m1bjr will know better, but I would look carefully at services.

All these E9x beemers have computer servicing.

Once past the big stuff ule be ok.

How old is this 69ker?

Steve?

 

Thanks arsie

it's a 56 plate

for sale at a dealer where all px's the BMW franchise don't want end up

 

I'm up around 60k and one year in no problems (only a loose sensor of my own doing lol).

So far all the evidence points to it being extremely tough, many are tuned to silly levels and like the S2K they don't generally go pop.
The basic engine design has made it to the 1M car, so that speaks volumes of BMWs confidence.

The N54 has had a real issue with high pressure fuel pumps failing - its direct injection.
Also coilpacks and injectors give problems but all these I have noted are on lower mileage cars.
Cam ledge wear can trigger VANOS (vtec) faults on higher mileages. Check for error codes.
Mine was AUC and I checked its history - one HPFP, two injectors and a steering angle sensor I think.
An AUC will have the latest software that addresses premature HPFP wear from lack of priming,
but look to see if its had the new pump - as others will suggest a car with all the big jobs done is prefferable to one thats a ticking bomb

Chassis wise, its tough as can be. Its a heavy car, so brakes and clutch....
Runflat tyres normally oem, but ride can suffer so i ditched them early on.

Servicing is variable, all info is carried onto the keyfob - the dealer can tell you status of everything on the car from that.
Oil normally runs to 19-20k miles - too long IMO and I do my own interim oil change at 10k.
Its cheap to maintain, should show 28+mpg and is very easily tuned for £500
Longer intervals mean its cheaper to run than an S2000 actually, and less insurance.
Beware the very early 335i drops into the highest VED band, later in 2007 they fiddled the emissions down to drop into the lower band

Steve

 

To add the obvious (!) to Steve's mega info, it is 4+ years old :- is it still on BMW's own warrantee? If so, anything untoward should get fixed foc. Once BMW's warantee has been allowed to lapse you cannot buy back in. Ask

 

Thanks for the info steve

Excellent point about the VED, I wouldn't have realised that due to most of the latest beemers being low emissions



arsie, thanks again, I'll check

 

I was looking at a Consumer Reports reliability chart for them.

Oddly their worst car was the 135i (presumably for reasons Steve explained) & their best car the M3!

Very odd.

 

Maybe the people who buy M3s have the money to maintain them properly, and those who buy the lesser models don't, as the cars get older.

 

The 135i hasn't been out long (2007 on?)
It's also not a big seller in comparison to the diesels in the 1'er (company schemes).

Also factor in that most M3s won't be doing the mileage of a 135i company wagon.

 

The search continues..............

Viewed 3 yesterday, one was a dog, one was average and way too expensive (and the salesman was a tool, "it's not expensive and you won't find another one like this, I"ll change the bald tyres for some part worns, blah blah......... dubious mileage too)

The third looked quite a nice car

Front bumper, bonnet and both front wings had been painted but no sign of accident damage so probably due to stone chips, etc. and a nice paint job

It was raining though so a proper inspection wasn't possible

We'll return at the weekend if it's dry

 

I'm sure that's the story

I bet it's not true though