Selling honesty..
Author
Discussion

manracer

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

119 months

Wednesday 25th October 2017
quotequote all
Ok so I bought a car 5 months ago just to tide me over until November.

It had done 81k, it's now done 89k and i soon noticed it used a bit of oil, approx 750ml per 1000 miles. The manual as well as numerous internet forums say this is well within manufacturers tollerance of up to 1 litre per 1000 miles. I personally think that's a lot but BMW literature says not.

Now I'm looking for to sell, would you tell the buyer or not? I know it will probably affect the number of interested parties and also the price I can sell it at.

I just can't be bothered with any comebacks or hassle, though at the same time don't want to give it away.

It will be sold for less than £1000 so it's not like I'll be selling a car with huge expectations.

For reference it's for full history and 2 owners from new...

Thoughts appreciated. I'm always honest but this one has my torn as technically there is nothing wrong with it. No leaks and head gasket is fine.

Edited by manracer on Wednesday 25th October 22:00


Edited by manracer on Wednesday 25th October 22:01

Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah

13,240 posts

122 months

Wednesday 25th October 2017
quotequote all
manracer said:
Ok so I bought a car 5 months ago just to tide me over until November.

It had done 81k, it's now done 89k and i soon noticed it used a bit of oil, approx 750ml per 1000 miles. The manual as well as numerous internet forums say this is well within manufacturers tollerance of up to 1 litre per 1000 miles. I personally think that's a lot but BMW literature says not.

Now I'm looking for to sell, would you tell the buyer or not? I know it will probably affect ther number of interestes parties and also the price I can sell it at.

I just can't be bothered with any comebacks or hassle, though at the same time don't want to give it away.

It will be sold for less than £1000 so it's not like I'll be selling a car with huge expectations.

For reference it's for full history and 2 owners from new...

Thoughts appreciated.
I'd personally leave it for discussions with would be buyers, be it on the phone or in person. It is best selling cars to be honest and let them know any niggles, if even small, but you needn't worry would be buyers from the off. It takes a second for them to click off your ad on to another.

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

250 months

Wednesday 25th October 2017
quotequote all
OP, what model is it?

I was very honest when I sold my car last year. It was in very good condition though. I had no comebacks whatsoever from the buyer.

Sadly, I think honest sellers are a rarity. I've looked at a few cheap cars lately as I'm after a runaround. Every seller has lied about the condition of their vehicle.

UberMeister

312 posts

174 months

Wednesday 25th October 2017
quotequote all
So it's used 6L of oil in 8k miles? That does seem quite high.

I'd probably mention it.

Patrick Bateman

12,992 posts

196 months

Wednesday 25th October 2017
quotequote all
My 330Ci and M5 both used similar amounts.

It's within what BMW have said is acceptable and it's pretty common but I wouldn't shout about it in an advert.


cuprabob

17,867 posts

236 months

Thursday 26th October 2017
quotequote all
Focus on the positive. It's always run on fresh oil smile


Wacky Racer

40,497 posts

269 months

Thursday 26th October 2017
quotequote all
cuprabob said:
Focus on the positive. It's always run on fresh oil smile
Very true. Never thought about that.

smile

gordyshreds

50 posts

119 months

Thursday 26th October 2017
quotequote all
Just make sure it is topped up to max when people view it and then gauge the buyer as to if you tell them or not. It is within manufacturer limits so personally i wouldn't bother. If they then run a £1000 car for months on end without checking the oil and munch the engine then tough tits

rovermorris999

5,312 posts

211 months

Thursday 26th October 2017
quotequote all
If it's within manufacturer's tolerance then I wouldn't mention it unless asked but I'd tell the truth if a buyer did ask.

StuTheGrouch

5,888 posts

184 months

Thursday 26th October 2017
quotequote all
Patrick Bateman said:
My 330Ci and M5 both used similar amounts.

It's within what BMW have said is acceptable and it's pretty common but I wouldn't shout about it in an advert.
This.

My 330 used similar amounts too, but improved (slightly) after I changed the crank ventilation valve. Oil use is a normal feature of these engines, but for some reason isn't common knowledge (whereas the RX8 I had used similar amounts, but RX8s are renowned for oil use).

rovermorris999

5,312 posts

211 months

Thursday 26th October 2017
quotequote all
John Cadogan's take on oil comsumption, worth 10 minutes of your life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa1kqSo3aeM

manracer

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

119 months

Thursday 26th October 2017
quotequote all
funkyrobot said:
OP, what model is it?

I was very honest when I sold my car last year. It was in very good condition though. I had no comebacks whatsoever from the buyer.

Sadly, I think honest sellers are a rarity. I've looked at a few cheap cars lately as I'm after a runaround. Every seller has lied about the condition of their vehicle.
It's a 520i SE. The later 2.2 which I'm told has 170bhp vs the earlier 150bhp. it's a great car and if I had the space I would genuinely keep it. It has a little bit of paint peeling on the boot lid but everything works, including front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, full leather with no rips and in good condition. I feel like I'm going to give it away practically and I know it's a good car. I've had it serviced to maintain FISH on time, and two new tyres. Even put a Bluetooth stereo in it for audio and calls. Just need to find it a good home.

manracer

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

119 months

Thursday 26th October 2017
quotequote all
StuTheGrouch said:
This.

My 330 used similar amounts too, but improved (slightly) after I changed the crank ventilation valve. Oil use is a normal feature of these engines, but for some reason isn't common knowledge (whereas the RX8 I had used similar amounts, but RX8s are renowned for oil use).
Yeah I've also read changing the CVV helps, just not had time to do it and now I don't need the car.

You're right about the rx8 comparison though!

manracer

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

119 months

Thursday 26th October 2017
quotequote all
rovermorris999 said:
John Cadogan's take on oil comsumption, worth 10 minutes of your life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa1kqSo3aeM
Interesting watch!

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

250 months

Thursday 26th October 2017
quotequote all
manracer said:
funkyrobot said:
OP, what model is it?

I was very honest when I sold my car last year. It was in very good condition though. I had no comebacks whatsoever from the buyer.

Sadly, I think honest sellers are a rarity. I've looked at a few cheap cars lately as I'm after a runaround. Every seller has lied about the condition of their vehicle.
It's a 520i SE. The later 2.2 which I'm told has 170bhp vs the earlier 150bhp. it's a great car and if I had the space I would genuinely keep it. It has a little bit of paint peeling on the boot lid but everything works, including front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, full leather with no rips and in good condition. I feel like I'm going to give it away practically and I know it's a good car. I've had it serviced to maintain FISH on time, and two new tyres. Even put a Bluetooth stereo in it for audio and calls. Just need to find it a good home.
Thanks. You should have an email. smile

manracer

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

119 months

Thursday 26th October 2017
quotequote all
funkyrobot said:
Thanks. You should have an email. smile
Thanks, just replied.

manracer

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

119 months

Thursday 2nd November 2017
quotequote all
Think I'll be advertising it this next weekend. So if anyone is after a decent E39 with what is considered normal oil consumption being sold cheaply it will be on autotrader.

This isn't a plug, it's just that I know it's a good car and a bargain for someone.

daemon

38,523 posts

219 months

Thursday 2nd November 2017
quotequote all
manracer said:
Ok so I bought a car 5 months ago just to tide me over until November.

It had done 81k, it's now done 89k and i soon noticed it used a bit of oil, approx 750ml per 1000 miles. The manual as well as numerous internet forums say this is well within manufacturers tollerance of up to 1 litre per 1000 miles. I personally think that's a lot but BMW literature says not.

Now I'm looking for to sell, would you tell the buyer or not? I know it will probably affect the number of interested parties and also the price I can sell it at.

I just can't be bothered with any comebacks or hassle, though at the same time don't want to give it away.

It will be sold for less than £1000 so it's not like I'll be selling a car with huge expectations.

For reference it's for full history and 2 owners from new...

Thoughts appreciated. I'm always honest but this one has my torn as technically there is nothing wrong with it. No leaks and head gasket is fine.

Edited by manracer on Wednesday 25th October 22:00


Edited by manracer on Wednesday 25th October 22:01
I would be telling them as they count out the £20 notes to check the oil level every week and top it up as necessary. Its common on an older car and within tolerances so theres no need to make a big deal of it or for a big deal to be made of it by the buyer

Tell them as a matter of course you checked the oil, water level, washer fluid levels and tyres pressures and topped up any of them if and when required.


manracer

Original Poster:

1,548 posts

119 months

Thursday 2nd November 2017
quotequote all
daemon said:
I would be telling them as they count out the £20 notes to check the oil level every week and top it up as necessary. Its common on an older car and within tolerances so theres no need to make a big deal of it or for a big deal to be made of it by the buyer

Tell them as a matter of course you checked the oil, water level, washer fluid levels and tyres pressures and topped up any of them if and when required.
Thanks, I'll bear this in mind.

Just noticed autotrader is free to sell for cars under £1000. Winner.

Think I'll advertise it this weekend. Needs to go by next weekend the 18th as the other halves new car is coming that day.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

246 months

Thursday 2nd November 2017
quotequote all
What oil are you using?

I know Alpina used to go into far more detail about changing oil as the miles get higher.

They said 5w30 fro the first 100,000km, then 5w40 or 10w40 for the next 100k km and then move onto 10w60.

Those that went from the 5w30 and using a litre every 1-2000 miles said they then started to use virtually none.