High Mileage On BMW?
Discussion
Hello all, Just wanting to see anyones thoughts on some high miler M235i's Listed is a 1 owner 2014 m235i with 126,000, seems to have been maintained really well just the high mileage worrying me. It is for sale at £10,000 though!! There is also a 2015 with 2 owners 62,000 miles there is a bit price difference up at £16,995 So wuite a price difference in either case should I be worried with jthe mileage on these?
gf15 said:
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
In my experience the E85/6 feel very solid and well made for what they are, and the generation they were made.
Much less to go wrong, easier access to engine, simpler engines, etc.
I bought a 100k 130i a year ago and in 1yr and 2000 miles I’ve spent £2500 on maintenance haha.
Clearly a back log of stuff to go wrong.
You can see how these cars end up becoming unreliable sheds unless someone is willing to spend.
Mine has now had all the usual issues fixed, lots of refresh work, and should now run to 200k easily in my view.
They just need non-tight owners who appreciate the older stuff.
If you try own an older BMW and compare with a newer one, it comes down to leasing and blowing money on depreciation for a much newer car, or spending on maintenance, higher tax, fuel etc.
You can see why many don’t bother with the older stuff.
Much less to go wrong, easier access to engine, simpler engines, etc.
I bought a 100k 130i a year ago and in 1yr and 2000 miles I’ve spent £2500 on maintenance haha.
Clearly a back log of stuff to go wrong.
You can see how these cars end up becoming unreliable sheds unless someone is willing to spend.
Mine has now had all the usual issues fixed, lots of refresh work, and should now run to 200k easily in my view.
They just need non-tight owners who appreciate the older stuff.
If you try own an older BMW and compare with a newer one, it comes down to leasing and blowing money on depreciation for a much newer car, or spending on maintenance, higher tax, fuel etc.
You can see why many don’t bother with the older stuff.
People run their cars like mobile phones these days, annoys me somewhat the lads at work, they have no clue on maintenance, makes me cringe.
Only a rare percent maintain their cars well, as we can see on this thread nice high mileage cars can keep running great.
I thank my late 94 year old grandad and his mechanical wisdom and mechanical sympathy, he taught me well although he had a ste car history but, they always were pristine mechanically.
Only a rare percent maintain their cars well, as we can see on this thread nice high mileage cars can keep running great.
I thank my late 94 year old grandad and his mechanical wisdom and mechanical sympathy, he taught me well although he had a ste car history but, they always were pristine mechanically.
Bought our e91 with 90k (7 years old) and sold it 7 years later on 172k.
Aside from eating tyres it was all good.
Serviced myself I also Replaced stats, repaired central locking and the alternator died 300miles into a 700 mile journey home, if hit us home.
If I’d have kept it I’d need to have replaced some suspension bushes....
Replaced with a 2015 F31 on 70k.
Aside from eating tyres it was all good.
Serviced myself I also Replaced stats, repaired central locking and the alternator died 300miles into a 700 mile journey home, if hit us home.
If I’d have kept it I’d need to have replaced some suspension bushes....
Replaced with a 2015 F31 on 70k.
Edited by Simes205 on Tuesday 5th November 17:46
Mr Whippy said:
In my experience the E85/6 feel very solid and well made for what they are, and the generation they were made.
Much less to go wrong, easier access to engine, simpler engines, etc.
I bought a 100k 130i a year ago and in 1yr and 2000 miles I’ve spent £2500 on maintenance haha.
Clearly a back log of stuff to go wrong.
You can see how these cars end up becoming unreliable sheds unless someone is willing to spend.
Mine has now had all the usual issues fixed, lots of refresh work, and should now run to 200k easily in my view.
They just need non-tight owners who appreciate the older stuff.
If you try own an older BMW and compare with a newer one, it comes down to leasing and blowing money on depreciation for a much newer car, or spending on maintenance, higher tax, fuel etc.
You can see why many don’t bother with the older stuff.
Actually my Z4 is a Coupe, so has the same engine as your 130i but you're spot-on about easier access to the engine!Much less to go wrong, easier access to engine, simpler engines, etc.
I bought a 100k 130i a year ago and in 1yr and 2000 miles I’ve spent £2500 on maintenance haha.
Clearly a back log of stuff to go wrong.
You can see how these cars end up becoming unreliable sheds unless someone is willing to spend.
Mine has now had all the usual issues fixed, lots of refresh work, and should now run to 200k easily in my view.
They just need non-tight owners who appreciate the older stuff.
If you try own an older BMW and compare with a newer one, it comes down to leasing and blowing money on depreciation for a much newer car, or spending on maintenance, higher tax, fuel etc.
You can see why many don’t bother with the older stuff.
The 2006 E91 325i I bought as a daily driver last February had done 132K, but turned out to have full BMW SH - the last one being done the previous December, but it wasn't in the service book. I took it to the dealership and they stamped it for me. I kept it a year and 7,000 miles and all it cost me was a pair of tyres and an electric water pump.
So it looks like they last well if they are properly looked after - shame you were so unlucky.
But hopefully it's all fixed now.
I replaced the 325i with an E90 330i in April - only because I couldn't find a 130i within budget!
Took an early 2006 E90 320D (160hp, no DPF) to 145K
Heater blower motor at 80K
Turbo at 110K (long life servicing in its early years probably responsible for this).
Passenger seat sensor at 120K
Clutch & Dual Mass flywheel at 125K
Fuel tank breather & rear shock at 135K
Bluetooth unit failed at 135K
Rear bush going at 140K
Getting old & a bit rattly by 145K. No better or worse than any other car really.
Anything with a 4 cylinder motor 2006 - 2013 ish (N46/7 ?) seems to be a bit of an accident waiting to happen (timing chains/tensioners).
Heater blower motor at 80K
Turbo at 110K (long life servicing in its early years probably responsible for this).
Passenger seat sensor at 120K
Clutch & Dual Mass flywheel at 125K
Fuel tank breather & rear shock at 135K
Bluetooth unit failed at 135K
Rear bush going at 140K
Getting old & a bit rattly by 145K. No better or worse than any other car really.
Anything with a 4 cylinder motor 2006 - 2013 ish (N46/7 ?) seems to be a bit of an accident waiting to happen (timing chains/tensioners).
Mr Tidy said:
Mr Whippy said:
In my experience the E85/6 feel very solid and well made for what they are, and the generation they were made.
Much less to go wrong, easier access to engine, simpler engines, etc.
I bought a 100k 130i a year ago and in 1yr and 2000 miles I’ve spent £2500 on maintenance haha.
Clearly a back log of stuff to go wrong.
You can see how these cars end up becoming unreliable sheds unless someone is willing to spend.
Mine has now had all the usual issues fixed, lots of refresh work, and should now run to 200k easily in my view.
They just need non-tight owners who appreciate the older stuff.
If you try own an older BMW and compare with a newer one, it comes down to leasing and blowing money on depreciation for a much newer car, or spending on maintenance, higher tax, fuel etc.
You can see why many don’t bother with the older stuff.
Actually my Z4 is a Coupe, so has the same engine as your 130i but you're spot-on about easier access to the engine!Much less to go wrong, easier access to engine, simpler engines, etc.
I bought a 100k 130i a year ago and in 1yr and 2000 miles I’ve spent £2500 on maintenance haha.
Clearly a back log of stuff to go wrong.
You can see how these cars end up becoming unreliable sheds unless someone is willing to spend.
Mine has now had all the usual issues fixed, lots of refresh work, and should now run to 200k easily in my view.
They just need non-tight owners who appreciate the older stuff.
If you try own an older BMW and compare with a newer one, it comes down to leasing and blowing money on depreciation for a much newer car, or spending on maintenance, higher tax, fuel etc.
You can see why many don’t bother with the older stuff.
The 2006 E91 325i I bought as a daily driver last February had done 132K, but turned out to have full BMW SH - the last one being done the previous December, but it wasn't in the service book. I took it to the dealership and they stamped it for me. I kept it a year and 7,000 miles and all it cost me was a pair of tyres and an electric water pump.
So it looks like they last well if they are properly looked after - shame you were so unlucky.
But hopefully it's all fixed now.
I replaced the 325i with an E90 330i in April - only because I couldn't find a 130i within budget!
It was £7,000 to £7,500 for a “nice” 70k mile 130i LE at the time.
No major fixes done (water pump or cam cover seals, ABS unit etc).
And new consumables that I wasn’t keen on. New tyres isn’t great if they’re OE spec RFT.
Mine was £5,600 with 102,000 miles.
I figured I’d rather be £7,500 down and maybe have to do all the big jobs like water pump, new tyres, suspension etc, and have a 100k mile car, than be £7,500 down with the risk of all the same big jobs, and just 30k miles less on the dials.
My gamble didn’t pay off haha, but I’m no worse off imo.
My only gripe with the process is that despite the 130i being good, it should have been a lot better out of the box.
I know they weren’t cheap cars, but some of the compromises were a bit cheap.
Ie, if you went for leccy seats, a nicer option, you’re lumbered with a higher sitting position.
I’ll get mine how I want it but it’ll have not been a cheap exercise.
Main worry is insurance, as if it gets written off I’ll probably never get what it’s really ‘worth’
Mr Whippy said:
I knew my 130i needed a bit of work.
It was £7,000 to £7,500 for a “nice” 70k mile 130i LE at the time.
No major fixes done (water pump or cam cover seals, ABS unit etc).
And new consumables that I wasn’t keen on. New tyres isn’t great if they’re OE spec RFT.
Mine was £5,600 with 102,000 miles.
I figured I’d rather be £7,500 down and maybe have to do all the big jobs like water pump, new tyres, suspension etc, and have a 100k mile car, than be £7,500 down with the risk of all the same big jobs, and just 30k miles less on the dials.
My gamble didn’t pay off haha, but I’m no worse off imo.
My only gripe with the process is that despite the 130i being good, it should have been a lot better out of the box.
I know they weren’t cheap cars, but some of the compromises were a bit cheap.
Ie, if you went for leccy seats, a nicer option, you’re lumbered with a higher sitting position.
I’ll get mine how I want it but it’ll have not been a cheap exercise.
Main worry is insurance, as if it gets written off I’ll probably never get what it’s really ‘worth’
Oh well, at least you had a plan - it doesn't seem so bad in that case! It was £7,000 to £7,500 for a “nice” 70k mile 130i LE at the time.
No major fixes done (water pump or cam cover seals, ABS unit etc).
And new consumables that I wasn’t keen on. New tyres isn’t great if they’re OE spec RFT.
Mine was £5,600 with 102,000 miles.
I figured I’d rather be £7,500 down and maybe have to do all the big jobs like water pump, new tyres, suspension etc, and have a 100k mile car, than be £7,500 down with the risk of all the same big jobs, and just 30k miles less on the dials.
My gamble didn’t pay off haha, but I’m no worse off imo.
My only gripe with the process is that despite the 130i being good, it should have been a lot better out of the box.
I know they weren’t cheap cars, but some of the compromises were a bit cheap.
Ie, if you went for leccy seats, a nicer option, you’re lumbered with a higher sitting position.
I’ll get mine how I want it but it’ll have not been a cheap exercise.
Main worry is insurance, as if it gets written off I’ll probably never get what it’s really ‘worth’
Personally I wouldn't want an LE as they all have only 3 doors, and have Electric PAS like my Z4. It's not a patch on the Hydraulic set up on my 330i.
Mr Tidy said:
Oh well, at least you had a plan - it doesn't seem so bad in that case!
Personally I wouldn't want an LE as they all have only 3 doors, and have Electric PAS like my Z4. It's not a patch on the Hydraulic set up on my 330i.
Pickings were really thin, and I didn’t want to be hunting spec all my life (fecking annoying on any BMW, never mind ‘top’ models), so I went with LE for that reason.Personally I wouldn't want an LE as they all have only 3 doors, and have Electric PAS like my Z4. It's not a patch on the Hydraulic set up on my 330i.
I think half the half decent cars at the time were LEs.
It seems their for sale numbers spike in Oct/Nov time.
The steering is ‘ok’ to be fair. I never tried a hydraulic one though.
For me the package feels ‘ok’. The weak point for me is the seats. Too squishy and soft. A low point given how E46 sports seats, and my F30 sports seats felt/feel.
Mr Whippy said:
Pickings were really thin, and I didn’t want to be hunting spec all my life (fecking annoying on any BMW, never mind ‘top’ models), so I went with LE for that reason.
I think half the half decent cars at the time were LEs.
It seems their for sale numbers spike in Oct/Nov time.
The steering is ‘ok’ to be fair. I never tried a hydraulic one though.
For me the package feels ‘ok’. The weak point for me is the seats. Too squishy and soft. A low point given how E46 sports seats, and my F30 sports seats felt/feel.
That makes sense - the LE models had pretty much all of the options fitted, and I really liked the colour combination they came in but a 3 door just doesn't work for me as a daily.I think half the half decent cars at the time were LEs.
It seems their for sale numbers spike in Oct/Nov time.
The steering is ‘ok’ to be fair. I never tried a hydraulic one though.
For me the package feels ‘ok’. The weak point for me is the seats. Too squishy and soft. A low point given how E46 sports seats, and my F30 sports seats felt/feel.
I assume they had the M-Sport seats like my 123d had - I liked them. Then again I much prefer the M-Sport seats in my Z4 Sport Coupe!
The Z4 M Sport seats are the best ever in my view.
If I’d have found a 5dr I’d have probably tried fitting them to my 1er haha.
Comfy. Supportive. Heated. Memory. Great looking. Lots of colours out there.
They really were amazing seats. It’s more amazing that BMW seem to be devolving from that level of perfection as time passes.
Another decade and they’ll be telling you an old metal milk crate is the best seat!
If I’d have found a 5dr I’d have probably tried fitting them to my 1er haha.
Comfy. Supportive. Heated. Memory. Great looking. Lots of colours out there.
They really were amazing seats. It’s more amazing that BMW seem to be devolving from that level of perfection as time passes.
Another decade and they’ll be telling you an old metal milk crate is the best seat!
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