Higher Mile 420/320D

[AmosMoses]

Hi All,

Change of Job means I'll now have a car allowance to fund my own car which will be used for work and personal use. As i'll be doing fairly high miles (I estimate 25-30k) total each year I'm looking at the diesel 4 pots from BMW. I'm looking at cars that already have 60-80k miles on them as they have already taken a hefty depreciation hit. But will they be reliable enough for me to put this kind of mileage on? I'll be serving every 10k and keeping the car in decent nick.

I'm only looking at cars with FSH and that have been looked after.

Thanks

Alex

[BFleming]

Budget? Auto or manual? Get ready for the 'I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole with that timing chain' comments (typically from people who believe everything they read on the internet). Having said that, the long service intervals (20k miles) are indeed very long. The 10k you suggest is much more mechanically sympathetic.
My advice... great cars with either the N47 or B47 engine; the auto boxes are better in every way than the manuals; specification varies - SE, Sport or M Sport then various options.

[Earthdweller]

Simple answer ... yes

For high annual mileage I’d go auto with the 8sp auto and SE or Lux spec with smaller wheels

[AmosMoses]

Thanks guys, budget is up to £15k. I want the 8 speed as its a cracking box. I've heard the horror stories about the N47 but are they really that bad? Should I be going for a B47?

[BFleming]

AmosMoses said:

I've heard the horror stories about the N47 but are they really that bad? Should I be going for a B47?

It depends. I always try to go as new as funds will allow, then mileage becomes secondary - but not irrelevant. So with the B47 being newer (2014 on I think, but please check this for yourself) there's your answer.
Cost wise, the 320d is a lot cheaper than the 'more desirable' 420d. Personally I think I'd look at the 4 series Gran Coupe.
Be wary of rear head & legroom if that's a consideration. If it's just you plus one, they're all good.
There are plenty of BMW VIN decoders out there, all free, so just pop the last 7 digits of the car you're looking at into the decoder. Any dealer will give you this if they think there may be a sale at the end of it. Those decoders will tell you build date, colour code, engine type, and all the options it came with.

Edited by BFleming on Monday 2nd September 14:27

[AmosMoses]

Thanks, the gran coupe is my pick of the bunch. I've seen a nice spec N47 M Sport car local with 80k for £13k, I'm going to take a look at a B47 Luxury gran coupe tomorrow to see if that takes my fancy.

[Touring442]

I really would spend more and get a B47. They've been around for five years now and I've not heard a single chain drama story.

[BFleming]

Whatever you buy, make sure it doesn't have an outstanding recall. I've looked at a few cars this year, then checked them on the MOT history site only to find out there is a recall due. Mostly it's for the EGR cooler, and waits for parts of 12-or-so weeks is not unheard of.

[AmosMoses]

Thanks for the info. Have been to look at the luxury GC today and I love it. Garage has had it for a while but its very tidy, will take it for a test drive tomorrow then hopefully get the ball rolling. Its a B47 car with 50k so loads of life in it!

[Earthdweller]

I’ve had 5 in total, 3 with the earlier engine and currently have two with the newer engine

The later engine is notable smoother and pokier

I’ve had no issues at all in around 300k miles across the five cars one of which ( 320d auto 14/64 ) we did 130k miles in

[BFleming]

AmosMoses said:

Have been to look at the luxury GC today and I love it

Grey with tan interior? Lovely looking car.

[Bertrum]

My 2012 520d is on 175k miles, so I wouldn't worry.

[AmosMoses]

Thanks all, i've been and had a test drive today and it's a corker. Really like the B47 and the cars spec is a little different to the ones i've seen out there. I think i'm gonna buy it