High Mileage On BMW?
Discussion
Hi guys, just wanted to ask a question on mileage on BMW's. The mileage in the UK seems to be a lot higher overall than in Australia (where I am from). I used to work in a BMW dealership and we only used to stock cars with less than 40,000 miles. 60,000 would be only if we found one exceptional car that was rare.
In Australia cars hit their first major depreciation at 40,000 miles then hit the next big one at 60,000. After 60,000 miles they won't be held by most dealerships no matter how good they are. They end up places like the Car Deal Warehouse from then on.
I want to know what do you all consider too high to take a chance on BMW if they check out ok? Are you just buying a money pit after 60,000 or should they run to 200,000 if serviced properly?
Does it make a difference from petrol or diesel?
Cheers.
In Australia cars hit their first major depreciation at 40,000 miles then hit the next big one at 60,000. After 60,000 miles they won't be held by most dealerships no matter how good they are. They end up places like the Car Deal Warehouse from then on.
I want to know what do you all consider too high to take a chance on BMW if they check out ok? Are you just buying a money pit after 60,000 or should they run to 200,000 if serviced properly?
Does it make a difference from petrol or diesel?
Cheers.
Main reason I ask is that I may purchase a E60 5 series and maybe an X3 for my wife. I think it is silly to pay a massive premium for low mileage if the ones around 60-70,000 still have a lot of life left without any major problems. I know problems can happen with any car at any mileage but if the odds are good I might take a chance. I have never owned a car with over 50,000 miles so just want to make sure
If it has FBMWSH and the 60,000 service has been done with new brakes, belts and has good tyres on it it should be no more expensive to run than a car with 20,000 right?
Does buying a older (04/05) 525d or 535d with a lot options make more sense than buying a newer 07ish 520d for example?
If it has FBMWSH and the 60,000 service has been done with new brakes, belts and has good tyres on it it should be no more expensive to run than a car with 20,000 right?
Does buying a older (04/05) 525d or 535d with a lot options make more sense than buying a newer 07ish 520d for example?
Sounds like main dealer stock in the UK is similar to Aus.
However outside the main dealer network in the real world........
As ever buy on condition and history, and don't be too concerned about the mileage. Obviously its a consideration, but high mileage=low price.
There will always be some maintenance in the not too distant future with a high mileage car, so try to find one that has had plenty done recently, if not try to price accordingly.
However outside the main dealer network in the real world........
As ever buy on condition and history, and don't be too concerned about the mileage. Obviously its a consideration, but high mileage=low price.
There will always be some maintenance in the not too distant future with a high mileage car, so try to find one that has had plenty done recently, if not try to price accordingly.
I've had 2 E46 coupes that have been purchased with over 70k miles and both have been serviced regularly and looked after. Never had a problem with them and have been great to own and drive.
I've read a few reports of Aussies owning very high mileage pick ups and Utes and literally running them into the ground, so I wouldn't think BMWs out there would be any different. And i'd say go for the older model with higher mileage. If it has been looked after, serviced and the records are there, the money you'll save for 20k miles extra on the engine will be worth it. If it is worth buying, you shouldn't even notice the extra mileage the car has done.
BMWs in the UK seem to retain their value well up to around 80-90k miles. They're built for it and should serve you well.
I've read a few reports of Aussies owning very high mileage pick ups and Utes and literally running them into the ground, so I wouldn't think BMWs out there would be any different. And i'd say go for the older model with higher mileage. If it has been looked after, serviced and the records are there, the money you'll save for 20k miles extra on the engine will be worth it. If it is worth buying, you shouldn't even notice the extra mileage the car has done.
BMWs in the UK seem to retain their value well up to around 80-90k miles. They're built for it and should serve you well.
Big Tav said:
Main reason I ask is that I may purchase a E60 5 series and maybe an X3 for my wife. I think it is silly to pay a massive premium for low mileage if the ones around 60-70,000
I think it depends what engine. I wouldn't run a DI petrol out of warranty. Can't comment on diesels.I had 2 E39 530s
First one I bought at 85,000 and got it up-to to 285,000 pretty much trouble free. Great car, loved it, rusty tailgate was the only fault on it, and its still going well now according to the guy i sold it to
Second one bought at 76,000 and was a serious money pit, and traded it in at 115,000 one year later. If a part moved, it would break. Turbo, gearbox, steering rack, windows not closing, suspension, thermostats, fuel pumps etc etc. Kept thinking i'll get that sorted, nothing else can go wrong, and it didn't until the following week
Driving a E61 530D currently, bought at 36,000 in January, now on 41,000 and looks to be the same as car 2, but fortunately has AUC warranty, already had a new turbo, mirror motor, and it spent 2 weeks in the BMW garage trying to get the thing to start
First one I bought at 85,000 and got it up-to to 285,000 pretty much trouble free. Great car, loved it, rusty tailgate was the only fault on it, and its still going well now according to the guy i sold it to
Second one bought at 76,000 and was a serious money pit, and traded it in at 115,000 one year later. If a part moved, it would break. Turbo, gearbox, steering rack, windows not closing, suspension, thermostats, fuel pumps etc etc. Kept thinking i'll get that sorted, nothing else can go wrong, and it didn't until the following week
Driving a E61 530D currently, bought at 36,000 in January, now on 41,000 and looks to be the same as car 2, but fortunately has AUC warranty, already had a new turbo, mirror motor, and it spent 2 weeks in the BMW garage trying to get the thing to start
Same as most stuff - look for fully stamped FSH and evidence of spending when needed (as in when parts due for replacement, not when recovered from the side of the motorway).
My E36 is on 190K, though thanks to Nikasil it had a new engine at 30K. My Dad's E39 did 110K with no problem until it overheated and he decided driving it 5 miles wasn't going to hurt (what with it being an all alloy engine after all).
Mine has something like 25 stamps in the service book, not sure how good newer ones will be as services moved out towards 18K miles I think away from 9K, that might reduce fleet costs but also store up problems for later owners.
My E36 is on 190K, though thanks to Nikasil it had a new engine at 30K. My Dad's E39 did 110K with no problem until it overheated and he decided driving it 5 miles wasn't going to hurt (what with it being an all alloy engine after all).
Mine has something like 25 stamps in the service book, not sure how good newer ones will be as services moved out towards 18K miles I think away from 9K, that might reduce fleet costs but also store up problems for later owners.
250k miles is possible with most modern cars if the correct servicing / preventative maintenance is carried out. The only thing that puts me off high mileage is the prejudice against high miles when selling on (many people still assume a car literally disintegrates on reaching a six figure mileage).
NoelWatson said:
Jw Vw said:
As many have already said a BMW is built to last. A 1-series up to a 7-series is a quality car capable of hitting 200-350k miles with minimal issues if correctly serviced and maintained on time.
Minimal issues? Coil packs fail every few monthsmy 330ci is just about to hit 90k and feels like it will simply keep going
a friend of mine works at a bmw indy garage and had an e36 m3 that was his daily driver/weekend hack/track toy. milage was 150+k when sold and never let him down once
at the indy garage where same friend works one of the work cars is an e36 touring on 200+k. i think its a general run about and sometimes a courtsey car. im guessing its way past its best but it will have to be reliable if some customers will end up using it
a well looked after bmw should have plenty of life left past the 100,000 milage mark
a friend of mine works at a bmw indy garage and had an e36 m3 that was his daily driver/weekend hack/track toy. milage was 150+k when sold and never let him down once
at the indy garage where same friend works one of the work cars is an e36 touring on 200+k. i think its a general run about and sometimes a courtsey car. im guessing its way past its best but it will have to be reliable if some customers will end up using it
a well looked after bmw should have plenty of life left past the 100,000 milage mark
Jw Vw said:
NoelWatson said:
Jw Vw said:
As many have already said a BMW is built to last. A 1-series up to a 7-series is a quality car capable of hitting 200-350k miles with minimal issues if correctly serviced and maintained on time.
Minimal issues? Coil packs fail every few monthsGassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff