Problems to look for around 200k miles...

[TheFutt]

There's a 92 325is in the DC area (dealer) going for just under $4000. It has 203k miles on it, and he said the reason the price was low was because somebody tried breaking into the car a few days ago (who breaks into a car on a dealer lot?) and now the lock mechanism is screwed up on both doors. I didn't think that sounded like a big deal...maybe a few hundred to fix, but what I am worried about is that he said the check engine light is on. Any ideas about what the problem could be? Also a buddy of mine said that you can take the car to a BMW dealer and they can hook it up to the computer to find out exactly what's wrong. Any truth to that or what?

Thanks in advance.

[thekid]

Yes, if the check engine light is on then the dealership can find out exactly what is wrong with it, that causes the light to come one. The new keys and cylinders will cost you a lot, $250-$400. Besides that it all depends on what kind of maintiance has been done to the car. If everything has been done by or almost to the books, then the car should be great for at least another 50k-100k miles. However, I would look for a lower miliage car if you know you will be on a budget. At that age and milage you might have to replace every rubber piece of the car. IMO I would look for a different car. But if you will have some money left over and can pay an addition 2k over the next year that I wouldn't worry about it. 2k is just an estimate for a saftey net so that this car woulnd't break you if it had not been taken care of. BUt I would definately talk the guy down also if I was really going to try and get this car.

[Fadec40]

Even though a BMW will last and last, I would opt for lower mileage.

Just my preference!

[komodo]

Yeah, when I got my car with a bit over 100k on it, I had to immediately put it into the shop for about $1,200 worth of repairs.

Just make sure you get a pre-purchase inspection first.

[vwk]

It depends on the historic of the car.
My car has 275K kilometers on it and has absolutely no other problems or significant more expensive repairs then any other.

It's even cheaper then my dad's Seat

[komodo]

I guess it's the luck of the draw. Most BMWs have very few serious problems, but occasionally you hear about someone going through hell and back again with their car.

If you get it checked out first and do your preventive maintenance, you can greatly lower the risk of anything major happening.

[nycbmw325is]

Run away from that car man. That price is waaaaayyy too high fopr a car with ripped out lock cylinders and a check engine light. I dont care how well someone says a car is taken care of 200K is 200K and this is a dealer so you know you are already paying top dollar to start with. Without a complete service history, and I mean COMPLETE, you are looking at a huge potential money pit. I would look at a car with about half that milage for the same money privately.

[nycbmw325is]

Run away from that car man. That price is waaaaayyy too high fopr a car with ripped out lock cylinders and a check engine light. I dont care how well someone says a car is taken care of 200K is 200K and this is a dealer so you know you are already paying top dollar to start with. Without a complete service history, and I mean COMPLETE, you are looking at a huge potential money pit. I would look at a car with about half that milage for the same money privately.

[Dinan 95]

Personally I would avoid it
A car with that many miles on it has too many If's
BMW makes a great car, but if ti wasn't maintained properly then its going to be a money pit.

[BMWBeauty416]

you might be ok with it but I'm sure there is another out there were you can get more for your money

~*Teg*~

[cnd-325i]

I purchased my 325i in March for $4000, in Mclean VA. It had 124,000 miles on it and had just been serviced with a new radiator and water pump. It took about a month of hard looking to find it.

[bigred318]

i would say find one with a wee bit lower milages! 200000 for a car you are just starting to own IS HIGH AS HELL

David