Advice on buying High Mileage
Discussion
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?
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?
Mileage is pretty much irrelevant in buying a 10+ year old car. At 200K miles you could get another 100K miles without major issue or it could have an expensive failure next month. Check rust , damage ,etc. just like any other car.
At 10 years old most cars are worth about 10% of their original cost. How much is the one you are looking at , is it significantly cheaper than a similar car with 70K miles on the clock?
At 10 years old most cars are worth about 10% of their original cost. How much is the one you are looking at , is it significantly cheaper than a similar car with 70K miles on the clock?
It entirely depends on the car and how it's been treated. Personally I wouldn't buy anything with that kind of mileage.
As an example, I bought an E39 a few years back, 58k on the clock in mint condition. I drove it for 3 years and it never gave me a single problem. It got written off so I bought the exact same car again but this time with 140k on the clock. Full service history etc. All I've been having from day one are constant problems.
It's got the point where I want to drive the thing off a cliff as it's not worth the hassle.
As an example, I bought an E39 a few years back, 58k on the clock in mint condition. I drove it for 3 years and it never gave me a single problem. It got written off so I bought the exact same car again but this time with 140k on the clock. Full service history etc. All I've been having from day one are constant problems.
It's got the point where I want to drive the thing off a cliff as it's not worth the hassle.
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!!)
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!!)
There is nothing more fundamentally wrong with a 200k car over a 100k car PROVIDED EVERYTHING IS DONE AS IT SHOULD & WHEN IT NEEDS IT.
Unfortunately, the likelihood of that decreases with age/mileage and is therefore slim.
So for your peace of mind if it does not have 100% service history, wads of receipts for additional work, and drive perfectly then don't even consider it.
In real terms, I would expect to be paying significantly under £2k for what you are describing.
Unfortunately, the likelihood of that decreases with age/mileage and is therefore slim.
So for your peace of mind if it does not have 100% service history, wads of receipts for additional work, and drive perfectly then don't even consider it.
In real terms, I would expect to be paying significantly under £2k for what you are describing.
As others have said - mileage is no barrier to good condition and reliability. I actually seek out high mileage cars - I do a lot of miles, so they're going to be high miles when I'm done with them, plus they will have been serviced frequently and never had that one owner who went five years without changing the oil because the trip computer didn't tell them to.
Keep an eye for a well stamped service book, plenty of receipts, a decent, caring owner and don't let anything other than stone chips and bolster wear be put down to the mileage.
Keep an eye for a well stamped service book, plenty of receipts, a decent, caring owner and don't let anything other than stone chips and bolster wear be put down to the mileage.
newbee79 said:
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!!)
The 100k is left over from the 70's and 80's modern cars a far better. My last 3 have been bought with the magical 100k on them and haven't fallen to bits! 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 said:
Not seen an mot checker online with advisory information, do you have a link?
here a link http://bfy.tw/4BfIpodpod said:
newbee79 said:
Not seen an mot checker online with advisory information, do you have a link?
here a link http://bfy.tw/4BfIwhats the plans for the car?
if you want to resell anytime then other buyers will be put off or want it super cheap
if keeping it long term , then lower miles and looked after one ought to have more life left in it
needs to be very cheap imo , not because its worn out , but why not buy a lower miles one
if you want to resell anytime then other buyers will be put off or want it super cheap
if keeping it long term , then lower miles and looked after one ought to have more life left in it
needs to be very cheap imo , not because its worn out , but why not buy a lower miles one
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.
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.
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.
For £1700 it could be a bargain. They're nice cars to drive.
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?For £1700 it could be a bargain. They're nice cars to drive.
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