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is oil leak a common problem for bmw?

  • 28-04-2011 10:54AM
    #1
    frank730
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 198 ✭✭


    I am thinking to buy a 05 bmw 5 series, they are cheap enough at the moment, around 10-12k but most of them have over 80k miles. Is it true bmws are only good cars under 80k miles? my current 01 318ci started to leak oil from 85k, same with a friends 99 bmw 520i
    oil leak and coolant problems seem to be common enough? are they better built for 05 models?


Comments

  • #2
    Nissan doctor
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,209 ✭✭✭Nissan doctor


    Nope, I've done several expansion bottles and rads on new model 5srs at this stage.

    Oil leaks are a perk of owning German cars:rolleyes:

    And its not like they are cheap to fix when they do go wrong...


  • #3
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    have a 2002 E46 150k miles on the clock only leak oil really at 120k due to breather pipes being block up and change seals at 130k dont have any problem with oil leaks now once you look after the car it should be ok

    also have a 1990 E30 170k on the clock same thing one look after engine and regularly service it they fine


  • #4
    frank730
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 198 ✭✭frank730


    Nissan doctor wrote: »
    Nope, I've done several expansion bottles and rads on new model 5srs at this stage.

    Oil leaks are a perk of owning German cars:rolleyes:

    And its not like they are cheap to fix when they do go wrong...

    Thanks for your reply, I have been thinking about other cars as well, at least for bmw you dont have to replace timing belt...


  • #5
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    frank730 wrote: »
    Thanks for your reply, I have been thinking about other cars as well, at least for bmw you dont have to replace timing belt...


    bmw's have timing chains and they may strech so just because its a chain not a belt doesnt mean you dont have to change them.


  • #6
    frank730
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 198 ✭✭frank730


    ants09 wrote: »
    bmw's have timing chains and they may strech so just because its a chain not a belt doesnt mean you dont have to change them.

    looks like anything can go wrong with a car, :D:D


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  • #7
    ottostreet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,986 ✭✭✭ottostreet


    I've had three BMWs with 165-170k miles, and none had any engine issues.


  • #8
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 60,764 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    I can't vouch for the diesels or the small petrol engines but I've owned 3 old (well over 10 years old before I parted with them) high mileage BMWs (2 V8s and 1 straight 6). No big problems engine or otherwise on any of them apart from suspension work on one of them at 140k miles (would be needed on any car with roads like we have here)

    "Make no mistake. The days of the internal combustion engine are definitely numbered" - Quentin Willson, 1997



  • #9
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,497 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    unkel wrote: »
    ............ well over 10 years old ................ high mileage BMWs ..............straight 6

    My 1993 520i didn't burn a drop for the 6/7 months I had it, I think there was 160K ish on her. The modern BMW engine does seem to require a litre every so often.


  • #10
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,497 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I think most owners manuals do nowadays, for high performance yokes it was never out of the way, all part of the fun I expect (I've never had a high performance car :( )


  • #11
    mickdw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,999 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    LIGHTNING wrote: »
    The owners handbook in my Porsche says that 1litre of oil consumption per 1000km is normal :)
    They all say that and Ive seen toyota get out of an oil burning issue using this rule but 1L /1000km is a frightening amount of oil to be going through.


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  • #12
    jclally
    Closed Accounts Posts: 112 ✭✭jclally


    Ive got this problem with a 01 316 at the moment.

    Ive already paid €200 to get it fixed and I seem to have been ripped off as its still leaking. Theyre now trying to get more cash out of me for taking the entire engine apart to find the leak.

    Can anyone recommend a good mechanic?


  • #13
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,497 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    jclally wrote: »

    Can anyone recommend a good mechanic?

    Location location ;)


  • #14
    mondeo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,730 ✭✭✭mondeo


    frank730 wrote: »
    I am thinking to buy a 05 bmw 5 series, they are cheap enough at the moment, around 10-12k but most of them have over 80k miles. Is it true bmws are only good cars under 80k miles? my current 01 318ci started to leak oil from 85k, same with a friends 99 bmw 520i
    oil leak and coolant problems seem to be common enough? are they better built for 05 models?

    I know well that the crank oil seal and oil filter seals go on e46's. Two of my friends had those particular leaks at under 100k. Abit annoying as I would not classify that as high mileage really.


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