High mileage BMW 320/330d estate

[ollie260]

After a short and very painful stint with an electric car, I’m handing it back and looking for a cheap replacement.

I’ve had BMWs in the past and always enjoyed ownership, I’m considering higher mileage 80k+ 320 D or 330 D.

I’m not really fussed on which model year I get But I wanted to ask for advice to see if anyone has any suggestions on which of the engines/model years are most robust for high miles and are there any common faults I should be looking out for?

Thanks

[d_a_n1979]

80K + really isn't high miles; more so when they've been looked after/maintained well etc

But depending on the year; you'll be able to get full comp BMW warranty if you so wished for that extra peace of mind; exactly what I did with my 2015 F31 325D and it paid off in dividends last year with some suspension work, a replacement tailgate motor & switch and a new inlet mani and other parts on the engine. Just failed with age, wear & tear etc - all for x2 £250 excess charges

The N47s and N57s are good engines in the F3x range; the newer B engines even better from what I've read etc

Ignore the fearmongering/scaremongering that the engines are going to blow up c100k miles; do your due diligence re the oil services, the normal services and how the cars been looked after/maintained (plenty of paperwork to show it's history, not just the iDrive etc) and it should be good to go

What's your budget & idea spec?

[ollie260]

Would ideally like to spend less than £8k but might flex. Preferably a 6cy and m-sport spec, but would be more interested in the history and condition over spec.

[d_a_n1979]

ollie260 said:

Would ideally like to spend less than £8k but might flex. Preferably a 6cy and m-sport spec, but would be more interested in the history and condition over spec.

Ah ok; you'll be looking at E91s then and I'd be going for the 330D personally

For that age of car; paperwork/history etc is paramount, so that's where your due diligence will come in

And to be fair; you'll be lucky to find one with less than 80k miles; they'll be out there, but far and few between I reckon

Has much cropped up on Autotrader, eBay Motors etc? Check Car & Classic too

[helix402]

If you’re going for an E91 try and get an M57, rather than an N57. 325d/330d/335d. E9x models will feel tired if still on original suspension.

[ollie260]

Thanks for the advice - is there any risk of high mile with x-drive on a F series?

[helix402]

ollie260 said:

Thanks for the advice - is there any risk of high mile with x-drive on a F series?

The x-drive system is quite reliable.

[sortedcossie]

My brother put 160k on an F31 Xdrive before it got pinched. Got a work colleague with one with over 180k on too.

Maintenance is key, even though they are sold as sealed for life. You'll want to see maintenance from a ZF approved place.

[ollie260]

Nice, thanks all!

Are there any spots I should check which are susceptible to rust?

[Aluminati]

ollie260 said:

Thanks for the advice - is there any risk of high mile with x-drive on a F series?

My 2017 330d X Drive currently has 170k and has a hard life, and has since I bought it with 5k on.

Usual consumables, tyres/brakes and a couple of egr recalls, apart from that, fault free ( Although the HK amp has just blown)

It has had the oil changed religiously every 10 k with Mobil 1 all its life. 8 speed auto works fine, and is on original oil.

Previously 4.0d X5, same service routine, 160k no issues.

Prior to that, E90 3.0d 160 k as above, although the six speed auto was sloppy at the end of my tenure.

[ollie260]

Nice, thanks all!

Are there any spots I should check which are susceptible to rust?

[d_a_n1979]

ollie260 said:

Nice, thanks all!

Are there any spots I should check which are susceptible to rust?

They don't really rust; but do check bottom of doors and for stone chips that have got worse etc...

You'll see surface rust on some parts of the underneath; but it won't be major

What's making you consider xDrive; they're a softer overall ride as they're on SE suspension etc; tyres need to be OEM sized as well as to not mess with the xDrive system. Great if you live out in the sticks IMO, a personal choice and deffo the one to go for if you don't want the firmer M Sport suspension

Need to suss out whether they've got adaptive suspension as well etc and if they do, make sure that works properly and that the shocks aren't leaking as they're not cheap to replace, even aftermarket (another reason why I went for RWD and non-adaptive)

[andyvtr]

My 2014 f31 330d was showing signs of rust on both wings at a little over 120k. Something to keep an eye on.

[rottenegg]

andyvtr said:

My 2014 f31 330d was showing signs of rust on both wings at a little over 120k. Something to keep an eye on.

Front or rear?

I check mine (2016 F30) regularly after the PTSD of both wings on my MK5 GTI needing warranty replacement. I haven't seen any signs of it yet.

I must admit, the wing lips tend to take a pounding from stones and aggressive brake dust, so it doesn't surprise me. I've not seen a rusty F3x yet, not even 2012 vintage ones, but the usual steel components underneath can rot out like every other car subjected to road salt.

[rottenegg]

Aluminati said:

ollie260 said:

Thanks for the advice - is there any risk of high mile with x-drive on a F series?

My 2017 330d X Drive currently has 170k and has a hard life, and has since I bought it with 5k on.

Usual consumables, tyres/brakes and a couple of egr recalls, apart from that, fault free ( Although the HK amp has just blown)

It has had the oil changed religiously every 10 k with Mobil 1 all its life. 8 speed auto works fine, and is on original oil.

Previously 4.0d X5, same service routine, 160k no issues.

Prior to that, E90 3.0d 160 k as above, although the six speed auto was sloppy at the end of my tenure.

You are telling porkies. The whole world knows as a fact that N57s eat bearings, chains and crank pullies for breakfast, and that the M57 is strongest engine in the world, that never breaks, ever. So much so, it makes the 2JZ look like a 1.0 Ecoboost.

[_Hoppers]

andyvtr said:

My 2014 f31 330d was showing signs of rust on both wings at a little over 120k. Something to keep an eye on.

I've just had the front wings replaced under warranty for corrosion on my 2013 320D. The paint was bubbling on the inner lip, I only noticed when I removed the washer bottle to clear out the gunk. Rear arches were also done under warranty year before last.

Edited by _Hoppers on Thursday 11th April 15:21

[Court_S]

ollie260 said:

Nice, thanks all!

Are there any spots I should check which are susceptible to rust?

If looking at an older E91, the tailgates can go rusty primarily around the window on the inner edges, rear arches can go but they’re generally pretty good.