| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2008 BMW 1-Series repairs by problem area
Engine (32%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (1%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (2%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (28%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (20%)
Other (14%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 369 repairs.
2008 BMW 1-Series electrical repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (6%)
$500 - $999 (7%)
$100 - $499 (14%)
< $100 (74%)
Chart based on 72 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2008 BMW 1-Series
Engine not specified
| 33480 mi | passenger window moving up and down randomly and to different levels when opening and closing door. replaced window footwell module. high feul consumption. replaced dirty air filter |
| 3000 mi | 1st horn was dead, the 2nd horn blew fuses. |
2008 BMW 1-Series 4-door
turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel manual 2WD
| 15000 mi | bought 2.75yr old used car in october 14283 mileage replaced left rear light bulb it has 2.5 mnths warranty left think tyres will need replacing being rear wheel drive bad in snow present mileage 14870 bimmer forums not cover bmw 1 series |
2008 BMW 1-Series 4-door
4-cylinder diesel manual 2WD
| 84200 mi US $1700 |
Battery warning light on |
| 85000 mi US $1000 |
Alternator cable had slipped, needed to be replaced |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 9000 mi | Drivers side taillight assembly was out. Taillight assembly replaced. |
| 16000 mi | Passenger tail light assembly replaced |
| 22000 mi | Driver side tail light assembly replaced |
| 79500 mi US $825 |
Drivers side window regulator failed. |
| 4000 mi | Brake light sensor-driver side rear brake light remained dimly lit after powering vehicle down and removing key. First time vehicle was returned,service writer observed problem, but mechanic did not detect. Took extra day to be detected, 2 weeks 4 part |
| 33500 mi | Passenger-window regulator failed. Couldn't operate passenger window; regulator replaced. |
| 51000 mi | AC evaporator had to be replaced. clock and trip odometer would reset after each startup. Intelligent battery sensor had to be replaced. |
| 48000 mi US $200 |
replace battery |
| 9282 mi | Full housing and wiring of tail lights replaced. Work done on wiper nozzels |
| 9855 mi | Full replacement of tail lights yet again. Center light fell off two weeks after last repair. Entire wiper fluid pump system replaced, required engine to be taken out of car to access. |
| 5000 mi | One of power folding side mirrors doesn't work properly. (replaced right front mirror motor) SZL (Steering Column Switch Sensor) fail. |
| 1000 mi | Airbag light came on. Connector on wire under driver's seat was disconnected or came loose. Dealer/service reconnected; airbag light turned off. |
| 12000 mi | The passenger-side window does not 'auto up' properly. After window rises 1/3rd way up, it goes back down. This happens 50% of the time. BMW attempted a few software re-programs; however, they were ALL unsuccessful in fixing my problem. Will try again. |
| 13000 mi | This was a return trip which finally corrected the problem that was not fixed during my Aug. visit (several attempts at software reprogram). Window motor was replaced. |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 18200 mi | Loose wires for left headlight |
| 29000 mi | Heater box replaced. Parts had to be shipped from Germany. Also front brake pads replaced due to constant squeaking. |
| 35000 mi | Navigation disc not being read. Dealer verified DVD drive was defective. |
| 36000 mi | Nav DVD reader not replaced due to technician not entering failure code when ordering replacement part. New tech could not recreate problem. |
| 38000 mi | Nav issues never resolved. |
| 27060 mi | Right window motor malfunctioning; would keep resetting to "roll back" mode and wouldn't cycle completely up. |
| 33980 mi | Airbag malfunction. Dealer improperly diagnosed. They fixed the issue, but it has since reappeared and is awaiting another fix. |
| 42860 mi | Driver window won't roll up. |
| 46500 mi | Airbag error and seatbelt error in display upon startup. Took to independent (Frank Scaper Alberta Motorworks) to have ECU reset. Problem solved. He suspected it had to do with shoddy recall work at another BMW dealer. Drivers side power door lock pulley broke. Have to use key to enter car. Decided not to fix. |
| 13000 mi | Right front passenger window would intermittently fail to close completely when the auto-up switch was activated. Malfunctioning motor was replaced. |
| 41000 mi | iPod cable replaced. The sound wasn't coming out of both R and L channels at all times. |
| 16000 mi | left rear tail light failed. Dealer replaced both complete assemblies since the tail lights are LED. |
| 4000 mi | Seatbelt light in dash. A pyrotechnic device in the seatbelt needed replaced. |
| 136000 mi US $1000 |
AC compressor. This was a mistake by me. this was meant to be for another vehicle. Please delete this repair. |
| 145000 mi US $700 |
After ten years the battery finally went. Battery replaced. |
| 35200 mi | Shop detected a likely issue with the AC evaporator and estimates a $1800 repair. He recharged the AC and told me to drive it for a while to see if it goes out before committing to a lengthy repair. |
| 38200 mi US $1800 |
A/C condenser sprang a leak and leaked fluid, so it needed to be replaced. This required removal of the entire dash to access the condenser. |
| 37000 mi | driver airbag switch failure |
| 13200 mi | Driver's side vent had no cold air. Recharged A/C system with dye to correct level. |
| 17000 mi | A/C not cold - charged system |
| 20600 mi | Leaking evaporator causing low suction in system - replaced. |
| 32300 mi US $50 |
Front drive's window would not roll up. Regulator replaced. |
| 41000 mi US $747 |
Passenger side window regulator defective; repaired under warranty purchased through dealership. |
| 24180 mi | The voice control has never worked very well. Warranty about to expire, asked them one more time to fix it, but they said nothing more they can do. |
| 76040 mi | Front daytime running lights went out on the left side. |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 37000 mi | Evaporator needed to be replaced. |
| 3000 mi | The SOS System (for BMW Assist) was not working. The computer also kept dropping my Bluetooth connectivity. |
| 5000 mi | TPS was sensing a flat tire. wasn't the case. |
| 6000 mi | TPS went over, there was no leak. |
| 57000 mi US $150 |
Dimming driver's side mirror failure. Mirror replaced. |
| 35000 mi US $100 |
Driver's side window malfunction; window would not close all the way at times. Dealer reprogrammed, failing to fix the issue. Window still malfunctioning. |
| 45000 mi | Driver side window never fixed. It really only acts up when it's particularly hot outside, prior to the AC running for a bit and cooling things off. |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 69841 mi US $127 |
labor to determine why windshield nozzles not working- found voltage/ground error in pump- ordered pump to replace next day- charged for labor key fob not auto opening trunk, reprogram valet switch (covered under extended warranty) |
| 99674 mi US $355 |
sensor software failure- reprogrammed DME |
| 26000 mi | Replaced driver side tail lamp. Known issue. |
| 43700 mi | Replaced satellite tuner |
| 80400 mi US $21 |
High beam bulbs |
| 32000 mi | When I had my state inspection I had the cracked high mounted middle brake light assembly replaced. A known design fault and a service bulletin, so was done for free. 2nd time it has been replaced on the car. First owner also. |
| 41300 mi US $500 |
Driver's side window regulator collapsed when window was wound down when getting in car after it sitting outside in a hot Texas day. |
| 43800 mi US $200 |
Passenger door lock actuator broke, would lock, but would not unlock. Had to replace. |
| 52000 mi US $450 |
Driver side door lock actuator broke. |
| 70000 mi | AC compressor went out, warranty covered $900. |
| 70700 mi US $260 |
Resistor blew on blower motor, warranty covered $690 of $950. |
| 2000 mi | Tire Pressure Monitoring System fault. Found wiring for sensor in LF wheel well damaged. Repaired under warranty. Tire Pressure Monitoring System fault. Found wiring for sensor in LF wheel well damaged. Repaired under warranty. |
| 6000 mi US $260 |
Speakers intermittently emit loud feedback for the duration of a trip. Speakers intermittently emit loud feedback for the duration of a trip. Unable to reproduce in shop. |
| 11000 mi | Refrigerant expansion valve found leaking. Expansion valve replaced. refrigerant recharged. Air conditioning unable to keep cabin cool. Refrigerant expansion valve found leaking. Expansion valve replaced, refrigerant recharged. Repaired under warranty. |
| 13000 mi | Air conditioning unable to keep cabin cool. HVAC system diagnosed on cold day; no fault found. Air conditioning unable to keep cabin cool. HVAC system diagnosed on cold day; no fault found. |
| 23000 mi | Air conditioning unable to maintain cool cabin temperature due to refrigerant leak. Expansion valve ordered and replaced. Refrigerant recharged. Air conditioning unable to maintain cool cabin temperature due to refrigerant leak. Expansion valve ordered and replaced. Refrigerant recharged. |
| 26000 mi | Tail lamp seal recall. Tail lamp seal removed and replaced. |
| 27000 mi | Air conditioner does not blow cold, cannot maintain selected cabin temperature. System found low on refrigerant. Refrigerant recharged with dye introduced to assist with further diagnosis. Air conditioner does not blow cold, cannot maintain selected cabin temperature. System found low on refrigerant. Refrigerant recharged with dye introduced to assist with further diagnosis. |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 36000 mi | Right adaptive control unit replaced |
| 39000 mi | 3rd brake light |
| 132000 mi US $247 |
replaced battery |
| 620 mi | Microphone for bluetooth phone use was picking up sound too well. At barely more than a whisper I was screaming at people. |
| 22000 mi US $150 |
AM radio crashed. Oil change. Car seems slower since eprom flash. |
| 24000 mi | Replaced Antenna base |
| 33000 mi | Radio graphics, shorted out speaker connection. |
| 69000 mi | Dealer broke spring clip in steering wheel for steering wheel controls while replacing turbo's. |
| 78000 mi US $500 |
Drivers side window motor failed. |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 19000 mi | Air pressure sensor giving false positive alerts |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 19000 mi | Tail lights keep burning out. This is third time replaced, all under warranty. |
| 3000 mi | Car stopped recognizing remote key to lock and unlock doors and said unrecognized key when key fob was inserted into recharging port in dash. Dealer updated software. |
| 8000 mi | No tail lights discovered at 1 AM on Interstate returning from MLB game. All left side LEDs out. Entire assembly had to be replaced. Right lights then came back on. |
| 10000 mi | Tail lights out for 2nd time just 3000 miles after 1st failure. Fixed under wtty, but very unsafe trying to drive home at 9 PM at night with 4 ways on in order to take to dealer next day. Advised they have a new light source. |
| 21000 mi | High pitched noise (like a rattle snake) coming from rear speakers while car was parked and locked with radio off. Went away after 20 minutes of driving. Dealer could not replicate next day. |
| 20460 mi | The windows are supposed to automatically come down a bit when the door is opened and pop back up when closed. This mechanism failed to work properly. |
| 29300 mi | Right side power window was going all the way down |
| 44000 mi US $70 |
3rd brake light fell apart...a common occurrence on a 128i. TSB Number: SIB-63-10-08. Dealer refused to replace. 3rd brake light failure. Failure mode is for red lens to crack and eventually fall off. TSB Number: SIB-63-10-08 |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 4960 mi | Had to reset the window electronics on passanger side as window stopped working. |
| 52000 mi | Rear window defroster inoperable upon purchase. Took it back in and eventually problem was traced back to electronic control unit. Replaced under warranty due to recent purchase of car - cost to repair if not under warranty would have been ~$1400. |
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