[Spugnut]

Hi,

Would appreciate your opinions/input on this....

My friend is considering buying a 180k 2007 E92 335i SE in met black. It has a fair number of options (nav, heated leather, b/t etc).

Mechanically it appears sound, new HPFP just done, and the engine sounds sweet, no wastegate rattle etc. In fact it sounds sweeter than my 50k 335

It is not a minter of a car by a long way, wheels need a refurb, paintwork has dings and needs correction and various trim is peeling/worn as you would expect!

He is planning on using the car for approx 2-3 years then moving on. Anticipating selling with 215k on the clock what would you expect to value it at? Or would a better option be to break it at this point?

Is he crazy to consider it in the first place? I have educated him in the running costs/problems associated with a typical N54/E92 but I think the v.low price tag (sub 7k) is tempting him and he accepts the car will never be a show winner anyway!!

Anyway, whats the consensus? Happy to pay a low price and get a potentially sweet but grubby motor for a couple of years to hoon around in or avoid altogether?

Before I reach for my flame suit remember this really is my friends situation and not me! (Already happy N54 owner )

[A_P]

I would buy it to turn it into a track Weapon.

Otherwise no.

[RagingKileak]

I would suggest that it's impossible to say without a price, unless I've missed it...?

If its about 7-8 grand or something, I'd say its probably not bad money. Like everything, he needs to weigh up the value of the car I'd say.

Matt

[djgandy]

Sub 7k it could be worth a risk. I wonder what the intake valves look like on that thing!

[AdamC]

Sorry nothing constructive to say as I don't have any experience with the 335i.

I just can't get my head around the amount of fuel in £ that car must have got through!

[The_Bear_Yid]

I think evidence of a FSH would be a must for me. Not sure if you could get BMW warranty at that mileage. If not then I'd keep £3/4k 'spare' for repairs.

I'd say no to getting it tbh.

[phil200tdi]

I wouldnt touch it unless under 6k

9-10k will buy a decent sub 80k motor.

Im on 100k now and plan to keep the car for a while yet. He'll have trouble selling at 200k miles.

[Kerr]

Not unless it was very cheap.

Good to see there is now numerous 335i out there with 150, 000+ miles and going strong.

[Kerr]

Here is another 180k car for guidance.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...01303215881850

£6k before any haggling.

[335ier]

Originally Posted by phil200tdi

I wouldn't touch it unless under 6k

9-10k will buy a decent sub 80k motor.

I'm on 100k now and plan to keep the car for a while yet. He'll have trouble selling at 200k miles.

This is also my opinion. Lets face it its got to start costing soon, I'm not saying a lower mileage car won't but at least you can get rid, these motors are too expensive on repairs to take chances like that. Just my opinion.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by Kerr

Not unless it was very cheap.

Good to see there is now numerous 335i out there with 150, 000+ miles and going strong.

BMW build strong Engines Kerr, seen recently a M3 (E46) with 210k on its original motor.

Also my old man bought a 5 month old 5k miles 530i in 2001 and run it upto 268k.

[djgandy]

I'd be doing interim oil changes with that mileage.

There's more to a car than the engine too. A lot of parts have done those miles. How are the turbos? Changed?

[Josh1a1h]

If you are buying a car with that sort of mileage... I would not be expecting to run it after buying it...

I would tear it down. i would definitely be changing all the bushes, new suspension, full very thorough service, valve cleaning, new injectors, and inspect the turbos properly too.

But otherwise, once that is all done... I do not see why it cannot go for another 100k. I would have hoped the car would have had frequent oil changes. I am sure the block and the head area all fine. We don't live in the 80s anymore. These engine if looked after should last a very long while.

Personally I wouldn't do it... But if he gets it for the right price and is willing to spend some money getting a little piece of mind... Go for it

[djgandy]

And by the time you have done the above you could have just spent the 3k repair costs and got one with 80k

[Spugnut]

I don't think he's interested in diving in and improving it in anyway from what it is now. Just maintenance and repairs as required over the 2-3 years.

Im amazed at that 6k example listed above though...doesnt look too shabby!

[makkan00]

It also depends on the abilities of your friend. IF he is one of the chap who is not hesitant to get his hands dirty and can follow plenty of DIY, then he can take a risk.

IMHO, avoid high mileage car!

[Hope]

I really mean this in the nicest way, but if he is looking at a car with that sort of mileage:

- He is looking at the wrong car
- He doesn't have his thinking head on
- He could potentially end up in a very sticky situation if not budgeting for any future possibility repair wise.


This is just my opinion though and might be completely wrong in your view. As people have said above he would need set amount of cash in case of repair, and that cash could be better used towards finding a less used example which will probably be easier to sell and retain more value.

[chrismanchr]

'terra clean' a good idea?

[phil200tdi]

Turbos generally last around 100k

Clutches about the same

Bushes, suspension etc 5years ish.

Valve cleaning every 50k

So with 180k it'll either have been done or need doing soon.. The more miles it has the greater the cross over of worn out parts.

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by Josh1a1h

I am sure the block and the head area all fine. We don't live in the 80s anymore.

Have you ever stripped an N54, or any direct injection petrol engine then?

I don't think you have, as at 200k its likely to be a horrendous mess inside.

Wouldn't touch it with a very long pole.

[briers]

It would have to be a good price as suggested already

However if a car regarded as having common issues has got to 180k miles especially with less than 3 or 4 owners I'd say its a pretty decent buy at a good price. What is there suggesting he will have serious issues when looking at a mileage number.

He is just as susceptible to clutch, suspension and turbo wear/damage on a car half the age.

I read a lot on various forms and compete engine failure is rare unless an engine has been modified or has been neglected and has oil starvation. Or in the porka's case has inherrant design problems on the 996 to catastrophic failure.

We all know the 335i issues which are irrelevant of mileage. If its done so many miles there aren't likely to be estate agent journeys where most engine wear takes place. They say the majority of engine wear happens for the first 5 or 10 minutes. At this mileage this engine would have spent most of its time at optimum oil temperature.

Providing it is properly checked I can't see the issue.

I personally wouldn't be looking at such high mileage. For example my circumstances might allow me to buy a low mileage 335i, maybe the equivalent might be me looking for a 599 GTO with 100k on the clock. I might be able to afford it because its high mileage but could I afford servicing, insurance and what if the gearbox failed (irrelevant of mileage).

If he's stretching himself in relation to his circumstances he perhaps needs to re-evaluate.

[briers]

Originally Posted by m1bjr

Have you ever stripped an N54, or any direct injection petrol engine then?

I don't think you have, as at 200k its likely to be a horrendous mess inside.

Wouldn't touch it with a very long pole.

But aren't we talking mess in the cylinder head which is primarily caused by moisture and fuel mixing in with oil and gelling due to cold short journeys. The mileage suggests the car is run at optimum temperatures for long periods of time which would burn off moisture and fuel so it wouldn't leave as many deposits.

I have no doubt there would be sludge in there but perhaps not as much as a 180k 10+ age car. Providing it has had regular maintenance which would be mileage not months in this case the synthetic oil they use should help prevent excess sludging.