High Mileage 3 Series?
Discussion
Are there any known issues with higher mileage BMW 3 Series (2008ish era)? Am looking at an estate as a general workhorse/long distance transport/tip machine and so want something comfortable for motorway miles. Audi A4 and 3 series BMW seem to fit the bill, although budget is for something towards 200k miles. Have run Audi's towards this age and mileage before and as long as they've been well maintained then they've been fine. Are BMWs as reliable?
Mate got rid of that exact model (08 reg 320d, about 180k miles) about 2 years ago because everything was starting to go wrong with it.
He'd run it from nearly new, so knew it had been serviced correctly etc, but from about 150k miles onwards it was clearly just wearing out.
His previous car was a Volvo which he ran to a good few years older and nearly 250k miles with far fewer problems.
Personally I don't think it's worth getting a "premium" high mileage car any more, as the badge is no longer a guarantee of the important oily bits being longer lasting. It was worth it years ago as a 90s BMW or Audi would significantly outlast their Ford or Vauxhall equivalents, but that's not really the case any more.
A safer bet reliability wise would be something like a Mondeo or Octavia which you'd get with fewer miles for the same money and would last to at least the same age/mileage.
He'd run it from nearly new, so knew it had been serviced correctly etc, but from about 150k miles onwards it was clearly just wearing out.
His previous car was a Volvo which he ran to a good few years older and nearly 250k miles with far fewer problems.
Personally I don't think it's worth getting a "premium" high mileage car any more, as the badge is no longer a guarantee of the important oily bits being longer lasting. It was worth it years ago as a 90s BMW or Audi would significantly outlast their Ford or Vauxhall equivalents, but that's not really the case any more.
A safer bet reliability wise would be something like a Mondeo or Octavia which you'd get with fewer miles for the same money and would last to at least the same age/mileage.
SkodaIan said:
Mate got rid of that exact model (08 reg 320d, about 180k miles) about 2 years ago because everything was starting to go wrong with it.
He'd run it from nearly new, so knew it had been serviced correctly etc, but from about 150k miles onwards it was clearly just wearing out.
His previous car was a Volvo which he ran to a good few years older and nearly 250k miles with far fewer problems.
Personally I don't think it's worth getting a "premium" high mileage car any more, as the badge is no longer a guarantee of the important oily bits being longer lasting. It was worth it years ago as a 90s BMW or Audi would significantly outlast their Ford or Vauxhall equivalents, but that's not really the case any more.
A safer bet reliability wise would be something like a Mondeo or Octavia which you'd get with fewer miles for the same money and would last to at least the same age/mileage.
+1 to this.He'd run it from nearly new, so knew it had been serviced correctly etc, but from about 150k miles onwards it was clearly just wearing out.
His previous car was a Volvo which he ran to a good few years older and nearly 250k miles with far fewer problems.
Personally I don't think it's worth getting a "premium" high mileage car any more, as the badge is no longer a guarantee of the important oily bits being longer lasting. It was worth it years ago as a 90s BMW or Audi would significantly outlast their Ford or Vauxhall equivalents, but that's not really the case any more.
A safer bet reliability wise would be something like a Mondeo or Octavia which you'd get with fewer miles for the same money and would last to at least the same age/mileage.
Our 2008 58 E91 330D on 151K is definitely beginning to feel its age. I am not sure I would want to enter ownership at the 180K mile point for more than SOTW money. Plus everything on it seems to cost lots. I am unsure if this is a BMW tax or an M-Sport tax.
Conversely our 2012 Mondeo (only on 117K admittedly) estate feels great. If it is space, load lugging ability then you'll get a much newer Mondeo and in Titanium X spec they are great. E91s are pokey as anything inside whereas the Mondeo is so spacious and comfy. I'd look for a Mk4.5 Titanium X 2.0TDCi if I was you.
Interesting, thanks. I've run high mileage Audi A4's before and they've been very tight. Not quite sure I'm ready for a Mondeo just yet, (still early 30s!) although a Focus estate would be an option if I could find one in good (Titanium X or Ghia) spec. Most Focus estates seem to be quite basic spec though.
Will discount the BMW 3 series then and have a look at other things.
Will discount the BMW 3 series then and have a look at other things.
kiethton said:
Wouldn't touch a N47 (318/320) diesel 3 series at that cost/mileage/age
My family's 2008 318d (165k miles) is an economic write off after the timing chain slipped while doing 70mph in 6th on the M25 - its far from uncommon
I'd have no issue with a higher mileage E9x as long as it was maintained properly and the owner wasn't dodgy - but unfortunately most in this category fail at least one of those tests.My family's 2008 318d (165k miles) is an economic write off after the timing chain slipped while doing 70mph in 6th on the M25 - its far from uncommon
I have a 335d on 155k.
I'd be avoiding an N47 engine car though, or at least buying it with knowledge of the chain issues.
I'd avoid the N47 diesel BMWs for the cam-chain reasons.
I had a 2006 E91 325i that had done 139K miles when I sold it and still ran really well. Only sold it because I bought a 2005 E90 330i that has now done 118K and also runs great.
When I asked my BMW Indy for some advice years ago he recommended 6 cylinders, preferably petrol if I didn't want to be visiting him too often!
I had a 2006 E91 325i that had done 139K miles when I sold it and still ran really well. Only sold it because I bought a 2005 E90 330i that has now done 118K and also runs great.
When I asked my BMW Indy for some advice years ago he recommended 6 cylinders, preferably petrol if I didn't want to be visiting him too often!
ZX10R NIN said:
How much do you want to spend then people can give you proper options.
Up to £3k, ideally less. I was looking at up to £2500, but adding another £500 to the budget opens up a lot more options. Off to see a 2009 A4 estate tomorrow with 130k on the clock and some slightly rough bodywork, but it wouldnt take much to touch up the paint chips. Condi said:
Up to £3k, ideally less. I was looking at up to £2500, but adding another £500 to the budget opens up a lot more options. Off to see a 2009 A4 estate tomorrow with 130k on the clock and some slightly rough bodywork, but it wouldnt take much to touch up the paint chips.
In which case if you want the badge I'd be looking at the C Class, the drivetrains are pretty much bulletproof:https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206297...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207067...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207097...
If you're not badge concious the last of the line Laguna is a very good buy:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203093...
As is the Citroen C5:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202072...
Condi said:
Interesting, thanks. I've run high mileage Audi A4's before and they've been very tight. Not quite sure I'm ready for a Mondeo just yet, (still early 30s!) although a Focus estate would be an option if I could find one in good (Titanium X or Ghia) spec. Most Focus estates seem to be quite basic spec though.
Will discount the BMW 3 series then and have a look at other things.
I have got a focus titanium x estate 2012 2.0tdci powershift I may part with cheaply, send me a message. Will discount the BMW 3 series then and have a look at other things.
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