Which BMW 335i Years to Avoid and Why? (Explained)

BMW 335i is another notable and well-received creation offered by BMW 3 series family, and the first base model was introduced in 2006 as the E60.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer could not keep the BMW standard quality intact while making all the models of the 335i series. As a result, 2007, 2008, and some other BMW 335i models ended up having the engine, cooling system, electrical, interior, and exhaust system defects.

If you are keen to know more about this famous 335i lineup’s infamous years, keep reading the following article to learn more to decide whether you should consider one of them or not.

BMW 335i Years To Avoid (List of Years)

BMW 335i series of vehicles are designed to ensure ultimate comfort in driving as well as equipped with powerful engines to deliver outstanding performance and have great resale value with a 55% depreciating rate in five years.

But due to the engine, cooling system, electrical, and some other potential flaws, some 335i released models scored below-average in reliability rating.

Thus, if you are looking for a used BMW 335i, remember to avoid the following released years:

  • 2007 BMW 335i
  • 2008 BMW 335i
  • 2009 BMW 335i
  • 2011 BMW 335i
  • 2012 BMW 335i
  • 2013 BMW 335i
  • 2014 BMW 335i

All the mentioned years of the BMW 335i models made the BMW 335i rank in 28th position out of 31 based on the RepairPal.com website’s BMW 335i Reliability – 2022 Ratings | RepairPal report.

According to RepairPal.com, BMW 335i got 2 out of 5 on reliability rating, which is the below standard rating for the brand too.

These 335i models are infamous for engine running rough, high temperature, turbo rattle or failure, broken or faulty serpentine belt, and some other minor defective issues.

What Makes These BMW 335i Years Worth Avoiding?

Many owners have expressed their dissatisfaction with particular model years after filing many complaints about them. As a result, these years have been placed on the avoid list. Now, let us look more closely at the BMW 335i years-

2007 BMW 335i Problems:

Based on the Carcomplaints.com website’s numerous user complaints and other trusted websites’ expert reviews, 2007 models are the most problematic compared with other BMW 335i released years models.

As noted earlier, the engine is the major concern for some 335i released models, and 2007 model users also mentioned several engine-related issues such as the engine tends to overheat, running rough, poor gas mileage, and turbo failure.

Other notable issues were high temperature, vehicle catching fire after headlights replacement, fir burned to the ground, black smoke coming from the vehicle exhaust system, leaked fuel injector, and presenter arm of seatbelt malfunction.

2008 BMW 335i Problems:

Most users claimed to notice and experience several engine-related problems with this year’s BMW 335i models based on Carcomplaints.com reports.

The 2008 models’ users commonly encountered symptoms such as faulty or broken serpentine belt ingested into the vehicle engine, the check engine light keeps illuminating without visible reasons, turbo erratically rattling, and complete engine failure.

Users also noticed that their vehicle brakes not working accordingly due to ABS pump failure or malfunctioning and the fuel system not working properly, which prevented the engine from running smoothly.

2009 BMW 335i Problems:

This year’s 335i users mostly encountered and complained about the engine and cooling system.

Most highlighted issues were re-occurring oil leaks, the vehicle tending to puff out heavy white smoke, engine warning messages randomly popping up, and overheated engines. According to the Carcomplaints.com reports, these issues commonly occur when the vehicle reaches around 75,000 to 111,000 miles of operation.

2011 BMW 335i Problems:

The major concern of this year’s models was the interior and engine, where many reported that the push start button failed to respond or work properly, and the intake tends to get clogged with an excess amount of soot.

Besides that, loss of electrical power or stalling, wiring of blower motor getting overheated, failed rear CV joints, loosen camshaft housing bolts and some other minor electrical or mechanical issues might arise in some 2011 335i models.

2012 BMW 335i Problems:

According to the Carcomplaints.com website, 2012 BMW 335i users have only reported brakes and cooling system failure. Also, this year’s vehicle obtained 43 complaints reported by the consumers, and NHTSA also officially issued Six Recalls due to poor severity ratings.

Users claimed that this year’s vehicle brakes sometimes fail to engage, and this problem commonly arises when their vehicle reaches 50,000 miles of operation. The cooling system failure mostly occurs at 56,000 miles and requires $1,500 to fix it.

2013 BMW 335i Problems:

This year’s 335i users only complained about two mentionable engine issues- either smokes coming from the engine and worn-out rod or rod bearing.

Reports also claim that there are 111 complaints against 2013 BMW 335i vehicles, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has already officially issued 3 Recalls due to users’ safety concerns.

These engine-related troubles mostly occur at around 36,000 to 67,000 miles of operation.

2014 BMW 335i Problems:

This year’s models got only 30 complaints reported by consumers and just Two Recalls officially issued by the NHTSA.

Based on the Carcomplaints.com website, 2014 335i users claimed to encounter two main errors- one is exploding sunroof, which mostly occurs at 78,000 miles of operation and requires $1,300 to fix the issue.

Another is musty smells coming from their vehicle’s Air conditioner/heater vents, which commonly arise at 50,000 miles of vehicle operation.

What is the Worst Years of BMW 335i?

Let’s learn more about the top three worst 335i years models-

The 2007 BMW 335i

This year’s Suburban models got 597 complaints reported, including Seven Recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and BMW also officially issued 640 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs).
The most highlighted symptoms of the 2007 BMW 335i models are High temperature (average fixing cost $4,500), Turbo failure (average fixing cost $4,800), and Engine running rough (average fixing cost $2,800).

The 2008 BMW 335i

A total sum of 449 complaints was reported, including Seven Recalls issued by NHTSA, and BMW also issued 674 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs).
Broken serpentine belt ingested into the engine (typically fixing cost $3,600), Turbo rattle (typically fixing cost $4,700), and ABS pump stopped working (typically fixing cost $3,000) were the 2008 BMW 335i’s most highlighted issues.

The 2009 BMW 335i

This particular year’s 335i vehicles got 244 complaints, including Seven Recalls issued by NHTSA due to Awfully bad severity ratings and BMW also issued 796 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS).
Most 2009 BMW 335i consumers highlighted symptoms such as Overheated engines (average repairing cost $1,000), Reoccurring oil leaks (average repairing cost not mentioned), and Heavy white smoke coming from the vehicle (repairing cost mostly varies depending on reason and condition of the damage).

What is the Most Common Problems of BMW 335i?

Let’s discover the most common 335i problems that make some released models worth avoiding-

1. Engine Failure:

According to consumer complaints and reports, engine-related issues are the most common concern in most BMW 335i models, but engine problems are most severe in BMW 335i’s 2007, 2008, and 2009 released models.

Most users reported engine overheating, the check engine light illuminating, poor gas mileage, running roughly or rough idling, and turbo rattles or complete failure as the most common symptoms of engine failure.

Besides that, another common complaint was the broken serpentine belt, which tends to melt in the engine and causes sudden breakdown without any warning.

This sudden breakdown is dangerous and frustrating when your vehicle breaks in the middle of an intersection or a deserted highway.

2. Cooling System Failure:

Another most common problem is the cooling system failure, and this issue is commonly available in 2007, 2009, and 2012 BMW 335i models.

Most users claimed to encounter high temperatures in their vehicle cabin while the A/C was still working or engine overheating issues that ultimately ended up with an entire cooling system failure.

Some 335i users even claimed to encounter both symptoms together when their vehicle cooling system failed. Few users also mentioned coolant leakage because the manufacturer did not add the coolant seal in some of the 335i released models.

Which BMW 335i Years are Safe to Buy?

Based on the BMW 335i MODEL YEAR COMPARISON graphical presentation, these following model years are considered safe options to be considered after being tried and tested by many consumers-

  • 2010 BMW 335i
  • 2015 BMW 335i

The 2010 BMW 335i five-seater sedan is specially designed to deliver powerful acceleration with either engine, intuitive handling, and communicative steering. Also, equipped with strong brakes and a much-improved iDrive system, which provides the ultimate BMW standard comfort and drivability.

2015 BMW 335i models are available in typical Sedan, Sport Wagon, and Gran Turismo body styles. Also, equipped with a robust turbo-four gas engine, excellent handling control, strong brakes, and generous trunk room. Whether you prefer gas, diesel, or hybrid, the 2015 BMW 335i is also available for all drivetrains.

Which Year’s BMW 335i Have Most Engine-related Problems?

BMW’s 2007 released 335i models have the most engine-related issues based on Carcomplaints and Carparts.com both websites.

Which Year’s BMW 335i Have the Highest Complaints of High-Temperature Issue?

According to Copilot.com and Carcomplaints.com websites reports, the answer is again 2007 models of BMW 335i series. Reports claim that this model has the highest complaints reported by consumers and users due to high temperature and engine overheating issues.

Conclusion

Although in today’s article, I have addressed several issues and flaws which one might encounter while using any of the BMW 335i mentioned years still, for purchasing used luxury midsize cars, they can be the ideal option if you prefer BMW over other brands.

Therefore, decide wisely and avoid the models I mentioned as the most problematic ones.

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