The BMW M235i (F22) is an enthusiast favorite, known for the legendary N55 straight-six engine and agile handling. But as these cars cross the 10-year mark, the difference between a “deal” and a “disaster” comes down to the details. We recently inspected a 2014 model in Montreal, and what we found is a perfect example of why you should never buy a used BMW without a pro looking under the hood.
Watch the Full 19-Minute Inspection Video Here
The Red Flags: When “Clean” Isn’t Enough
On the surface, this M235i looked the part—M-package styling, custom 3-inch high-flow exhaust, and a sleek black roof. However, our mechanical audit told a different story.
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The “Goo” in the Reservoir: One of the most alarming finds was evidence of oil and coolant mixing in the reservoir [05:39]. While the car passed a freezing point test, the presence of “oil slime” is a major warning sign, often pointing to a failing oil filter housing gasket.
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Oil Filter Housing Leaks: We confirmed that the gaskets are leaking both internally and externally [04:13]. This is a “must-fix” item on the N55 engine to prevent oil from dripping onto the serpentine belt—a failure that can lead to catastrophic engine damage.
Body & Exterior: The Paint Thickness Mystery
We always perform a paint thickness verification on every panel. Interestingly, this car showed double the normal paint thickness on both the hood and the trunk [00:51]. While it didn’t show obvious signs of a poor respray or visible damage to the bolts, these readings suggest prior paintwork that a buyer needs to be aware of when negotiating.
Tech & Diagnostics: A Full Electronic Scan
We scanned 19 different onboard computers to check for “shadow codes.”
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The Results: Most systems passed, but we did flag an intermittent fault with the driver’s side seat heating transmitter [11:11].
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Mechanical Status: The car has a newer revision of the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP), which is a huge plus for reliability, but the original water pump is still in place and nearing its typical failure point [04:41].
The Car Inspected™ Verdict
This M235i is a beautiful driver’s car with a fantastic-sounding custom exhaust, but it currently requires immediate mechanical attention to address the cooling and oiling systems. For any buyer, these findings represent thousands of dollars in potential leverage during price negotiations.
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