Buying 2001 325i touring - things to check?

[johnfm]

120k miles

Full history, the car is being MOT'd today by the owner - a policeman.

Spoke with him at length and it seems a clean, honest car - with just one owner before him.

I haven't had the 'joy' of buying a car for years- been spoilt with a parade of company cars just turning up every six months in my parking spot.

So, what do I check? apart from confirming the MOT and service book mileages are matching and the HP is clear..

Visuals:
uneven tyre wear
brake disc scoring, lipping and pad thickness
oil filler cap - remove and check for signs of water in the oil?

start up/drive tests
no odd noises on start up
should i turn key and listen for fuel pump, make sure it isn't too noisy?
no clutch slip or judder
steering - not too much noise from steering pump or clunks

I really cannot think of anything else to do - other than if I buy it get it inspected by an independent straight away, change oils and filters and cross my fingers.

[Luca Brasi]

Make sure the suspension arms have been replaced, and when they haven't do it asap. They completely ruin the car when worn. When it's an auto change the fluid, make sure there aren't any Vanos issues. That should be about it, they're very reliable cars, well at least mine is.

[johnfm]

It is a manual.

VANOS: I assume this shows as hesitation through the rev range and can be properly diagnosed by pulling the relay?

suspension: can this be detected just by driving or only by inspection and checking for excessive play?

[Luca Brasi]

johnfm said:

It is a manual.

VANOS: I assume this shows as hesitation through the rev range and can be properly diagnosed by pulling the relay?

suspension: can this be detected just by driving or only by inspection and checking for excessive play?

When driving you can hear a clunking noise coming from the front suspension and the steering goes all wobbly.
Vanos: when it's really dead you'll hear it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wqgRJ0x040

[johnfm]

cheers

[Fox-]

If its only been used for short trips a bit of mayo under the filler cap is normal anyway.

[Jobbo]

On a 3-series of that vintage, check for rusty wheelarches. And the smell of dog; many I looked at had been used as dog wagons and stank.

[johnfm]

Bought it.

Not perfect, but decent value for £2k.

Quite impressed by the engine in these things - wonderful delivery.

Could do with a 6th gear...

[kchika]

[johnfm]

Here you go - a snap from the iphone

[tgr]

Nice. not many have the sunroof, personally I like it as it lifts the interior. there is a fault whereby the sun visor jams and causes the motor to catch fire so watch out for that and treat it gently (keep the visor - not the sunroof - open at all times - why not?). it has the optional mudflaps also. check the state of the radiator/expansion tank - if any shade of doubt, replace, doing the water pump and thermostat at the same time with OEM BMW parts only. there's also a fault with the old style belt tensioner where it give up, letting the belt loose and taking out various ancillaries under the bonnet. if in doubt replace - or replace with the new version. Oil warning lamp can go and needs the sump dropping to replace. Window regulators go regularly

But the BMW straight six in this incarnation is one of the finest - just don't run it if the cooling is marginal as if it overheats there's a high chance it will be scrap.

Enjoy your car!

[johnfm]

Cheers


just sorting out some niggles:

driver's side window regulator needed

heater FSR 'hedgehog' needed

tailgate window on;y opens with the keyfob - so need to check the button or tailgate wiring

error code is giving an exhaust cam position sensor fault - though engine is running sweeter than sweet.

But all in all, these are pretty minor.