[cbc03]

This car popped up for sale local to me and I'm going to take a look at it soon. Asking price is $21k. It has the following:

-2014 335i Xdrive with a 6 speed
-Gray on black
-129k miles
-Cold Weather package
-M Sport package
-Lighting package
-Navigation

Through pictures it looks to be in pretty good shape. Carfax shows one minor accident. Maintenance history is practically non existent. Shows 3 owners but 3rd owner of the used car dealer that's selling it now.

I know usually stuff starts going wrong close to the 100k mile range. Is it safe to assume if there's no SES lights that most of the big items have been taken care of?

Also I currently own a 2013 335i e92 with an N55. It's in pretty mint shape with only 74k miles. White on red, M Sport, cold weather, etc. I will most likely sell my car after purchasing this F30 but looking at the market, I'm pretty sure I would only be able to get around $18k for mine if I'm lucky.

Are F30 chassis cars more expensive in general? Or is this car priced way too high for what it is?

[Wires]

Cannot comment on this car specifically, but what I can say is due to that whole supply chain shortage, used car prices are INSANELY higher than they were a year ago. Up where I am, a 5 year old Honda Civic was $15k a year ago, now it's closer to $20k. Basically reaching the point buying new makes more sense.

[quakerroatmeal]

If you'd look on the market on used vehicle prices everything has gone up. You could sell yours at a good high price but also will be buying at a high price. That car listed is a little high but it is also area dependent. I searched my area and it's listed anywhere from 20-25 with a little lower mileage.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by cbc03

This car popped up for sale local to me and I'm going to take a look at it soon. Asking price is $21k. It has the following:

-2014 335i Xdrive with a 6 speed
-Gray on black
-129k miles
-Cold Weather package
-M Sport package
-Lighting package
-Navigation

Through pictures it looks to be in pretty good shape. Carfax shows one minor accident. Maintenance history is practically non existent. Shows 3 owners but 3rd owner of the used car dealer that's selling it now.

I know usually stuff starts going wrong close to the 100k mile range. Is it safe to assume if there's no SES lights that most of the big items have been taken care of?

Also I currently own a 2013 335i e92 with an N55. It's in pretty mint shape with only 74k miles. White on red, M Sport, cold weather, etc. I will most likely sell my car after purchasing this F30 but looking at the market, I'm pretty sure I would only be able to get around $18k for mine if I'm lucky.

Are F30 chassis cars more expensive in general? Or is this car priced way too high for what it is?

With 130k miles and no maintenance history you are taking a big risk. BMW's don't live long unless they are properly maintained throughout their life

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by cbc03

Also I currently own a 2013 335i e92 with an N55. It's in pretty mint shape with only 74k miles. White on red, M Sport, cold weather, etc.

That's a sweet car you own. If nothing is wrong with it, I would recommend keeping it until the market cools off. $21k for a pretty routine BMW with 129k miles is too much $.

[cbc03]

Originally Posted by adhrp

That's a sweet car you own. If nothing is wrong with it, I would recommend keeping it until the market cools off. $21k for a pretty routine BMW with 129k miles is too much $.

I would keep it but unfortunately need something with 4 doors. I currently daily an e53 but that's also on its way out. Figured I should just sell both cars and get a sedan

[Solidjake]

Without maintenance records I would be ready to toss a decent amount in for repairs off the bat; shocks/struts/mounts, control arms/bushings, spark plugs, drive belt, tensioner, possible cooling system parts, fluids, etc

[cbc03]

Originally Posted by Solidjake

Without maintenance records I would be ready to toss a decent amount in for repairs off the bat; shocks/struts/mounts, control arms/bushings, spark plugs, drive belt, tensioner, possible cooling system parts, fluids, etc

Yeah that's what I'm a bit afraid of. The other option would be to get a newer 340i but that would mean getting myself into a monthly car payment again. Newer 340s are around $35-40k in my area. Unfortunately even the 2018s are coming up on their last year of being considered for CPO warranty. So that would also require some saved up cash for maintenance.

In your opinion, assuming this car would require a few thousands in maintenance, would $16k be a decent price or still too high/risky? Should note that I am an experienced DIYer. Have done jobs as simple as brakes and tougher jobs like engine swaps. So my cost for maintenance will mostly be cost of parts

[johnung]

Originally Posted by cbc03

Yeah that's what I'm a bit afraid of. The other option would be to get a newer 340i but that would mean getting myself into a monthly car payment again. Newer 340s are around $35-40k in my area. Unfortunately even the 2018s are coming up on their last year of being considered for CPO warranty. So that would also require some saved up cash for maintenance.

In your opinion, assuming this car would require a few thousands in maintenance, would $16k be a decent price or still too high/risky? Should note that I am an experienced DIYer. Have done jobs as simple as brakes and tougher jobs like engine swaps. So my cost for maintenance will mostly be cost of parts

Since you are a DIYer that makes it less risky financially. F30 with N55 has good reliability and issues are known and can be proactively swapped out.

Is the build date after July 2013, making it an N55 EWG? Electronic Wastegate. That would be a plus.. larger turbo, larger downpipe, more reliable.

If you can find a catastrophe warranty maybe with a $1,000 or more deductible, that would greatly reduce your risk of losing an entire engine or transmission to someone having beaten on it in the past. Get a Blackstone oil analysis right away to give you clues as to its history.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by adhrp

That's a sweet car you own. If nothing is wrong with it, I would recommend keeping it until the market cools off. $21k for a pretty routine BMW with 129k miles is too much $.

^^^This.

You have the last year of one of the best BMWs ever made with relatively low miles. And, you know its history.

I'd drive it for another year or two until the used car market cools off. In the meantime, hunt for an F3x that is lower miles with a documented maintenance record and one owner if possible. Be patient. They are out there.

[cbc03]

Originally Posted by johnung

Since you are a DIYer that makes it less risky financially. F30 with N55 has good reliability and issues are known and can be proactively swapped out.

Is the build date after July 2013, making it an N55 EWG? Electronic Wastegate. That would be a plus.. larger turbo, larger downpipe, more reliable.

If you can find a catastrophe warranty maybe with a $1,000 or more deductible, that would greatly reduce your risk of losing an entire engine or transmission to someone having beaten on it in the past. Get a Blackstone oil analysis right away to give you clues as to its history.

Build date is 08/02/2013 . Everything looks to be stock and the one thing that has been done recently was the valve cover gasket. I did the same job on my e92 n55 not long ago and it was a pain in the ass so that's a bit of relief. As long as the job was done correctly at least.

Wish I could do an oil analysis before purchasing but that's out of the question. This may be a gamble but if they are willing to let it go for around 16k I might do it.

[cbc03]

Update:

Looked at the car. Was very clean inside and out. Noticed some issues though. I pulled the following codes using my MHD adapter. I also noticed the battery had been replaced with an insanely tiny battery size. Definitely not the proper replacement.

I offered them $16.5k, countered at $18, I countered that with $17k final offer. They didn't want to budge from $18k. I ended up walking away. I already felt $17k was a bit high factoring in the engine codes and incorrect battery but i was willing to work with it. $18k is beyond what I'm comfortable paying for a high mileage 335i. Oh well. Would've been a fun sedan.

[F30lolz]

Looks like you dodged a bullet. Others will pop up so happy hunting.