100,000 mile plus BMW's - problems?
100,000 mile plus BMW's - problems?
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Discussion

Condi

Original Poster:

20,512 posts

202 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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Looking at 320d BMW's as a work's car with up to £7k to spend on the right one. All the car's Ive run previously have been high mileage so in principle it doesnt bother me, but everything Ive run before has been nice and bolted together. Not many computers, no 'programming' if something went wrong. Hence, with a decent tool-kit and some ambition Ive been able to fix most things, and if not then friends have always managed to do it.

Im guessing a 2008 onwards 3 series would hardly fit that description, and so does anyone know if there are any issues which appear with mileage?

I know to buy on condition, but also some cars are prone to issues at certain points - Golf's at 100k miles for example have turbo issues for models built around 05...

RWD cossie wil

4,382 posts

204 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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My e39 530d has just clicked over 200,000 miles & is going strong.

Service them well & keep on top of small faults & they will go on forever.

scott15

198 posts

190 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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My dad had a 730d (2006), it had around 100k on the clock. It had nothing but problems. Turbo, earth wiring, idrive problems, alternator, thermostat, you get the idea.

Same happened with my grandads (2002) 5 series. Got to around 100k, and also had endless problems. Turbo being one of them again.

Id say either go for the lowest mileage one you can, or go for one with a bit over 100k, maybe 130k or so, with a lot of the expensive work done.

They're known for being well built cars, and bulletproof, but from my families experience, they seem to hit a wall.

scott15

198 posts

190 months

Friday 27th September 2013
quotequote all
My dad had a 730d (2006), it had around 100k on the clock. It had nothing but problems. Turbo, earth wiring, idrive problems, alternator, thermostat, you get the idea.

Same happened with my grandads (2002) 5 series. Got to around 100k, and also had endless problems. Turbo being one of them again.

Id say either go for the lowest mileage one you can, or go for one with a bit over 100k, maybe 130k or so, with a lot of the expensive work done.

They're known for being well built cars, and bulletproof, but from my families experience, they seem to hit a wall.

sc4589

1,960 posts

196 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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E36. 174,000 miles. Still going strong, no signs of letting up.

The older ones were very much built to last. Newer ones were built to a cost... then again, whoever's seen a first-gen E36 dashboard would probably cry at the cost-cutting.

fjord

2,143 posts

168 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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I had a petrol 318i which i bought at about 135k. It was mint and drove fine.

My Current 320d has only 56k on, but after 8 years, there's one or two tired bits on it. Nothing major, all cosmetic.

It is however, the dullest most boring car i've ever driven.

The Nur

9,168 posts

216 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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'95 328i on 160k

She's a little smokey sometimes when it's cold but other than that it's all good. Does like bushes though.

R129 300SL

281 posts

163 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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Hi

Took an E36 316i up to around 180000 miles. Only 4 shock absorbers, front discs and an exhaust needed. Everything else original. Was still going strong when scrapped for £2000 in the scrap page scheme.

Collectingbrass

3,005 posts

226 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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I bought an 100k mile E36 this year. I looked at a few and they *all* had knackered drivers seats and interiors, big holes worn in seat squabs etc. I was surprised, it was really disappointing. This is in comparison to my 150k miles Mondeo whose interior still looks almost factory fresh.

Mechanically the E36 is fine, but I can't see BMW increasing the costs of the materials used in the cabins.

Condi

Original Poster:

20,512 posts

202 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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Okay, so mixed reviews! Anyone else got a view?

surveyor

18,705 posts

215 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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Had a 2007 E60 520d. Sold earlier this year at 150k. Had full history, only issues were really minor.

From memory.

AC condenser leak (stone?)
spring on handbrake assembly
thermostat.


mike9009

11,003 posts

274 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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My bosses 57 plate 320D has expired at 120,000 miles. Needs a new engine due to timing chain failure. I believe it is a relatively common issue ( please read 'common' as many people on the interweb have written about it.....)

Mike

Sir_Dave

1,506 posts

241 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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6 cylinder n/a petrol bmw - go on forever
Anything with a turbo, petrol or diesel - problems

daemon

40,169 posts

228 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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Condi said:
Hence, with a decent tool-kit and some ambition Ive been able to fix most things, and if not then friends have always managed to do it.
What are you and your mates like at rebuilding turbos and replacing cats?



stewies_minion

1,167 posts

218 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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E91 330i on about 100k.

In my tenure ~ 20k it's needed new rear shocks, some brakes, tyres, two door solenoids and a cup holder. And plenty of fuel.

Still feels largely like a new car to be honest. Wears it's miles well and feels like it'll stay mostly the same shape for some time.

daemon

40,169 posts

228 months

Friday 27th September 2013
quotequote all
stewies_minion said:
E91 330i on about 100k.

In my tenure ~ 20k it's needed new rear shocks, some brakes, tyres, two door solenoids and a cup holder. And plenty of fuel.

Still feels largely like a new car to be honest. Wears it's miles well and feels like it'll stay mostly the same shape for some time.
Sadly hes looking at a 320d.


rallycross

13,758 posts

268 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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E90 seems to be proving as capable of huge mileages as E36 and E46.
I know of a couple of big mileage petrol E90's they have been very reliable. My current 2006 335i is close to 190k miles and all original and no major problems. Have no idea re the 320D diesel model it has the potential for large bills being a modern diseasal.
We also run an old E46 330 sport which is now over 160k miles and it drives as good as when it was 50k miles.

i would stick to a 6 cylinder petrol if going for a big mileage example.

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

198 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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My managers E90 320d needed a new fuel tank, he couldn't fill it up or it would leak everywhere. Legendary German reliability.

Get the company car you hommmmm

TooLateForAName

4,933 posts

215 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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I'd say cooling system issues would be my first concern with a BMW. Seems a common problem.

Milkybstrd

12 posts

158 months

Friday 27th September 2013
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I've had 4 e36s all 120k plus when I got them.

one blew a head gasket, two had front shocks that needed doing at around 140k and one had a rattly clutch release bearing.

Other than that can't complain at all, BMWs have served me well, especially since all of them were pretty cheap to buy