Looking at an expensive 320d second hand for a mate...

[Humble Pi]

My friend has asked me to look at a fairly expensive 320d with him. Bit nervous as I've looked at plenty of cars over the years for friends but never something at this price point or diesel. Am I right to be a bit concerned? The car is from what appears to be a reputable garage but you never know I suppose.
What should I be looking for, any advice gratefully received.

Car below.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[joropug]

Make sure services are recorded on the idrive properly and on time. There is no service book.

Check tyres are star rated / indicated. I have never seen these in person but understand the X drive HAS to have star rated tyres to avoid drivetrain errors.

Run the vin through an online spec checker for BMWs, Google it. Make sure all the bolt ons (skirts etc) and wheels are genuine fitted from new.

I understand garages are buying Chinese ones and bolting on to command a premium at sale.

I had a 63 reg SE manual and it was a great car with the main draw back being it had a DIY gearbox. The auto is superb.

[dmsims]

Expensive is the right word!

Why does he want to spend nearly £20K on a 3 year old four pot diesel ???

[Gareth1974]

My 320d had a tendency to wear the inside edges of its front tyres, very annoying as the rest of the tyre had loads of wear left. Apparently this is common so look at the tyres closely.

My air con packed up when it was just over 3 years old, so check this is working correctly.

You can also cycle through the maintenance requirements on idrive and it will show things like brake pad wear.

[aka_kerrly]

dmsims said:

Expensive is the right word!

Why does he want to spend nearly £20K on a 3 year old four pot diesel ???

What about the person who bought it new and barely did 11k a year... That's suffering for no good reason.

[anonymous-user]

dmsims said:

Expensive is the right word!

Why does he want to spend nearly £20K on a 3 year old four pot diesel ???

it's lost half it purchase price, so to most would be a bargain.

[ilikejam]

Agree somewhat with the above - you could surely get a similar age/mileage 330 or 335 for that price?

[DanL]

For the money I’d be seeing how much one costs when bought from BMW... Have only looked for 320d models, but found this as an example:

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201907160124231

Unless the skirts are a must have, I’d go with an AUC for the warranty.

[Gareth1974]

DanL said:

For the money I’d be seeing how much one costs when bought from BMW... Have only looked for 320d models, but found this as an example:

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/201907160124231

Unless the skirts are a must have, I’d go with an AUC for the warranty.

Leasing is often derided on here, but if you look at the PCP prices quoted on that 3 year old 320d, over the same 4 year period, you could lease a brand new car for pretty much the same price, with RFL etc included and supplied with new tyres and brakes etc https://leasing.com/independent-brokers/leasing-op... (Audi A4 S line auto 40TDi)

[Aydogflipper]

He could buy my 15 plate 330d off me for a chunk less money, which has extended warranty

[Humble Pi]

Cheers lads. I agree, much better to go approved used if he's set on a BMW.

[twokcc]

At that age car I agreegoing with BMW AUC. Has the advantage that if new owner wants to can take out additina BMW warranty at time of purchasefor addition 1/2/3 years at end of manufacurers or AUC warranty.Ok you have to pay for this at time of purchase but can often be a fantastic deal.

Bought a 2018 F56 Cooper S from Mini Dealer, at that time additional warranty for one outside of original car warranty were nearly £1k per year. Got the BMW(mini) warranty for 3years for less than this with no excess full recoveryy etc- no brainer for me.
Will need to have serviced by Mini but got next service included in deal (at 2yrs old) so apart from consumables no worries about any isues until car is 6years old.
P.S Mini/BMW have 7day free car insurance for an AUC car purchase which cn be useful during change over period.
Also worked out cheaper than any of comparison sites when had to pay for it myself

Bought from BMW MINI Boston not usually listed on Autotrader currently have these (+others)for sale under £20k
Diesel 320d
https://listers.co.uk/used/cars/bmw/3_series/diese...

Petrol 320i
https://listers.co.uk/used/cars/bmw/3_series/320i_...

Both above manuals 320d Auto here bit order that one you postedbut similar mileage and £2K cheaper
https://listers.co.uk/used/cars/bmw/3_series/diese...

Opps just noticed Autotrader is X drive

Edited by twokcc on Wednesday 31st July 13:42

Edited by twokcc on Wednesday 31st July 13:52

Edited by twokcc on Wednesday 31st July 14:23