BMW 3 Series - HELP

[Rayna1]

Hi guys! First post, would appreciate the help

I am looking to buy a BMW 3 series 320d, xDrive with 100k miles on it. It is priced at 21k and I was looking for some advice.

I am due to buy from a BMW dealership.

I have two questions

1/ do BMWs usually last at 100k for a good while or am I already setting myself up to fail?

2/ I am in two minds on whether to pay cash (as bank loans are cheaper) or finance. If finance (so I get some extras hopefully), I think it is usually with Blackhorse - will I be able to pay off the finance straight away? How much am I looking at getting charged extra? Should I take PCP/HP or does it not matter?

Thank you so much!

[SteBrown91]

We need more info, age, spec etc?

Also, if the finance is via blackhorse it sounds like it is not being sold as approved used, which with 100k is expected.

However, this means you are no better off than buying the car from an independent, as you do not get any approved used perks like AUC warranty etc.

[Rayna1]

Sorry!

2020, xDrive, 100k on the mileage
Full service history - every 6 months
Dravit grey, sunroof..

[SteBrown91]

It sounds about right pricewise compared to other cars I guess? But it depresses me that I bought a 13 month old 320d M sport Touring with quite a few options for 21k in 2017.

Nowadays you are getting a near 4 year old high miler.

[Rayna1]

I have been told it is being sold as approved used - with a years warranty

[DanL]

Renewal of the warranty, if you wish to, will be expensive at that mileage… How much cheaper is it than one with “typical” miles?

[Rayna1]

It’s around 28/29k but I can’t find one that’s dravit grey, with xDrive and a sunroof

[Pica-Pica]

They certainly do last 100k miles, but a 320d at £21k is well overpriced

[J1990]

Definitely need info on exactly what you're buying but a quick look on AT shows only four BMW 3 series with >90k miles and a price of £20-22.5k
None of these are being sold by a BMW dealer.

2 are current (G21) 320D models, I'd expect these to cope with another 100k miles without much of an issue, especially if they've been well maintained. There's a previous shape (F31) 330D which, again, I wouldn't have any concern about reliability in the future but I wouldn't be paying £21k for a 100k mile, 7 year old F31.
The last is a current (G20) 330e saloon. I think my concern here would be that the battery will be outside of the 100k mile warranty and any issues would be grossly expensive to fix. Even if the car comes with a warranty it's going to be a 3rd party warranty, which normally has full exclusions for electrical issues and battery faults.

In short, it sounds like you're either getting a bottom of the barrel current shape BMW or a potentially overpriced older model. Obviously this all depends on the exact model you're looking at.

[J1990]

Rayna1 said:

I have been told it is being sold as approved used - with a years warranty

So it's not this one?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312275...

[Rayna1]

Hey, no it’s not that one and also no longer on the bmw website as I have it reserved.

The number plate is AF20XFD. please feel free to do any checks or Google as I don’t want to buy a car without getting all opinions

[MYOB]

I think £21k for a MY20 320d 100k car is a bit steep personally.

I’ve been browsing online for a similar vintage but petrol and I’m sure these circa £18-20k but with far less mileage.

BMWs will easily surpass 100k though providing there’s a good service history.

[J1990]

Do you plan on owning the car and running it in to the ground over the next >5 years? If so, I wouldn't be particularly worried about the current mileage.
If you're someone who swaps cars relatively often, offloading a car that's >60k above the 'standard' mileage will mean that your part-ex prices will be horrendous and you'll lose a small fortune on the car.

I'd also check about the ability to extend the warranty at the end of the approved used term, it may be either impossible or particularly expensive given the mileage and that might sway your decision.

[Collectingbrass]

The questions I would be asking is what is it's previous life. From what the OP has said it has done 100k miles over circa 4 years. Ordinarily 25k mpa wouldn't be too bad, but some of that time was Covid Lockdowns, so is it more likely 33k mpa? High mileage isn't bad in itself, but to achieve that with lock downs it has done some work. Has it towed regularly, has it been a taxi, is it ex-plod? What is the MOT history, what were the previous advisories?

I would definitely get it independently inspected and I would pay particular attention to the shocks, springs, gear box and coolant system. To get my money out of a £21k 100k miles car, I would budget for at least one cracked spring, a failed shock absorber and replacement of the water pump, thermostat and radiator as age related failure of these won't be covered under warranty.

[Exmachinas]

Hi all ,

new users so restricted to 5 posts for now

Quick background on the car

Looking to buy from bmw approved
Not on website anymore as reserved for now

21500k
Year may 2020
100k motor way mileage
320D xDrive m sport MHT/MHEV
Hybrid
Last MOT may 2024 - no issues

Spec

Dravit Grey
M sport pro edition pack
Black wheels
Shadow line extended / black grill/smoked lights
XDRIVE
Premium pack
SUNROOF
Technology Pack
Gesture control
Heads up display
Park assist /rev cam
Memory seats
Folding mirrors

Service history full
Serviced every 6 months

Will be going to physically inspect tomorrow
To see what the dash is saying about break pads/disks

Thankyou for the extra onsite in regards to what to look out for @ collecting brass

So you think it’s workout if everything checks out and nothing needs doing for 20/30000miles e.g brake disk/pads

Also better on HP OR PCP ?

or PCP then pay if off ina month or so after negotiating a better deal ?

I’m hoping I can knock it down to 18/19 atleast

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to be honest that's strong money for a car with 100k on the clock, I'd rather buy a non AUC car with around 50k less on clock:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311274...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312305...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312225...

AUC:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312295...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401085...