[F30Dan]

I am just wondering what the high mileage users do with their cars? Do you buy new and just keep it till it reaches a certain mileage?

Lease?

Just keep it for a year?

I currently own an E92 2009 pre LCI with around 78,000 miles on the clock. I am getting frustrated of buying a car, loading it up with mileage selling it a year or two later and loosing lots on money on it, mainly due to the mileage. I do around 20,000 miles per year which 95% motorway.

I have always enjoyed having a ‘nice’ car and I have even thought about buying a cheap car to just drive to work, but by the time we take into account servicing and general running costs it’s not worth it.

Appreciate and advice.

[Digitalize]

My E91 is on 207k, put just over 40k of that on it. If you're going to be putting mileage on a car buy one that's at least already over 100k. Mileage doesn't bother me really, refresh a few bits and you're good to go.

[Calluhan]

High mileage was the main reason I bought mine....

[JJ0063]

The way I look at is at 130k+ it's likely to have had a few major bits done already and will have already lost its value.

Mines got 181k on it, full BM history, I've replaced the clutch/DMF, HVAC and a caliper.

[McPikie]

My 320d is on 230k

[makkan00]

It would be good to know
- actual mileages
- years of ownership
- maintenance work which you had to do or things went wrong


Reason I say that as I am afraid of high mileages car thinking that something will go wrong. And like a typical person, I tend to sell them around 90-100k mileages.


I am in a similar situation like OP and doing 30-35k miles / annum. Just bought an e90 with 30k miles and it came at a premium price. Plan was to keep it for two years and sell it when its on 90-99k.

However after reading the thread above.... I am intrigued and would like to hear more as what went wrong....

[Digitalize]

Okay, I've owned mine 3 years, in that time it's had.

Rear camber arms seized
Track rod ends seized
Coilovers due to rear shocks weeping
Clutch and Flywheel because clutch release bearing died
Propshaft centre bearing support fell apart
Thermostats died
Alternator Clutch whined
MULF died
Leather wore through on gearstick
Secondary water pump failed
Condensation sensor failed
Air quality sensor failed
2 glow plugs failed

That's all I can think of, obviously servicing and the like but other than changing the clutch and flywheel which wasn't necessary as they looked fine just the bearing had gone nothing has been expensive that wasn't my own choice.

It's a 2006 320D M47N2. There's no reason to be worried about high mileage cars, you just have to treat them as such, and be aware that some things that aren't really consumables will be at the end of their life such as most rubber things, and 'lifetime' fluids. Most of the problems on my car I see people mention on cars half the mileage, so it's either time related or my cars had them for ages.

[abeardo83]

Originally Posted by Digitalize

Okay, I've owned mine 3 years, in that time it's had.

Rear camber arms seized
Track rod ends seized
Coilovers due to rear shocks weeping
Clutch and Flywheel because clutch release bearing died
Propshaft centre bearing support fell apart
Thermostats died
Alternator Clutch whined
MULF died
Leather wore through on gearstick
Secondary water pump failed
Condensation sensor failed
Air quality sensor failed
2 glow plugs failed

That's all I can think of, obviously servicing and the like but other than changing the clutch and flywheel which wasn't necessary as they looked fine just the bearing had gone nothing has been expensive that wasn't my own choice.

It's a 2006 320D M47N2. There's no reason to be worried about high mileage cars, you just have to treat them as such, and be aware that some things that aren't really consumables will be at the end of their life such as most rubber things, and 'lifetime' fluids. Most of the problems on my car I see people mention on cars half the mileage, so it's either time related or my cars had them for ages.

That's pretty good for a car with that many miles.

I think it's like you say - you buy a higher mileage car, then you have to be prepared for the fact that certain things will need replacing - moving parts all have a lifespan, right?

The money you save on buying a higher mileage car, put some of it away for repairs.

You would hope though, the by the time you get to higher mileages,. the common faults will have either happened and been remediated, or won;t happen to your car.

[Jeff123]

Just buy the best one for your budget and needs - then drive it and forget the mileage. Took my last 320d from 28k to 100k in 4.5 years. Kept it in good condition and got a decent trade-in value. However, the garage (non-franchise) retailed it with a £3k mark up and it sold in a few days.

IMO BM's seem to sell. E90's are great cars in many ways; built like a tank, fast, frugal, good looks, status etc...

Every so often I go through Auto Trader and look at what car I fancy next - I always seem to come back to the same type and model that I own now.

Mines on 71k now and the engine feels almost like new. Pity the bumpers aren't in the same condition!

[Ajerthan]

Bought a 118d around 9 months ago @ 140k

Now sitting at 165k
- 1 Major Service
- 1 Oil change (myself)
- New pads n disc fronts
- 4 new good year tyres

Issues:
- Turbo started to whine after first major service, but i've done 20k miles ever since and not a single hiccup.

- Flexi pipe is weak


In general car is healthy and it feels new, car is 09 plate with CIC. I actually enjoy it and its good on fuel.

[JJ0063]

2007 325d (M57)

Owned just under a year
Purchased on 168k, now on 181k

- New clutch/DMF
- 1 tyre
- 1 caliper
- PAS fluid change
- HVAC motor changed
- Windscreen replaced

Passed its MOT with no advisories in September too!

[bishbosh]

Owned my E91 2.0d for 4.5 years. Bought at 89k, now at 167k.

In that time it's had:
2 glow plugs
Glow controller
Front discs & pads
Rear pads
2 suspension bushings at the rear
Gearbox fluid changed at 125k miles
Battery at 130k
New DPF fitted at 145k
Engine temperature sensor at 160k miles

General maintenance has been regular oil changes, a couple of brake fluid changes. A new set of tyres.

Warranty work was to replace the crank, chain & guides @ 108k miles

Still on original turbo & clutch.

[F30Dan]

It does seem they will go on for a few hundred thousand if looked after correctly! Perhaps I should just keep mine!

[Wayne-G]

Interesting thread, I've been debating a newer/different vehicle, possibly 330D or an F30 320D and wondered what other people do who rack up a lot of miles.
I do around 20/25k miles per year. Quite impressed how my Lci E91 318d is holding up at the minute though.

Purchased with 73k now on 130k. Owned for 2.5 years

General maintenance, 4 dealer services, Discs + Pads, Brake Fluid, Tyres.
Aux belt replaced under warranty.
New Flexi pipe welded on.
Halo bulb blew (Replaced with LED's)
Rear outer left LED brake light failed (Replaced with second hand unit)
Shocks are weeping (Haven't replaced yet)
Rear wiper has seized (Yet to fix, new motor and spindle greased)
Gear knob is very worn.

Still on original clutch + turbo

[Sukh Singh]

I've had mine for a year this October

brought at 82k now on 112K

-replaced MV4 alloys for AG359 due to cracks along with a set of goodyear tyres

-oil service

-going to replace rear shocks.

been ok maintenance wise really I tent to do 25-30k a year.

I have looked at leasing but for my personal situation its more cost effective to claim my mileage against my tax bill.

Will be change the car soon for 4dr equivalent or possibly a 335d just to make things easier with our 10 month old.

I personally think changing the car more often when doing high miles is the way forward...looking at the prices on auto trader a lower mileage car will always command a premium over higher ones(similar ages spec etc). If your buying with high miles in the first place you shouldn't loose to much money on it as you would have brought it for less in the first place.

[hp88]

Bought mine in June last year with around 60K on car, currently sitting on 102K. Other than paying for general servicing, tyres and brake pads/disk I haven't had any major expenses. Just need to keep in mind your turbo, clutch or DPF might need some attention once your past the 100K mark although we have got an E46 320cd in the house which is still running strong on the original turbo and clutch at 202K miles.

[abeardo83]

Originally Posted by hp88

Bought mine in June last year with around 60K on car, currently sitting on 102K. Other than paying for general servicing, tyres and brake pads/disk I haven't had any major expenses. Just need to keep in mind your turbo, clutch or DPF might need some attention once your past the 100K mark although we have got an E46 320cd in the house which is still running strong on the original turbo and clutch at 202K miles.

Weird how it works out at times isn't it?
Don't want to tempt fate, but my other half's 325d is on 165k and has original turbo and clutch. Only things swapped out have been all 4 shocks. Just hope my M3 lasts like that! Price of ///M-parts scares me!

[Digitalize]

As far as I know mines on original turbo still, no records to say otherwise. Kicks out a fair bit of soot after a motorway stint but only really noticeable at night for me at least. Uses about 1L of oil every 10k which is when I change the oil anyway.

[qa15ar]

my 325d is on 235k bought at 93k. Owned for almost 5 years.

- oil service every 12k
- replaced front discs and pads
- replaced rear shocks
- replaced thermostats
- replaced front anti roll bars
- replaced one rear suspension arm which snapped
- replaced anti roll bar bushings
- replaced front top mounts and front shocks
- replaced DMF and clutch

been a good motor to me dont want to part from it no squeaks and rattles over our bumpy worn out roads and will keep it running.

[Soul_Glo]

115K miles here and still drives like new. A lot of family and friends who drive it are shocked that it drives better than their 16/66 plates or just as good.

Issues addressed under warranty (the warranty is worth it's weight in gold):
- New DME due to water ingress
- Valve cover gasket
- The infamous ticking sound
- Passenger side seat belt butler
- Oil condition sensor
- Oil pressure switch
- Leaking rear main seal
- Leaking gearbox seal

To me this looks like what any other car may experience come 60k miles and it makes me believe that the manufacturers warranty and service intervals are designed to get you up to 50k... after that there are a lot of items not included in the maintenance schedule that should be! They want people coming back... panicking and buying new... 100k is hardly a scratch on the car. My friend brought an E92 with 240k miles... full service history and it drives like new.

Right now I am toying with the idea of a new car... but the amount of money I have put into this... I cannot be bothered to modify another car... so it better be good out the box! It is hard finding the right spec. but I am in no rush.