How does someone with very little mechanical knowledge ideally buy a used BMW?

[PeterL]

I'm looking to buy a used BMW 320. While I have read various buyers guides on the internet and I've searched a lot of threads on the forums I'm a rank amateur when it comes to cars. Basically I find it difficult for me to evaluate how good the engine is and I assume hidden mechanical faults are the biggest risk when buying a used car. If the timing chain or something similar is bad the seller could definitively hide it from me and I wouldn't find out until after I bought the car.

What is the best way for me to get around this? My thinking right now is that I could take it to a BMW shop like Brilliant Mechanical Workshop in Capetown and have them inspect it at my cost before I buy the car. What other ideas do you guys have to make sure I make a good purchase?

In case anyone is curious, the car I'm looking at buying is a 2011 BMW 3 Series 320i auto with 120kkm for R115000. I know these forums don't much like the 320i, but the car has only had one owner and it's in excellent shape.

Cheers,

Peter

 

[MR_Y]

Welcome Peter.
Some questions:
What do you intend to mainly use the car for? Long distance driving or mainly stop/go traffic in town? Do have to transport a family?
Have you considered other brands in the same price range, with lower mileage/younger age?

For peace of mind, given your experience on cars, a newer car would make more sense. Just my view...

 

[PeterL]

Welcome Peter.
Some questions:
What do you intend to mainly use the car for? Long distance driving or mainly stop/go traffic in town? Do have to transport a family?
Have you considered other brands in the same price range, with lower mileage/younger age?

For peace of mind, given your experience on cars, a newer car would make more sense. Just my view...

I see what you are saying and I don't need a BMW per say. I mainly use the car to go on trips on the weekends so it will be very low mileage overall. Also I don't have a family. I just always enjoyed driving BMW's and I like the look of the car. I guess I just want a car I enjoy driving the few times I actually use it.

The other option I'm considering is the Lexus LS 250. Supposedly they age very well and they're cheaper to repair. Unfortunately it's not a very common car and I haven't been able to find a decent used one in Western Cape.

Do you think the main problem is that any car that is ten years old brings a lot of issues or don't you like maintaining older BMW's?

 

[AdiS]

I would say that in lieu of mechanical knowledge, take it for an inspection at Brilliant. It’s a good thing to do even if you do know a lot about cars, as not everything can be ascertained from a normal test drive and viewing.

There are some pointers though, that I may offer:

- Buy the lowest mileage example you can afford. It is usually cheaper in the long run to pay a bit more and get a low mileage, well kept example, rather than paying slightly less for higher mileage and then spending far more on maintenance after the purchase.

- verify the service history, don’t just take a dealer or sellers word for it. Get a print out from bmw, or check the service book etc. fact check everything.

- A full service history does not necessarily mean the car was well maintained. It simply means the bare minimum was done, and the car could still need wear and tear work such as suspension or brakes, clutch, etc. A pre purchase inspection can help you get a more accurate view of the car.

- I often use the condition of the interior as a proxy for how the car was treated during its life. Keeping an interior clean takes a fair amount of care so if you come across a car which still has unscratched interior plastics and smooth uncreased leather, it likely had a caring owner.

- examine any given car closely. When I view a car I look at every panel very closely. I look for defects, dents, scratches, imperfections. I examine the consistency of the panel gaps. This kind of close inspection is needed to get a true assessment of vehicles condition. If you just walk around it from 1 meter away, you’ll miss things and the details tell the real story.

- check the brand and condition of tires. If it’s a premium brand of tires that can also be used to make an inference about the seller and how the might have maintained the car. Also just check the tread level.

- finally, do some research. Owning an older bmw is a high maintenance exercise, period. That is not to say it is infeasible, but rather that one simply needs to know what one is in for and manage expectations and budget beyond the purchase price. Don’t be afraid to have a curious mind and start building an understanding of the mechanical basics of a car.

Every bmw model has a few weak spots which create some risk, it’s better to know about them so that you can address them before they catch you by surprise.

I would recommend posting a link or information about a prospective purchase and members here can perhaps given their opinions based on the information available.


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[AceRally]

Perhaps look at the diesel equivalent if you are worried about maintenance/reliability?

 

[PeterL]

Perhaps look at the diesel equivalent if you are worried about maintenance/reliability?

I know a lot of forum regulars seem to prefer the diesel engine, but do you think the difference is that significant?

If I went with diesel how do you feel about these options:

#1 https://www.cars.co.za/for-sale/use...-Exclusive-Auto-Gauteng-Kempton-Park/7765403/

#2 https://www.cars.co.za/for-sale/use...-Exclusive-Auto-Gauteng-Johannesburg/7638538/

 

[PeterL]

I would say that in lieu of mechanical knowledge, take it for an inspection at Brilliant. It’s a good thing to do even if you do know a lot about cars, as not everything can be ascertained from a normal test drive and viewing.

- I often use the condition of the interior as a proxy for how the car was treated during its life. Keeping an interior clean takes a fair amount of care so if you come across a car which still has unscratched interior plastics and smooth uncreased leather, it likely had a caring owner.

First of all thanks for a fantastic post. I will def take it to a workshop just like you said. Regarding your pointers you said "I often use the condition of the interior as a proxy for how the car was treated during its life." I think this is a large part of the the reason I'm keen on the car. The guy who owns it seem to be the type of person who really takes care of his stuff. The interior is near mint condition which in my experience is unusual with any car.

I'm paranoid about posting a link in case anyone swoops it up. Silly I know, but I'll send you a link via PM instead.

Thanks again for answering all my questions

 

[Swiegie]

Hello

Is the car an E90 or F30?

T

 

[PeterL]

Hello

Is the car an E90 or F30?

T

It's an E90.

 

[Swiegie]

Look at the thread, "Joining the E46 Family"

The E90, will have the N46 engine and you could expect the same possible issues.

Suspension is more reliable on the E90. Bushes wise.

You might have to do valve stem seals at +- 150-180k km and maybe the timing chain guides.

Lovely vehicles.

 

[VinceM]

AdiS, a very comprehensive feedback, which by the way also benefits others including me. Thanks not going to add on what to look out for.

My experience: I knew very little about cars pre owning the E46s, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you learn once you own the car.

My 2 cents: OP, after owning the car for a while, the focus might move into enjoying the car itself, in most cases the itch to migrate to a “better” engine car kicks in. If you can, I’d advise that you look for a higher torque and power engine given that you do little mileage. Perhaps a 325i or even a 330i, they do come up around those prices.


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[MR_Y]

@AdiS is giving great advice there.

For me, personally, the E90 320i is such a vanilla car (poor fuel consumption, mediocre performance) that it does not warrant all the admin/effort to find a good one. I feel that admin/effort may be better spent on a more desirable BMW (say, E90 320d or 325i).

Properly researching and vetting a car takes significant time and effort. It would be a waste if you get the best E90 320i out there and a short while later you have buyer's remorse.

I had that feeling when I bought a used 2013 Boxster. I just wanted to get into the Porsche brand with a car that looks good. But, I ended up replacing that car in a year of hardly any use.

Sometimes cars look nice from a far. But, when you look closer, they are far from nice...

 

[AdiS]

Peter,

There's one more thing I might add and that is to have the patience to wait for the right example. It is an extension of my advice to buy the lowest mileage example that you can afford, but equally, with the used market, one often needs to wait until such an example presents to the market. In other words, don't simply choose the best example available right now, perhaps watch the market for a period of 3-12months.

I would also echo the sentiments of other members regarding the choice of a 320i. The primary reason it is unloved is because it presents a relatively poor trade off of pros and cons. This is to say that it offers both relatively poor performance and poor fuel economy, while the 4 cylinder engine being more problematic than the diesels or the 6 cylinder petrols.

Personally, I would be patient and wait to find a 320d or perhaps a 323i. The 320d is much more reliable than the 320i, much more fuel efficient and much more powerful in the real world. I would also add that a 320d will likely have better resale value than a 320i.

 

[brads7]

All good advice here above .

Personally I’d stay away from a 320i like the plague, it will give you problems down the line even if it appears excellent right now. Every person I know who has had a 320i (mainly from new) has given them significant issues rebuilds etc.

Get a 320d you will not go wrong on maintenance, fuel economy and resale down the road .


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[unobeat]

Btw
What budget range you looking at?

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[PeterL]

Btw
What budget range you looking at?

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My budget is max R140000.

 

[PeterL]

Peter,

There's one more thing I might add and that is to have the patience to wait for the right example. It is an extension of my advice to buy the lowest mileage example that you can afford, but equally, with the used market, one often needs to wait until such an example presents to the market. In other words, don't simply choose the best example available right now, perhaps watch the market for a period of 3-12months.

You have a point about needing to have patience. I guess I just find it energy draining to look for cars and I would rather get it over with. But what you say makes perfect sense and considering I plan to have the car for a few years it makes sense to wait for the right one.

Personally, I would be patient and wait to find a 320d or perhaps a 323i. The 320d is much more reliable than the 320i, much more fuel efficient and much more powerful in the real world. I would also add that a 320d will likely have better resale value than a 320i.

It seems like all you pros agree that the 320i is not the way to go so I'll pass on it then. Thanks for talking me out of it.

 

[PeterL]

All good advice here above .

Personally I’d stay away from a 320i like the plague, it will give you problems down the line even if it appears excellent right now. Every person I know who has had a 320i (mainly from new) has given them significant issues rebuilds etc.

Get a 320d you will not go wrong on maintenance, fuel economy and resale down the road .


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Thanks for your input Brad. I'll most likely go with the 320d. It's a fairly common car so I should hopefully be able to find one in the same price range within a near future.

 

[Tinuva]

Peter,

There's one more thing I might add and that is to have the patience to wait for the right example. It is an extension of my advice to buy the lowest mileage example that you can afford, but equally, with the used market, one often needs to wait until such an example presents to the market. In other words, don't simply choose the best example available right now, perhaps watch the market for a period of 3-12months.

I would also echo the sentiments of other members regarding the choice of a 320i. The primary reason it is unloved is because it presents a relatively poor trade off of pros and cons. This is to say that it offers both relatively poor performance and poor fuel economy, while the 4 cylinder engine being more problematic than the diesels or the 6 cylinder petrols.

Personally, I would be patient and wait to find a 320d or perhaps a 323i. The 320d is much more reliable than the 320i, much more fuel efficient and much more powerful in the real world. I would also add that a 320d will likely have better resale value than a 320i.

When are you selling your 330

 

[MR_Y]

My budget is max R140000.

You mentioned the Lexus IS as an alternative, so I assume you are looking at compact executive sedans?

I would throw in the VW Passat 1.8T, Honda Accord 2.4 and the Volvo S60 (one of the 5 cylinder models) to also consider. The A4 of that generation (the B8) would have the oil consumption issues in that 1.8T iteration (note that the Passat motor is slightly different). The C-Class is also worth checking out, but may end up being less reliable than the E90 320i. My personal choice would be the Honda 2.4 Accord with a manual box.