Advice needed whether to keep a BMW E90

[Mier]

Hi all, hope everyone is doing alright in this unprecedented times.

I have purchased a bmw e90 2008 patrol manual 2.0 N43 engine this Feb with long MOT. I felt I am not a car guy at all, so I might did a stupid mistakes when purchasing this vehicle from a private dealer in weston super mare without going under the car.

Car drives acceptable but there were some howling noice from back ( maybe Diff or Wheel bearing) and clutch is really hard to control in Bristol's steep hill as I was driving. Then, I took the car to BMW main dealer also following up with go to ATS to check various health and faults, turns out there are lots of things wrong with it:

- Nearside front and rear shock absorb leaks
- Some Oil leaks from rocker cover and oil collier seals ( may need to replace gaskets)
- OSF lower ball going rear arm leak
- More investigating need for the noice

Personally also struggling with clutch in uphill start ...

I am not sure whether to keep my first bmw car and invest more than the car price into fix and run it or sell it for cheap fair price to get something reliable instead, need advice from you folks. Thank you in advance, cheers

[Mier]

I have been living in UK for 2 years now, previously owned old Hyundai i30. Even though I am really lack of general knowledges to buy used car, this BMW e90 was the second car purchase I have made here in uk.

[ChrisH72]

Tricky one. Depends what you paid for it?

If it was a private sale you're on your own but you mentioned a private 'dealer'. A dealer is obliged to put right faults with the car within 6 months I think?

From experience (I have an E92) BMWs can be very expensive cars to fix. However, the stuff you've mentioned can be done by any back Street garage so no need to visit main dealer or even a specialist.

If it was really really cheap in the first place I would probably off load it to webuyanycar and move on. That said, the E90 is a good car when sorted.

[Mier]

Thank you @ChrisH72. I bough it from a person for 3k, I might miss it clearly state it, sorry about it. I will take your advice into consideration, cheers

[HustleRussell]

Don't take it to a BMW dealer or ATS euromaster. If you want to get any work done, find a good mechanic.

If it drives ok and it's not unsafe, just drive it as it is and use this time to decide whether you want to fix the car or flog it. If the noise if coming from the diff, that's going to be expensive. Clutch is probably going to be expensive unless you just need to get used to the clutch delay valve. Shock absorbers all 'round is going to be expensive.

In future take someone with you to view the car or pay for an independent inspection.

[Mier]

Thanks @HustleRussell, great advice. I would definitely need to pay for an independent inspection next time, cheers

[kiethton]

The faults are all consumables, the car is 12 years old and you’ve had it for a little while now.

The issues aren’t that material either - get to know a friendly local mechanic and run it until it actually breaks/MOT is an issue and reassess.

[Mier]

kiethton said:

The faults are all consumables, the car is 12 years old and you’ve had it for a little while now.

The issues aren’t that material either - get to know a friendly local mechanic and run it until it actually breaks/MOT is an issue and reassess.

Thanks @kiethton, next time I will not go for a cheap and big brand old car with 100k on the clock 😊😊😊, lesson learned

[ZX10R NIN]

Find your nearest BMW specialist let them have a look at it/do the work that needs to be done immediately then space out the other work if possible.

Most of that sounds like wear & tear, any car you buy with 100k on the clock will be getting close to a suspension refresh as well as needing a clutch.

[Deep Thought]

kiethton said:

The faults are all consumables, the car is 12 years old and you’ve had it for a little while now.

The issues aren’t that material either - get to know a friendly local mechanic and run it until it actually breaks/MOT is an issue and reassess.

That would totally be my advice.

i've a 2006 E90 and i do what needs done when it needs done.

If i were to take it to BMW / ATS or Kwikfit they'd write me a list the length of my arm of what is worn out / faulty and attempt to put the Fear of God in to me that it must be done right now and they will do me a favour and do it for me.

[Mier]

Thank you all for the great advices. I will take @kiethton 's approach, run it for now. Hope we all pass these strange times soon. Cheers

[Deep Thought]

Mier said:

Thank you all for the great advices. I will take @kiethton 's approach, run it for now. Hope we all pass these strange times soon. Cheers

Generally speaking, if i can hear a clunk, noise or a rattle, or theres a light on on the dash i'll get it sorted.

Other than that i check the tyres, oil and water level regularly and get it serviced when its being prepped for MOT.

[Mier]

Deep Thought said:

Generally speaking, if i can hear a clunk, noise or a rattle, or theres a light on on the dash i'll get it sorted.

Other than that i check the tyres, oil and water level regularly and get it serviced when its being prepped for MOT.

Thank you Mate, I will book a full service once we are officially able to sort out non-essential stuff, cheers

[Mr Tidy]

Mier said:

Thank you Mate, I will book a full service once we are officially able to sort out non-essential stuff, cheers

You might be able to get a service done now if you use an Indy as garages are allowed to be open even if main dealers seem to be closed.

My local BMW Indy did an Inspection 2 on my Z4M Coupe a couple of weeks ago with suitable social distancing.

I'm hoping he may be able to sort a clunking from the rear suspension on my E90!

Edited by Mr Tidy on Wednesday 6th May 01:53

[swampy442]

Suppose the bottom line is - If you're not happy with the car and not getting on with it then look to change it. If you do like it then look into getting it fixed

The faults found sound like things that would be picked up on previous MOTs, theres plenty of free apps and the governments own MOT checking service, check before you buy, thats what i always do, that way you have some idea of any looming problems.

[Deep Thought]

Mr Tidy said:

Mier said:

Thank you Mate, I will book a full service once we are officially able to sort out non-essential stuff, cheers

You might be able to get a service done now if you use an Indy as garages are allowed to be open even if main dealers seem to be closed.

My local BMW Indy did an Inspection 2 on my Z4M Coupe a couple of weeks ago with suitable social distancing.

I'm hoping he may be able to sort a clunking from the rear suspension on my E90!

Edited by Mr Tidy on Wednesday 6th May 01:53

+1

My local guy has now re-opened and is following social distancing guidelines.

[ChrisH72]

My usual indy is still closed and others nearby are only open for key workers. Annoying as my annual inspection is now a month overdue. And my mot is still showing expiry in just over 2 weeks but I'm hoping that should get updated soon with the 6 month extension.

[Mier]

ChrisH72 said:

My usual indy is still closed and others nearby are only open for key workers. Annoying as my annual inspection is now a month overdue. And my mot is still showing expiry in just over 2 weeks but I'm hoping that should get updated soon with the 6 month extension.

Don't worry mate, it will be update before 7 days of expiration

> Your vehicle’s MOT expiry date will be updated about 7 days before it was originally due to expire.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-m...

[Mier]

swampy442 said:

Suppose the bottom line is - If you're not happy with the car and not getting on with it then look to change it. If you do like it then look into getting it fixed

The faults found sound like things that would be picked up on previous MOTs, theres plenty of free apps and the governments own MOT checking service, check before you buy, thats what i always do, that way you have some idea of any looming problems.

Thanks mate, My car did not have any advisories in last Mot in December, I reckon how legit is MOTs nowadays hahaha

[Mier]

Deep Thought said:

+1

My local guy has now re-opened and is following social distancing guidelines.

Thanks, I will ring some indy if they can do services, cheers