320cd Mileage Question

MauriceRKK

Hi,
I've searched the web regarding high mileage (150K miles+) and the split seems 50/50. I'm finding it hard to make my mind up but I've had my eye on a beautiful '05 320Cd on done deal which has had extensive work (clutch & turbo replaced) done and swirl flaps removed. I'm thinking I could get 5 years or 50,000 miles out of this. Any advice/suggestions from people who might own a similar car? Sick of looking at cars online at this stage! ;-P

bazz26

If the car is in good shape and it has had extensive work already carried out with proof of it then I would not be put off by the mileage to be honest. Plenty of these cars out there with 200k plus miles on them.

Max Power1

An 05 320cd will be 8 years old this year

150k miles / 8 years = 18,750 miles per year, which is not high for a diesel imo

Get one with a FSH, and preferably like you say with the swirl flaps deleted, and it'll be grand for a fair auld while yet

MauriceRKK

Thanks guys, its good to get a fresh opinion! The car in question has a FSH and is in immaculate condition. Once I can get a mechanic to come with me I'll be happy to buy it on his final recommendation. I have had an 03' Seat Leon 1.9tdi for 3&1/2 years and the engine is bulletproof, only 103k on it and mainly only used for long runs and the odd town run. Only reason I want to move to a BMW is more power, more fun to drive and a bigger car overall. Even the coupe has a decent sized boot :-D

bazz26

Just remember to have the turbo breather filter replaced every 2nd or 3rd oil service.

MauriceRKK

Cool thanks bazz, I've heard ignoring that can kill your turbo. Thanks again.

challengemaster

I've a 05 320Cd myself with just over 158k miles on it now. Since I got it 2 years ago the engine hasn't skipped a beat. I even had it dynod when I got it and it was actually putting out just slightly over standard figures.

Since getting it however, I have done an awful lot of suspension work. Pretty much the entire front suspension has been replaced along with shocks/springs in the rear. Sooner or later suspension parts do wear out, check the service history to see whats been replaced and when.

They do tend to eat through certain suspension parts however - front control arm bushes will be a fairly regular replacement. If you need to replace the front control arms, I suggest you go for Meyle HD replacement parts. Rather than buying new control arms every time after that from BMW (for a few hundred quid), the Meyle part has a replaceable balljoint for under 20 quid.

You're already ahead if you're buying one with swirl flaps removed and blanked, it means whoever had it knew about the issue and probably cared about the car.

Check if the DMF was replaced the last time the clutch was done, if not you'll probably need to replace that the next time the clutch goes. From what I've read you'll usually get about 2 clutch lives per DMF life, depending on how the car is treated and the condition of the DMF on inspection.

If you've any other questions, don't be afraid to ask

bazz26 wrote: »

Just remember to have the turbo breather filter replaced every 2nd or 3rd oil service.

Not necessary on a 05, it most likely will already have the vortex style oil separator in place - I know mine did when I checked. The vortex style are life parts and never need replacing, as there's no filter to clog. You can check it every 3rd service and clean if necessary, but its stupid to replace it. It's addressing the issue of the original breather filter so it doesn't need to be replaced.

Considering the turbo has been replaced however, I would be inclined to have a look at the vortex filter and check does it need cleaning.

Aside from all that - I've had mine 2 years, and done nearly 30k miles since I got it. Average MPG with mixed driving (and a lot of hard driving) is around 43 MPG. The best I've gotten from it (UK motorway driving) is 54 MPG.

YbFocus

Yep pulling the breather is and checking if it has the vortex type will save you buying another service item.
I recently replaced mine for the vortex type so I won't have to worry anymore.

MauriceRKK

Thanks for all of your advice guys. I waited too long and the car is gone but not to worry I'm sure another will come along. Being a musician Im thinking a coupé might be impractical so I'll have to go for a saloon. Can't seem to find one with a decent spec though.
Test drove one today although bits and pieces of the interior were beginning to show a lot of wear.

Xpro

Local taxi guy in my area has an 04 320d with 440,000miles on it. Still going strong, zero oil consumption and he has no plans to change as the car has been super reliable..:)

challengemaster

MauriceRKK wrote: »

Test drove one today although bits and pieces of the interior were beginning to show a lot of wear.

I wouldn't worry about that, It's very easy to get a replacement interior for reasonable prices. Plenty up for sale on a regular basis

MauriceRKK

challengemaster wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about that, It's very easy to get a replacement interior for reasonable prices. Plenty up for sale on a regular basis

True but the gear lever column, door trim, rear arm rest are among the parts needing replacing. Plus no electric windows in the back. Which is unusual for an 05 e46 no? I located a super low mileage e90 in mint condition. Needs a sensor changed (garage are looking after that). Well happy!

L-M

Could be wrong but then actual boot space (ignoring dropping the seats, is probably as bigger on the coupe.

bmstuff

Xpro wrote: »

Local taxi guy in my area has an 04 320d with 440,000miles on it. Still going strong, zero oil consumption and he has no plans to change as the car has been super reliable..:)

Jez...fair play to him.

Caliden

MauriceRKK wrote: »

Hi,
I've searched the web regarding high mileage (150K miles+) and the split seems 50/50. I'm finding it hard to make my mind up but I've had my eye on a beautiful '05 320Cd on done deal which has had extensive work (clutch & turbo replaced) done and swirl flaps removed. I'm thinking I could get 5 years or 50,000 miles out of this. Any advice/suggestions from people who might own a similar car? Sick of looking at cars online at this stage! ;-P

Are you thinking 50k miles over 5 years or whichever comes first?
Getting a diesel for 10k miles a year isn't worth it.

MauriceRKK

Caliden wrote: »

Are you thinking 50k miles over 5 years or whichever comes first?
Getting a diesel for 10k miles a year isn't worth it.

It'd be more in the region of 10k+ a year. MPG on the motorway is better, more torque to pull heavy music gear and I just love diesel cars in general.