Is 85k miles a lot for a diesel???

SuperMario

Brother is thinking about buyin a diesel bmw 3 series, it has 85k miles on the clock, its 05. Is that a lot of mileage for the car or would a diesel bmw do twice that mileage easily.

racso1975

thats only averaging about 20k a year. which i would say is grand for a diesel but with all these things it depends completely upon the service history and how well it's been takin care of.

Moanin

racso1975 wrote: »

thats only averaging about 20k a year. which i would say is grand for a diesel but with all these things it depends completely upon the service history and how well it's been takin care of.

+1

no1beemerfan

racso1975 wrote: »

thats only averaging about 20k a year. which i would say is grand for a diesel but with all these things it depends completely upon the service history and how well it's been takin care of.

+2 Nothing more to add to that really. Just make sure its been serviced correctly with the correct grade of oil or else you could have turbo problems.

no1beemerfan

no1beemerfan wrote: »

........... serviced correctly with the correct grade of oil or else you could have turbo problems.

The turbo in the 3 series lends itself to trouble even when service history is 100%. Very much luck of the draw. Back to main point those miles wouldn't put me off, depending on price, is it much cheaper than a 50k miler ?

bazz26

Turbo was only an issue on late 2001 to early 2004 model 320d (E46) afaik. The newer 320d (E90) engine doesn't suffer from the same problems to my knoledge.

As others have said 85k is nothing on an almost 5 year old diesel engine but mileage is not a very accurate indication of wear. It depends how the car was driven and how it was maintained. Service history is important here. Verify it with the garages that serviced the car.

JHMEG

In 15k it will take a depreciation hit when it hits 100k, rightly or wrongly. Won't affect anything apart from resale.

maidhc

The engine will be fine, but you are that bit closer to the day when you will spend lots of money on the suspension and still hear knocking noises on and off.

Idbatterim

id we wary if it had a towbar!

SuperMario

Its a friend of the family selling it privately. Price is about 3k less than market value, thats why he wants to buy it, but he was bein a bit put off by mileage

beachlife

make sure it has main dealer or specialist indi. service history!!!
Also the oil seperator is meant to be done at 70,000miles (third service) or the turbo WILL go pop if it's not done. meant to be done every 70,000 miles,

SuperMario

Whats the best way to check the car out fully guys

EPM

If it has a service history call the garage and ask them what it was done. If you're nice they might give you a copy of the service invoices

yuloni

This post has been deleted.

pcardin

SuperMario wrote: »

Its a friend of the family selling it privately. Price is about 3k less than market value, thats why he wants to buy it, but he was bein a bit put off by mileage

By the local measurings the 85k car is only for scrap yard. For the rest of the world 85k on modern car is almost nothing. Seriously, what's wrong with this country?!

SuperMario

Thanks for all the info/advice guys.

rugbyman

if the car is three grand under garage price, this may not be a great deal. depends on whethet its 7 k against 10, or 15 against 18. my pal had an 07 on and could not believe ,he was only offered 19 against a new one.

with bmw s mileage is very imortant in estimating value.. one person here pointed out that in less than a year it will be a 100,000 car. try trading it then.

and yes ,it will run well for years yet

regards ,rugbyman

Alzar

I know you asked initially about the diesel engine but is the car on carzone or somewhere etc?
Maybe a look at a few pictures of it might help the lads on here advise you better. Bodywork/interior wise, if you know what I mean.

Al.

SuperMario

Car is eleven thousand. Not on any of the websites, he intends on keeping it for a good few years so id say hes not too worried bout trade in dropping over next few years. Same model seems to be going for around fifteen thousand on car sites

Alzar

SuperMario wrote: »

.....he intends on keeping it for a good few years so id say hes not too worried bout trade in dropping over next few years......

In that case, as others have advised, get her checked out by a competent mechanic & keep her serviced well & she should run forever.

Al.

EPM

SuperMario wrote: »

Car is eleven thousand. Not on any of the websites, he intends on keeping it for a good few years so id say hes not too worried bout trade in dropping over next few years. Same model seems to be going for around fifteen thousand on car sites

In that case it seems like very good value to me. If he got half what this has on it then he shouldn't have any worries;)