Automobile Four Seasons Wrap-up - '06 330i

SCA · 03-11-2007, 02:31 PM

"Let's get the bad news out of the way first. The 3.0 liter in-line six in our Four Seasons BMW 330i suffered a major mechanical failure."

The first indication of a problem with our 2006 330i was valve ticking at cold idle. Before long, there was constant valve noise throughout the rev range at all operating temperatures. BMW of Ann Arbor diagnosed worn camshafts, lifters, and rocker arms caused by a lubrication failure in the cylinder head. As a result our car was off the road for five weeks, awaiting further diagnosis and parts from Germany. Luckily the car was still under warranty, but we would have been hyperventilating over a $4300 repair if that weren't the case. We have long admired BMW engines, but we're starting to wonder whether or not some of their cutting edge technology is truly ready for the production line."

dan · 03-11-2007, 03:04 PM

what's a Four Seasons BMW 330i?

SCA · 03-11-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makaveli

what's a Four Seasons BMW 330i?

Automobile's long-term report (1 year).

RMR · 03-11-2007, 08:11 PM

Is this really an issue with other E90 owners?

ff · 03-11-2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

"... but we're starting to wonder whether or not some of their cutting edge technology is truly necessary."

lemming · 03-11-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCA

"Let's get the bad news out of the way first. The 3.0 liter in-line six in our Four Seasons BMW 330i suffered a major mechanical failure."

The first indication of a problem with our 2006 330i was valve ticking at cold idle. Before long, there was constant valve noise throughout the rev range at all operating temperatures. BMW of Ann Arbor diagnosed worn camshafts, lifters, and rocker arms caused by a lubrication failure in the cylinder head. As a result our car was off the road for five weeks, awaiting further diagnosis and parts from Germany. Luckily the car was still under warranty, but we would have been hyperventilating over a $4300 repair if that weren't the case. We have long admired BMW engines, but we're starting to wonder whether or not some of their cutting edge technology is truly ready for the production line."

yuck a mongous. 4300 no doubt for a rebuild job. no thx.

FC · 03-11-2007, 09:42 PM

Yikes. My 330i has 2 months and 4K miles left on the warranty. The starter(?) made an ugly noise the other day when left outside overnight at near 0F degrees.

I keep thinking that I doubt my car will have repairs worth more than the $2K the extended warranty will cost, particularly when I now put less than 8K miles a year. This kind of thing makes you wonder.

killerdeck · 03-11-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC

Yikes. My 330i has 2 months and 4K miles left on the warranty. The starter(?) made an ugly noise the other day when left outside overnight at near 0F degrees.

I keep thinking that I doubt my car will have repairs worth more than the $2K the extended warranty will cost, particularly when I now put less than 8K miles a year. This kind of thing makes you wonder.

I hear you! I put only 5-6K miles a year on mine, but have been noticing some strange things recently. Fortunately, I still have a year and a month left on my warranty to think about the extended warranty.

SCA · 03-12-2007, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMR

Is this really an issue with other E90 owners?

From what I have read @ E90Post, yes.

lemming · 03-12-2007, 07:34 AM

naive question: does the lubrication failure have to do with the ridiculous BMW oil intervals (tight narrow passages plus sludge?) or a design issue?

knowing nothing about what the worn parts looked like, i'd still guess no design failure. maybe supplier parts not up to spec, but blasting BMW seems unfair at this point.

03-11-2007, 02:31 PM	#1
SCA Jaded Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 9,121	Automobile Four Seasons Wrap-up - '06 330i "Let's get the bad news out of the way first. The 3.0 liter in-line six in our Four Seasons BMW 330i suffered a major mechanical failure." The first indication of a problem with our 2006 330i was valve ticking at cold idle. Before long, there was constant valve noise throughout the rev range at all operating temperatures. BMW of Ann Arbor diagnosed worn camshafts, lifters, and rocker arms caused by a lubrication failure in the cylinder head. As a result our car was off the road for five weeks, awaiting further diagnosis and parts from Germany. Luckily the car was still under warranty, but we would have been hyperventilating over a $4300 repair if that weren't the case. We have long admired BMW engines, but we're starting to wonder whether or not some of their cutting edge technology is truly ready for the production line."

03-11-2007, 08:11 PM	#4
RMR Crotchety Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 2020 Honda Civic Hatch Sport Location: Chicago Posts: 941	Is this really an issue with other E90 owners? __________________ '20 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport 1.5T '18 Acura TLX A-Spec SH-AWD

03-12-2007, 07:34 AM	#10
lemming Western Anomaly Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca Posts: 16,660	naive question: does the lubrication failure have to do with the ridiculous BMW oil intervals (tight narrow passages plus sludge?) or a design issue? knowing nothing about what the worn parts looked like, i'd still guess no design failure. maybe supplier parts not up to spec, but blasting BMW seems unfair at this point. __________________

03-11-2007, 03:04 PM	#2
dan redefined Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 14,905	what's a Four Seasons BMW 330i?

03-11-2007, 09:42 PM	#7
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,280	Yikes. My 330i has 2 months and 4K miles left on the warranty. The starter(?) made an ugly noise the other day when left outside overnight at near 0F degrees. I keep thinking that I doubt my car will have repairs worth more than the $2K the extended warranty will cost, particularly when I now put less than 8K miles a year. This kind of thing makes you wonder.