Advice on buying High Mileage

[newbee79]

Hi,

First time poster,

I am off to look at a 320d estate 55 plate this Saturday. apparently it has been regularly services and run on premium diesel.

Recently had breaks replaces and new clutch fitted BUT its done 200,000 miles.

Been looking round a few forums and it seems Americans are okay with high mileage but us Brits tend to think over 100k we should walk away, obviously this is double that.

Should i entertain the idea of a car with this many miles? - if so what else should i look for on the car and what expensive repairs can i be expecting?

[newbee79]

Thanks for the info already guys,

Its a good priced compared to lower mileage versions, but is the top price on a private sale (think they have used a valuing system) the trade in price is about a third less.

If i was to make an offer i was thinking adding a little bit onto the trade in price as i cant believe people are going to be biting their hand off as 200k is a risk mentally when we are all told to keep away from cars 100k plus, - But where did this figure come from in the first place, i can understand a car built in the UK in 60/70's but today's cars must be better equipped to deal with high millage, am i wrong? (can you tell i am trying to talk myself into this!!)

[newbee79]

Thanks,

Kind of goes along my terms of thinking.

Up for 2k

I am going to offer 1700 should i be happy with it, sound right to you guys?

[newbee79]

Not seen an mot checker online with advisory information, do you have a link?

[newbee79]

podpod said:

newbee79 said:

Not seen an mot checker online with advisory information, do you have a link?

here a link http://bfy.tw/4BfI

Thanks really useful site!

[newbee79]

I need a new car as current one is just small problem after small problem and car is probably only worth couple hundred quid at best now. not really worried about resale.

If i can get a couple or three trouble free years out of it i will be happy.

I use to drive 15k a year but now down to only about 6k but given it has 200k on the clock not likely to really add much.

[newbee79]

Cheers, Yes i think a good test drive should show up any issues

[newbee79]

iSore said:

55 plate will be an E91 with the good old M47 engine. Even with 200k it should still be okay and the engine, gearbox and diff are all strong enough. Be wary though of the turbo (should have had a new one by now ideally), rattly dual mass flywheels, shagged front crank damper plus swirl flaps (not as much of a problem as on the older E46) and vacuum pipes that should be automatically replaced after 100k anyway.

For £1700 it could be a bargain. They're nice cars to drive.

Some great advice, thank you. For somebody that knows next to nothing about cars how do i check these things? I guess i can ask about the turbo, out of interest what would be the cost of replacing that?

[newbee79]

eastsider said:

Fair play to be asking here but if you know next to nothing about cars, buying a 55 plate 200k miler is a bold move.

Turbo replacement would be at least 50% of what you are proposing to offer

Buy on condition and history. Take someone with you who knows how to read history (for good and bad signs) and observe condition. If the history file is thick and stacks up go for it. £1500 sounds better to me.

I may try £1500 but not sure they will take that (private sale), It is bold but only have a couple of grand and dont want finance so its a nice 10 year old high miler or a vauxhall that has probably seen better days,

[newbee79]

Some great advice!

Okay so i think from what i have read as long as the car is as good as i have been told and drives well i will be putting an offer in,

Its a 55 plate e91 with 200,000 - Think £1500 offer, is that fair?