Be careful on long trips :(

Kracken · 11-30-2015, 11:17 AM

It's a roll of the dice...
Went on a 1200 mile trip over the long weekend to a very desolate location. As I pulled into my driveway after the trip, I noticed a blue-ish/ green puddle forming on the ground just inside my front left tire. No warning lights either.
With only 44k miles on my 135, the coolant tank, cap & upper rad hose failed according to my indy.
Thank god it happened at home instead of miles from nowhere. Gulp...

Kracken · 11-30-2015, 11:33 AM

My confidence is totally shot...

dtla1 · 11-30-2015, 12:03 PM

My coolant tank also cracked a while back ago, I feel like this is a known issue and has been on these cars for at least the e4X generation also. Pretty unfortunate.

Kracken · 11-30-2015, 12:28 PM

Any aftermarket parts better I wonder?
U would think....

NorthernDancer · 11-30-2015, 12:40 PM

Definitely no aftermarket parts unless your indy recommends them. For trips far away from a dealer or indy, I've often recommended having a spare coolant recovery tank in trunk. Your failure tho is far too soon.

dtla1 · 11-30-2015, 12:50 PM

Mine failed at 32k and then again was replaced at 37k along with a new waterpump.

mr.fabulous · 11-30-2015, 02:47 PM

Coolant tanks on the M5X motors are notorious. Replace with **ONLY** Genuine Bee Em Double Ewe (aftermarket tanks are shit).

Kracken · 11-30-2015, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.fabulous

Coolant tanks on the M5X motors are notorious. Replace with **ONLY** Genuine Bee Em Double Ewe (aftermarket tanks are shit).

We'll I have to say BMW tanks & hoses suck too. Failure rates way too high & many years pass without solving this. If this is intended for marketing/profit, it's a damn shame!

tock172 · 11-30-2015, 08:26 PM

BMW cooling systems in general have always been finicky. On the M5X engines, the rule of thumb is to preventatively replace the entire system at around 60,000 miles.

I'm honesty surprised to see this happening to see many low mileage N55 owners. It doesn't really seem as though they've been able to make them last longer as time has gone on. The new X5M and X6M have a total of 10 radiators each now! How scary is that!?

Tuxedo · 11-30-2015, 08:26 PM

my e46 tank cracked at 11yr old and 120k so I'm not surprised this would happen I'm surprised it happened so young

Kracken · 12-01-2015, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tock172

I'm honesty surprised to see this happening to see many low mileage N55 owners. It doesn't really seem as though they've been able to make them last longer as time has gone on. The new X5M and X6M have a total of 10 radiators each now! How scary is that!?

10? Yikes...
Honestly, why even keep a car with a trend like that. I know I couldn't...

twinboost_MD · 12-04-2015, 12:47 AM

"Kracken".. yo sh#t be crackin lmao im putting extra corn on my posts today

chunho01 · 12-04-2015, 06:21 AM

*checks 1addicts daily to find more failure posts

I'm feeling a lil nervous driving my car now... is this common on 128i too? I just did a minor service 3 months ago, should I go back to the mechanic for another checkup? lol...

RoundelM3 · 12-04-2015, 09:09 AM

I recently had my wife's 128i in to replace the Valvetronic eccentric shaft sensor at 40K miles, and the Indy shop said the car was otherwise sound. Not a bad idea to check it out, though - maybe at next oil change? So far, so good here - that's the only non-recall repair we've had to do on it in nearly 5 years of ownership.

Gray_Panther · 12-04-2015, 07:04 PM

50k miles collectively between my 128i and my parents AT 128i cabriolet and not one repair was ever needed. The only thing replaced were the tires on mine.

chunho01 · 12-04-2015, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

50k miles collectively between my 128i and my parents AT 128i cabriolet and not one repair was ever needed. The only thing replaced were the tires on mine.

Mine is 50k miles now too. Your car is still really new. Mine's 2008 build.

(By the way, 50k miles for a 2012! You must be driving a lot)

e36addict · 12-05-2015, 08:12 AM

My 2011 is now sitting around 94k, no issues yet... *Knocks on wood*

Gray_Panther · 12-05-2015, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunho01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gray_Panther

50k miles collectively between my 128i and my parents AT 128i cabriolet and not one repair was ever needed. The only thing replaced were the tires on mine.

Mine is 50k miles now too. Your car is still really new. Mine's 2008 build.

(By the way, 50k miles for a 2012! You must be driving a lot)

Oh no, I am not Pkaia! 25k on mine and 25k on my parent's 1er!

MightyMouseTech · 12-05-2015, 10:02 AM

All cars are POS and can fail at any second, anywhere. Just keep driving and enjoy the ride.

sometorque · 12-05-2015, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e36addict

My 2011 is now sitting around 94k, no issues yet... *Knocks on wood*

2011 DCT here with 81k. These cars were meant to be driven!

feeshta · 12-09-2015, 04:49 PM

With the E39s, this problem was common enough that there are aftermarket stainless tanks available.

I have heard it said that the problem can be mediated by actually changing your coolant at the recommended intervals(which nobody seems to do) as the coolant becomes slightly acidic as it ages, and starts to eat the soft parts of the system.

mr.fabulous · 12-09-2015, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feeshta

I have heard it said that the problem can be mediated by actually changing your coolant at the recommended intervals(which nobody seems to do) as the coolant becomes slightly acidic as it ages, and starts to eat the soft parts of the system.

I flush coolant more than is needed (checking pH) and my M52 still ate coolant tanks. Seems these cars do too? Cripes. I've been told all the plastic is owing to regulations requiring some percentage of the car to be recyclable (no idea how true that is).

11-30-2015, 11:17 AM	#1
Kracken Second Lieutenant 58 Rep 200 Posts Drives: 2011 AW 135i DCT M Sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	Be careful on long trips :( It's a roll of the dice... Went on a 1200 mile trip over the long weekend to a very desolate location. As I pulled into my driveway after the trip, I noticed a blue-ish/ green puddle forming on the ground just inside my front left tire. No warning lights either. With only 44k miles on my 135, the coolant tank, cap & upper rad hose failed according to my indy. Thank god it happened at home instead of miles from nowhere. Gulp... __________________ 2011 AW 135i Last edited by Kracken; 11-30-2015 at 11:23 AM..
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11-30-2015, 11:33 AM	#2
Kracken Second Lieutenant 58 Rep 200 Posts Drives: 2011 AW 135i DCT M Sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	My confidence is totally shot...
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11-30-2015, 12:03 PM	#3
dtla1 Colonel 828 Rep 2,232 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, Space Grey Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Silicon Valley iTrader: (2)	My coolant tank also cracked a while back ago, I feel like this is a known issue and has been on these cars for at least the e4X generation also. Pretty unfortunate.
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11-30-2015, 12:28 PM	#4
Kracken Second Lieutenant 58 Rep 200 Posts Drives: 2011 AW 135i DCT M Sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	Any aftermarket parts better I wonder? U would think....
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11-30-2015, 12:40 PM	#5
NorthernDancer Colonel 851 Rep 2,281 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	Definitely no aftermarket parts unless your indy recommends them. For trips far away from a dealer or indy, I've often recommended having a spare coolant recovery tank in trunk. Your failure tho is far too soon.
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11-30-2015, 12:50 PM	#6
dtla1 Colonel 828 Rep 2,232 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, Space Grey Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Silicon Valley iTrader: (2)	Mine failed at 32k and then again was replaced at 37k along with a new waterpump.
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11-30-2015, 02:47 PM	#7
mr.fabulous Captain 213 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	Coolant tanks on the M5X motors are notorious. Replace with ONLY Genuine Bee Em Double Ewe (aftermarket tanks are shit). __________________ 2011 135i MSport 6MT AW/black, 72Kmiles, bone stock, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney I LOVE THIS CAR
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11-30-2015, 08:26 PM	#9
tock172 Beachtown Bill Collector 582 Rep 1,062 Posts Drives: 2012 135i Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW 135i [0.00] 1999 Lexus LS400 [0.00] 1985 BMW 325e [0.00]	BMW cooling systems in general have always been finicky. On the M5X engines, the rule of thumb is to preventatively replace the entire system at around 60,000 miles. I'm honesty surprised to see this happening to see many low mileage N55 owners. It doesn't really seem as though they've been able to make them last longer as time has gone on. The new X5M and X6M have a total of 10 radiators each now! How scary is that!? __________________ 2012 BMW 135i Space Grey Metallic M-Sport DCT Dinan S2
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11-30-2015, 08:26 PM	#10
Tuxedo Bowties r cool ▶:◀ 1427 Rep 801 Posts Drives: 09' 128i MT e88, 24'G05 X5 50e Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 128i e88 [0.00]	my e46 tank cracked at 11yr old and 120k so I'm not surprised this would happen I'm surprised it happened so young
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12-04-2015, 12:47 AM	#12
twinboost_MD Private First Class 19 Rep 188 Posts Drives: AW 135i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0)	"Kracken".. yo sh#t be crackin lmao im putting extra corn on my posts today
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12-04-2015, 06:21 AM	#13
chunho01 Private First Class 52 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 125i E88 M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	*checks 1addicts daily to find more failure posts I'm feeling a lil nervous driving my car now... is this common on 128i too? I just did a minor service 3 months ago, should I go back to the mechanic for another checkup? lol...
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12-04-2015, 09:09 AM	#14
RoundelM3 Major General 1840 Rep 6,993 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	I recently had my wife's 128i in to replace the Valvetronic eccentric shaft sensor at 40K miles, and the Indy shop said the car was otherwise sound. Not a bad idea to check it out, though - maybe at next oil change? So far, so good here - that's the only non-recall repair we've had to do on it in nearly 5 years of ownership. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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12-04-2015, 07:04 PM	#15
Gray_Panther Brigadier General 1559 Rep 3,240 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0)	50k miles collectively between my 128i and my parents AT 128i cabriolet and not one repair was ever needed. The only thing replaced were the tires on mine. __________________ 2012 BMW 128i 6MT Deep Sea Blue Metallic
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12-05-2015, 08:12 AM	#17
e36addict Captain 137 Rep 952 Posts Drives: 2013 X1 35iX Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tim @ BMW of Dallas iTrader: (5)	My 2011 is now sitting around 94k, no issues yet... Knocks on wood __________________ 13 X1 35iX, 98 Z3 2.8, 01 M Coupe, 96 Z3 1.9 DASC, 95 318ti, 13 smart fortwo
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12-05-2015, 10:02 AM	#19
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	All cars are POS and can fail at any second, anywhere. Just keep driving and enjoy the ride.
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12-09-2015, 04:49 PM	#21
feeshta Second Lieutenant 60 Rep 244 Posts Drives: 2012 135i 6MT, Alpine White Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aberdeen MD iTrader: (0)	With the E39s, this problem was common enough that there are aftermarket stainless tanks available. I have heard it said that the problem can be mediated by actually changing your coolant at the recommended intervals(which nobody seems to do) as the coolant becomes slightly acidic as it ages, and starts to eat the soft parts of the system.
	Appreciate 0 Quote