Buying advice F11 520d touring with 100k miles

[dothyphendot]

hi all,

Long time lurker in these forums for all my car questions! I'm going to see a couple F11s with between 110 and 130k on the clock today. Both are around 7k. Previously have been happy with high mileage e-class and a jag but want a beamer now the jag has died. Is there anything I should be looking out for? I'd sooner not spend any more money, but if the kind of F11 I can afford is going to be a money pit I might just have to accept buying an Insignia or something... Grateful for any advice. BMW newbie and no car expert.

Cheers dot.

[_Hoppers]

Google BMW N47 (the engine that's likely to be in the car you're looking at)

[dothyphendot]

Thanks. Looks like ok on post-2011 models? Or am I missing the point?

[_Hoppers]

dothyphendot said:

Thanks. Looks like ok on post-2011 models? Or am I missing the point?

I hope so as my (late 2013) 320d has an N47! I think there are issues with all the N47s though, but I understand after 2011 the issue was resolved to a point. From what people are saying here the cam chain problem can be reduced by more regular oil changes (at 10k)

[_Hoppers]

PS See this recent thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[dothyphendot]

I saw that! Trying to decide now whether buying it and being super careful with oil changes is going to be ok, or if I should go back to looking at Insgnias!

[_Hoppers]

dothyphendot said:

I saw that! Trying to decide now whether buying it and being super careful with oil changes is going to be ok, or if I should go back to looking at Insgnias!

There's always Audi/Merc?

[BFleming]

My F11 has 133,000 on it, and it has regular oil changes. It also had the recent EGR cooler replacement too. Not that I had any symptoms, but it was allegedly showing early signs of deterioration.
Anyhow, F11's... you would be unlucky to buy one with a worn chain (as you would hope you'd be able to hear it at that mileage) or one that decides to snap its chain afterwards. As usual the internet only highlights the miniscule percentage of people it's has happened to, but not the massive proportion of people that are driving around problem free.
The other achilles heel of the F11 is the rear air suspension. They all have it, and the airbags have a finite life. Mine have been replaced once (12 months ago) so I imagine another few years & they'll fail again. They all do.
DPFs are generally trouble free as long as they're allowed to regen properly. It's a BMWism that if you have (say) some fuelling faults that don't allow a regen, the first you hear of it is that your particulate filter is near full. The original fault might be insignificant, but it makes itself significant. Investing in a code reader would be a good move.
Otherwise, my last recommendation is to get the auto. It's a superb box, and the car works so well with it. Way more driving enjoyment in a big car like the 5 series than the manual.
I looked at A6's (too expensive, no extras) and the E class (too taxi) before I settled on the F11.

[dothyphendot]

This is really helpful - enjoyed test driving and think i’m going to go ahead. Just going to have to make sure I do the oil regularly like people on here suggest. There was no chain noise and the mot history suggests the airbags have been replaced a while back so fingers crossed.

[P700DEE]

Mine's a 62 plate on 162K miles. Awaiting the recall on EGR, has had rear air suspension done and had DMF at about 110k miles.
Buy and enjoy.

[stevemcs]

We have just changed the 3 chains on a 2011 520d after one failed, its a shame your not after a manual saloon ..

[BMW A6]

My 62 plate 520d M Sport is on 140k miles and runs smoothly and without issues.

[naturalaspiration]

I would also recommend Ceratec for that sensitive cam chain and sprockets.

[dothyphendot]

Didn’t know about ceratec- will get some. thanks.