E90 Buyers advice

[Ravz]

Hi All,

New to the forum and need some advice...

I am currently looking to purchase a 2005 / 2006 E90 320i Auto. Both cars have +- 170 000kms.

1. Is it worth buying a E90 with that sort of mileage?
2. What should I look out for and what does it cost to repair?
3. What does general maintenance on this car cost?

I know the car is high mileage and its bound to have issues, I am not looking for a car that's trouble free but I need a car that is reliable, comfortable and wont turn into a money pit.

Thanks

 

[Webmaster]

Welcome Ravz.

Read this: http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=15824

It is all true. Try to get a manual rather. Or even better a 320d if you can stretch.

 

[operator323]

Whit high mileage like that,here are the faults you can expect

1)valve stem seals
2)Oil filter housing gasket leaking oil
3)Leaking valve cover gasket
4)Clogged oil separator
5)valvetronic motor might as well fail
6)Suspension components

If you find the car using too much oil and smoking white smoke,the problem is 1 to 4 from above mentioned parts
My advice for you is to go for a tractor(E90 330D)and you ll never go wrong:thumbs:

 

[NavZ]

E90 320i… please don't :thumbdo:
If you can't afford a 323/320d rather look at the E46 range.
Even the E46 320i is better :fencelook:

 

[Ravz]

Welcome Ravz.

Read this: http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=15824

It is all true. Try to get a manual rather. Or even better a 320d if you can stretch.

Thanks for that bit of info! Quiet disappointed after reading that...

I am a bit skeptical in purchasing a 320d out of motorplan, aren't they quite expensive to maintain?

Is there any other BMW which would be a good second hand buy?

 

[ChefDJ]

Is there any other BMW which would be a good second hand buy?

Well....................................



















:fencelook:

 

[Ravz]

lol well....?

 

[gforce7]

I think it depends on ur budget

 

[ChefDJ]

lol well....?

See below :fencelook:

 

[Ravz]

I think it depends on ur budget

Well... most I'm willing to go is 180k...

---

lol well....?

See below :fencelook:

I see!

I actually was originally looking for an older 5 series lol.

Are all the E39 models generally a good buy?

 

[ChefDJ]

Are all the E39 models generally a good buy?

My E39 diesel has almost 260k on the clock.

Flash-Gordon's E39 528i has over 420k on the clock, engine never opened for work.

There are a couple others with considerably high mileage on.

The engine will outlast the body, that's for sure. Just be weary of the auto box. Try find a manual if you can.

 

[Ravz]

Thanks for all the responses

Heres the thing...

I've been looking around for the E39 or E46 in Durban for about a year now. I havent seen any decently priced or in decent condition, also after reading articles from the web about the E46 I got completely put off.

Im basically looking for a good auto, which I will possibly keep long term.

I come from the land of Opel and VW and tired of having my back broken after hitting every bump on the road lol

sorry for the long story...

Are any of the BMW auto's reliable?

 

[ChefDJ]

They are all reliable as long as you look after them. The thing with second hand is that you never know how the previous owner looked after the car.

If you want a strong auto from the 2000 to 2004 era, go E39 530i or 540i if fuel isn't an issue, or E46 330i or 330d.

Have you looked at the E60 5 series?

 

[Ravz]

what about the e39 525 m-sport?

I never considered E60, I assume its a high maintenance car.

 

[ChefDJ]

what about the e39 525 m-sport?

I never considered E60, I assume its a high maintenance car.

525i is facelift, so it would be a good buy.

Never owned an E60 :dunno: Can't answer on that.

 

[S1NGH 911]

Stay away from the E90 320i.....

E90 320d or 330d are excellent cars......

With your budget you can find a face-lift 320d with the N47N engine, not expensive at all to maintain.....




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[Ravz]

what about the e39 525 m-sport?

I never considered E60, I assume its a high maintenance car.

525i is facelift, so it would be a good buy.

Never owned an E60 :dunno: Can't answer on that.

Ahh cool, thanks for all the info! I will scout around for one

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Stay away from the E90 320i.....

E90 320d or 330d are excellent cars......

With your budget you can find a face-lift 320d with the N47N engine, not expensive at all to maintain.....

Really? I worry about second hand turbo cars...

What would I need to worry about on the 320d?


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[S1NGH 911]

Check your PM buddy


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---

525i auto gets a bit thirsty on the daily runs.....

The new turbo cars are not troublesome, as long as your service them accordingly, allow them to warm up properly before driving the car hard, let it idle for a minute or two before switching off.....




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[Philip Foglar]

With the E90, stick to one of the six cylinder motors or the diesels! :thumbs:

 

[Ravz]

Thanks for all the advice guys, leaning towards the 320d now.