2008 BMW M3: fuel pump failure

Filed Jul 20, 2013 · Engine · 74,598 miles · KS

The engine in my bmw died at 74,598 miles, no warning lights and no weird noises. It died when I was driving the speed limit (65) on the highway doing nothing out of the ordinary, wheels locked up in traffic so I had to push in clutch. It was a very life threatening situation because a big rig almost crashed into my car. I coasted to the side of the highway to check it out: the engine was not overheating and there was no fluids on the ground. As I tried starting the car up again I could hear the fuel pump turning on and the starter motor clicking, but the engine wouldn't turn over. I got the car towed to the dealership and a few days later it was made known to me by the dealership that my engine was seized and that I would have to pay $19,000 for a new engine and $6,000 for the labor to install it. I made the dealership aware that I kept up with the maintenance, and that nothing was indicating to me that my engine was about to fail. I instructed the dealership to contact bmw north america (bmw headquarters for north america) for a "good will" replacement, but my request was denied. This problem is directly related to the rod bearing inside the engine, which gave out because there is no adequate lubrication to them, I heard of these rod bearings giving out on the s65 engine all over web forums, multiple people have had this happen to them. During my warranty period I did let them know that my car would go in limp mode (low power mode on engine, max speed about 40mph) and I was hearing ticking noises (dealership said this was normal) that were not present when the car was really new (the first 5000 miles I put on the car). The dealership and bmw north america don't care about these problems which were present during my entire ownership of the car (in warranty period) and they denied the free replacement because my car is now out of warranty.

Filed Aug 11, 2008 · Fuel system · 8,000 miles · FL

Cruising on the highway, the vehicle starts misfiring and loses power. Afterward the engine is running rough and continues in "engine failure" mode with reduced power. Problem diagnosed as high pressure fuel pump failure. Fuel pump replaced three times in the last month and keeps failing with the same symptoms. The vehicle is 2008 bmw 335i.

Filed Jul 30, 2008 · Fuel system · 4,000 miles · VA

On saturday, july 26th, I drove a short distance from my home (after a long cranking start) and the car seemed drive normally until I turned to enter a shopping center(fortunately, a short distance from my home, as it turns out). While driving into the shopping center entrance (10 or 15 miles per hour) I felt a jolt and the car slowed dramatically. I checked the rearview mirror to see if I had been hit by another car, but had not. I then realized that the engine was not running, put in the clutch and coasted to a stop at a stop sign. I attempted to re-start the car but was unable to. The engine 'turned over' but would not start. There were no warning lights or messages before or after the failure or at any other time. At this point, I used bmw assist to get help since I was partially blocking a busy intersection within the shopping center. A tow truck arrived about 45 minutes after my call to bmw assist. When the tow truck arrived, the driver pointed out a leak and puddle/stain on the asphalt coming from the front of the car. The stain was about 2 by 3 feet. There was also a smell of gasoline. When the car was towed to the dealership, the service advisor also noticed gas still leaking from the front of the car and dripping on the ground. A loaner car and I was on my way. On monday, july 28th I called the sa to check the status of the car at about 3:00 pm. I was told that the high pressure fuel pump and a connecting hose needed to be replaced. He said the parts were ordered and should be on hand by wednesday, july 30 to be installed. I asked about the hose, and the resulting gasoline leak and he commented about the large amount of gas that had been sprayed out in the engine compartment due to the failure of the hose. There easily could have been a catastrophic fire due to the magnitude of the gasoline leak. The dealership will repair the pump and hose under warranty. The car is a bmw 335i.

Filed Jun 19, 2008 · Fuel system · 188 miles · AE

Fuel pump replaced after 188 miles. Car already showed symptom 1 day after delivery. Hesitated to start. Dealer diagnosed defective fuel pump and replaced it. Important note to car. It is a 335i, model type e93. Your system doesn't list it, so I used m3.

Filed May 29, 2008 · Fuel system · 2,500 miles · IL

Car had longer and longer crank times at startup. Over the span of a week the startup time before ignition took up to 5 seconds. The car was brought in, and the high pressure fuel pump was found to be faulty. Replaced by dealer free of charge.