hp car vs the rated 300 crank hp, it vibrates like a truck and everything inside feels cheap).
My current bimmer is our 6th.
And my only suggestion is - keep your car simple.
Don't overdo it, particularly when putting aero kits.
Don't put stickers on it.
And don't put an exhaust system that sound like the G or the Z.
Just my opinion.
Enjoy your stay here.
Former g35 owner here too.
Drove mine for about 4K miles. Decided to sell it (I hated the exhaust sound, it was very slow - felt like a 200hp car vs the rated 300 crank hp, it vibrates like a truck and everything inside feels cheap).
My current bimmer is our 6th.
And my only suggestion is - keep your car simple.
Don't overdo it, particularly when putting aero kits.
Don't put stickers on it.
And don't put an exhaust system that sound like the G or the Z.
Just my opinion.
Enjoy your stay here.
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham AL
My Ride: 2010 VW Passat Wagon 2.0l Tsi
Grey/Grey Budapest 18"
Lost to HPFP issues:
08 535i sport pkg
Lost to Dreaded E61 Sun roof leaks:
07 E61 530Xi
Issues:
HPFP (good luck
)
Trans Slam
desert south west overheats from high speed runs
Turbolag ( depends on firmware and production date of car)
Wastegate noise/chatter
Normal E60 stuff :
Electrical Gremlins
iDrive issues... ( not really
)
Leaky Sunroof
Rapid Batt Drain
Mods
Sprintbooster 2
Piggy backs for the motor (Vishnu/BMS are the big two)/ new DMS software (Dinan)
exhaust ( RPi recommended)
Air filter replacement and Air scoops ( forget the intake systems the are hot air induction systems...just go with a replacement high flow filter)
Shocks/Spring/Coilovers...
Breaks....
Custom Front Mount Inter cooler ( the ones from the 135/335 won't fit but you can "adapt" them as a starting point)
Lighting talk to member Babus209amg
Body
Wheels
Every thing else hit up Trinity and Acute... OEM look up Gery at Newport BMW for the discounts.
HPFP (good luck
) Trans Slam
desert south west overheats from high speed runs
Turbolag ( depends on firmware and production date of car)
Wastegate noise/chatter
Normal E60 stuff :
Electrical Gremlins
iDrive issues... ( not really
)Leaky Sunroof
Rapid Batt Drain
Mods
Sprintbooster 2
Piggy backs for the motor (Vishnu/BMS are the big two)/ new DMS software (Dinan)
exhaust ( RPi recommended)
Air filter replacement and Air scoops ( forget the intake systems the are hot air induction systems...just go with a replacement high flow filter)
Shocks/Spring/Coilovers...
Breaks....
Custom Front Mount Inter cooler ( the ones from the 135/335 won't fit but you can "adapt" them as a starting point)
Lighting talk to member Babus209amg
Body
Wheels
Every thing else hit up Trinity and Acute... OEM look up Gery at Newport BMW for the discounts.