Discussion
Looking to buy a 2008 328xi. Currently interested in 2 options. 1 has 91kmile and is cheaper, and has the iDrive. Other one ha 89k miles and is slightly more expensive, but no iDrive. What's a better choice? I'm wondering if iDrive is really worth it. Also what kind of maintenance is to be expected on this model, and is it expensive to do so?
The mileage difference isnt really that much. Go and inspect both - check how the panels line up, look for evidence of body repair and such. Take a good look in the engine bay, is it clean and tidy? Are the fluid levels correct? If you can inspect the brake fluid, is it manky and black, or a light golden to pale yellow colour? Same with clutch fluid, if they are manual. Inspect the wheels - do they look in good condition? Look at the brakes as well; pad thickness, condition of the discs (for example, a large "lip" may indicate they need replacing soon). Listen for creaks, rattles and knocks from the suspension components as you drive. Even something simple as the tyre pressures being correct indicate the sort of care the owner has taken with the car.
If either of these vehicles is an automatic, then whilst BMW state they are "fill for life" i.e. never need servicing, BMW are not the manufacturer of the transmissions, a company called ZF are. ZF state servicing intervals (transmission fluid and filter plus a few other parts) should be conducted between 60,000 and 80,000 miles. These vehicles, if automatic and not already done so, will benefit from a transmission service.
Maintinence isnt particularly expensive, no more so than other vehicles for the basic items. Oil service intervals are stated at 15,000 miles I think - however, it's probably better to do it every 8000-10,000 miles / once a year depending on which comes first.
If either of these vehicles is an automatic, then whilst BMW state they are "fill for life" i.e. never need servicing, BMW are not the manufacturer of the transmissions, a company called ZF are. ZF state servicing intervals (transmission fluid and filter plus a few other parts) should be conducted between 60,000 and 80,000 miles. These vehicles, if automatic and not already done so, will benefit from a transmission service.
Maintinence isnt particularly expensive, no more so than other vehicles for the basic items. Oil service intervals are stated at 15,000 miles I think - however, it's probably better to do it every 8000-10,000 miles / once a year depending on which comes first.
Go for whichever is the best one of the two if it's the non Idrive model you can always add a compatible unit to do the job something like the link below:
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAB-Car-Stereo-for-BMW-...
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAB-Car-Stereo-for-BMW-...
I'd go for whichever one is in better condition and has the better service history.
An 11 year old Sat Nav is about as useful as an 11 year old mobile phone!
I'm guessing you aren't in the UK as we never got the 328ix model, but from what I can make out it has the N52 engine which is generally pretty bullet-proof.
I'm on my 3rd and 4th cars with that engine and really like it. If they have a weakness it is the electric water pump, because unlike a mechanical one that often starts to leak an electric one just stops working so the engine overheats in a couple of miles (I've had 2 die on me - so far).
Just the part is over £200 so if you need it fitted it isn't a cheap job!
They seem to last anywhere between 60-80K miles, so if you find evidence of a car having had a new one that's a bonus.
An 11 year old Sat Nav is about as useful as an 11 year old mobile phone!
I'm guessing you aren't in the UK as we never got the 328ix model, but from what I can make out it has the N52 engine which is generally pretty bullet-proof.
I'm on my 3rd and 4th cars with that engine and really like it. If they have a weakness it is the electric water pump, because unlike a mechanical one that often starts to leak an electric one just stops working so the engine overheats in a couple of miles (I've had 2 die on me - so far).
Just the part is over £200 so if you need it fitted it isn't a cheap job! They seem to last anywhere between 60-80K miles, so if you find evidence of a car having had a new one that's a bonus.
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