[danperson1]

Hey guys,

Looking at a 2014 328i GT sportline with 130k miles for a great deal ($13k).

It looks to be in great shape from the pictures but I am nervous about the high miles. Carfax looks good with regular servicing and it is a 1 owner vehicle. Passed BMW inspection.

Question is, would you consider buying an f34 with such high miles? What should I look out for maintenance / repair wise?

Would love to join the club as I feel like these cars are super versatile and cool looking.

[Animal Farm]

I wouldn’t do it.

A quick search online (car guru) populated many better options with far less miles. Your budget is a little tight, I would suggest at least 20k to get a descent car/value. If you’re planning on taking out a loan 6-7K more over 5 years would Increase your monthly payment by $100. If you were to figure out your annual maintenance cost on a high mileage vehicle you would probably come out ahead taking the higher payment.

If the budget can’t be increased then you should probably look at a more economical car.


https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=221276117

[Billfitz]

I'd be very concerned about the timing chain. Do a search on it and so will you.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by danperson1

Hey guys,

Looking at a 2014 328i GT sportline with 130k miles for a great deal ($13k).

It looks to be in great shape from the pictures but I am nervous about the high miles. Carfax looks good with regular servicing and it is a 1 owner vehicle. Passed BMW inspection.

Question is, would you consider buying an f34 with such high miles? What should I look out for maintenance / repair wise?

Would love to join the club as I feel like these cars are super versatile and cool looking.

I would use the timing chain as an excuse and try to "steal it from them."

Is the interior and exterior MINT? If not, see ya later. If the car is super clean and you can steal it... might not be a bad idea. Could end up running to 200k without major issue or timing chain could pop next month. Still great cars for the money.

Brand new engines can be had for $5k... so use that as a basis for worst case scenario. New engine for maybe $8k installed or there abouts.... again - is the car MINT or not? You need to determine whether or not its worth putting money into if needed. If its a roach then see ya later.

[sspade]

For the record... if and when my engine takes a dump (before I can replace chains), Ill be going for something like this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2015-BMW-32...53.m1438.l2649


Under $3k delivered to a shop of your choice.... Im sure there are indy's all over the country who would swap for $2k cash... $5k all in for a rebuilt motor... Not the WORST THING THAT COULD EVER HAPPEN.

People cause $5k in body damage just by being idiots all the time.

[danperson1]

Here is the car in question

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...2534/overview/

Originally Posted by sspade

I would use the timing chain as an excuse and try to "steal it from them."

Is the interior and exterior MINT? If not, see ya later. If the car is super clean and you can steal it... might not be a bad idea. Could end up running to 200k without major issue or timing chain could pop next month. Still great cars for the money.

Brand new engines can be had for $5k... so use that as a basis for worst case scenario. New engine for maybe $8k installed or there abouts.... again - is the car MINT or not? You need to determine whether or not its worth putting money into if needed. If its a roach then see ya later.

[danperson1]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I'd be very concerned about the timing chain. Do a search on it and so will you.

I was under the impression the timing chain issues were mostly worked out by 2014? Maybe not


BTW my budget is actually 20-25k but less is always nice.

Looking at gran coupe, gran turismo, X1, X3, or even X4. Really want a hatch in a bmw that is almost as fun to drive as my E92 was!

[sspade]

Originally Posted by danperson1

Here is the car in question

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...2534/overview/

VERY nice vehicle. Just searched the VIN and this has a lot of nice features and appears to be in great condition.

I would not outright run away... Maybe they would let it go for $12k and you can enjoy it and hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

Somone probably logged a lot of legit highway miles with their family in that thing (we hope).

You mentioned your budget was $20k or so - its EASY to find a sweet 3 series for that price but this is much much less for the "same" car. Kind of interesting.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by danperson1

I was under the impression the timing chain issues were mostly worked out by 2014? Maybe not


BTW my budget is actually 20-25k but less is always nice.

Looking at gran coupe, gran turismo, X1, X3, or even X4. Really want a hatch in a bmw that is almost as fun to drive as my E92 was!

Technically... timinig chain issues "potentially exist" up to MY2015.

[danperson1]

Thats kinda what I was thinking! The sales guy said the owner drove it all around for work and it was all highway miles. Good service history on the carfax as well.

I could get a decent 335i for around 20-25 for sure though, which would be sweet.

Although this plus a tune for 12k seems like a great deal. If the timing chain issues were still happening until 2015 though that is pretty scary...

Thanks for your thoughts.

Originally Posted by sspade

VERY nice vehicle. Just searched the VIN and this has a lot of nice features and appears to be in great condition.

I would not outright run away... Maybe they would let it go for $12k and you can enjoy it and hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

Somone probably logged a lot of legit highway miles with their family in that thing (we hope).

You mentioned your budget was $20k or so - its EASY to find a sweet 3 series for that price but this is much much less for the "same" car. Kind of interesting.

[danperson1]

Another interesting option...

Not our beloved f34 but this f25 (has DHP!) is cheap with the N55.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...1496/overview/

More high mileage roulette

[Billfitz]

Look for private sales, you're spending a lot more through a dealer.

[SkylineGT]

I got mine with 40k miles for 23k, my girlfriend got hers with 26k for 25k. Both 335 xdrive GT, mine is well equipped, hers is fully loaded, when I say fully, imagine checking every box for options except the 19inch wheels. Compare to yours, I'd say the 10k difference for 100k miles is worth it.

[danperson1]

Originally Posted by SkylineGT

I got mine with 40k miles for 23k, my girlfriend got hers with 26k for 25k. Both 335 xdrive GT, mine is well equipped, hers is fully loaded, when I say fully, imagine checking every box for options except the 19inch wheels. Compare to yours, I'd say the 10k difference for 100k miles is worth it.

You and your girlfriend both have GTs? that is awesome haha

I decided to pass on the 130k miles example. If it was a 35i I might have but it was a 28i and not even loaded.

I am going to hold out for a loaded 35i for around $20-25k with lower miles

[SkylineGT]

Originally Posted by danperson1

You and your girlfriend both have GTs? that is awesome haha

I decided to pass on the 130k miles example. If it was a 35i I might have but it was a 28i and not even loaded.

I am going to hold out for a loaded 35i for around $20-25k with lower miles

Dude that is weird, but the deal was very good, she liked the red interior and she think mainstream 4 cylinder turbo is too slow. Take your time and get your dream spec 335, they're amazing value for the money especially BMW has done so much with reliability issues in recent years.