Reliable Work horse

[Cruiser]

Hi all.

I am looking for your opinions on the best used BMW to buy. My work is killing my E90 320d due to km. 60k in one year. Want to replace end of the year with a new 330d, and let the wife drive it. Looking to buy a workhorse with about 100k on the clock that I can drive for another 200k. Current thoughts are 540(4.4)....:=):

 

[msm]

1st option: Any decent 6 cylinder petrol E46 (325i or higher).
2nd option: Decent E39 (530i or higher)

 

[Hellas]

If petrol is not a concern, then a 4.4 would be good.
Otherwise, a good E46 diesel will do the trick.

 

[zaleonardz]

Agreed, the 4.4's are legendary

But in terms of running costs and so forth.

I would say go search for a really nice 330i or even a 330d E46 regardless of kms on the clock, round 180 is even acceptable. Make sure its manual

Spend 30k on the car up front and do all the common BMW maintance items, and you have a ready to rock cruiser.

Seriously, the 330i/d engines are that good.

If you do go for the 4.4 , what are you considering, 5 or 7 series ?

There is a bucket load of value in the 7 series, simply because people are moron's....

 

[Cruiser]

If petrol is not a concern, then a 4.4 would be good.
Otherwise, a good E46 diesel will do the trick.

Love diesel, under motor plan, scare the crap out of me without one. Hence thought petrol the way to go.

 

[sclass]

LZ you really have faith in the M60!Are they really that good? Vanos, MAFs,Oil leaks? But yah you do see many 4.4s at wow prices, especially E38s. I wonder if their are any DECENT E34s left though...

 

[Cruiser]

Agreed, the 4.4's are legendary

But in terms of running costs and so forth.

I would say go search for a really nice 330i or even a 330d E46 regardless of kms on the clock, round 180 is even acceptable. Make sure its manual

Spend 30k on the car up front and do all the common BMW maintance items, and you have a ready to rock cruiser.

Seriously, the 330i/d engines are that good.

If you do go for the 4.4 , what are you considering, 5 or 7 series ?

There is a bucket load of value in the 7 series, simply because people are moron's....

Was looking at the 5 series, but as you say there is merit in looking at the 7. One will probably get more car for the same money.

 

[P1000]

If petrol is not a concern, then a 4.4 would be good.
Otherwise, a good E46 diesel will do the trick.

Love diesel, under motor plan, scare the crap out of me without one. Hence thought petrol the way to go.

the 6cyl diesels are just as reliable as the petrol... Mine is at 280kkm+

 

[zaleonardz]

Fact, the diesel motors are less complicated then the petrol versions, less sensors, does not rev as high, so they last longer.

As long as you make piece with the fact that turbo's are a conumable item, and have it replaced, the diesels are just as reliable if not more then the petrol.

They stuffed up with the swirl flaps yea, but fix that, stick to a manual box, and your sorted.

As for faith in the M60, well the M60 was a 4 litre non vanos motor, the M62 is the 4.4l litre.

The thing is, the motor has so much torque that you tend to drive it softer, which means they last longer.

THey leak oil yea, and if you let the thing overheat, its done for.... but find a good one and your sorted.

As for finding clean E34's, I just sold one, clutchplate has one where the body was shot, but the motor was insane, Uber owns the rest...

But I would go for an E39 or even an E38.

If you can squeeze 180k for a nice second long distance car, buy an 2004+ E65 730d or the 745.

The N62 motors (745 and up) are a little bit more tricky, but they are good engines.

My mate Stal has a E65 730d 2002 nogal (supposed to be the crap ones) with over 300k on the clock.... That should tell you something.

 

[Cruiser]

Thanks guys. Good info. Did not think the Diesels were that reliable. Also looking at an E65 735 120k on the clock?

 

[Sleeper135i]

330d is an amazing car, very strong engine. keep it stock and it'll run forever:=):

 

[zaleonardz]

Cruiser,

on the E65 make sure that it is MANUFACTURED in 2004, the previous ones had loads of electronic gremlins...

If your interested, my ex 7 series is still at ignition auto, had 116 on the clock, had a fresh gearbox service, is in awesome condition, bordering on prestine, and I figure that is going for 200k or just below.

I can personally vouch that the car is clean...

If you dont want to spend that much, look at the late E38's as well, even the E60 (5 series) are at significant value...

 

[moranor@axis]

zale it must be hard to drive past there and see your car just sitting there...

 

[zaleonardz]

moranor,

It downright pisses me off, seriously... I was there today again selling a company bakkie, and there she stands

 

[moranor@axis]

i think i would have bought it back already... its a crying shame

 

[zaleonardz]

I am so tempted.....

 

[msm]

I am so tempted.....

That would make it one expensive parking ticket

 

[moranor@axis]

lets hope it finds a good home soon... before zale buys it again...

 

[zaleonardz]

Im tempted, however I simply dont have the cash, I seem to have spent every cent that I had and then some more on something else.

Back to the thread though...

Cuiser, anything found yet ?

 

[Cruiser]

Im tempted, however I simply dont have the cash, I seem to have spent every cent that I had and then some more on something else.

Back to the thread though...

Cuiser, anything found yet ?

Not yet. the 7 i was looking at is a 2002! So im still looking. Looking through Car Find, it seems I can find cars with less than 150k on the clock for just over 100k. Sort of ball park I'm looking at.