New '07 BMW and already having problems... please help!?

Question

I have a '07 BMW 335i sedan. Today for some reason, the engine light came on and the car was slowing down to a halt as if there was no power left and shook violently. I immediately stopped the car and called BMW who called a tow truck to get me. When the tow truck came and I re-started the engine, the light disappeared and nothing was wrong. It was as if nothing happened. I am scared and dont know what to do from here since BMW says that there isnt a problem and since the light disappeared they have no way of checking or diagnosing the problem. Should I be worried? Should I keep pressing them to check the car out?
Please help BMW owners and car experts..... have any of you guys experienced the same problem? do you guys know anything that Im not aware of.

Answer 1

Wow, there are some bad answers on this.

First off, the person that claimed modern BMWs are garbage, is just delusional. The 3 series just won World Car of the Year. Car and Driver have voted this one of the ten best cars you can buy every year for the past 15 years.

Secondly, some idiot just wrote that you should buy a TL. Let me tell you, I owned a TL for 2 years (just traded it for a new 3 series) and couldn't wait to trade it. The car has no soul, mediocre handling, and no more toys than a 335i with average equipment and options. As far as the drive goes the TL doesn't even compare to the 328i, and certainly isn't in the same class as a 335i (not even close - even the type S).

Any brand new car can have a little glitch. It could easily be something like software as some sensible people pointed out. If it happens again have it towed, do not restart it, and have the dealer keep it until they have figured out what went wrong. Restarting it can reboot some of the computer stuff, which could make the car forget what the problem was.

No one wants to have a new car towed, but I would not automatically assume that you have a lemon. Don't be afraid to press the dealer to fix this car. Cars with no problems do not do what you just described. You paid a lot of money for your car, so if this happens again, demand a courtesy car and demand that they keep your car until they have fixed it. Inform them that you require a written statement as to what work they have done, in the event that you have to take legal action (this should show them you mean business).

You might also check the links for some interesting BMW discussion and advice.

Answer 2

Yeah, 3 grand would probably be more than enough if you follow the maintenance schedule of the car. As with most cars, and especially BMW's, a little bit of regular maintenance goes a long way. This just means the regular relatively inexpensive visits to the dealer every 15,000 miles if you let them do all the work. I'm not sure on an average price because different BMW dealers charge different slightly different amounts, as well as some like to save you money and other like to charge you as much as they can. But it is nothing crazy. If you are slightly handy with tools, you can change the oil($50), oil filter($10), air filter($20) every 15,000 miles (sooner if you drive the car hard or in dirty conditions). Those are the only essentials that need to be changed. If you can do that stuff yourself, you only need to bring the car in at 60,000 miles and 120,000 miles for the routine inspection and more complex maintenance, which is usually a few hundred dollars. Also of course, you can talk to a the service department at a local BMW dealer and they will have exact prices if you need them. Good luck!

Answer 3

The 335i has a diagnosed problem with overheating. It could be possible that the car overheated then went into "limp-home" mode, where the car actually does cut power to save engine damage. The fix from BMW is to install an oil-cooler on all 335i's not already equipped with one (they fixed this later in the 2007 model year)

It is also possible that your fuel pump is failing. This is also a known problem with the 335i. A new fuel pump should solve the problem.

Press the dealer to fix the car. The computer should store a record of the glitch/fault which should help them diagnose the problem.

Answer 4

Not that you or the tow truck driver would have known but you shouldn't have restarted it. When there is a fault like that chances are that it will reoccur. It's probably just a computer glitch that a quick software flash will fix. When the problem is happening you need to shut off the car and leave it off until it is plugged into a diagnostic machine. It is possible that the newer cars save a history of faults and you could still have it read. Check with the dealer.

Answer 5

I would defiantly push them to have it checked out it most likely is a computer fault due to it being a first gen car as previously stated. BMW does still make a nice car and probably still one of the best cars on the road BMW and Audi are both the best bets when looking a German luxury cars for reliability and maintenance Mercedes is actually much worse. i think that you should get the dealer to address the problem but i wouldn't be two worry about it too much.

Answer 6

Not all BMW cars having problems.Your case is exceptional.
.The problem you faced could be main relay,fuel filter or fuel pump.or low fuel.If u were going uphill,this could happen if fuel is low.
Violent shaking was short of fuel/02 supply.Check whether there was enough fuel in the tank at the time.
Sorry to say,that at times people panic when the see this warning lights in the cluster.
Could it be fuel reserve amber light which appeared.Not check engine.
I believe yr car is under warranty.
Please write an official letter to the dealers of the incident.
Then drive your car for checkup.Let them have a proper check and give your car clean bill of health.
wish u the best.

Answer 7

first off, if the light was on and then went off it stores a fault. the bmw tech can run a short test and see what it is and go from there. your car is still in warranty, unless you have after market stuff. take it back to the dealer and tell them this is a safety issue and you don't feel safe driving it. they will fix it.
also there is a known problem of the high pressure fuel pump failing, which fits your symptoms. the vehicle has direct injection and if the high pressure pump fails it won't get enough fuel.

Answer 8

On many "first generation" cars, BMW sometimes haven't got their engine management software done just right yet.

A similar problem happened on my buddy's brand new current-model 540i (when it was first launched). The engine light came on and the car limped back to the dealer.

They did a software upgrade... but this upgrade took 3-4 days because the dealer was struggling to make sure they did a good job. Needless to say, my buddy wasn't pleased even though they did offer him a free loaner X5.

This sounds like a similar situation with yours. Bug your dealer to make sure they load the latest software to your car.

This is just one of the possible problems you face when buying a 1st gen car unfortunately.

Answer 9

I haven't heard of this problem,but I assure you,it didn't do it for no reason.I'd check up on reports about this car,and insist that BMW take a look.They CAN investigate it,they don't need a stupid light to come on to do so either! That will cost them money,so that's why they are saying that to you.INSIST they inspect the car,or tell them U'll contact ur automobile association and get them to inspect it,and send BMW the bill.Hope it gets sorted hun,and drive very carefully until it is. :)

Answer 10

definately yake it to the dealer and make them note this for lemon law reasons then go buy an acura tl. Very reliable and a lot more for your money.