[Deep_Blue]

The title pretty much says it all.

- Approaching 100K (currently at 93-94k)

- Car is in good shape: 2007 Montego Blue e90 sport, auto trans

- Recent Maintenance (this month): walnut blasting, new brakes/pads, coolant change

- Performance Mods: JB4 G5 ISO, 7" VRSF FMIC, BMS DPs, BMS DCI, Alpina Transmission Software

- Aesthetic Mods: M3 Rep Front w/ foglight delete & OEM ducts, M Sport Rear w/ BMW Performance Diffuser, OEM M3 tri-stitch steering wheel, BMW Performance Shifter w/ Boot, black grilles/trim/badge, misc. stuff

So, the issue is my FRONT wastegate is rattling like crazy. Every tech has said the turbo needs to be removed to fix. I tried it as a DIY and guess what - the turbo needs to be removed to fix.

That means a lot of labor, so i might as well put in a new front turbo, and if I'm replacing one i should replace both (save on labor), and if I'm replacing both, i might as well go with better turbos. Therein is the logic that has turned this from tightening a bolt on the wg actuator into a $5,000+ repair.

So, what are your thoughts? I'm inclined to go with RBs. There's a great shop near me that can install RBs for $2K with dyno tuning and a Walboro pump. They are, however, recommending replacing all the seals/gaskets and doing a transmission service before doing the RBs - this adds another ~$2K to the sticker price. Not thrilled about spending $7K on this car.

I like everything about the car except - would like a manual and would like an LSD. So there you go, thoughts welcome

[Averdi]

If you don't want to spend that much, find a good used pair of turbos for 500each and a good Indy, you could have the turbos installed for 1-1.5k I would think

[Deep_Blue]

Sorry for the double post. App wouldn't let me edit my original to add these

[MiniXP]

I would not pay to get the actuator rod tightened. That will only be a temporary fix and it will rattle again.

Between OEM and RB turbos, I guess you just need to decide how much you want to spend. I just put on new OEM turbos bc I couldn't justify the amount of money for RBs.

[Sandman614]

If you want a manual and don't want to put tons more money in to your current e90 why not sell it and pick up a newer one with a manual and non rattling turbos?

[335speed]

Im in about the same boat as you.

07 AW auto 335i with 103k and my turbos are sounding worse every day. I was deciding whether to pony up and refresh the car but it was gonna cost like 9k.

I decided to look for a 2010 manual 335 so i can transfer my mods, get the benefits of newer model (oil cooler, lights ect), less miles, a manual trans to handle the power, newer suspension. Then drop like 5k to make it a beast. Better money to satisfaction ratio I believe.

[Deep_Blue]

Originally Posted by Sandman614

If you want a manual and don't want to put tons more money in to your current e90 why not sell it and pick up a newer one with a manual and non rattling turbos?

This is ideal but hard to do because it has to be blue. If you find a manual blue n54 e90 let me know