I have another thread on here somewhere about my '08 535 going through fuel pumps like Rick James and cocaine, but I thought this would be relevant enough for it's own thread..
BMW bought back my 535 yesterday..
The process of turning it in involves an inspector from an outside company, who's purpose appears to be solely inspecting cars for buy-back.
My wife very astutely asked him what cars he's seeing the most of nowadays, and he responded that the '07-'08 BMW 5-series is the one BY FAR*.
Ironically, the guy didn't seem all that hip on specific models(I asked him about Porsche, and he didn't even know what a 911 was), but he went on to say that the 5's he's seeing are being bought back for fuel pump problems. He elaborated a tad bit saying something to the effect of the 'new' fuel pumps are causing collateral damage!?! Those weren't the words he used, but that was his meaning. I asked him about 3 series, as I figured since they have the same motor, they gotta be seeing the same problems, to which he responded affirmatively, but said that the 5's are by far the one he see's the most.
Once our first pump went, the rest were the superseded ones. The only time we saw anything that could be 'collateral damage', was the last repair they performed... replacing all of the injectors. In the 2 weeks following this repair, the motor apparently burned 2-full qts. of oil, but I don't see how that could be caused by a fuel pump(which was on it's way out again when we got rid of it), but I'm not a BMW technician, so what do I know..?..
I'm sure everyone on here with a 535 has received the letter from BMW regarding the fuel pump issues, so it's prolly no surprise to anyone(even though they seriously down-played the extent of the problem), but knowledge is king, so I figured this might help someone else.
BMW.. he also said he's never seen a 7-series come back. Doesn't help me, as my wife drives too much for that kind of fuel mileage, and I could afford one anyway. Lexus is the brand he says he sees the least of.


*The company he works for does these inspections for BMW, Porsche, Toyota, Lexus, and IIRC Mercedes. They DON'T do any American cars.. I don't want anyone to think based off what I wrote, that the BMW 535 is by far the most 'bought back' car out there. Just among what this inspector sees

 

"Cocaine is a hell of a drug"
-- Rick James

The Lexus comment isn't surprising. I read some automotive magazine circa 2004, and they said a 10-year old Lexus LS was more reliable than a brand new 7-Series.
I don't know if that was just rhetoric, or if it was based on fact. But, it was clearly stated- I just wish I could remember where I read it.

 

"Charlie Murphy!" hahaha that was a good episode


OP, this is a GREAT thread. Epic - E P I C - proportions IMHO. It basically verifies what I (and probably everyone else here) have suspected for a while. I wonder how the TT V8's hold up to the tests of time...

 

Yes I sure hope that the TT V8 do not suffer from the same problems as it looks like, in one variant or another, that is the motor that will be in the my next car.

 

I haven't received any letter from BMW regarding this. Any way you can send me a copy?

 

He does appraisals for Porsche and doesn't know what a 911 is?? lol. He must have been living under a rock for the last 35 yrs. I would be leary of his opinions...
Also, a cars depreciation comes into play when a buyback is involved. BMW might have missed their targets and the current economy doesn't help. I have seen numerous instances of dealers offering $5-$10k! for people to buy their car instead of returning them after lease.
Raj

 

Good post!

Also to note for those looking for a 535i. Many on the market of buy backs being offered again for resale after BMW has fixed the issues. Once it hits the market again which does have a diminished value and if the problem occurs again with the Fuel Pump they are buying them back without question. It's an internal policy from what I was told and so far they are sticking to it.

The flood of 535i's in the market is large and this has caused them to drop more than normal. A good buy for someone like me in the market for a project car. Bad for those selling or trading.

In regards to the appraiser's comment about not knowing a 911 from a hole in the wall. My entire opinion of his knowledge just went down the tubes. The 911 has been around since 1964. Started out as a 901 in 1963. So in essense 911's have been around for 46 years and this guy doesn't know this?

He might not be as familiar with the 993,996 or 997 or type designations but he better know its a 911.

Porsche has very few buy backs. They are a very reliable cars if maintained correctly. My first Turbo was a buy back in 2001 for broken shafts. But it was one of a very few that it ever was bought back for this problem. My 997 Turbo is solid as a rock.

I am in the market for a 535i 08/09. I was looking at a 550i but I like the potential with the 535i and JB3+. I like low end torque! Don't plan to fly down the highway at 175mph but I do love the twisties!

 

Since it is a mechanical pump it needs lubrication. A faulty seal or gasket might allow it to ingest or leak oil. I don't know either...just a guess.
I hope this buy-back works to your advantage, or at least, break even.

For those of us who don't know:

The high-pressure fuel pump compresses the fuel (range of 50 to 200 bar) and feeds it to the rail.
The high-pressure fuel pump is bolted onto the rear end of the vacuum pump. The drive shaft of the high-pressure fuel pump is connected to the drive shaft of the evacuating pump.


1. High-pressure fuel pump
2. Connection for the high pressure line to the rail
3. Volume control valve
4. Electrical connection
5. Connection for the low pressure line from the fuel pump

 

In the appraiser's (semi)defense, if he's only had that job for a couple years, and isn't an auto enthusiast, he probably just knows it by Carrera and not 911. Cut him some slack!

 

Interesting, thanks for sharing. I did some reading before I bought my e60....which is why I am in an '06 550 and not an '08 535. I just did not want to take that risk based on what I was reading at that time.

It really will be interesting to monitor the performance, reviews, reliability of BMW's TT v'8s