Unofficialbmw.com

[PT]

Hi there, first post so hope this is the appropriate forum. I'm looking at an 02 reg 320d SE (150bhp, 6 speed) at the moment, and plan to check it out in person over the next couple of days.

The price is very reasonable at 6 grand considering that here in the NE of Scotland, 320ds seem to hold their value very well (eg 51 reg with 75k for 10 grand at a local garage) - however, it has 117k on the clock. The current owner bought it from a 'footballer's wife' after 2 years and 23k of use, and has driven the remainder on the motorways over the last 3 years. Should this be a worry? I would have thought that 117k was nothing that a BMW diesel couldn't handle, and would expect to see much more with any problems. The turbo was replaced at 67k, not sure if this was done privately or if it was a BMW recall, but maybe I'm underestimating the problem of reselling with a high milage. Has anybody experienced problems selling a higher milage car in the past, and is there anything I should be wary of in terms of its condition?

Cheers in advance for any advice!

[edjack]

We don't get the BMW diesels here in The Colonies.

Suggest you take it to an independent BMW specialist, and pay him to do a complete mechanical inspection, before you make an offer.

Petrol BMWs here can easily go 200k miles without major engine work, so the diesel should last longer, given proper care.

The single most important issue on any used car is periodic maintenance. Were lubes and fluids changed at proper intervals? Can the seller demonstrate this via receipts or records?
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Ed BMW CCA member since 1987 (Nr. 62319).
'97 540i 6 speed Aspensilber over Aubergine interior.