The 2013 335i with N55 engine is a solid performer when maintained, but suffers from predictable oiling issues, cooling system failures, and a fragile charge pipe system. The ZF 8-speed auto is generally robust, but oil cooler and mount failures are common neglect points.
Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: oil pooling on top of engine near firewall, burning oil smell from exhaust manifold heat, low oil warnings if ignored long enough
Fix: Replace oil filter housing gasket and all associated o-rings. Requires removal of intake components for access. 2-3 hours labor if you catch it early, more if oil has cooked onto surrounding parts.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Charge Pipe / Boost Pipe Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: sudden loss of power under boost, loud pop or hissing sound from engine bay, limp mode, visible split in plastic charge pipe behind engine
Fix: Factory charge pipe is plastic with crimp connections that fail from heat cycling. Upgrade to aluminum aftermarket unit is the permanent fix. 1.5-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Valve Cover / PCV System Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: rough idle when cold, oil consumption between changes, oil in intake tract, check engine light for lean/rich codes
Fix: The integrated PCV diaphragm in the valve cover tears, causing vacuum leaks and oil consumption. Must replace entire valve cover assembly with gasket. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,200
Water Pump and Thermostat Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: coolant warning light, overheating in traffic, coolant leaks from front of engine, electric water pump whining noise
Fix: Electric water pump and plastic thermostat housing both fail. Always replace together as preventive maintenance. Includes coolant flush. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800
Turbocharger Wastegate Rattle
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: rattle on cold start for 2-3 seconds, rattle during deceleration, sometimes triggers underboost codes, sound like marbles in a can from engine bay
Fix: Wastegate actuator arm bushing wears, causing rattle. Can replace actuator only or entire turbo depending on condition. 6-8 hours labor for turbo replacement.
Estimated cost: $1,500-3,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid spots on driveway, burnt transmission fluid smell, low transmission fluid warnings, pink fluid visible near transmission
Fix: Cooler lines crack at crimp points or o-rings fail at connections. Replace lines and reseal connections, flush transmission fluid. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
VANOS Solenoid Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, check engine light for camshaft position codes, cold start rattle
Fix: Solenoids get clogged from lack of oil changes or fail electrically. Replace both intake and exhaust solenoids, clean oil passages. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $500-900
Owner tips
Use BMW LL-01 rated full synthetic oil and change every 5,000-7,000 miles maximum, not the 10k+ interval BMW recommends — N55 oil consumption issues are directly tied to extended intervals
Replace coolant every 3 years and inspect all plastic cooling components — this prevents the cascade failure of water pump, thermostat, and expansion tank
Upgrade charge pipe to aluminum unit preemptively around 50k miles if tuning or driving aggressively
Keep detailed service records — these cars respond well to preventive maintenance but punish neglect exponentially
Buy one with thorough records under 80k miles and budget $2,000 for deferred maintenance — solid platform that rewards owners who wrench or have a trusted independent BMW specialist.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM required for battery registration; located in trunk; requires coding after replacement
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Control Modules — 2013 BMW 335i
Every control module on the 2011-2013 BMW 335i — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 20V017000
2020-01-15 · EA15001
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i
xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · 15V520000
2015-08-17
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at [email protected].
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2013 BMW 335i 3.0L I6 Turbo N55 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.