E91 320d ED - buying advice

[handbraketurn]

Morning,

I'm going to view a 2010 320d ED estate, manual this PM.

It's got just over 100k miles, FSH and looks well looked after, immaculate even. MOT history very good, only advisories have been minor stuff.

Any buyings advice very welcomed. I'm not used to buying higher mileage cars, but current financial circumstance mean I now am. Slightly nervous but also aware of various people I know having diesels with far more than this in regular daily use.

My understanding is later models are quite well built, solid and reliable. Generally a well maintained one should be good for much higher miles.

However, the facelift cars have the N47 engine which can have timing chain issues? And this is very expensive to fix?

Clutches generally good for 125-150k miles.

It doesn't need a service for another 20k miles according to the computer, but I'll get engine and gearbox oil changed as soon as I buy it.

Thanks,

HBT

Edited by handbraketurn on Saturday 3rd December 07:15

Edited by handbraketurn on Saturday 3rd December 07:26

[helix402]

N47 can fail in various ways. A Google search will list them. Despite this lots of people probably don’t have problems with them.

[smashy]

That timing chain ,was a £1000 fix a few years ago but it could also be a complete engine right off like mine was. Busting at 60 mph on the motorway was fun ,luckily I was in the middle lane not outside and not much traffic plus then a hard shoulder to coast to with cars swerving round me

I would run away from it and keep running.

[Mr Tidy]

Possibly a bit late but given how many BMWs got fitted with the N47 it's pretty clear they don't all suffer cam-chain issues - you only hear about the ones that do!

I bought a pre-registered 2007 123d with that engine and did 81K miles in it before I sold it, and it passed an MOT in August on 126K so I imagine it hasn't had a problem.

[smashy]

Mr Tidy said:

Possibly a bit late but given how many BMWs got fitted with the N47 it's pretty clear they don't all suffer cam-chain issues - you only hear about the ones that do!

I bought a pre-registered 2007 123d with that engine and did 81K miles in it before I sold it, and it passed an MOT in August on 126K so I imagine it hasn't had a problem.

Well Mr Tidy you have certainly changed your tune You have always said you got rid of it as you were worried about the chain going . Too many have gone, solicitors group claims were set up and all sorts.

[handbraketurn]

I decided to go for it, a mate has one on 160k with original chain and clutch and does 20k miles on motorway a year.

This one has same owner for past 7 years, clearly cherished it, services it very regularly although on the service schedule. Personally I'll be doing it every 6k miles and frankly not going to keep it for long.

Engine sounds and runs sweet at present. And car is generally in excellent condition inside, out and underneath.

Thanks for responses.