Used 3 series high miler?

[Northern_Wanderer]

Looking at this locally as I need some cheap transport, have a budget of £5k, and this comes with a towbar which I need for light trailer work. Also, it looks quite tidy and I don’t want a diesel.

http://www.igmpedigreemotors.stockpages.uk/used/bm...

MOT history is good and it has been fully serviced but can anyone tell me what problems these 2.5 engines might have at 130k miles?
Any better options to go for?

Would also be ok left parked in Manchester at work during the day, as not too new to be of interest?

[BFleming]

Decent spec on that one...

Type VS12
Model 325i
Market Europe
Development Code E91
Chassis Touring
Steering right
Doors 5
Engine N52
Displacement 2.50 l
Power 160 kW
Drivetrain Rear-Wheel Drive
Transmission manual (no, it isn't LOL)
Color Le-mans-blau - 381
Upholstery Leder "dakota"/lemon - LCB7
Manufacturer BMW AG
Production Plant Munich, Germany
Production Date 2007-05-07

1CA Selection Cop Relevant Vehicles Selektion Cop Relevanter Fahrzeuge
205 Automatic Transmission Automatic Getriebe
249 Multi-function For Steering Wheel Multifunktion Fuer Lenkrad
2MF M L.-a. W. Star Spoke 193 M/mix.t. M Lm Raeder Sternsp. 193 M Mischb.
302 Alarm System Alarmanlage
321 Exterior Parts In Body Color Exterieurumfaenge In Wagenfarbe
337 M Sport Package M Sportpaket
386 Roof Rail Dachreling
428 Warning Triangle Warndreieck
431 Interior Rr Vw Mirror W Aut Anti-d Innenspiegel,automatisch Abblendend
441 Smokers Package Raucherpaket
481 Sport Seats F Driver/front Passenger Sportsitze Fuer Fahrer/beifahrer
4AD Interior Alum. Lengthwise Fine Interieurl. Alu. Laengsschliff Fein
507 Park Distance Control (pdc), Rear Park Distance Control (pdc), Hinten
520 Foglights Nebelscheinwerfer
521 Rain Sensor Regensensor
534 Automatic Air Conditioning Klimaautomatik
544 Cruise Control With Braking Function Geschwindigkeitsregel. Mit Bremsf.
563 Lights Package Lichtpaket
663 Radio Bmw Professional Radio Bmw Professional
694 Preparation For Cd Changer Cd-wechsler Vorbereitung
704 M Sport Suspension M Sportfahrwerk
710 M Leather Steering Wheel M Lederlenkrad
715 M Aerodynamics Package M Aerodynamikpaket
760 Individual High-gloss Satin Chrome Individual Hochglanz Shadow Line
775 Individual Roof-lining Anthracite Individual Dachhimmel Anthrazit
812 England Version England/irland Ausfuehrung
850 Add Fuel Tank Filling For Export Zusaetzl. Tankfuellung Export
853 Language Version English Sprachversion Englisch
863 Europe/dealer Directory Service Kontakt-flyer Europa
877 Deletion Cross-over Operation Ueberkreuzbedienung Entfall
880 English / On-board Documentation Englisch / Bordliteratur
8S2 Coding Of Alarm Signal Kodierung Alarmsignal
8S3 Automatic Lock When Driving Away Autom. Verriegelung Beim Anfahren
8SM Vin, Visible From Outside Fahrgestellnummer,v.aussen Sichtbar
8SP Cop Control Cop Steuerung

[Northern_Wanderer]

Yes certainly got a good amount of kit. Will be going to see it and check how it drives.

[dcb]

BFleming said:

Decent spec on that one...

...

775 Individual Roof-lining Anthracite Individual Dachhimmel Anthrazit

Hilarious. The literal translation of Dachhimmel is Roof Heaven.
Those Germans !

Not content with Sick House Sister for Nurse and Hand Shoes for Gloves
and Three Corners for Triangles and special words for the day before yesterday
and another one for the day after tomorrow ...

[6cylGolf]

miles are not a concern for the n52 2.5
it looks good, though it is very strong money for those miles.

its a contradiction really, if miles are not a concern why should it be too expensive for the miles?

well, it just is. Less time for somone elses backside sculpting your chair.

its a daft world.

[Northern_Wanderer]

What sort of price do you think it should be?

[6cylGolf]

with no problems and being a decent car i think you should aim to pay about 3650

[Northern_Wanderer]

Cheers. Looked at it today and is reasonably solid with a big folder of bills. Had two air con regasses recently though.
Drives well, interior ok but would need a good leather clean and dye on the drivers seat bolster. Electrics work as does the fan. Needs a rocker cover gasket which is being done, bit of oil seepage there.

All in all ok, just feels a little tired. Seller wants 4200 for it, I’d probably only go to 3800.

[Touring442]

That interior is an eyesore.

However, this looks much better idea: the M57 diesel is a great engine. The old N52 is a leaky old thing with a couple of very expensive tricks up its sleeve. Cam bearing ledges wear meaning the cylinder head is a write off, and the electric water pump. the pump isn't that dear to be fair.

I'm a born pessimist admittedly but to me, a 13 year old high mileage N52 BMW is 1500 quid at most. For 4 bags it's in that grey area of being too pricey to throw away.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009173...

[6cylGolf]

Touring442 said:

That interior is an eyesore.

However, this looks much better idea: the M57 diesel is a great engine. The old N52 is a leaky old thing with a couple of very expensive tricks up its sleeve. Cam bearing ledges wear meaning the cylinder head is a write off, and the electric water pump. the pump isn't that dear to be fair.

I'm a born pessimist admittedly but to me, a 13 year old high mileage N52 BMW is 1500 quid at most. For 4 bags it's in that grey area of being too pricey to throw away.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009173...

the n52 is the most reliable e9x engine. Even a quick google proves cam ledge wear is not a common issue. The m57 is a decent engine also but its a diesel. it might be fast and decent on fuel but it sounds and goes like a diesel, besides OP said he didnt want a diesel.

Op if leave it if it feels a little tired. Just too much for that money.

[Obison]

How many N52s do you know of, have had any kind of major catastrophic failure?
Count them all, and i bet your still on your first hand.

[Touring442]

Obison said:

How many N52s do you know of, have had any kind of major catastrophic failure?
Count them all, and i bet your still on your first hand.

They are a nice engine but the OP did say it felt tired and was leaking oil.

More than 5 btw.

But they have been around a long time and can do big mileages.

[Northern_Wanderer]

Going to leave it after thinking it is too leggy, other options around at less even if I have to spend £400 to put a towbar on it.

[6cylGolf]

Touring442 said:

Obison said:

How many N52s do you know of, have had any kind of major catastrophic failure?
Count them all, and i bet your still on your first hand.

They are a nice engine but the OP did say it felt tired and was leaking oil.

More than 5 btw.

But they have been around a long time and can do big mileages.

from the rocker cover gasket which is a common fault and cheap fix.

OP also said he didn’t want a diesel.

Don’t pick and choose bits to suit your narrative for the love of diesel and unique point of view on the n52’s dependability.

Good choice op. Id jump at it at around 3k but he’s asking too much.

[Mr Tidy]

I really rate the N52 engine - I currently have my 4th!

Two of them were fitted to Z4 Coupes and performed so well I bought daily drivers with the N52.

My 2006 E91 325iSE on 132K miles with full BMW SH cost me just under £3K in 2018, but I sold it in 2019 for around 2.5K because I had paid a bit more to get a 107K mile E90 330iSE.

Having had BMW turbo-diseasels for nearly a decade due to business use I'd never want a car with the M57 boat-anchor!

[Simes205]

My old e91 with the previous engine M42 (163) we took from 90,000 to 172,000 miles.
I know this isn’t what you’re after but the rest would relate to the same.
Only about £700 of work on rear suspension bushes and buying a set of tyres forced me to exchange.
Aside from that it was great.

[Touring442]

6cylGolf said:

from the rocker cover gasket which is a common fault and cheap fix.

OP also said he didn’t want a diesel.

Don’t pick and choose bits to suit your narrative for the love of diesel and unique point of view on the n52’s dependability.

Good choice op. Id jump at it at around 3k but he’s asking too much.

Wow. Someone's angry.

[Northern_Wanderer]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I did tell the owner I’d have it if it was a bit less, so it’s with him.

Did these cars come with a removable towbar as standard, so if I look at any more Tourings, they should have it, or was it an optional? Finding one with it fitted saves me £450.

[chrisch77]

I wouldn’t let the lack of tow-bar be a deal breaker for you, there must be loads of used towbars you can pick up for 100-150 and fit yourself. I did this myself on my previous E91 330i.

[Simes205]

I fitted a 2nd hand witter tow bar to my e91.
Pretty easy job, didn’t cost much.