Is 120,000 miles too much for a BMW?

[dmako]

Is 120,000 miles too much for a BMW?

Round two of deal no deal, looking for opinions from BMW guru's.
Lost round one, 1997 528i, $13,500.

Round two. Have a line on a 1999 528i black, sports package.

"$12,995, Black, 4 dr, 5 spd std, 6 cyl, ABS, air bags, air, alarm, all power, alloy wheels,

am/fm cass, cruise, fully loaded, leath int, pb, ps, pw, sunroof, tilt, traction control"

120,000 miles.

Havn't seen yet plan on taking a look this weekend but 120,000 miles! few, seems like a lot.

Comments from experienced owners?

As always, thanks!

 

[Kirby]

I have not looked at any 5ers personally, but I have seen used ones advertised in my area. For the years you mention, the prices here are lower and have less miles.

 

[slickbrave]

The miles wouldn't scare me, but the price seems high.

 

[Kirby]

The 528 (to my knowlege) uses the same inline 6 as the 3 series such as the 328, so many/all of the standard engine maintenance issues from a 3er probably apply:
- radiator neck cracks
- water pump
- fan clutch
- O2 sensors

FWIW, there is a 99 528 with 150K miles in my area for $7500. Your price seems way high.

 

[adrean8j]

I have a 523i(basically same engine as a 528i-can be tuned to same level...not available in the states but same problems apply).....Havent had any of those things listed go bad as of yet and i have 153,000km on my car.....Known problems that i personally have had with the M52tu engine(better to use the engine type than the car type when talking about known problems with "engine")

1. Cold Start Issues - A problem with the Dual-VANOS rubber rings...they go bad and they aret sold separetly(VANOS cost me around 350euros)

2. ABS Computer - these go bad but it isnt a "trend" but it happened to me and i felt i should mention it(cost me around 500euros)

3. At that many kilometers the shocks and springs should be replaced. My car needed it at around 110, 000km

4. Pixel Dropout in the Onboard Computer and Kilometer/Miles reading......happens to most Bimmers from around the '99 time frame and back....not to sure about models post '99.

That is the short list of major things.....everything else should be fine with routine(or at least semi-routine) maintenance.

Oh and I am in Germany and $13,500(10, 678euro) is high.....you can get at least a '99 for that much.....

 

[dmako]

I guess my message was a confusing. The new 528i I am looking into is a 1999 with 120,000 miles.

Thanks

 

[adrean8j]

I guess my message was a confusing. The new 528i I am looking into is a 1999 with 120,000 miles.

Thanks

Same issues apply....from '96-'99 all 5er models had a M52 engine inside......'00-'03 had an M54 engine inside.....

 

[535iracer]

120000 miles should be just fine. BMWs are made a lot better than a lot of other cars so as long as it was well maintained it should be good to go up to probably 300K

 

[bmw046series]

Speaking of high miles I know a guy that has a "late-model" GMC Sierra pick-up that has 303,000 miles on the clock, and the only problem is changing the oil, amazing how some vehicles last longer than others, and i don't mean brands I mean ever so often you see a vehicle with high miles while other cars that were made right next to it in the assemble line gave it up a long time ago.

 

[shadymilkman]

I have a '98 528. The engine itself will last forever (I also have a '91 735 with over 215k on it and it starts like new). If it hasn't already, the radiator neck (as mentioned) tends to fail; along with the O2 Sensors. I have a little over 100k on mine and the engine runs great; however, my radiator neck did recently break and I'm seeing some rather troublesome electrical issues involving door locks, lights, radio, etc.

Mechanically speaking however, the car still drives perfectly. I wouldnt necessarily recommend buying a 5 with 120k on it for 12; but if it's what you're looking for, as long as it's been kept in decent condition, it'll be fine.