put off by high mileage

[Babygotoo]

hi,

looking at a E46 330 Cabriolet with FSH, 1 owner and 211k miles, at face value does this put you off, approx 14k a year?

Thanks

[Jasandjules]

I bought a Passat with 100k on the clock. I think 200 is brave....

[Fittster]

I'd want it to be very cheap with that mileage.

[J4CKO]

So many will be clocked at that age being a BMW, go and see it keep an open mind.

Buy on condition, work done etc, but mainly condition.

Can go and see one with half the miles that been a town bound hack for an uncaring owner, or the Pride and Joy of a BMW tecnician that has mega miles.

Mileage is only part of the picture, its more relevant on newer cars.

[aka_kerrly]

Jasandjules said:

I bought a Passat with 100k on the clock. I think 200 is brave....

Nonsense, I bought a passat on 232k and it lived to see 250k. Maybe go on auto trader and look at the variety of cars on over 200k

On 10+year old cars condition is far more important than mileage. Evidence of servicing/maintenance, not being run on a shoestring and washed/presented well are better indicators

[thatdude]

Depends on the history. at 200,000 + miles items like the valve timing chain might need attenion, not to mention a whole litany of chassis and braking components. How often has the transmission been serviced, and the diff?

If there is a huge file of servicing and maintenance history, go for it. But dont pay that much. And if it blows up in a shower of pistons and valves half a mile down the road, well...you did just buy a 200,000+ mile car...

[Alex_225]

As long as it's priced accordingly, maintained properly and in good condition I don't see why it would be on it's last legs.

I bought an E320 CDI with 104k on it, now has 30k more on it and in no way does it feel tired or worn out. Assuming it doesn't throw up some enormous bills I can see it hitting 200k and beyond. Plenty of them have.

[coldel]

Condition is important, but bear in mind the UK buyer is fickle as fk and obsessed with mileage. If you have plans to ever sell it expect a long wait after you put it up for sale. Make sure you pay a hugely reduced rate for it vs cars on half the mileage or you will lose a disproportionate amount of money come sale time - especially if you have to shell out on perishables such as engine mounts, bushes etc.

[HannsG]

Babygotoo said:

hi,

looking at a E46 330 Cabriolet with FSH, 1 owner and 211k miles, at face value does this put you off, approx 14k a year?

Thanks

Having owned an E46 M3 - i would reconsider. Weak subframes, the 330ci ones are also cracking now.Also RUST RUST RUST

Edited by HannsG on Wednesday 3rd April 13:43

[boyse7en]

aka_kerrly said:

Nonsense, I bought a passat on 232k and it lived to see 250k.

That's hardly reassuring... its only 18k miles extra.

[Stu08]

Babygotoo said:

hi,

looking at a E46 330 Cabriolet with FSH, 1 owner and 211k miles, at face value does this put you off, approx 14k a year?

Thanks

Just bought a E39 530i Sport - 216k miles, several owners, no service history and it runs beautifully. I have changed all fluids, plugs etc. myself and it all looked in very good condition. Sometimes the cars which are driven the most have the least issues (such as rust).

[Fittster]

Stu08 said:

Babygotoo said:

hi,

looking at a E46 330 Cabriolet with FSH, 1 owner and 211k miles, at face value does this put you off, approx 14k a year?

Thanks

Just bought a E39 530i Sport - 216k miles, several owners, no service history and it runs beautifully. I have changed all fluids, plugs etc. myself and it all looked in very good condition. Sometimes the cars which are driven the most have the least issues (such as rust).

How much were you willing to pay for a E39 530i Sport with 216k miles?

[Terminator X]

100k miles always puts me off although I appreciate that mileage doesn't or shouldn't trump how well the car has been cared for. The risk of everything going wrong at that mileage though

TX.

[Dan_1981]

Anyone fancy my 295k SAAB?

I'm a little unsure what price to pitch it at....

[Vanordinaire]

I buy my cars on the basis that I should get at least a year of motoring per £1000 spent/lost. On that basis I'm happy to buy a 100000 miler for 2 or 3 £K or a decent looking 150000 miler for around £1K. I'd only be looking to spend sweetie money on any thing approaching or over 200000 miles.

[coldel]

Terminator X said:

100k miles always puts me off although I appreciate that mileage doesn't or shouldn't trump how well the car has been cared for. The risk of everything going wrong at that mileage though

TX.

I have always wondered why 100k is such a step for so many car owners? Is it literally because it moves into 6 numbers rather than 5? Why would 90k not be the miles that would put someone off? (nothing personal at you, its just interesting why there is this mental thing about 100k that is really common in the UK!)

[wiliferus]

J4CKO said:

So many will be clocked at that age being a BMW, go and see it keep an open mind.

Buy on condition, work done etc, but mainly condition.

Can go and see one with half the miles that been a town bound hack for an uncaring owner, or the Pride and Joy of a BMW tecnician that has mega miles.

Mileage is only part of the picture, its more relevant on newer cars.

Exactly this.
I’ve just bought a Volvo V70.

I browsed the ads of 80-100k mile cars that were utter sheds, clearly been used and abused, with just essential maintenance carried out and lists of MOT advisories as long as your arm.

Ended up buying a 160k example, owned by a mechanic that owned his own workshop.
In the last year it’s had a clutch, timing belt, pads, discs and bushes all round. It drives like new.
Granted, a month into ownership it blew a turbo pipe but that’s one of those things.

Mileage is just an indicator of the condition the car is in.

[coldel]

Just bear in mind more people will buy on mileage than condition - and that lower mileage cars have a fair premium attached to them.

You should buy the lowest mileage car you can afford that is in good condition if you plan to move it on, or just accept that if/when selling you are going to face into a lot of low ball chancers etc.

[DailyHack]

its just a number, buy on condition, much rather a load of history and service receipts than a lower mileage one with just a few - cars are built to be driven at the end of the day.

The UK does have this mentality with 100k+, anywhere else, even in Europe this isn't an issue, and even more so in the US...means lots of decent cars for not alot of money for those in the know

[Stu08]

Fittster said:

How much were you willing to pay for a E39 530i Sport with 216k miles?

With it being a manual gearbox, I paid under £1000 for it.