[Cptn Mo 703]

I had ordered a 2008 AW E93 back in late 07..got it and fell in love with it...and unfourtrinally the fuel pump failed me 5 times...(just one of the problems)...well I wrote BMWNA a letter and they told the dealership to find me a new 2009 one, and I could pick new colors for the car...got the car in Black Sapphire Metallic...Well i've had the new car for less than 2 months...haven't driven it over 4000rpm...and had been feeling shaky start ups in the morning with idling but no engine warning lights came up...well that all changed this morning..took it over back to the dealership...I waited 3 hours for a loaner..and the SA said he'll fix it and get back to me...Im not trying to go through the same things I did with my 08 one...What should I do now? Virginia has a Lemon law that says that if the car goes into service 3 times for the same issue and is not fixed the state requires full buy back! (which I didn't know about the first time around)

So feedback will be helpful...Thanks guys

[drwtsn32]

Does the gas around you have a lot of ethanol?

[Cptn Mo 703]

Originally Posted by drwtsn32

Does the gas around you have a lot of ethanol?

I don't know about that...but I found that list of gas companies that BMW recommends and I only use Shell 93 octane..I think it has 10% ethanol but don't hold me to that

[NewSong]

Dump the car.

This is exactly the reason I wouldn't recommend buying a 335i until they fix the HPFP. It's ridiculous. If the MY2010 has the same problem, the 335i should just be considered a lemon model like the 2002 7 Series.

[markinva]

Originally Posted by Cptn Mo 703

I don't know about that...but I found that list of gas companies that BMW recommends and I only use Shell 93 octane..I think it has 10% ethanol but don't hold me to that

where exactly do you live? I'm in NOVA (herndon/reston) and I use Shell 93. Knock on wood I've never had a problem. Did the dealership every say anything about ethanol content or quality of gas?

Given that it's happening to you so often, many would say that it is probably your Gas (hence the ethanol question earlier in this thread).

But, given that I highly doubt Shell 93 is different in certain parts of fairfax county that you go to versus where I go to, then I have to lean towards it being an incredibly complicated problem with the fuel systems in the cars you are getting and unfortunate luck in your case (since it's happened so often).

[sneaks]

Originally Posted by Cptn Mo 703

...haven't driven it over 4000rpm...

Start driving it harder, and redline it once in a while.

I prefer shell gas as well, but if you are using one particular station which may have issues with moisture or sediment, that may be the problem.

Do you park on a steep grade regularly? Wondering if the fuel pump is cavitating on startup.

Do you have comfort access and store the key fob near the car?

Peace

[ilidon]

it happened to me when im still in break-in period. happened once and never happened again. i currently have 5700 miles (crossing fingers).

[DenverJayhawk]

Originally Posted by NewSong

Dump the car.

This is exactly the reason I wouldn't recommend buying a 335i until they fix the HPFP. It's ridiculous. If the MY2010 has the same problem, the 335i should just be considered a lemon model like the 2002 7 Series.

It's really a shame that the HPFP as dampened an otherwise brilliant vehicle. Good thing the issue is random and sporadic.

[Cptn Mo 703]

Originally Posted by markinva

where exactly do you live? I'm in NOVA (herndon/reston) and I use Shell 93. Knock on wood I've never had a problem. Did the dealership every say anything about ethanol content or quality of gas?

Given that it's happening to you so often, many would say that it is probably your Gas (hence the ethanol question earlier in this thread).

But, given that I highly doubt Shell 93 is different in certain parts of fairfax county that you go to versus where I go to, then I have to lean towards it being an incredibly complicated problem with the fuel systems in the cars you are getting and unfortunate luck in your case (since it's happened so often).

I live in Burke, but work in Centreville ... and they day after I got the new car I made sure to ask the dealership about the gas and they said anything with a 93 rating. But I researched a lil and found that list of good gas and shell seems to be the most convenient since the other don't even exist in VA. But I've filled up all over Fairfax county... even at the Shell on the corner of Drainesville rd and Rt. 7.. but once again I just might have horrible luck.

[Cptn Mo 703]

Originally Posted by sneaks

Start driving it harder, and redline it once in a while.

I prefer shell gas as well, but if you are using one particular station which may have issues with moisture or sediment, that may be the problem.

Do you park on a steep grade regularly? Wondering if the fuel pump is cavitating on startup.

Do you have comfort access and store the key fob near the car?

Peace

I use Shell but I've used a few different stations. And the car is parked regularly.. I do have the comfort access but the key is always inside the house once i get in.

[markinva]

Originally Posted by Cptn Mo 703

I live in Burke, but work in Centreville ... and they day after I got the new car I made sure to ask the dealership about the gas and they said anything with a 93 rating. But I researched a lil and found that list of good gas and shell seems to be the most convenient since the other don't even exist in VA. But I've filled up all over Fairfax county... even at the Shell on the corner of Drainesville rd and Rt. 7.. but once again I just might have horrible luck.

yeah I fill up on the shell of dranesville road fairly often... I really doubt it's your gas.

It has to be the pump or something that's causing the pumps to fail. Over and over again, even upon replacement of the pump or the whole car? Then other people and cars have no problem at all with the HPFP. This is so weird.

How in the world can't BMW figure out what the problem is? If they know, they should fess up and tell us exactly what is going on... because this is driving me nuts.

The fact that some dealers are quick to blame ethanol (god forbid you have 11% ethanol in your tank when it fails), and BMW hasn't expanded the warranty on the 2009's yet is incredibly frustrating and provides for a very negative customer experience.

[beef1020]

Originally Posted by Cptn Mo 703

But I researched a lil and found that list of good gas and shell seems to be the most convenient since the other don't even exist in VA.

can you point me to the list?

[markinva]

Originally Posted by beef1020

can you point me to the list?

he's probably talking about toptiergas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Tie...rgent_Gasoline

which, to play it safe (because who knows if a dealer will challenge you) I use.

Your hpfp should not be affected and the warranty is not impacted by the use of non-top tier stations.

[Cptn Mo 703]

Originally Posted by beef1020

can you point me to the list?

I found it on a forum here not to long ago..but it pretty much said the same stuff that was posted on the wikipedia website.

[MikeMidd]

When you were getting pumps replaced, was it because of failure (i.e. slammed the car into limp mode) or long cranks that threw a service engine code, or just long cranks and the replaced it on your word?

Mine has long-cranked several times over the past month. Not every time. Occasional. One time, bad enough that it basically stopped cranking and I had to push the button again. Dealership says without a code they cannot replace, but not to worry, no code means probably no problem. Right...

[Cptn Mo 703]

Originally Posted by MikeMidd

When you were getting pumps replaced, was it because of failure (i.e. slammed the car into limp mode) or long cranks that threw a service engine code, or just long cranks and the replaced it on your word?

Mine has long-cranked several times over the past month. Not every time. Occasional. One time, bad enough that it basically stopped cranking and I had to push the button again. Dealership says without a code they cannot replace, but not to worry, no code means probably no problem. Right...

The half engine light would come on. And the screen would say engine malfunction, reduced power. It would show up a code everytime i brought it in

[smallseafishie]

There must be something weird going on w/ your gas or something... 22k miles and i'm still on my original hpfp on a 06/07 build....

[pwdrskr]

Originally Posted by MikeMidd

When you were getting pumps replaced, was it because of failure (i.e. slammed the car into limp mode) or long cranks that threw a service engine code, or just long cranks and the replaced it on your word?

Mine has long-cranked several times over the past month. Not every time. Occasional. One time, bad enough that it basically stopped cranking and I had to push the button again. Dealership says without a code they cannot replace, but not to worry, no code means probably no problem. Right...

I just had my 08 335xi in to Peter Pan BMW here in San Carlos, CA. I had just received the BMW NA letter regarding the HPFP potential to fail. I have the car now for 1 year and have ~22K miles on it. In that time, I have two episodes of the "long crank" at start up. I mentioned this to the service writer and the shop foreman.

Even though the engine did not go into limp mode nor did the car throw a code, they were able to do some tests that showed that the HPFP was faulty and they replaced it! Without them having to witness the long crank. I'm certain what they did to test the HPFP, but I will say that I was very impressed with the experience.

[darkphantom]

original HPFP here, 08/2007 build. E93 N54

Texas - mainly using chevron/shell 93 oct

[Sunstealer]

The dealership replaced mine during my last service as well. I occasionally had a longer than normal crank, but never any service lights. I was surprised they replaced it without a complete failure. Mine is an 07 with 32,000 miles so far.

[TiAg335i]

i use shell 93 since day 1... no problems.