Possible purchase of 235i

[Lannister902]

Hi, I'm seriously thinking about buying a 2014 m235i. The one I'm looking at is a 2014 with 63k on the clock.

I've asked for service intervals, to which he replied back as follows...

7529, 9596, 18450 & 54227.

Do these cars need a run-in service?

What other questions should I ask regarding servicing? (he said they were all carried out at the dealers. He said there's been a large gap between the last 2 because of covid.

Any further advice/questions I should ask would be MUCH appreciated.

[kiethton]

That would have deffo missed a service on mileage, our M135i asks for them annually/every ~10k miles - regardless of the convenient COVID excuse I'd be walking away

[un1eash]

There's no run in service but I'd ask for photos of the service history from the idrive with dates. 36k miles between service is pushing it even with COVID.

[DT1975]

No run in required then its usually oil / brake fluid alternating each year to year 4 which is 'the biggie' ..plugs etc.

As above 36k miles between a service would have me walking. It's the N55 (twin scroll turbo), great lump but it needs to be kept up together service wise.

Edited by DT1975 on Friday 15th July 23:01

[MarkJS]

That’s a big gap in servicing and the excuse given is pretty poor.

Unless it’s an utter bargain & absolutely mint, I’d be walking away from that.

[Court_S]

That’s a massive gap.

My M140i (as have other BMW’s) did circa 18k between services, or it was two years whichever came first. That looks like it’s missed a service; it’d have been asking for one based on mileage or time elapsed.

[Sticks.]

I'd recommend getting as long a test as you can manage, check all the interior bits, and look for quality tyres in good condition.

[Jamescrs]

That gap in servicing would put me off straight away, the seller sights Covid as an excuse but despite being in numerous lockdowns has managed to put on over 30k miles between services?

I have a 240i and it seems to have been in a garage once every 12-18 months for some kind of service item and I bet (without looking at the I-Drive) it hasn't done more than 10k miles between seeing the inside of a BMW service centre.

[Monkeylegend]

Garages have been open for servicing after the first covid shutdown. That is just a lame excuse to justify the fact that it has gone twice the recommended mileage between services.

Makes you wonder what else has been missed.

[Lannister902]

Hi,
I'm trying to get someone to convince me that it's ok, and I SHOULD be ok to buy this car with the large service gap...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374205769603?mkcid=16&a...

Will I regret it?

[Monkeylegend]

Depends on how lucky you feel.

It could be ok but then again it has missed at least one service and I would guess it is maybe the current owner who has missed it. Does that reflect how he has looked after the car generally ?

I would also take his consumption figures with a pinch of salt. If you look at the dials it has just under half a tank of petrol and the mileage indicator says 127 miles remaining, which will reflect how he is driving it.

That does not equate to anywhere near 30 mpg, nearer half that based on the accuracy of my car.

Personally I would not buy it and remember you might face the same doubts from potential buyers when you want to sell.

[liner33]

My old 235i had 5 services in 18,000 miles

It should be every 2 years, there are plenty around so pick and choose the best you can find

[Lannister902]

Hi
Thanks for you opinions, very much appreciate it. I'll walk away from it. The search continues!

[Court_S]

Lannister902 said:

Hi,
I'm trying to get someone to convince me that it's ok, and I SHOULD be ok to buy this car with the large service gap...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/374205769603?mkcid=16&a...

Will I regret it?

Is that the car in question? If so, not sure I’d agree with his statement re the servicing.

They’re not rare cars, I’d pass on this one personally.