High Mileage

[dublinred]

Hi all,
This is my first message. I am considering buying a 316 1.8L 2004 for €14K. The mileage is 111k which is scaring me a little. I am terrified that I'll get the bimmer that will cost me a fortune in new expensive parts - should I run a mile or how long should I expect to get from a car of this mileage?? All help greatly received - thanks.
DR

[witeshark]

It really depends on how the car has been serviced. Do you have access to service records? Also, a 316 should be a 1.6L. If the car has a 1.8, an engine change may have happened.

[dublinred]

Oh, does the 316 not come in a 1.8L?/
I'll have to check the service records. How oftern should it be serviced?

[witeshark]

The car model name indicates the engine. If it has a 1.8, it should be called 318, or 318i. Service for oil should be around every 3000 miles, maybe more on newer engines. after 100,000 miles, the timing chain and tensioner may need service. Have you heard the engine running?

[drz]

Your car has a 1.8 liter engine. The earlier 316 had a 1.6, which is where the confusion comes in. The early 318 had a 1.9, and the later had a 2.0.

The mileage is not that bad, but if you are not in a rush, you may want to check around and find a car that has gone through less for the same money.

I don't know what the pre-owned pricing is like there, so €14K sounds like a lot to me

At around 100k, you may want to see if/when the radiator was changed, as well as other cooling system components.

[dublinred]

Thanks for the info. A colleague is selling the car so I'll have a chat with him about service issues. I've always wanted a bimmer and I'd hate to see a good opportunity slip through my fingers.