Eight problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2008 BMW 3 Series. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Recently I got a letter from BMW that my vehicle was recalled for two issues which I have been experiencing since a year. 1 overheating 2. Plastic burning smell inside the compartment. I brought this to their BMW's notice many times which they ignored. And recently when I got this recall letter from BMW I gave them a call(princeton BMW), they gave me an appointment saying they will fix that. I told them crystal clearly that I was there for the two recall issues only and nothing else. And to my shock ,let alone repairing the mandatory recall issues, they gave a big list of other things, which I did not even ask for, and they charged me around 170 dollars(attached copies). I am bringing this to your notice for solely one reason, and that is there are millions of unsuspecting people who are unaware of this malpractice who will be falling into this kind of trap. BMW is trying to make money out of this situation too. I am attaching all the copies. Please look into this matter and please make them realize there is an authority watching. I felt like somebody stole money from me. Hope to get a response from the department. Thank you very much.
Three bolts on engine mount bracket sheared off and one bolt on the same engine mount bracket was missing. The three bolts that sheared are in the engine block. This incident occurred only two weeks after bringing in my car to the peter pan BMW dealership to have my car inspected.
I was going over a small bump in the road at 30 mph and my engine mount failed. All four aluminum bolts sheared off and the engine dropped. This drop snapped my passenger drive shaft (half axle) in two pieces. I think BMW has a serious problem with the strength of the engine mount hardware. The engine mount bolts should be stronger. The failure mode is dangerous.
Noticed an unusual engine vibration. Went to my mechanic who inspected vehicle. Pointed out broken motor mount bolts. His comment I have seen several of these over the years. The bolts are made from aluminum -- they break. Said he this was an ongoing and well known issue with BMW from that year and 2009. Said BMW would not cover it. He also stated the car had no visible signs of damage, to undercairrage that would suggest any damage. He said it just happens, and a lot of people have complained to BMW, all to no avail. Instead of beemers. . . They should call this car a bummmer. It is an very expensive problem, created by poor engineering and manufacturing. Aluminum bolts holding an engine.
I was driving on the highway at about 70 miles an hour when the engine just suddenly stopped. While the car was slowing down I have to pull over and restart the car. Then after driving for another 10 min the engine stopped again this time I didn't have time to pull over and stopped in the middle of a highway. I have to keep trying before it restarted. I stopped at a gas station and was afraid to drive it again. Finally without a choice after an hour I started the car back up and was able to drive back home.
As an example, when attempting to accelerate the vehicle onto a moving traffic situation the car hesitates/lags/delays before the engine catches, then it takes off like a rabbit when you don't expect it. This vehicle behavior has caused near miss accidents more than once when I was driving. It's not a delay which decreases a transient surge. It increases the transient surge as the car does not respond to the throttle for a half second then bolts forward with an awkward lurch and a slam. It's much rougher than a normal takeoff would be. It's not at all smooth. Some have described it as being rear-ended. The has been happening since I purchased the car in November 2010 many BMW owners have reported the problem to BMW as I have. The answer I got as well as many others from BMW was, "it's normal".
My 335i 2008 has had three recalls all related to the fuel system. With 24,000 miles it now has issues with starting. I recently have taken it back to my dealer,left it for four days, picked it up with "cannot duplicate customer complaint". In less than a week the start up has gone from three to five un,un,un,un,uns to crank. The car is about to go out of warranty and I believe that BMW knows there are serious problems and is refusing to repair until they are able to get repairs income. I guess I should have cancelled my special order when two weeks before delivery they called and said my car had arrived in us but would not be released due to "engine compression problems". All other issues I have asked to be repaired are not with dealer noting "cannot duplicate customer complaint". An accident waiting to happen. I have called and emailed BMW and dealer no one responded. And let's not even get to the tires!.
On three occasions since I purchased this vehicle new, while driving and accelerating the engine cuts out and rpm's suddenly drop. The date referenced below was the first time this happened. This has happened twice since then. I have taken the vehicle in all three times. They changed some parts, but this continues to happen. At one time, I was try to get through an intersection with oncoming traffic, although there was not an accident, it was scary. Another time was changing lanes on a highway. This seems to be intermittent problem.