High mileage M57 325d/330d. What to look for
High mileage M57 325d/330d. What to look for
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Discussion

PTF

Original Poster:

4,456 posts

255 months

Wednesday 31st October 2018
quotequote all
So after lots of thinking about whether to replace my 130i with something more economical, i'm considering putting the 130i in the garage and forgetting about it for the timebeing and getting another car to run as a daily for my 15k miles of commuting and for general family stuff, keeping the 130i nice and the miles off it.

An E91 325d (pre-LCI) with a manual gearbox has come up locally for £3.5k (though i suspect i can get it for 10% less). I haven't seen it yet, but it appears to be in nice condition. It's SE spec but has cloth sports seats. It has cruise control and bluetooth phone connectivity (which the 130i doesn't and i really miss).

Wheels are not kerbed. 4x recent new premium tyres. Bodywork seems clean. MOT history is all passes apart from a few silly failures for wipers, etc.

BUT it's now on 155k miles over 3 owners. Current owner has had it for 2 yrs and is selling because he needs an auto for medical reasons. Seems genuine on the phone. It did 80k miles in the first 3 yrs and then roughly 10k-12k miles consistently each year after.

Full BMW or independent history all stamped up. No evidence of it having had a clutch, turbo, fuel pump issues, ABS pump issues, or anything like that. Just regular servicing.

So. Worth a punt? At ~£3k if something major went i would just sell it as a non-runner. Obviously i'd prefer it if the normal issues had already been sorted, or if it's been reliable so far for 150k+ miles, it should be good for another 100k??

Interested in opinions

twokcc

1,032 posts

208 months

Wednesday 31st October 2018
quotequote all
Own a e91 2009 LCI 325d SE auto only done 67K mle so nothing like the one you're looking at but its a keeper for me.
Only non maintenance items done on mine are 2 new thermostats, engine not geting up to temperature when i bought it, replaced with genuine bmw parts and fitted by indi for total about £130. Replaced both tailgate gas struts last week (about £25 easy to fit yourself).

Replaced 4 runflats with normal Goodyear eagle F1's when rears got down to minimum tread and sold front Michelin runflat tyres on ebay. Big improvement in ride, invested in a space saver wheel but so far not had to use it.

If condition of one your looking at stacks up sounds a decent buy


helix402

7,913 posts

213 months

Wednesday 31st October 2018
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Go for it. M57s are great for high mileage. A Bluefin remap works well on them too.

PTF

Original Poster:

4,456 posts

255 months

Wednesday 31st October 2018
quotequote all
Some screen shots. It does look very tidy



PTF

Original Poster:

4,456 posts

255 months

Thursday 1st November 2018
quotequote all
So having told the seller no yesterday, he's come back to me asking if i wanna make an offer on it as he's found another car and now needs this one sold.

But what's a 325d pre-LCI manual touring with 155k miles worth? Condition seems nice, though not seen it yet.

Up at £3.5k

WBAC say £2k.
Autotrader says £1900 p/x and £2800 private

ebay sold adverts are all over the place but around £2.5k-£2700 for higher mileage 325d and 330d.

Never low-balled someone by that much!

twokcc

1,032 posts

208 months

Thursday 1st November 2018
quotequote all
If look on e91 straight six bearding thread for Mr Tidys posts. From memory he paid about £2.5k for a 2.5se six petrol with high miles.


Petrol likely to have less problems than the diesel although about 10mpr more in fuel usage. No other idea on priceing but looks a tidy car and sounds as if seller is now keen to sell. If you ask for vin would be able to see if it has any options other than the sports seats.
As tyres already replaced would be worth finding out when last serviced and which one it was(Inspection 1 or 2 ) and when front and rear pads/discs replaced. From what you've posted sounds as if £2.5k to £2.7K max for a private sale with high miles. Maybe best to discuss on phone with seller and see if can get any idea how offer of £1k under asking would be received.


PTF

Original Poster:

4,456 posts

255 months

Thursday 1st November 2018
quotequote all
Bought for £2800

It drove well and bodywork was spotless. New star rated tyres all round. DAB radio was a surprise.

Collecting tomorrow

helix402

7,913 posts

213 months

Thursday 1st November 2018
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Good choice. My current E46 330d M57 is on 138k miles, last one was on 250k when it was written off. The higher mileage one was more powerful and more economical!

The E91 won’t have the E46 rust issues.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

229 months

Thursday 1st November 2018
quotequote all
PTF said:
Bought for £2800

It drove well and bodywork was spotless. New star rated tyres all round. DAB radio was a surprise.

Collecting tomorrow
That wil be the 231bhp 330d unit - has one myself (auto). It was exceptionally economical on long trips 52-56mpg combined door to door.

They work even better with premium diesel.

Watch out for fuel filler leaks - mine went (under AUC warranty) I noticed a drip drip on the drive but only when full eventually took to garage and they needed to remove the fuel tank to replace the plastic pipe which perished with age.

Make sure (for winter) the door and boot seals have non ice up/fairly liquid on the seals as they freeze on hard.