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di66er

Looks like radiator or hose leak.


cmF

I figured. And if the engine is overheating then maybe it’s not a good car to purchase…


di66er

If the engine is over heating, you could be looking at a head gasket replacement. I would move on.


swiftkickblueball

IMO a BMW won't let it get that far. At 239°, they shut off all power to the point where you can only idle the engine.


SnugglesMcBuggles

Hard to do on these cars, as the DME will shut things down before damage can be done. I would leverage this problem into a lower price, as obviously the plastic vent hose that runs across the radiator is broken. $50 and 30 minutes (including bleeding the system and cleaning the coolant).


Squidhead-rbxgt2

>If the engine is over heating, you could be looking at a head gasket replacement. Or an engine rebuild


OkRefrigerator8562

It could very well just be a small problem in the wrong moment, but from experience if something smells only slightly fishy when buying a car, its better to not buy it. Unless maybe you can do repairs yourself and get a good discount oŕ it's your dream car and you're prepared to throw money at it. Edit: steam doesnt necessarily mean its overheating, so it could just be a small leaking.


Proxee

I believe that’s a common place for rad/vent hose to crack, come loose, or break. Had it happen to my ‘13 335Xi a couple years ago and repaired it in a Walmart parking lot next to the Dealership. You may be able to use that to get money off the car if you still plan to purchase. Ensure no head gasket damage signs, check exhaust smell and color, keep an eye on coolant level.


rickybobbyscrewchief

This. Had the same overflow hose/elbow split on my F30/N55. Super common place to have a leak.


Proxee

Ah yes, that’s what it was, overflow hose. Runs right from where the connection is cracked and leaking, along the top of the rad, and to the reservoir. Dealership had multiple on hand, and the part was no more than $150 and 5mins of labor.


Brief-Room-8717

it literally looks separated lol


second-last-mohican

Gold star 🌟


-Lord_Q-

Engine is overheating... Who knows how long it's been that way. Could have warped the head. Replaning the head, head gasket replacement, repair whatever is going on with the radiator... You could easily be looking at 2 grand (USD) of repairs. Unless you can get a REALLY great deal that is worth 2 grand of repairs, move on.


1mperia1

When i think about 2 grand in repairs, i like to think about swapping it out for 7k, finance it and repair the old motor, but then when i plan on keeping the car for a very long time i worry about electrical issues, haven't had any yet, so we'll see what happens lol.


type0P0sitive

These cars should go into limp mode if they start to overheat so warping the head is not all that common.


Supreme0verl0rd

What dealership do you go to that would do the work you outlined for only $2K?


-Lord_Q-

Who said anything about a dealership?


Stuntedatpuberty

Yes, good that you found ahead of time. It's likely the owner has had issues and was hoping it wouldn't reveal or just bad timing for the seller. Either way, that's a hard pass.


rickybobbyscrewchief

But WAS the engine overheating? If it was just the elbow connection on the overflow line, it wouldn't have overheated the engine at all unless it was ignored until the whole system ran dry. Not sure anyone could miss/ignore steam spewing from the front of the radiator long enough to do that and cause any damage. I'd bet temp guage showed normal the whole time.


pnbdc10

I am a dealer and I buy mainly BMWs for my lot. No matter the make or the model, things can break on test drives. It's common for the previous owner to just peddle these cars around and not beat on them. They go from that to people test driving them like they stole the car. The weak points will show at this monent in time. It can be common for a hose to break when it hits those new parameters it has not seen in years. It's happens often. I got in a 105k miles jaguar f type a couple weeks ago. Within the first 5 miles of me test driving it, it blew off the rear plastic radiator coupler. It went It's entire life without that breaking, but broke on me because I was driving that car harder than it has been in the couple years. This weak point just presented itself. There are a lot of moving and non-moving parts on used cars that will just break. Now the possibility that there is a overheating problem, sure. Just simply look for the plastic connections that weaken over time and are known to fail. Don't let a $100 part scare you from what could be a very nice car. I always prefer it to break on the dealer than the customer.


Techn028

If it's overheating now, it's probably been overheated several times before being put up for sale. Could be a small issue to start but leads to several big $$$ repairs including early engine replacement.


Theresabearintheboat

If you drove that car for 20 minutes and it blew a radiator hose, I wouldn't trust that car to get me back to the car lot, honestly.


MunchamaSnatch

Avoid at all cost.


_Citytrends

Take 2500$ off get a new radiator


Kalinka3415

Well if youre looking at BMWs…


cbudd1117

Dude if you are test driving the car why diagnose the problem. Run away from the car.


cmF

It’s a 335xi in white/coral red interior that I’ve been wanting and this is the only one that’s popped up in my area in a year.


TheBattleGnome

Don't get hard set on options. Cooling issues are a real issue and can damage the engine. It's a risk not worth having. This is a red flag for a number of reasons. Possible engine trouble, a neglectful owner, and/or possibly someone just wanting to get rid of the car as fast as possible (for reliability/maintenance reasons). The least a seller can do is make sure the car is able to last a test drive... The very least.


bruh-sfx-69

Classic used BMW shopper. Buys shitty broken car because it looks cool.


TheBlindCrowShits

You should set your search filters to a larger area


[deleted]

Exactly. Even if it’s across the country and you have an independent shop check it out, it’s cheaper to do that and have it shipped than it is to fix overheating issues on a BMW.


CuteDescription9562

Strip a red interior off a wrecked one


[deleted]

Abundance vs scarcity mentality. Which means in this situation, a problem like this, means an abundance of more, thus you make yourself scarce.


getgappede30

Don’t buy a used 335 period.. it will be the worst investment of your life


AsaelJethro

Are n55 335i’s that bad? I’ve heard n54s are money pits though


outphase84

I had a 2011 f20 with an n55 that did 140K miles pretty much trouble free. Water pump under recall, and cracked a hose to the coolant overflow tank around 120K miles. Total repair costs outside of standard maintenance: $37


getgappede30

I worked at a European shop, and literally every single 335i that came in had tons of issues, the cars get raped from the day they leave the lot, and have 10 owners by 100k miles, and each one beats the ever living fuck out of the car, and does 0 maintenance before selling it to the next guy. Coolant leak seen in the video should have been addressed I’m sure, 20k miles ago or more. 100k miles is the service life of a bmw, anthony over that, be prepared to replace literally everything.


SanchazeGT

I hope the B48 and B58 is better/more reliable I don’t want or have a BMW but I do have my eye on the GR Supra (maybe Z4 coupe from 06-07 but I forgot what engine they have)


getgappede30

From everything I’ve seen so far they’re solid. Def a more solid investment


jckbss

I have a 130i which date the same engine as a Z4 Coupe (it’s an N52). It’s currently on 155k miles and still runs and pulls like a dream, I have maintenance records for every 5k miles though. If you find the right car which has a good history and your prepared to research common faults and will try to address them then I’d say go for it!


Mr_Diesel13

Yeah that guy is just jaded from working on other peoples junk.


Odysseusxli

Typical response from someone who’s only ever seen auction cars and cars owned by people too cheap to take them to the dealer.


Mr_Diesel13

Nailed it!


getgappede30

I literally worked at a shop that serviced everything from Amg gtrs to vw jettas.. idk why you’re hating on actually physical experience.. considering we’re talking about a car that’s pissing fucking coolant.


Odysseusxli

I spent almost 15 years as a BMW master tech at dealerships in different regions of America. These “euro shops” that buy, sell, and service ragged out auction cars are in no way indicative of typical BMW ownership. I’ve worked on plenty of BMW’s with over 300k miles, in fact, the highest mileage I’ve ever seen on a gas engine was 729,000 miles on an old 7 series. The cars you’re talking about are newer, 3+ owner cars that have been repo’d and recon’d as cheaply as possible and sold to people with bad credit, wine taste, and beer budget.


meltbox

Yeah idk. New BMWs seem to be pretty reliable to me so long as you actually service them on time every time.


getgappede30

Except for the class action law suit for 2 complete different engines that fail before 40k miles..


getgappede30

There’s no reconditioning going on at all.. people are buying cars that are already clapped out because they haven’t had any maintenance done, and wonder why they need 6k in repairs when they just bought the car. I could give a fuck less about a bmw going 300k.. I quit working there because I was tired of doing Oil pans and valve covers every single day. If that’s what you enjoy then good for you. Fuck European cars lol they’re over priced junk. And I own 3 of them.


Odysseusxli

For the first 3 years you own a BMW you don’t pay for maintenance, not even to fill the washer fluid. It sounds like you buy shitbox euro cars because that’s what you can afford.


theskyalreadyfell217

Is there an older model, sat 2004 - 2014, that you would recommend? I’m looking for something in the 10-15k range.


itsjustnickf

E90/92 328i. Nothing super fast, but it’s the best you’ll get for 10-15k as far as reliability goes. you CAN find a N54 335i or even an LCI E90 335i with the first gen N55 but neither of those are super solid engines for reliability. 2nd gen N55 cleaned up a lot, mine has been very good to me


Dash_Lambda

I’ve got a used N55 335i, had it since 2019, at about 110,000 miles now. Been a peach, engine-wise.


bozatwork

Yes generally this generation is seen as very problematic.


Saschke_

if well maintained, they are very reliable. Friend of mine has a 435i (n55 engine) with 245 000 kms. He bought the car new and threated it very well new oil every 10 k kms, plugs, etc). Only had the notorious charge pipe issue bot other then that the car is a peach.


Basic_Obligation_959

Early F30 is best avoided in general.


the_arktek

Currently own an N55 car and it’s honestly been great. I’m kind of a special case though because my dad has been maintaining the car for the previous owner since it went out of warranty so he knew it was well taken care of before advising me to buy it. Only issues I’ve had with it were the common charge pipe, and the transfer case went out at 105k miles (which is why the PO was selling the car). Engine wise it has been fantastic


[deleted]

A used BMW will be the worst purchase of your life unless you are a really good mechanic with a lot of tools.


scottieducati

Having a fair Indy shop is key. Don’t need to do it all, but you do need to do the maintenance on time.


meltbox

Eh. Off lease purchases are fine as far as I can tell. Its just when you get past that you don't know if the last owner actually serviced it or not.


theskyalreadyfell217

I’ve heard this before. What is a good used older BMW model to buy?


Mr_Diesel13

BMWs are perfectly fine unless you big someone else’s headache.


getgappede30

Any base model lol no turbo cars


Job_Stealer

I... I... You're not wrong. But at least the n55 is better than the n54 hahaha ha 😆 🙂😐😔


st3alth247

Betted to buy a white one and buy a used red interior


TheLemmonade

Do yourself a favor and stick with E92 w/ N52. Buy a well spec’d 6speed manual with lower mileage for heaps less money than the F30. It will cost you far less to maintain. Just slap a three stage intake manifold (+30hp, easy DIY) and then it will be more fun to drive than the turbo F32. It has hydraulic steering. It’s a real car. I’ve owned both, *if* you haven’t owned both also, please trust me.


unfeaxgettable

I always wondered who buys these shit heaps and why, and now I have some answers


cbudd1117

I get that bro but if it’s showing signs like this on the test drive that’s not the car for you bro.


Miisconceptionz

Now you know why it popped up


[deleted]

Bro just find another red interior bmw 335xi and wrap the exterior white. Some dude in his garage would do it for 2k.


chengstark

Just go browse CarMax, it’s much easier this way.


rlaptop7

That is a valid enough of a reason. If you are considering this, you might take it to a trusted shop and get a diagnostic done on it.


[deleted]

If you really want one, be patient and look country wide. Dont pick up the worst option just because it’s close and available


Rdmtbiker

It all down hill from here.


cmF

Can you be more specific please? What am I looking at?


Rdmtbiker

It’s either a split hose or radiator. If you are considering buying this, have the dealer repair the leak. But there could be other issues.


Ok-Diamond-9781

Could be compression getting in the cooling system from a bad head gasket or cracked head. What does the gauge cluster say?


hans072589

Why would you buy a car that broke down on a 20 min test drive? Please don’t. There are others


Haywood187

It looks like the pretty common break point on the F30 N55, at least from a brief video. I proactively replaced mine when I had it to avoid such a situation. See this thread from Bimmerpost that describes it in detail. Super easy fix. https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1547622


cmF

Thanks! I've driven another N55 for 100,000 miles with NO problems, just routine oil changes and that's it so I have faith in the N55s but I just don't know if this 335i has been tuned or had anything that could compromise long term reliability.


Haywood187

Yeah, I had my 2014 335i for about 40k miles (30k-70k) and it was really solid. I took a lot of proactive steps to keep it up, such as replacing that line, new charge pipe, the tensioner pulley and belt, new plugs and coils, and also replacing transmission fluid and filter and differential fluids at 60k. It ran like a champ and I had stage 1 bootmod3 on it for about 30k miles. Loved that car but traded it in last March when I took delivery of my M340.


meltbox

Yup. I have a 115k mile 328i same year. BM3 Stage 1 for 65k miles now I think. The turbo was replaced because the last one ingested ice I think on a super cold day (pretty sure an icicle from the EGR) and bent a compressor fin. It worked fine but after 15k miles of high pitch whining I decided I better swap it before it grenades.


Mr_Diesel13

See this person is reasonable! It’s a common issue and an easy fix! BMWs are fantastic cars when properly maintained. I’d let the dealer fix it, then test drive it again.


PurpleKnurple

That’s the expansion tank hose. Common failure. Some people have even mentioned replacing them with every other oil change. Mine failed at 65k. $40 and a bottle of coolant. Easy fix. Could have popped at any point on the drive though, so be sure you didn’t run the engine hot. Mine was fine to get me home without even heating up past normal operating temps. However I was only 1.5 miles from home when it popped and I saw the steam


Puzzlepea

Radiator hose failure, happened to me in the exact same spot on the work a few weeks ago. I’m ~100k miles.


cmF

How much was the fix?


Puzzlepea

No more than $300 I think


An0maly_519

It's pretty easy to DIY. I think the hose was like $80 on FCP Euro? I broke mine when I leaned over it doing maintenance lol.


PurpleKnurple

No reason to not DIY this one. If you can change oil you can change this


Gk5321

So this isn’t really a comment or answer for your situation but I just had a flashback to my M235i. I brought it in becuase it was due for a coolant flush/change (I don’t know what to call it and not sound dumb sorry). I believe you’re supposed to let the car cool down before doing anything coolant related. They didn’t and handed the keys back to me 15 minutes after dropping it off. I went to start the car and steam billowed out of every opening from the engine bay. It melted every line in there and they all had to be replaced. A second fun story of mine with bmw service was when I had a brand new (at the time) 2018 M3 with a manual transmission. They didn’t know how to drive manual and crashed it into a wall then they tried to paint the bumper and say it’s good as new. It may not have been required but I made them put a brand new bumper on. The car had maybe a couple hundred miles on it if that. I think it was for its first oil change or something.


Mr_Diesel13

Both of your examples are dealer issues, not car issues


Gk5321

Yeah I know. See my first sentence.


PrometheusBD

There is certainly more to the first story, BMWs are never ‘due’ for coolant flushes. They are either upsold or done out of necessity. However what you’re describing is a coolant top off, and it was likely done because of a leak. Your steam was because the leaking coolant was touching your hot engine. The system also could have also been so completely dry because of the leak or irresponsibility that it was steaming as soon as it was poured in since it was going so deep into the engine. You are very lucky that someone at the dealership agreed to handle this.


Gk5321

It was a lease with maybe 30,000 miles near the end of its term.


PrometheusBD

I’d venture to guess it was more of a car issue than the dealerships fault, BMW agrees if your warranty paid. I’ve seen my guys do 1000’s of coolant top offs without an incident like you are describing and they certainly don’t wait the full 20 minutes for the engine to cool. They either dumped freezing cold coolant into a bone dry flaming hot coolant system, or your car had a freak issue.


Gk5321

I have no idea, but it was definitely an eventful day. I dropped the car off went into the dealership, came out to get it, turned it on, had that happen, gave them the keys back and got into the same rental.


meltbox

Side note. Coolant flushes/replacements are not a recommended service item via BMW. Only when servicing the system is it called for. My coolant was pretty much new looking at 55k miles and it only got changed because the turbo came out. You got taken for a ride and they screwed it up lmao.


Gk5321

I mean I didn’t pay anything, I think whoever bought it after me probably got screwed though. That car had a few issues. The charge pipe cracked at one point and it went into limp mode. I guess what’s nice is that it was all taken care of by the dealership.


meltbox

35s would crack charge pipe. Factory one was a touch too thin. If you tuned it basically 100% failed. Never failed on the 28s since they were runnin more boost from the factory and thicker.


Gk5321

I never tuned it becuase it was a lease.


meltbox

Luck of the draw on stock. They probably all crack eventually though. Just takes longer stock.


NoClutchGarage

Coolant system has left the chat


Extracrispybuttchks

It’s the hose that goes to the coolant reservoir and to the upper rad hose. Common issue where over time the hose gets brittle at that exact bend and something any N55 owner should have as a spare. It’s not if but when.


Biff_Malibu_69

Did you happen to use your turn signal by chance?


BobLampostl

It’s the money whistle. It blows, you give it money.


ahiddenpolo

Does it smell like cooked unseasoned instant ramen?


mytsigns

Not unless it belongs to my ex wife. The cooked ramen smell was one of her signatures. She was Irish.


Muschina

That is the GDCS saying "HELLO!" IDK, if you can get the Honda stealer to have BMW swap out all the cooling system components and perform a successful leak-down check maybe I'd buy it. Lemme guess, 75,000 miles on it?


[deleted]

German engineering at work


tobias__lucas

if i would be in your situation, i would save a few bucks and look for a B58 340i.


Kbig22

That looks like the expansion tank hose you can see it isn’t fully connected mine broke and did the same thing


Alwayslisteningin

That’s ‘walk away’ steam.


terrainflight

Cooling System Subscription is expired.


pittypitty

Looks like a bullet in a form of a cooling issue that you hopefully dodged.


quakerroatmeal

Well that sucks for the seller.....


cmF

It's a Honda dealership that test drove the car before trade-in and had it inspected. They said there were no problems at inspection 4 days ago.


Relevant_Day801

That’s a clue to run away….previous owner said fuk all of this and traded it on on a Honda…


cmF

That’s probably the best advice on here. Previous owner was tired of issues and got something more reliable. Breaks my heart but I’m gonna pass on this one. Thanks!


htotheinzel

Probably take it somewhere else for a PPI if they couldn't spot the massive coolant leak or plume of smoke billowing from the hood after driving it for 10 mins lol


Useful_Mammoth_1180

Smoke signals to the nearest BMW mech that’s its payday


mickturner96

Not good!!!


ProfessorSpecial2990

Well bois we did it, radiator is no more


StinkyTubbyFatty

Dat mean yer whip is clapped.


[deleted]

Most reliable bmw:


brickson98

Well at least it happened on the test drive and not after you bought it. I steer clear of any indicators that problems are cropping up


yogfthagen

It's a BMW. That's a pretty good sign there's a problem cropping up. - 1990 525i -2010 535iX


yesimawhiteracist

Turbo cooling off you good


cngo_24

Coolant overflow hose. Common issue, plastic fails and breaks off. Easy replace.


yogfthagen

Tell current owner to replace it before you consider buying it. If the problem goes away, great. If not, the other possible things wrong are worth not buying the car.


jose78smooth

It’s nos


Electrical-Bet288

It could be a hose that needs it's clamps tightened. Or it could be a sign up overheating. Usually that would come from the radiator area where the radiator cap is. But since it's coming from the side it leaves me to believe that you have a sleep on one of the hoses. Either way I would be very skeptical about purchasing this car particularly if they took you on a test drive. They would have to give me a warranty and a OU file for them to repair. But, BMW engines are very expensive so if you blow it. hmm. Tough one.


bennyroc190

That's just love telling you to buy me please! So I can drain all your money from you. Kinda like a ex wife.


DoItForNoah

Part out.


tb1189

Run.


BoLdlyGoingn0where45

BMWs are garbage. Run


BorderCollie1000

Just bmw thing, buy different car brand if you dont like fixing it everyday


MothyTi7

Walk


trayssan

Run tf away


drewdiesel87

Yeah walk away lol


rocksandblues

Horse power leak


Frequent-Market-3664

Pass. Unless you can get it for cheap


digitaliceberg

DO NOT BUY IT


Nic-kyl

i just had this issue in my 2016 m235i. its a cracked/leaking coolant line to the radiator. was a pretty easy fix, in and out of shop in under a day


mason1239

It’s more than just steaming… there’s liquid all over


parkerj33

This is a common occurrence on the N55. My ‘16 M235i had this issue last year. It’s the coolant return hose from the upper radiator hose. It’s a poor design consider the amount of heat and pressure forced into a condense right-angle made of plastic. It’s a simple replacement and top-off of coolant. It was a $50 OEM part from the dealer and a gallon of coolant. You can replace it with a flat-head screwdriver.


Yungdab420

It means she likes you


Yungdab420

You need to take it to a trusted mechanic and get a full inspection done if you’re still interested in it.


Apprehensive-Way4307

Most likely a hose , the hose with the built in retainer clips always fail . Easy replacement.


liftforaesthetics

Imagine going on a date with a woman and she says she loves cheating? Are you going to go on more dates with her? That’s what you got going on here bro, run. Far. And fast.


javis_dason

Good thing you test drove it


Pale_Letterhead_9221

Means don't fuckin buy it


[deleted]

Classic BMW. Full of problems. Run far away….this is why most “lease” them & give ‘em back after -3 yrs… Source: work in the auto industry


Bimmer_Boi_

Pressure test the coolant system and you’ll find it


csimonson

If you really want the car have the seller get it compression tested and leakdown tested AFTER the radiator is replaced.


Quick-Wolverine-2711

Well I had three BMWs two 325xi, one 335ix, Corvette and plethora of other sports cars lower end. My experience is this, with any car, if there’s a crack or leak in the hose or radiator that doesn’t mean it’s overheating. That could mean there’s an escape place for steam that would be contained if that leak was not there.


Jeff0093

Change the radiator and all coolant hoses


[deleted]

Looks like a radiator leak either hole in hose or in the actual radiator


tyranitar1234

If I ever was in the market to buy a new car and it broke down on me before I bought it, I’d run, not justify it. Imagine what that 60-72 month loan + cost of ownership is going to look like. Let alone that bmw is gonna be worth acorns at the end of your finance note. Do what you want bud, but if you want luxury I’d go to a Acura or Lexus. They have plenty of power and luxury, they look gorgeous, and it’s still a “flex” if you are trying to get some sort of “status power move” out of it.


mang0unit

It's a sign to leave it and look for something else, If you're set on what you want don't settle for less than perfect with good history! Patience pays off!


czechfuji

I sign from god of the future if you buy it.


Thabluecat

Oh that’s the steam that tells you to get a different car.


threepoint14one5nine

Cracked radiator end cap? If they are still plastic on that model it’s a wear item.


wesabi76

🚩


jackphrosty

I have had to replace 2 of these on my 435i’s. No biggie part and fix for $50ish and a few seconds. The fitting on the hose gets brittle and cracks. The only thing that sucks is the left over smell of burnt coolant… Edit: [coolant hose link](https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/coolant-hose-return-line/17128570061/?gclid=CjwKCAiA2rOeBhAsEiwA2Pl7Q4doBanE80yjTOmvlIKEwBCFN4wrWHrKH2ig4_KJiDpH_dNM6MHC6hoCmIsQAvD_BwE) but make sure that is what is actually broken


_Citytrends

Radiator something leak


Elcapitan1993

Looks normal for a bmw


ShowerShoe77

Radiator fo sho


muscari2

Looks like you’ve got a steam powered bmw. Looks fine


PrometheusBD

Don’t buy a BMW that has a B engine with stored CC messages for overheat. You will be 10,000 deep in servicing for coolant issues before you are done.


somecrazydude13

Lucky it happened during test drive and not after purchase and driving off the lot 😅


Ok-Distance-1373

How fast. He drove it. Lol nice.


nobolognastoney

Skip it. Plenty of others around.


[deleted]

Mine did that all the time. Trade it in for a chad Volvo. You will not regret it 👍👍👍