Electric water pump and thermostat failure
Attaches to electric-water-pump at component level · Cooling · carried by 37 variants across 8 chassis
Overview
Electric water pump and thermostat failure is a common fault recorded against electric-water-pump at component level, typically from 90–150k km. It shows up as overheat warning with little notice, coolant temperature swinging, sometimes an immediate limp home. Where it's documented, the repair runs €500–€800 (pump and thermostat together at an independent, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be partly checked before you buy. 37 variants across 8 chassis in this database inherit it.
What happens
Symptom. Overheat warning with little notice, coolant temperature swinging, sometimes an immediate limp home.
Cause. The electric pump's controller fails. It's a wear item with a service life, not a fault.
How to check it
Paperwork
Age and receipts matter more than symptoms, it usually gives no warning. Treat a car past 120,000 km with no pump history as owing €600.
On these cars the folder is most of the value.
Every variant that carries this
| Variant | Chassis | Body | Years | Risk | Good buy | Cost as % of good buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 323i N52 | E90 | sedan | 2005–2007 | R2 | €4,050 | 16% |
| 323i N52 | E91 | wagon | 2005–2007 | R2 | €4,300 | 15% |
| 323i N52 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2007 | R2 | €4,650 | 14% |
| 325i N52 | E90 | sedan | 2005–2007 | R2 | €4,750 | 14% |
| 325i N52 | E91 | wagon | 2005–2007 | R2 | €5,050 | 13% |
| 325i N52 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2007 | R2 | €5,450 | 12% |
| 325i N52 | E93 | convertible | 2007 | R2 | €5,350 | 12% |
| 325i N53 | E90 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R4 | €5,250 | 12% |
| 325i N53 | E91 | wagon | 2007–2012 | R4 | €5,550 | 12% |
| 325i N53 | E92 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R4 | €6,050 | 11% |
| 325i N53 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2013 | R4 | €5,900 | 11% |
| 328i N52 | E90 | sedan | 2006–2011 | R2 | €5,150 | 13% |
| 328i N52 | E91 | wagon | 2006–2012 | R2 | €5,450 | 12% |
| 328i N52 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2013 | R2 | €5,950 | 11% |
| 328i N52 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2013 | R2 | €5,750 | 11% |
| 330i N52 | E90 | sedan | 2005–2007 | R2 | €5,600 | 12% |
| 330i N52 | E91 | wagon | 2005–2007 | R2 | €5,950 | 11% |
| 330i N52 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2007 | R2 | €6,450 | 10% |
| 330i N53 | E90 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R4 | €6,000 | 11% |
| 330i N53 | E91 | wagon | 2007–2011 | R4 | €6,350 | 10% |
| 330i N53 | E92 | coupe | 2007–2011 | R4 | €6,900 | 9% |
| 330i N53 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2011 | R4 | €6,750 | 10% |
| 335i N54 | E90 | sedan | 2006–2010 | R4 | €7,350 | 9% |
| 335i N54 | E92 | coupe | 2006–2010 | R4 | €8,450 | 8% |
| 335i N54 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2010 | R4 | €8,250 | 8% |
| 335i N55 | E90 | sedan | 2010–2011 | R3 | €11,700 | 6% |
| 335i N55 | E92 | coupe | 2010–2013 | R3 | €13,450 | 5% |
| 335i N55 | E93 | convertible | 2010–2013 | R3 | €13,100 | 5% |
| 125i N52 | E82 | coupe | 2008–2013 | R2 | €7,000 | 9% |
| 125i N52 | E88 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R2 | €7,400 | 9% |
| 130i N52 | E87 | hatchback | 2005–2011 | R2 | €7,000 | 9% |
| 130i N52 | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R2 | €6,800 | 10% |
| 135i N54 | E82 | coupe | 2007–2010 | R4 | €9,800 | 7% |
| 135i N54 | E88 | convertible | 2008–2010 | R4 | €10,350 | 6% |
| 135i N55 | E82 | coupe | 2010–2013 | R3 | €12,600 | 5% |
| 135i N55 | E88 | convertible | 2010–2013 | R3 | €13,300 | 5% |
| 1M N54 | E82 | coupe | 2011–2012 | R3 | €50,700 | 1% |
The last column is the point. The same repair is an inconvenience on one variant and a reason to scrap the car on another. A failure costing a quarter of the vehicle's value changes the purchase decision regardless of how rare it is.