SULEV California car - buy or stay away?

[Oli77]

Friends,

A good buddy of mine who lives in socal is considering the purchase of a 2003 325i with SULEV engine. Car has 100k miles on it. He is worried about the dreaded $6000-8000 fuel/pump, fuel tank stories that he reads out there. We know about the 15 years/ 150,000 miles BMW warranty on the system, but what happens if the pump fails once warranty is out?

In your opinion (and because I know a good bit of you guys live out west where the sun shines everyday), should he stay clear of that car?

Are there any workarounds? I read that you can just put in a regular plastic tank with fuel pump from an e46 in there (could be illegal?). Alternatively and if failure occurs, he could find a used SULEV stainless steel tank/pump in a junk yard (but I think those are probably rare).

What do you guys/gals think? Are other options available that you can think of and do you have any experience with this particular issue? He likes the low emission idea in a car that drives like an ultimate driving machine. Needs to be auto too car of the wifey.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

With so many cars to choose from, why even deal with a sulev engine? If one of my relatives asked for my advice, I'd tell them to keep looking.

[danewilson77]

With so many cars to choose from, why even deal with a sulev engine? If one of my relatives asked for my advice, I'd tell them to keep looking.

+1

[sillieidiot]

i wouldn't bother. the m56 engine also have parts that are more expensive than a normal e46 when it comes to maintenance.

[sketchyd]

i wouldn't bother. the m56 engine also have parts that are more expensive than a normal e46 when it comes to maintenance.

+1. Thankfully I only have one customer with an m56, I dislike that thing.

Tapped on a talk device

[derbo]

Just get an M54 325i.

The amount of headache and slower peppiness, i wouldn't even want to deal with it.

[Oli77]

I appreciate everyone's feedback. And I got the big boss out and about (thanks for info Marc). This is most helpful. I will pass the info on to my friend.

In a nutshell, what your guys are saying is that he should find a similar car with a similar price and a similar body style and year, without the potential SULEV issue.

I can dig it.

[az3579]

What about a $6-8k repair?? What the heck?

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[sillieidiot]

What about a $6-8k repair?? What the heck?

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it's for the fuel pump. the fuel tank/pump is integrated in a one unit and the tank is metal unlike the other e46s. costs like 7-8k for the unit itself when it fails

[az3579]

Wow. That's an idiotic design choice.

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[illirep]

I didn't realize that one had a choice of engines in an e46 325i??? I can't believe a fuel tank / pump, whether combined or seperate, costs $8k...

[brettbimmer]

Wow. That's an idiotic design choice.

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Yes, I totally agree. When the fuel pump screen clogs or pump quits, it's out with the stainless steel tank and captive interal pump. So while the vehicle may have reduced emissions over a standard car, they are filling the landfills with fuel tanks & pumps.

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[Oli77]

Some sites say that you can put in the regular e46 plastic tank in there but you have to remove exhaust, axle, right rear suspension, maybe even subframe components (not sure about the differential).

But you can see that it would be an expensive labor cost (on top of the $6000 stainless steel tank which is apparently difficult to purchase new because of backorders).

If it all happens under warranty, it is free but you maybe out a a car for months.

[Dave1027]

So a bad fuel pump essentially totals the car? Ouch.

[LivesNearCostco]

The power and unintended consequences of green policies. Nothing wrong with being green, but need to consider the big picture. Now what about hybrid batteries? If your hybrid comes with a 10-year warranty on batteries but new batteries cost $5000 or more, is that good for long-term ownership? Of course in 10 years of city driving you could save more than the $5000 (plus hybrid premium) in gas costs, depending on price of gas.

Edit, my Dad has a Prius, but he leases it (and all his cars for the last 15 years) so the long-term battery life will be somebody else's worry. On the other my neighbor has a Tesla roadster and a Nissan Leaf (plus two gas powered cars), and I assume they own both. He's into technology so I'll ask him about the battery warranties.


Wow. That's an idiotic design choice.
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[terraphantm]

Definitely stay away from the M56, simply not worth the headache. Personally I'd probably go with an 01 or 02 330 over an M56 325 (which are all 2003+ iirc)

[spoonerDee]

I live dangerously. M56 owner here :shifty

[Oli77]

Didn't know this, you c-r-a-z-y dangerous dangerous man!