[colly]

I've decided on a 335d for my next car and I found one locally that I really like. It's the perfect spec, colour, condition, everything - fantastic condition inside and out - drive like a new car. The only thing is it's got 133,000 miles on the clock. Now it does have a full BMW Service History so that is reassuring, but I'm wondering am I asking for problems buying a car of this mileage?

Now I could wait around and find one with less miles, but they seem to be a lot more expensive for under 100,000 - so I'd have to wait and save up some more. Also I can trade in my existing car also saving me a lot of hassle which is appealing.

I've also been warned that diesels don't like short journeys and you can run into problems. I do some long journeys regularily but also lots of short ones.

I'm going to get an inspection done on it - what should I look out for? Whats you opinion on buying a car with this type of mileage?

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by colly

I've decided on a 335d for my next car and I found one locally that I really like. It's the perfect spec, colour, condition, everything - fantastic condition inside and out - drive like a new car. The only thing is it's got 133,000 miles on the clock. Now it does have a full BMW Service History so that is reassuring, but I'm wondering am I asking for problems buying a car of this mileage?

The difference for the engine and transmission mechanical parts (33K miles) is negligible.

Scrutinize the maintenance history for DEF/SCR system repairs. If most have been done (NOx sensors, SCR Catalyst, DEF tank sensors) then the car is primo. Still could be a good buy even if they haven't been replaced, but be prepared to spend some money if not - they're almost sure to break soon.

[Persian Whisperjet]

I do lots of local trips with mine and have had almost zero issues at 85K miles. But I did a lot of preventative maintenance and (ahem) upgrades.

[335stoner]

133k doesn't seem like an alarmingly high amount of miles. If the owners took care of the car then reliability should be there.... The car will speak for itself when you look at interior and exterior care and when you drive it.

I once bought a car with 220k on the clock and would not have hesitated to drive it anywhere.. it got totaled at 287k a few years ago. The interior was trashed out but the car had maintenance records for everything some dated back to 2006. No smoke no oil consumption and got 46 mpg it was a 1991 civic.

[lnxguy]

133k isn't much on a diesel. I'd rather buy one that's been driven, then parked in a driveway.

[colly]

Thanks guys, this is great. So those things mentioned, are they normally changed at certain mileage as part of standard service intervals? If the car has a full bmw service history I assume its likely they have been done. If they have not been done - this is not a good sign I'm guessing.

When you mention preventative maintenance - what would you recommend I do?

This is the car: https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sal...-fsh-/14506083 as I mentioned its in excellent condition and seems to be really well taken care of.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by colly

Thanks guys, this is great. So those things mentioned, are they normally changed at certain mileage as part of standard service intervals? If the car has a full bmw service history I assume its likely they have been done. If they have not been done - this is not a good sign I'm guessing.

When you mention preventative maintenance - what would you recommend I do?

Sweet looking car!

Since you're in the UK, it might not have the BlueTec NOx reduction system; was an option until 2014 there IIRC. It's not something handled by standard service.

[Chappers 71]

£11500 seems very expensive for a car that old with those miles.
I paid £11000 for my 335i almost 5 years ago & that had only 52000 miles then.

[colly]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

£11500 seems very expensive for a car that old with those miles.
I paid £11000 for my 335i almost 5 years ago & that had only 52000 miles then.

I'm actually in Ireland, so it's Euros. We have crazy taxes on cars here. I'd expect this car to cost about £7-8k in the UK. At least that is what similar cars are going for on autotrader.

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Sweet looking car!

Since you're in the UK, it might not have the BlueTec NOx reduction system; was an option until 2014 there IIRC. It's not something handled by standard service.

None of that crap here in the UK

Just the DPF to worry about.

[Thecastle]

I'll offer an opinion.... I have shopped tons of used cars recently and know fully well that photos can hide a lot of imperfections. I'd take a look in person.

Things to watch for, bad smells in the interior, lots of scratches on exterior and wear on seats. Plastic trim pieces bubbling.

As for the mileage.. your probably gettting near the end of the transmission. Depending on how it was maintained. I've driven some x5 with 170k miles and they seemed to be holding up.

I'd suspect at 130k the transmission is tired, dpf is nearing the end and check the vacuum hoses and vibration damper. If the body and interior are good you'll be okay. Also the suspension of its original is toast. The bushings will be shot. So the car will require a lot of finically tlc initially

[colly]

OK thanks this is what I need to know. So I heard the DPF should be changed around 120k if it's not changed, what are my options? I could remove/delete, or I have seen services here that clean it to as new - would that do the job?

If the suspension is original should I walk? Definitely sounds like something I don't want to get into - but how long can they last?

What are the major things that Should have been replaced at this mileage, which would really worry you if they have not been?

Thanks for the advice.

[colly]

Guys can anyone advice about the timing chain? Does it usually need to be replaced at certain mileage? A mechanic said that it was above the tolerances and that it should be done soon - it's a risk to buy a car like this. What do you think?

[mjn77]

This is my 2nd car with the M57 engine, and i've never changed the chain.

My E46 had 162k miles on it, and my E90 has 109k miles.

[colly]

Ok thanks. But is this a known issue or do they generally last forever? Are there many stories of them breaking on the 335d?

[mjn77]

Originally Posted by colly

Ok thanks. But is this a known issue or do they generally last forever? Are there many stories of them breaking on the 335d?

TBH, i've never heard of anybody having them replaced, or them failing.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by colly

OK thanks this is what I need to know. So I heard the DPF should be changed around 120k if it's not changed, what are my options? I could remove/delete, or I have seen services here that clean it to as new - would that do the job?

If the suspension is original should I walk? Definitely sounds like something I don't want to get into - but how long can they last?

What are the major things that Should have been replaced at this mileage, which would really worry you if they have not been?

Past BMW 3-series (really, all BMWs) are well known to require a refresh of the suspension (shocks, bushings and knuckles) around 80K miles to 120K miles. It varies a bit and some have lasted longer, 150K. But the parts for the suspension are only around $500, shocks another $500 so why sweat the cost?

I've not heard of "PDF at 120K" except from a couple posters; the CEL will come on with some sort of "regeneration problem" code if it goes out, so why worry? BTW, cleaning is probably not an option as the Oxidation Catalyst is in the same cannister and likely wouldn't be happy with "cleaning".

Originally Posted by colly

Ok thanks. But is this a known issue or do they generally last forever? Are there many stories of them breaking on the 335d?

As mentioned, there have not been any reports of broken timing chains on the M57 in any of the 4 forums I've perused.

Look, we all love the cars: it's how much maintenance costs are you ok with.

[Thecastle]

Originally Posted by colly

OK thanks this is what I need to know. So I heard the DPF should be changed around 120k if it's not changed, what are my options? I could remove/delete, or I have seen services here that clean it to as new - would that do the job?

If the suspension is original should I walk? Definitely sounds like something I don't want to get into - but how long can they last?

What are the major things that Should have been replaced at this mileage, which would really worry you if they have not been?

Thanks for the advice.

I would not change or service the DPF until it fails. At worst the car will flash reduced performance until you can have it professionally cleaned, replaced or bypassed. It will not leave you dead on the side of the road. Personally if you worried and don't mind smoke I'd remove it.

If the suspension is original I wouldn't walk. It probably is, that is one of the reasons the individual is selling. Its not super cheap to fix but it needs to be redone, I'd expect having done it myself, that replacing shocks/struts should be about 1000K, all control arms, sway bars, etc should be another $1000. So I'd expect 2000-3000K for a suspension refresh if you don't diy. Or you can just live with it, but it won't be a good handling bmw.

There is nothing fatal on the car if it hasn't been replaced. Other than not keeping up with maintenance which includes oil changes, coolant flushes, and transmission services.

I just would expect your going to need to spend a few thousand rehabing the car. Its an old car with lots of miles its not going to be trouble free. But it is worth the trouble.