Going to view a 2007 BMW 320d - what should I be looking out for?

Stingerbar

Has about 75K miles on the clock

I really have no clue, what should I be checking?

Also it's sold by a garage with limited guarantee, would it be worth it to pay extra and get one year warranty?

thanks

burke027

Stingerbar wrote: »

Has about 75K miles on the clock

I really have no clue, what should I be checking?

Also it's sold by a garage with limited guarantee, would it be worth it to pay extra and get one year warranty?

thanks

firstly that the timing chain has being replaced on it

brianwalshcork

Would it not be worth your while either bringing someone with you that does have a clue? Or bringing the car to an indy mechanic to get checked over before you drop what's probably going to be 7.5/8K?

PLUG71

Check the turbo is ok by looking for smoke etc.

Service history imo is a must!

Do a comprehensive history check online before you buy!

Tilikum

PLUG71 wrote: »

Check the turbo is ok by looking for smoke etc.

Service history imo is a must!

Do a comprehensive history check online before you buy!

Sorry to hijack the thread but.....

I'm currently looking at a 08 3 series. Private seller with no service history. I rang the dealership where he bought it. They said it happens - them selling a car without the service history I mean.

The car was just serviced. New brakes & pads. Just gone through nct.
I really don't know what to do.

PLUG71

Tilikum wrote: »

Sorry to hijack the thread but.....

I'm currently looking at a 08 3 series. Private seller with no service history. I rang the dealership where he bought it. They said it happens - them selling a car without the service history I mean.

The car was just serviced. New brakes & pads. Just gone through nct.
I really don't know what to do.

Can thedealer give you a printed version of the history?

Any repair receipts with the car?

bazz26

Stingerbar wrote: »

Has about 75K miles on the clock

I really have no clue, what should I be checking?

Also it's sold by a garage with limited guarantee, would it be worth it to pay extra and get one year warranty?

thanks

Is it the 163bhp or 177bhp 320d you are looking at? It's the 177bhp that has timing chain issues. Easiest way to tell on the 3 Series is that the 163bhp version will have a rear exhaust tail pipe that bends down towards the ground. The 177bhp version will have a straight oval shaped tail pipe and will also have stop/start for city driving. The 163bhp has it's own issues but they are alot more manageable than a stretched timing chain.

Tilikum

PLUG71 wrote: »

Can thedealer give you a printed version of the history?

Any repair receipts with the car?

They won't give out any info as I don't own the car.

PLUG71

Tilikum wrote: »

They won't give out any info as I don't own the car.

To be honest I would leave that car where it is!

Plenty of cars out there and people will tell you anyone can forge a service history.

The secret is getting a checkable history and reading the history checking milage with NCT certs etc etc.

I would personally would not spent my money on a car without doing all the checks available or without service history!

Think also about the resale value of a car without history!!

Tilikum

PLUG71 wrote: »

To be honest I would leave that car where it is!

Plenty of cars out there and people will tell you anyone can forge a service history.

The secret is getting a checkable history and reading the history checking milage with NCT certs etc etc.

I would personally would not spent my money on a car without doing all the checks available or without service history!

Think also about the resale value of a car without history!!

3 weeks ago my Dad bought a 06 focus. Full service history. Got it checked by a mechanic. Less than 1 week later the clutch went. €580 for new clutch.

PLUG71

Tilikum wrote: »

3 weeks ago my Dad bought a 06 focus. Full service history. Got it checked by a mechanic. Less than 1 week later the clutch went. €580 for new clutch.

Buying cars is a minefield and a person can only do so many checks.

The rest is down to luck!

Stingerbar

brianwalshcork wrote: »

Would it not be worth your while either bringing someone with you that does have a clue? Or bringing the car to an indy mechanic to get checked over before you drop what's probably going to be 7.5/8K?

Thanks for all the advice

but 8k?? it's 11.5k

I am in Belgium, buying in Belgium
http://fr.autoscout24.be/Details.aspx?id=244127853&asrc=st|as
(it's in French, but you'll see the general details)

Is that price high? I've just been told that BMW's are pretty cheap here, hence my interest (was only looking at Skoda's and Audi's before)

bazz26

No evidence of any sort of service history or receipts for work done then walk away especially if it was a UK car.

PLUG71

bazz26 wrote: »

No evidence of any sort of service history or receipts for work done then walk away especially if it was a UK car.

Not being smart but why especially a UK car?

Tilikum

PLUG71 wrote: »

Not being smart but why especially a UK car?

The car is an import.

PLUG71

Stingerbar wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice

but 8k?? it's 11.5k

I am in Belgium, buying in Belgium
http://fr.autoscout24.be/Details.aspx?id=244127853&asrc=st|as
(it's in French, but you'll see the general details)

Is that price high? I've just been told that BMW's are pretty cheap here, hence my interest (was only looking at Skoda's and Audi's before)

I think you could do better for that sort of money!!!!!

PLUG71

Tilikum wrote: »

The car is an import.

O/p is looking at buying in Belgium!

bazz26

PLUG71 wrote: »

Not being smart but why especially a UK car?

Because UK car owners are more meticulous than the Irish when it comes to maintaining a service history and documents to prove it. It is very unusual to find a UK car without some sort of documented service history. If the documents have managed to disappear by the time they get over there then there is a good chance that they disappeared for a good reason rather than by accident. Usually it means the service history doesn't match the current mileage or hides something in the car's history that the seller doesn't want to disclose.

Tilikum

PLUG71 wrote: »

O/p is looking at buying in Belgium!

Sorry mate, the one am looking at.

PLUG71

bazz26 wrote: »

Because UK car owners are more meticulous than the Irish when it comes to maintaining a service history and documents to prove it. It is very unusual to find a UK car without some sort of documented service history. If the documents have managed to disappear by the time they get over there then there is a good chance that they disappeared for a good reason rather than by accident. Usually it means the service history doesn't match the current mileage or hides something in the car's history that the seller doesn't want to disclose.

I understand all that but the o/p is buying in Belgium.
My point is exactly the same as your but the same could be said for Belgium owners too.

Stingerbar

PLUG71 wrote: »

I understand all that but the o/p is buying in Belgium.
My point is exactly the same as your but the same could be said for Belgium owners too.

They are v obsessive over here in Belg about service history, plus the car has to pass a CAR PASS test before sale

All documents are always provided with full service history

I know tourers are more expensive than the sedan's, but in general 2nd hand cars seem cheaper/much cheaper back in Ire

bazz26

I was referring to Tilikum's original query about buying a 3 Series here without a shred of service history with it. I know nothing about the Belgian used car market.

Idbatterim

do you have a link to the car op?

Stingerbar

yup it's on page 1 there

I'm a bit put off that the prices back in Ire seem a bit cheaper for the same year/mileage

I still think the 320d tourer is perfect... decent power, good looks, and an engine which is surprisingly fuel efficient