How much mileage is normal?

[Bishop]

I'm looking to buy a '99 E39 523i, with mileage of about 170K. Jusy wanted to check is that high or acceptable. That is about 28K km a year. Don't want an underused car too. Something Daredevil said on one of his post, about getting a older car about more than 5 years. Where most of the parts that have fail would have failed and replaced. Also I believe that at 140K km, that car should have went through a major service. So my question is, Is mileage a very important issue when buying an used car? And how much is the average mileage a year?

 

[Lionel_Koh]

For me the most important thing is how the previous owner threat his car. Either send his car for regular services n change all faulty parts. The mileage is not a big issue unless it going too high. At KL, if the owner travel 2-3K Km is consider normal. Check the service history for that car n possible sent the car to ur mech to have a check B4 commit it.

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Originally posted by Bishop@Apr 11 2005, 11:20 AM
I'm looking to buy a '99 E39 523i, with mileage of about 170K. Jusy wanted to check is that high or acceptable. That is about 28K km a year. Don't want an underused car too.

Something Daredevil said on one of his post, about getting a older car about more than 5 years. Where most of the parts that have fail would have failed and replaced. Also I believe that at 140K km, that car should have went through a major service.

So my question is, Is mileage a very important issue when buying an used car? And how much is the average mileage a year?

Exactly. If the car has been cared for by the owner and is regularly maintained by a specialist, then it doesn't really matter. Most people in the Klang Valley will probably clock about 35k-40k a year nowadays with all the commuting we do daily. Like Lionel said, get the car checked out before writing the cheque. E39s age really well so you can't really tell where the wrinkles are.

 

[erica34]

agree with wj that regular maintenance by specialist is key. preferably car has full service history, i.e. with record/receipts. mileage wise (imo), 30k per year is about average, 40k per year would be on the high side.

brgds

 

[JCKL]

My 99 523i now clocks 206k km, I've more or less changed most parts that would go wrong late last year & beginning of this year. So check on the service record will be a wise move.

Incidentally my friend bought a 99 523i last week & the ABS CU failed yesterday!

 

[Bishop]

Incidentally my friend bought a 99 523i last week & the ABS CU failed yesterday!

Where did he get it? From a dealer? No warranty?
Did your friend get it diagnose before he bought the car? Thought you should be able to detect it when you get it diagnose.....???

My 99 523i now clocks 206k km, I've more or less changed most parts that would go wrong late last year & beginning of this year. So check on the service record will be a wise move.

What were the parts that you changed? Then at least I can get those parts looked at before I purchase the car.

 

[JCKL]

Bishop

My friend did send the car to a BMW specialist before purchasing, and was diagnosed to be ok. Unfortunately, faulty electronic parts can only be detected when it's already faulty & not otherwise, unlike mechanical parts which can be inspected visually for wear & tear.

He bought the car from an owner, so no waranty whatsoever.


Major parts which I've changed recently:

1. AC compressor
2. Radiator + hose
3. ABS CU
4. Transmission CU (my fault, it normally won't fail unlike ABS CU)

A minor leak had been detected in the AC cooling system which will be another major repair in the near future.

 

[Bishop]

bmFIVE,

How much did that cost you??
What happened to your Transmission CU?

 

[JCKL]

Bishop

I don't have the exact figure, that's what I can remember off hand:

1. AC compressor - RM 3k+ (Original)
2. Radiator + hose - RM 1k+ (OEM)
3. ABS CU - RM 4k+ (Original)
4. Transmission CU (my fault, it normally won't fail unlike ABS CU) - RM 2k + (Used)

The transmission CU failed after I've done some welding to the exhaust tail pipe, so it was suspected that the "exhaust specilaist" didn't disconnect the battery properly.

 

[Daredevil]

Bishop, to make you feel better, I checked out a few 99 and 2000 E39s here in Aust. Most of them have clocked between 150-220ks. The condition is still mighty tip top. And Imy wife just bought another family size car here (a 1995 Mitsubishi Verada 3L V6) that has travelled only 160,000km. Condition is fabulous since the previous owner maintains it every 5,000kms (oil change and all).

So these car are built to last. Hope you find a great car....

 

[skycon]

Originally posted by bmFIVE@Apr 14 2005, 12:36 PM
I don't have the exact figure, that's what I can remember off hand:

1. AC compressor - RM 3k+ (Original)
2. Radiator + hose - RM 1k+ (OEM)
3. ABS CU - RM 4k+ (Original)
4. Transmission CU (my fault, it normally won't fail unlike ABS CU) - RM 2k + (Used)

, bro. U have a money tree growing at yr backyard ah ?

Did u get 2nd opinion elsewhere b4 u changed all those ?

 

[chaiks]

Originally posted by bmFIVE@Apr 14 2005, 12:36 PM
Bishop

I don't have the exact figure, that's what I can remember off hand:

1. AC compressor - RM 3k+ (Original)
2. Radiator + hose - RM 1k+ (OEM)
3. ABS CU - RM 4k+ (Original)
4. Transmission CU (my fault, it normally won't fail unlike ABS CU) - RM 2k + (Used)

The transmission CU failed after I've done some welding to the exhaust tail pipe, so it was suspected that the "exhaust specilaist" didn't disconnect the battery properly.

:blink: WWWWWWaaaaliaoh...eh. My mechanic is right to advise me to stay away from e39. He must really know I'm damn poor. :huh:

 

[Bishop]

Daredevil,

Bishop, to make you feel better, I checked out a few 99 and 2000 E39s here in Aust. Most of them have clocked between 150-220ks. The condition is still mighty tip top. And Imy wife just bought another family size car here (a 1995 Mitsubishi Verada 3L V6) that has travelled only 160,000km. Condition is fabulous since the previous owner maintains it every 5,000kms (oil change and all).

Thanks for the reassurence. The car seems to be in a good condition.

Now hope can get a good price.

 

[saat]

My opinion is that 20-25K KM/yr is a fair average.

The mileage on this a little on the high side.

Most 5er are great long distance tourers. There are more low mileage 3er than 5ers.

The rest are right in that it is the condition that is more important and FSH to show that it has been lovingly cared for.

 

[JCKL]

Originally posted by skycon+Apr 14 2005, 08:01 AM-->QUOTE (skycon @ Apr 14 2005, 08:01 AM)

 

[Daredevil]

See Bishop....what did I tell ya? Either get a 1-2 year old E39 or a 6 year old one.....hahaha.....both drives the same. Only a 1-2 year old will burn a deeper hole in your pocket.

 

[wirelessjunkie]

Bishop, I won't believe in mileage so much nowadays as there are lads armed with notebooks who resets the odometer. What you see is merely a guide. First you must like the car you see, then the next step is to get it accessed to see if the whole thing gels together.