New owner intro and questions

noslo6 · 06-02-2020, 08:41 PM

Greetings all! First post so please be kind...

Just got a 45k mile Silver/Oyster/Anthracite ‘12 135i convertible for the wife. Previous owner is a friend of a friend who spent quite a bit on repairs over the last few years. The good news is the repairs are some of the more common probs so there *should* be less for me to do in the future. They include: valve cover and gasket due to crack in PVC pipe, Valvetronic motor and shaft, and injectors.

It’s low option car with only DCT, alarm, and cold weather package.

The plan is for it to be our Florida car, used for 6-7 months a year while we’re down there at our condo. It’ll sit for a few months at a time with a car cover under a carport. The bad news is I can’t work on cars there due to rules plus all my tools are up here in Indiana. So, my thought is to proactively take care of as much as I can before we take it down in September.

Here’s the list of what I’m planning to do:

Water pump / thermostat / coolant flush
New battery (current is from ‘16) + bimmerlink/bimmercode/dongle
Flush brake fluid
Flush power steering fluid
Change oil
Change DCT fluid
Change rear end fluid
Change OFHG
Change serpentine belt
Change cabin and air filters

I’ve got no problem doing these myself, my question is am I missing anything else? Based on FCP auto prices, apps, dongle, and a local battery I’m looking at around 1400-1500 for everything, which seems like a bargain for the peace of mind along with covering me for (hopefully) several years.

Thanks much all, and thanks for the add!

Tom

fast1eddy · 06-02-2020, 10:50 PM

Your list looks complete but I personally wouldn't do the battery and water pump preventatively. I've had my car for 7 years with the same battery. I've never checked it but it might be original. My car is an 08. I'd have to check back but I think my water pump went at around 90 to 100k miles. Some last way longer. Some less. A newer one won't necessarily last you any longer than the one in the car. I park my car 6 months out of the year too with a battery tender.

shawnyeeah · 06-03-2020, 12:21 AM

My water pump went out around 60k on my '12 135i, so not a bad idea. But the part costed me around $350 at the time.
My DCT pan started leaking around 50k so I just replaced the pan and gasket while doing the DCT fluid.

Afam28 · 06-03-2020, 08:44 AM

Ctek battery tender(If the location you will have it sitting will allow)...
And maybe jack stands to keep the tires from developing hard spots...

ejm3 · 06-04-2020, 01:58 PM

I don't think you need to rush on the battery.
Was the water pump ever replaced? If not I would do it because it will leave you high & dry when it goes, and it will. Mine crapped out at 52k.
Is the OFHG gasket leaking? if it isn't now it will be soon. Mine went at 40k.

mfindigital · 06-05-2020, 02:22 PM

Just as an FYI, not that I'd recommend it, but I drove 20 miles in stop and go traffic when my waterpump went. Just plugged in my monitoring tool for temperatures and ran the heater at full blast with windows down. If yours goes and you have a monitoring tool, you should at least be able to get her home.

NorthernDancer · 06-05-2020, 02:51 PM

Agree with fasteddy, I wouldn't do battery or water pump yet. Keep it on a battery maintainer (I use Deltran for over 9 years) when not used. My 128 is an 08 with 62K miles. Stored every winter 4-5 months. STILL original battery and water pump.
Highly recommend joining BMWCCA. So many benefits but best is finding the best BMW indy garages close to you so if and when you do have a problem, you know where to go.

Esteban · 06-06-2020, 12:25 AM

I have a CTEK battery charger and use it on a regular basis. Very simple, smart charger.

Congrats to you and your wife on the 135i!

..Rush.. · 06-06-2020, 01:14 AM

A split group on when to change out the water pump.

Dackelone · 06-06-2020, 05:40 AM

First, welcome to 1Addicts

I would replace the water pump and thermostat and U-shaped hose hat joins them. You will also need new bolts for the WP.

My 135i battery is ten years old and still going strong. I do use a CTEK, though. I have been thinking of replacing the battery bc at ten years old... I think its time. I don't want to get stuck out somewhere. I'm sure your wife does as well.

Call your local dealer and give them your VIN. There have been a few recalls on our cars. Recall work is free with no time limit.

Dackel

Thunderguts · 06-08-2020, 04:55 PM

You'll get 10 different answers from 10 different people on the water pump. Considering how annoying it will be if one fails on you while you're stuck on a bridge...in traffic, I don't think there's any harm in doing it early. I'm up to 81k miles and I'm going to replace mine at the end of this summer regardless, along with all the hoses. Maybe it's a little soon, but who cares! Chances are I'd only get another year out of it anyway. If we figure a replacement costs $500 and lasts 10 years, I'm losing $50 by doing it early. Meh!

edisapimp · 06-09-2020, 01:07 PM

Please do the water pump, especially in Florida.

noslo6 · 06-10-2020, 02:53 PM

Thanks everyone for the input. Going to start with the water pump and do as many replacement items as I can (hooray for FCPEuro!) before heading down in late September. If I have to hold off on fluid changes (diff/trans/brake/ps) I can have an indy shop do that down there.

Also, excellent idea on BMWCCA. Will do that as well.

06-02-2020, 08:41 PM	#1
noslo6 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Central Indiana iTrader: (0)	New owner intro and questions Greetings all! First post so please be kind... Just got a 45k mile Silver/Oyster/Anthracite ‘12 135i convertible for the wife. Previous owner is a friend of a friend who spent quite a bit on repairs over the last few years. The good news is the repairs are some of the more common probs so there should be less for me to do in the future. They include: valve cover and gasket due to crack in PVC pipe, Valvetronic motor and shaft, and injectors. It’s low option car with only DCT, alarm, and cold weather package. The plan is for it to be our Florida car, used for 6-7 months a year while we’re down there at our condo. It’ll sit for a few months at a time with a car cover under a carport. The bad news is I can’t work on cars there due to rules plus all my tools are up here in Indiana. So, my thought is to proactively take care of as much as I can before we take it down in September. Here’s the list of what I’m planning to do: Water pump / thermostat / coolant flush New battery (current is from ‘16) + bimmerlink/bimmercode/dongle Flush brake fluid Flush power steering fluid Change oil Change DCT fluid Change rear end fluid Change OFHG Change serpentine belt Change cabin and air filters I’ve got no problem doing these myself, my question is am I missing anything else? Based on FCP auto prices, apps, dongle, and a local battery I’m looking at around 1400-1500 for everything, which seems like a bargain for the peace of mind along with covering me for (hopefully) several years. Thanks much all, and thanks for the add! Tom
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06-02-2020, 10:50 PM	#2
fast1eddy First Lieutenant 270 Rep 367 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Lemans Blue Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00] [0.00]	Your list looks complete but I personally wouldn't do the battery and water pump preventatively. I've had my car for 7 years with the same battery. I've never checked it but it might be original. My car is an 08. I'd have to check back but I think my water pump went at around 90 to 100k miles. Some last way longer. Some less. A newer one won't necessarily last you any longer than the one in the car. I park my car 6 months out of the year too with a battery tender.
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06-03-2020, 12:21 AM	#3
shawnyeeah Private First Class 20 Rep 103 Posts Drives: '12 N55 135i Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1)	My water pump went out around 60k on my '12 135i, so not a bad idea. But the part costed me around $350 at the time. My DCT pan started leaking around 50k so I just replaced the pan and gasket while doing the DCT fluid. __________________ -- MHD Stage 1+ tune, PPK tune, Intake, Air Scoops, Charge Pipe, Intercooler, Exhaust, Shocks, Front Sway Bar --
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06-03-2020, 08:44 AM	#4
Afam28 User 298 Rep 775 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 135i M-sport Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: MD. iTrader: (1)	Ctek battery tender(If the location you will have it sitting will allow)... And maybe jack stands to keep the tires from developing hard spots...
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06-04-2020, 01:58 PM	#5
ejm3 Major 200 Rep 1,075 Posts Drives: 2012 135 Convertible 6MT Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (0)	I don't think you need to rush on the battery. Was the water pump ever replaced? If not I would do it because it will leave you high & dry when it goes, and it will. Mine crapped out at 52k. Is the OFHG gasket leaking? if it isn't now it will be soon. Mine went at 40k. __________________ 2012 135 Convertible 6MT 2017 Acura MDX
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06-05-2020, 02:22 PM	#6
mfindigital Lieutenant 349 Rep 574 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	Just as an FYI, not that I'd recommend it, but I drove 20 miles in stop and go traffic when my waterpump went. Just plugged in my monitoring tool for temperatures and ran the heater at full blast with windows down. If yours goes and you have a monitoring tool, you should at least be able to get her home. __________________ 2011 Space Grey 135i DCT: Pure Stage 2, Fuel-it Stage 2 LPFP, ST XTA Coilovers, Berk Street Axle Back, MHD Stage 2+, VRSF Catless DP, VRSF 5" FMIC, VRSF LCP, BMS UCP, M3 FSB, e92 M3 Drivers Seat.
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06-05-2020, 02:51 PM	#7
NorthernDancer Colonel 848 Rep 2,276 Posts Drives: 08 Sedona 128 & 06 330xiT 6MT Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa On Canada iTrader: (3)	Agree with fasteddy, I wouldn't do battery or water pump yet. Keep it on a battery maintainer (I use Deltran for over 9 years) when not used. My 128 is an 08 with 62K miles. Stored every winter 4-5 months. STILL original battery and water pump. Highly recommend joining BMWCCA. So many benefits but best is finding the best BMW indy garages close to you so if and when you do have a problem, you know where to go.
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06-06-2020, 12:25 AM	#8
Esteban Major General 43684 Rep 7,224 Posts Drives: a slow car fast Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I have a CTEK battery charger and use it on a regular basis. Very simple, smart charger. Congrats to you and your wife on the 135i! __________________
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06-06-2020, 01:14 AM	#9
..Rush.. Captain 974 Rep 928 Posts Drives: AW E88 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	A split group on when to change out the water pump.
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06-06-2020, 05:40 AM	#10
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	First, welcome to 1Addicts I would replace the water pump and thermostat and U-shaped hose hat joins them. You will also need new bolts for the WP. My 135i battery is ten years old and still going strong. I do use a CTEK, though. I have been thinking of replacing the battery bc at ten years old... I think its time. I don't want to get stuck out somewhere. I'm sure your wife does as well. Call your local dealer and give them your VIN. There have been a few recalls on our cars. Recall work is free with no time limit. Dackel __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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06-08-2020, 04:55 PM	#11
Thunderguts Major 785 Rep 1,000 Posts Drives: 2009 128i Sport MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: DFW iTrader: (0)	You'll get 10 different answers from 10 different people on the water pump. Considering how annoying it will be if one fails on you while you're stuck on a bridge...in traffic, I don't think there's any harm in doing it early. I'm up to 81k miles and I'm going to replace mine at the end of this summer regardless, along with all the hoses. Maybe it's a little soon, but who cares! Chances are I'd only get another year out of it anyway. If we figure a replacement costs $500 and lasts 10 years, I'm losing $50 by doing it early. Meh! __________________ Official BMWP Whore - BMWP suspension kit w/ M3 arms, BMWP big brake kit, BMWP intake w/Mishimoto tube, BMWP exhaust, BMWP carbon strut brace, BMWP short shifter, and BMWP carbon spoiler. OZ Leggera HLT w/ 245 square setup.
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06-09-2020, 01:07 PM	#12
edisapimp Civil Rights Activist 115 Rep 949 Posts Drives: E46 Sedan, E88 Vert Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	Please do the water pump, especially in Florida. __________________ E88 Crimson Red Vert MSport 6MT - Listing your mods in your signature is lame. BMS DCI/MHD E30 Flash!!/AA Sport FMIC/VRSF CP w Tial BOV/VRSF 3" DPs/550i clutch w SPEC SMFW/Apex EC-7s/Whiteline RSFB/E92 M3 FCAs/Bilstein B12 Pro Kit/VRSF inlets
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06-10-2020, 02:53 PM	#13
noslo6 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Central Indiana iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone for the input. Going to start with the water pump and do as many replacement items as I can (hooray for FCPEuro!) before heading down in late September. If I have to hold off on fluid changes (diff/trans/brake/ps) I can have an indy shop do that down there. Also, excellent idea on BMWCCA. Will do that as well.
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