New to forum, new to BMW (2011 BMW 535i - I6 Turbo)

[Bahulz]

Hi All, 1st Post! New here. There is so much great information on this forum that it is actually overwhelming trying to read the FAQs and pinned posts. I just bought a 2011 BMW 535i sedan with the I6 turbo, all factory that I can tell w/ 100k miles on it. I have a mechanic I use on all my other cars (Toyotas, Hondas) that says I need a new turbo on this car and that costs close to $4k installed. (So maybe I should have given it a better test drive, I know) It is not boosting when you really get on it, but if driving normal it seems ok. It is giving the 'Charger pressure Low' Drivetrain Malfunction code. I can do general work on my cars when I need to save $$$. My question is; Can I dig into these forums and get a better turbo system for less by doing this myself? Will I have to buy non-standard tools (BMW). I have most everything a normal home mechanic would have. Thanks in advance for any helpful input!

[milKt]

Define "better turbo system" please.

[Bahulz]

What I was told by my mechanic is when he was speaking to the BMW technician he was told 'yeah, those turbos (on the 2011 535i) are junk. So I was thinking I might get some aftermarket product that was not.. Like I said I am new to BMWs and turbos so I based my comment on what I was he said. Really I am open to advice on how to proceed to make this car run the best and most reliable that I can. I don't like getting the 'Drivetrain Malfunction' when entering the interstate or passing another car...

[pbonsalb]

Try RB Turbo or Vargas. There are probably others. First make sure it is not something as simple as a boost control solenoid valve.

[Bahulz]

My mechanic thinks it’s the waste gate causing the problem because it happens only when you accelerate hard. If you drive like a granny, you don’t get the ‘Drivetrain Malfunction’. How can I rule this out?

[pbonsalb]

I think these cars have high boost and low boost solenoid valves. Could be one of them has failed. They are not very expensive and I think there are aftermarket options (mac valve). Don't know where they are located. Might be up above the headers and accessible from under the hood. Could also be a vacuum line going in or out of the solenoid -- they can get hard and crack. I tend to doubt your turbo has failed at 100k unless the car has been abused (previous owner ran a tune that raised the boost goo far) or neglected.

[Bahulz]

Thanks for the ideas, I'm thinking the best way to approach this is to build an ordered list of items to check/rule out from least to most expensive. Are there any recommended REPAIR manuals I could purchase for this engine(N55)? I just found this ( http://www.bimmerpost.com/goodiesfor...BIMMERPOST.pdf ) by searching. It should help familiarize me with the engine.

[pbonsalb]

Probably N54tech is the best place for late model inline 6 turbo tech info. Not many write about these cars here -- this forum is mostly aftermarket turbo M50/S50/M52/S52. In addition to a turbo E36M3, I have a 2008 E61 535xi with N54, so I sort of follow the issues with late model factory turbo inline six engines.

[Bahulz]

Thank You pbonsalb! I will continue to dig.. and if anyone else is following this thread I will try to update with what I find.

[Bahulz]

I said I would keep updating as I progress... I found this ( https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/ ) to be very helpful also as a repair guide....

[Bahulz]

I am now looking for tools to pull the BMW codes and do diagnostics possibly the software that goes with the link I posted above... I think it is Rheingold ISTA-D software (not that expensive) . I think I would need the K+D Can interface cables, possibly the ODBD II to USB for the 2011 F10..

Advice greatly appreciated!

[pbonsalb]

You can get software for a laptop if you are good with computers. Another possibility is BMW Carly and bluetooth. Another is the Foxwell NT510, which comes with one free car specific module and costs Bluetooth and plugs into obd2 port. I have one.

[Bahulz]

Thanks for the input. I think I will start off with the Carly for BMW just because of the ease of use. I can always add the laptop software later if Carly doesn't do everything I want. I will update once I get it all up and running...

[bimmerbumm193]

Can Foxwell and Carly monitor the transmission parameters and codes? Im trying to diagnose my E60 transmission and I dont know German so the Inpa software Ive spent weeks trying to install is borderline useless to me.

[pbonsalb]

Don't know; never tried. Some info here based on user comments at the end of the article:

https://foxwellshop.wordpress.com/ta...ell-nt510-bmw/

[Bahulz]

Hi Bumm, I just received the adapter for the Carly so I can't say exactly what it will or won't do yet. I plan on digging into it this weekend. I played around a little last night and I think it will give you all the diagnositics from the transmission, but not sure about the parameters. I am thinking it will though.

[JOutterbridge]

If the manual has any info I'd look for wastegates first. Check for broken or loose vacuum lines. I doubt the turbo is bad. But a new one would come with a whole new assembly +valves I'm guessing....