High Mileage On BMW?
Discussion
If the engine is an old skool port fuel injection then with regular maintenance they can go on for years.
If it’s a direct injection engine these can suffer the same issue as a lot of diesels do including fuel pump/injectors etc.
The key to longevity is regular maintenance, not just the ‘service it every 20k when the computer says’. No engine likes these extended service intervals so complete an oil and filter change right in the middle if you can.
Personally, I’m a bit obsessive and change oil and filter every 3000 miles regardless of car (I’ve been like this for about 20 years!). I also gain great satisfaction looking at the positive effect when the rocker cover comes off! My E38 740 Schnitzer has just turned 171k and has been run on Shell Helix Ultra 5W40 for the last 37k; it’s literally like BRAND new in there and not a single engine flush in sight!!
Buy, service immediately with good quality components, then maintain. You’ll be fine.
Oh, and it’s likely to be a sealed for life auto transmission, I’d have this serviced aswell unless it’s a really low mileage car or very high mileage (I recall introducing an issue on my E39 540i Sport when I serviced it quite late in its service life, transmission did run on till at least 190k afterwards since I sold the car to my friend).
If it’s a direct injection engine these can suffer the same issue as a lot of diesels do including fuel pump/injectors etc.
The key to longevity is regular maintenance, not just the ‘service it every 20k when the computer says’. No engine likes these extended service intervals so complete an oil and filter change right in the middle if you can.
Personally, I’m a bit obsessive and change oil and filter every 3000 miles regardless of car (I’ve been like this for about 20 years!). I also gain great satisfaction looking at the positive effect when the rocker cover comes off! My E38 740 Schnitzer has just turned 171k and has been run on Shell Helix Ultra 5W40 for the last 37k; it’s literally like BRAND new in there and not a single engine flush in sight!!
Buy, service immediately with good quality components, then maintain. You’ll be fine.
Oh, and it’s likely to be a sealed for life auto transmission, I’d have this serviced aswell unless it’s a really low mileage car or very high mileage (I recall introducing an issue on my E39 540i Sport when I serviced it quite late in its service life, transmission did run on till at least 190k afterwards since I sold the car to my friend).
Yup regular maintenance is the secret to big miles.
Had a 2008 (58) 118d N47 "you know the internet said it would eats it's own chain"
Sold it @ 168k and still going strong @200k+
Oil changed 8/9k using correct spec not necessarily expensive, and yes ignoring 20k oil regimes...utter garbage for longevity not a good idea, also did the gear/diff oil change annually
My current E91 is on the same strict diet and regime.
Had a 2008 (58) 118d N47 "you know the internet said it would eats it's own chain"
Sold it @ 168k and still going strong @200k+
Oil changed 8/9k using correct spec not necessarily expensive, and yes ignoring 20k oil regimes...utter garbage for longevity not a good idea, also did the gear/diff oil change annually
My current E91 is on the same strict diet and regime.
gf15 said:
1999 740i, currently @ 180k miles, still a quick car, drives beautifully. Never had to add oil between services. I have run from 70 to 180k so far, non service items over 6 years and 110k miles have been;
2 rear shock absorbers (1 went,both were replaced as a precaution)
2 front springs (went at the same time when parked in the garage last week, spooky).
2 rear springs
MAF
Bushes: front & rear (there are quite a few)
Everything works as it should except the passenger side rear view mirror, which no longer dimms automatically and has gone all smokey.
Bushes: front & rear (there are quite a few)
Above was replaced at 210k miles with a 2005 650 on 38k miles in 2011. 650 now on 198k miles, still drives beautifully with no rattles. Uses no oil and everything works as it should. Gets fully exercised regularly and properly serviced. It drives just as it did the day I got it. Only 2 non service bills of note; valve oil stem seals at 140k miles @ £1500 and 2 rear springs at 180k miles.2 rear shock absorbers (1 went,both were replaced as a precaution)
2 front springs (went at the same time when parked in the garage last week, spooky).
2 rear springs
MAF
Bushes: front & rear (there are quite a few)
Everything works as it should except the passenger side rear view mirror, which no longer dimms automatically and has gone all smokey.
Bushes: front & rear (there are quite a few)
Edited by gf15 on Saturday 2nd April 22:01
gf15 said:
Above was replaced at 210k miles with a 2005 650 on 38k miles in 2011. 650 now on 198k miles, still drives beautifully with no rattles. Uses no oil and everything works as it should. Gets fully exercised regularly and properly serviced. It drives just as it did the day I got it. Only 2 non service bills of note; valve oil stem seals at 140k miles @ £1500 and 2 rear springs at 180k miles.
20k a year in a 650. Respect.I'm not doing as well as some others on this thread, but my 125i Coupé is about to click over 143k miles, after apparently not being anywhere near a BMW Dealer for the first 40k of its life. It uses a little oil, and has a slightly concerning "click" from the back of the propshaft upon engaging drive, but other than that it feels like it will do another 143k without too much effort.
Other than the usual servicing and tyres, it's had 2 rear brake calipers and some ABS Rings in 5+ years and 85k+ miles.
Other than the usual servicing and tyres, it's had 2 rear brake calipers and some ABS Rings in 5+ years and 85k+ miles.
2009 E91 330d touring rolled over 200k yesterday, 150k in my hands. 15k oil changes, one oil filter housing and one thermostat are the only non service items in that time. One breakdown which was one of the battery connections which had worked loose, easily resolved. Has a bit of a rumble from the rear end at the moment which I've yet to diagnose, other than that it feels very good!
JWH said:
2009 E91 330d touring rolled over 200k yesterday, 150k in my hands. 15k oil changes, one oil filter housing and one thermostat are the only non service items in that time. One breakdown which was one of the battery connections which had worked loose, easily resolved. Has a bit of a rumble from the rear end at the moment which I've yet to diagnose, other than that it feels very good!
Rear diff? Do you change the oil in it?V7SLR said:
F10 520d approaching 6 years old and just clocked 100,000 miles. Doesn't need any oil between services and just had its first replacement pads & discs ... fronts only, rears still original. Undecided whether to be chicken and change it or go for another 100k!!!
Keep it, 100k nothing on these busesJWH said:
Possibly, changing the oil in it has been on my to do list for about 3 years......... Given the noise I don't know if changing it now is a good idea or not!
Cant do it any harm, even if it is already noisy...I am overly OCD, i get my Diff & Gearbox oil done every year, around 30kMy dad's X5 has 245,000 miles on it now. 3.0 petrol. All drivetrain stuff is original, has had a water pump and alternator.
My 330i is on 147,000 now. Bought it with 138,000 in June, and want to run it long past 200k. These cars thrive best on having the miles put on them, good usage over a period of time is best for them. I do 20k per year and service mine every 10k. They've gone all over Europe, and never given issues. Just been generally good cars.
My 330i is on 147,000 now. Bought it with 138,000 in June, and want to run it long past 200k. These cars thrive best on having the miles put on them, good usage over a period of time is best for them. I do 20k per year and service mine every 10k. They've gone all over Europe, and never given issues. Just been generally good cars.
Edited by JakeT on Monday 14th October 17:05
JWH said:
2009 E91 330d touring rolled over 200k yesterday, 150k in my hands. 15k oil changes, one oil filter housing and one thermostat are the only non service items in that time. One breakdown which was one of the battery connections which had worked loose, easily resolved. Has a bit of a rumble from the rear end at the moment which I've yet to diagnose, other than that it feels very good!
It's interesting, the debate about extended oil changes. I come from the Castrol GTX vintage, when oil changes were 6000 miles in OHV and OHC Fords. As a result, I used to do mine every 3000 miles instead of 6000 and swore it was a good thing to do.Then along came synthetic long life oils to cope with extended oil changes. I was always sceptical, and still am to a degree, but a friend of mine works for an oil company and his take on longlife oils is that they are designed to a specification which stops them from breaking down. Where an extended change may be 16000 miles, these oils are designed to last to 25000 miles to give a margin for forgetfulness. (his comments not mine) It would be in his and his company's interest to sell more oil, and whilst I know synthetic is more expensive, I'm sure they'd rather sell more !
Given the information, I'm happy to go with 15000 mile oil changes, as so far, I've never had an engine problem with any of my previous BMs, up to 130000 miles.
Riggie said:
It's interesting, the debate about extended oil changes. I come from the Castrol GTX vintage, when oil changes were 6000 miles in OHV and OHC Fords. As a result, I used to do mine every 3000 miles instead of 6000 and swore it was a good thing to do.
Then along came synthetic long life oils to cope with extended oil changes. I was always sceptical, and still am to a degree, but a friend of mine works for an oil company and his take on longlife oils is that they are designed to a specification which stops them from breaking down. Where an extended change may be 16000 miles, these oils are designed to last to 25000 miles to give a margin for forgetfulness. (his comments not mine) It would be in his and his company's interest to sell more oil, and whilst I know synthetic is more expensive, I'm sure they'd rather sell more !
Given the information, I'm happy to go with 15000 mile oil changes, as so far, I've never had an engine problem with any of my previous BMs, up to 130000 miles.
Historically I’ve been something of a sceptic too. Left to its own devices the car will ask for an oil change roughly every 22k miles which equates to a smidge under a year. When I bought it I always intended to run it to a good mileage and therefore planned 10k oil changes, inevitably life gets in the way so it’s averaged one every 15k, (the largest individual interval being 18k). Despite my misgivings of anything over 10k it seems to have worked so far! I should also add that it’s not been fed anything particularly special oil wise, just whatever I could get on each occasion that was well priced and met BMW’s LL04 spec, mostly either Halfords own brand on Titan.Then along came synthetic long life oils to cope with extended oil changes. I was always sceptical, and still am to a degree, but a friend of mine works for an oil company and his take on longlife oils is that they are designed to a specification which stops them from breaking down. Where an extended change may be 16000 miles, these oils are designed to last to 25000 miles to give a margin for forgetfulness. (his comments not mine) It would be in his and his company's interest to sell more oil, and whilst I know synthetic is more expensive, I'm sure they'd rather sell more !
Given the information, I'm happy to go with 15000 mile oil changes, as so far, I've never had an engine problem with any of my previous BMs, up to 130000 miles.
I only do the 10k rule so I can get around the car and look at anything that's becoming an issue. I do two services one year, and three the other. I normalise it to every round number, so now I'll service it on 150, 160, and so on. I tend to just use MANN filters and 'an' LL-04 oil, I've used Halfords and had no issues with it, currently using Fuchs stuff since it's not too dear from Opie. Otherwise I go with the normal BMW schedule for plugs, and other fluids. I also do a cabin filter every oil service, since i find they start to get stinky after 10,000 miles of use.
Dad's X5 has been serviced as per the light and is no worse for wear for it. The only thing i'd be really wanting to 'over' service is the N47 diesel engine, since the chains can be so poor on them.
Dad's X5 has been serviced as per the light and is no worse for wear for it. The only thing i'd be really wanting to 'over' service is the N47 diesel engine, since the chains can be so poor on them.
JakeT said:
The only thing i'd be really wanting to 'over' service is the N47 diesel engine, since the chains can be so poor on them.
Yeah I am the same, 8k max I go on my N47's, that works out to 3, sometimes 4 oil changes every year for me - Again using the cheapest oil (LL04 spec) I can find, quite happy with ASDA's 5w40, especially when its on roll back! 140k on my N54 335i tuned to 400hp+ and 500lbft. Daily driver and I've put 45k miles on it in the last two and a bit years. Been super reliable and has never let me down, but I do look after it and do oil changes every 4k miles or so.
Fuel bill is ridiculous though, so it's a good thing I have a company fuel card that pays all my business and private fuel.
Fuel bill is ridiculous though, so it's a good thing I have a company fuel card that pays all my business and private fuel.
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