| 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%)
Chart based on 369 repairs.
2008 BMW 1-Series engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (1%)
$1000 - $2499 (25%)
$500 - $999 (7%)
$100 - $499 (12%)
< $100 (55%)
Chart based on 89 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
| 29020 mi | Fuel Sensor was not working properly. Engine occasionally stalled and did not start for couple of minutes. When I brought the car to the shop, coincidentally it did not fire-up and they had to push it in. |
| 31620 mi | Check engine light was coming on once in two days, I brought the car to the shop and it turned out Intake Cam Sensor was malfunctioning. After the repairs I felt little amount of low-end torque increase. |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 45600 mi US $1000 |
broken water pump valve in the intake manifold |
| 10000 mi | Computer software displayed false codes. Had to be updated with reflash. |
| 51000 mi | faulty low pressure fuel sensor caused the engine to reduce power at random times at highway speeds. |
| 19000 mi | High pressure fuel pump replaced. |
| 88000 mi US $1800 |
Engine overheating, vehicle disabled. Failed Water pump replaced. |
| 22940 mi | Rough idle and misfires during cold starts. Dealer replaced HPFP and 4 injectors. |
| 35840 mi | Temp gauge reported overheat during road trip and car went into limp mode. Got towed to nearest BMW dealership for diagnosis. Turns out coolant pump had failed. |
| 32000 mi | Cylinder 6 came through the block |
| 14000 mi | Car started rough, revved, and then idled rough/sputtered/sounded awful. Service Engine Soon light came on. Dealer told me not to drive the car and have it towed in by Roadside. Their fix was to do "recall repair" and flash the ECU. Same problem: start rough, rev, idle rough/sputter, SES light. They replaced all 6 fuel injectors. |
| 40000 mi US $50 |
Engine was overheating as soon as the car was warmed up. Engine temperature light would come on and soon after engine would shut off. Dealer replaced water pump under extended warranty. |
| 47000 mi | The check engine light has come on again. Taken back to deal for the fourth time. Problem began after high pressure fuel pump recall. Dealership attempting to fix it again. |
| 50000 mi | Engine misfiring and going into limp mode. Dealer replaced spark plugs under warranty. Still experiencing limp mode problem. This time dealer replaced the fuel pump under warranty (the car's 2nd pump. each has lasted ~25k miles). |
| 35700 mi | High pressure fuel pump replaced |
| 75000 mi US $1200 |
Water pump is electric, when it fails it stops, light comes on and car has to be and was towed. Thermostat, I just replaced (over $100) as a good sense measure since they have to take it out anyway to replace the pump. |
| 5000 mi | High pressure fuel pump was replaced due to a faulty factory part. Car was an April 2008 build which was the last month of the old model fuel pump. |
| 29000 mi | Check engine line with reduced power symbol. Replaced all fuel injectors and reflashed the ECU. |
| 46000 mi US $1000 |
replaced water pump |
| 5000 mi | Throttle delay was noticeable since car was new. 0.5 sec. delay from idle. BMW Service reflashed SW with version 31.x. Still a slight delay but not as bad now. |
| 17000 mi | Coolant light came on when engine was cold. Eventually coolant light came on and stayed on. I added distilled water to top-off radiator. Coolant light went away, but I still took in car. They topped-off with more BMW coolant & pressure tested. |
| 34000 mi | High pressure fuel pump starting to fail... long cranks at start-up. Also, brought in for seat belt component recall. When brought in, BMW service also identified SEVERAL recall notices. 5 of 6 injectors were replaced. |
| 35000 mi | Engine light came on + 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON'; throttle response retarded/reduced power. Engine light went off next morning; power returned. 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' light still on. Replaced DEFECTIVE INTAKE CAMSHAFT SENSOR, cleared fault |
| 25585 mi | Engine misfiring, could barely drive. All injectors, coils, spark plugs replaced. Horrid service. Wonder what will happen in the next 25k miles. MPG is now 16.5 car does not run smooth. |
| 55180 mi C $200 |
cylinder 3's coil needed replacement. |
| 28717 mi | DMTL pump on line B had fault. Charcoal canister had excessive fuel in it. Both were replaced |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 31000 mi | Suspected fuel pump issue, as it's a known problem with the N54 engine. Had a couple long crank starts and a slightly unstable idle. Dealer reflashed engine software believing this would resolve the issue, but the issue has since worsened. |
| 33000 mi | Car went into limp mode twice after severe stuttering upon application of more than 20% throttle. Scanned myself that night codes indicated multiple misfires and fuel-pump related issues. Took car to dealer and fuel pump was replaced |
| 39000 mi | rough, stuttery idle. dealer claimed they couldn't replicate, but several other independent people verified. after a second visit, dealer admitted they could see/feel it. checked coils/plugs, ended up seeing 2 fouled plugs, replaced all 6 |
| 52000 mi US $1300 |
Water pump had to be replaced. |
| 42160 mi C $1800 |
Water pump and thermostat, left stranded. Expensive trip. Classic BMW. |
| 53320 mi C $1800 |
Water pump and thermostat broke, engine overheated. Needed a tow. |
| 55800 mi C $1400 |
Belts were sheered, lost steering and all other functions when on road. Mechanic/dealer said engine may be contaminated with fragments, estimated about 6000 to crack engine open and fix. Opted to replace belts and trade in car for a chevrolet cruze, 2017 premier hatch. |
| 72000 mi US $180 |
Ignition coil |
| 85000 mi US $600 |
Serpentine belt failure due to oil leak from oil cooler housing.Belt wrapped around crank pulley and destroyed front seal. Replaced oil cooler housing gaskets front crank seal and serpentine belt myself.Oil leak caused the entire problem. |
| 66340 mi C $1600 |
Failed coolant pump. |
| 68200 mi C $3550 |
Rear main seal popped out and was leaking. Replaced seal, oil pan gasket, and valve cover (with integral PCV valve, suspected to be cause of seal popping out). |
| 52000 mi US $1000 |
Electric water pump failed, had it replaced by an Indy shop. It's a known problem for any modern BMW, these electric pumps just don't last as long as mechanical ones. |
| 56700 mi US $200 |
Replaced boost solenoids, they we're faulty and throwing the underboost code. Also adjusted wastegate actuator |
| 64000 mi US $1000 |
Had two leaking fuel injectors, I replaced all six though to make sure I had the latest BMW indexed injectors |
| 77000 mi US $140 |
Had misfires on multiple cylinders, replaced all 6 coil packs |
| 38000 mi | Went in for Fuel Pump, was having long starts for the past few months and squeaky brakes. HPFP was done the following day but the car had to wait for new rotors and pads to come in which took a few days. |
| 29300 mi | Service campaign to adjust software level of engine |
| 17300 mi | Bank Pop off valve on engine not connected. No idea how it happened, just heard strange sound. |
| 35300 mi US $610 |
Replaced water pump and thermostat after both failed. |
| 7440 mi | Update engine software to fix problem with low-end acceleration (turbo lag). Successful. Update iDrive software in failed attempt to make voice control work. |
| 65120 mi | Got "reduced power" alert on starting. Took car for check of high-pressure fuel pump. Fault found and repaired on BMW insurance for EUR550 deductible. Followed up with BMW insurance and customer service, which paid deductible. Happy, happy! |
| 76040 mi $1200 |
Water pump failed, car went into limp mode. Water pump replaced, engine checked for damage from overheating (tests negative). |
| 88040 mi | Engine light, it turned out that the number five cylinder misfired one time. Nothing needed to be done. |
| 7000 mi | Replaced a failed high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) which is a known issue affecting the N54 twin turbo engine. |
| 16000 mi | High pressure fuel pump failure (this is the second unit). |
| 1860 mi | Faulty high pressure fuel pump. Ordered, but placed on back-order. |
| 3100 mi | High pressure fuel pump successfully replaced. |
| 11000 mi | High pressure fuel pump - replaced under warranty. |
| 15000 mi | High Pressure Fuel Pump failure. Forced update, no hardware replaced. |
| 37000 mi | fuel system fault, updated DME. Fault symptoms were accel shutter and reduced power...no lights |
| 19000 mi | Service engine soon light |
| 17000 mi | Experienced long start dropped it off at local dealership. Diagnostic called out HPFP, but had to be verified by BMW before replacement authorized. Instructed to load new software, repeat diagnostics, leak in fuel system called out, parts replaced. |
| 18000 mi | Long cranks/starts returned made another service appointment. Dropped car off dealer called said newer software loaded, but wanted to keep it overnight to verify issue was fixed. SA stated if problem returns HPFP will be replaced. |
| 24000 mi | Long cranks returned with service engine soon, low power and engine malfunction warnings. Took car to dealer who ran diagnostics called out HPFP part replaced. Long starts and all warning disappeared. |
| 11000 mi | Fuel pump expired |
| 136000 mi US $750 |
Water pump failed. Towed to shop, Replaced, |
| 145000 mi US $700 |
Vehicle went into limp mode for twenty miles then totally shut down. Towed to repair shop. Diagnosed failed water pump. Replaced. |
| 5500 mi | High pressure fuel pump failed. Engine only ran in limp home mode. BMW replaced the pump under warranty. |
| 40000 mi | The rear wastegate had persistent rattle due to a vaccuum leak. The dealer replaced some vaccuum hoses and the problem was resolved. |
| 55300 mi | Turbo wastegate rattle became excessive. Both turbos replaced under extended warranty. |
| 57900 mi US $150 |
water pump died and had to be replaced. |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 12000 mi | air mass sensor failure after routine maintenance. |
| 20200 mi | check engine light came on, was erroneous |
| 68000 mi US $490 |
Changed an ignition coil, valve cover gasket, valvetronic gasket, eccentric shaft sensor gasket, oil filter housing gasket |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 6000 mi US $260 |
Engine oil level indicator inactive. Found wiring for sensor damaged by rodent. Billed 2.0 labor hours, ~$20 for parts. |
| 13000 mi | Rear main crankshaft seal leaked oil, replaced Rear main crankshaft seal leaked oil, replaced |
| 19000 mi | Rear main crankshaft seal leaked oil, replaced |
| 26000 mi | Air cleaner box loose, detached from grill intake flex tubing. Found missing lower mount. Parts ordered. Air cleaner box loose, detached from grill intake flex tubing. Found missing lower mount. Parts ordered. |
| 27000 mi | Lower air box mount installed. Air box reattached to grill intake flex tubing. Lower air box mount installed. Air box reattached to grill intake flex tubing. |
| 84900 mi US $600 |
Pulley tensioner started to bend and the belt was slowly walking off the pulley. |
| 92000 mi US $1084 |
Valve cover gasket leaking oil. |
| 109000 mi US $1500 |
Replaced spark plugs and ignitions coils due to misfiring on cylinders 2 and 4 |
| 124500 mi US $1244 |
Hi Temp and radiator warning light coolant leaking, towed to dealer determined radiator cracked replaced radiator |
| 80400 mi US $133 |
Emissions system leak |
| 107500 mi US $427 |
Replaced Mass Air Sensor |
| 163000 mi US $1125 |
Replaced oil pan and oil filter housing gaskets |
| 165200 mi US $275 |
Oxygen sensor (Pre cat Bank 2) replaced |
| 70000 mi US $600 |
Timing chain tensioner went bad, causing massive issues to rails etc, basically all timing chain elements had to be replaced, car out for 2 weeks ($5500, R66 warranty covered 4900). |
| 75000 mi US $1500 |
eccentric shaft sensor had to be replaced |
| 42100 mi | slight oil leak from valve cover |
| 59500 mi US $250 |
replace ignitor cylinder 5 |
| 87000 mi US $1500 |
coolant leaking into motor oil replace oil filter housing gasket. Valve cover gasket. |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 10540 mi | Check engine light came on 3 times. No performance degradation though. Dealer changed the gas tank vent valve. |
| 17980 mi | Had a reduced engine power warning light. Ended up being the HPFP needed replacement and updated software. |
| 18000 mi | Replace coil on one cylinder |
| 69000 mi | Both turbo's replaced under BMW warranty for turbo replacement on N54 engine. |
| 71000 mi US $1915 |
Engine misfiring on cold start, all fuel injectors replaced. |
| 57000 mi | Symptom was engine light and loss of power. Replaced a solenoid and a gasket. rn$1800 charge was covered by third-party extended warranty |
| 85000 mi US $1000 |
had to replace both turbochargers ($6500 charge mostly covered by aftermarket extended warranty) replaced intake solenoid suspected cause for periodic engine light over the entire 3 yr's I've had the car. Cause may have been the turbo's that also needed to be replaced. |
| 88000 mi | I had not noticed any symptoms but the dealership said during the maintenance check that the pump was not functioning right and needed to be replaced. They convinced the warranty company to cover it. |
| 97000 mi US $1500 |
Head gasket leak |
| 44000 mi | Bad HPFP and injectors |
| 46000 mi | Replaced HPFP, 2 injectors, spark plugs |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 10000 mi | HPFP failed during drive, had to be flat bedded to dealer. Took a couple of days and replaced under warranty |
| 23000 mi | Major failure of Turbocharger #2. At dealer for one week and Turbo #2 has been replaced. Major failure of Turbocharger #2. At dealer for one week and Turbo #2 has been replaced. Good so far. Just noticed 3rd brake light is coming off again. |
| 10000 mi | replaced air intake cracked during previous service |
| 12000 mi | Brought it in for long cranks when starting the car. Originally they only updated the software and said all was well. I told them I would not accept the car without a new high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) so replaced that the following day. |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 25000 mi | Leaking oil. Replaced oil filter housing gasket. Done under warrenty. |
| 20300 mi | Some lifters replaced |
| 37300 mi | Lifter noise. Exhaust lifters were replaced to resolve 'ticking' noise. Apparently fairly common issue. |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 5000 mi | Fuel tank and fuel sending unit replaced. |
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