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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > Crazy to consider a 328i E93 with 140k miles?



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      10-03-2022, 04:03 PM   #1
jbailey895
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Crazy to consider a 328i E93 with 140k miles?

I've found several good threads on members with super-high mileage cars. Inspirational, but I have typical tried to buy low-mileage used cars for both resale value and (hopefully) reliability.
I found a car in a neighboring state with pretty much all my wants (E93, N52, 6MT, Msport) but its at a used car lot (ugh) and has 140k miles.
The carfax shows about 4 prior owners and minimal repairs (1 accident a few years ago, but clean title.) No info re VCG or OFG's.

Am I nutz? What else should I be wary of? The car is reasonably priced because of the miles, so if I have to do some hoses and belts or gaskets, I can live with that, but should I assume the suspension and most rubber is shot at this point? It is a 2011, so newer than some of the others I've looked at with a third of the miles.

TIA for any suggestions.
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      10-03-2022, 04:08 PM   #2
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First off, jealous that you live in San Diego. Best city on earth lol.

I wouldn't be overly concerned about the mileage if the price is right, but it will need maintenance and probably a good bit of it. I would highly recommend a PPI if you're interested in the car.

N52's, as you know, are reliable but these cars seem to have a "lifespan" of about 75-90k on many of the components, meaning a well maintained 100k mile car will be very refreshed but if someone has been putting stuff off, it will likely need a bit of work.

Things it will likely need catching up on are:
- Shocks/struts
- Control arms
- VCG
- OFHG
- RMS
- Then just the usual stuff any car would be due for, like oxygen sensors, all fluids replaced, etc.

If the car checks out well and the price is right, buy with confidence.
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      10-03-2022, 04:24 PM   #3
jbailey895
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Thanks for the info. I agree that some of this stuff must have been for the car to keep running at 140k, but how much I might not know from a casual inspection. I drove an '09 328 auto this weekend and was underwhelmed by the engine, but optimistic it could be fun with a stick.
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      10-03-2022, 08:37 PM   #4
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If it checks out okay I wouldn't worry, n52 is rock solid as is the whole platform
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      10-04-2022, 12:12 AM   #5
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jbailey895 What is the price? That's the deciding factor. If priced right, and YOU can do most of the work mentioned above, go for it! If priced high, and you'll need to pay someone to do that work... maybe wait for the right car. Of all the potential maintenance, oil pan gasket is the only really tough one IMHO. Maybe you'll get lucky and see that documented in a Carfax! The rest of the jobs are easy, and sorta' fun to me. You don't need to worry about auto trans, so that's a huge plus!
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      10-04-2022, 12:35 AM   #6
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Reasonable price at 140k seems fine, as long as it hasn’t been beat to ground.
You should also be looking at the condition of the top mechanism.
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      10-04-2022, 05:51 AM   #7
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I'm one of those high mileage owners you mentioned. Keep in mind that I'm an original owner and DIY everything except tire mountings, alignments and AC work (because I didn't invest in those tools). And I know how to correctly maintain a BMW; I've owned one or more of them since 1989.

At 140,000, the N52 can be on its original trifecta of gaskets that leak oil, so expect to have to do those. The N52 can also be on all of its original cooling system components, some that will probably need replacement. And it can be sitting on its original suspension, which may need refreshing.

The car you are considering is a used car with multiple owners, on a used car lot. It's on a used car lot because it was traded in and auctioned recently. It was gotten rid of because the owner didn't want to invest in the necessary maintenance it needs. All fine if you go in knowing that it needs maintenance and are prepared to pay for the repairs or DIY the repairs.

As serf27 said, the top. The unknown with any E93 is the condition of the hard top mechanism. That is the problem with any older, used convertible with a powered top. I recently bought a new SUV, an adder to my fleet of five. One car had to go. I had a 2005 135,000-mile E46 330i Cabrio and my 2006 400,000-mile E90. The E46 was in very good condition, the previous owner was a friend and owned the car for 10 years, so I was very familiar with the car's condition. When my new SUV finally arrived, guess which 3er I kept...

Convertible tops always need repair. It's and added expense on top of the normal E9X stuff. No way you buy that car sight unseen and without a PPI by a BMW dealership. My 2 cents.

Last edited by Efthreeoh; 10-04-2022 at 07:10 AM..
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      10-04-2022, 08:25 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whyzee125 View Post
First off, jealous that you live in San Diego. Best city on earth lol.

I wouldn't be overly concerned about the mileage if the price is right, but it will need maintenance and probably a good bit of it. I would highly recommend a PPI if you're interested in the car.

N52's, as you know, are reliable but these cars seem to have a "lifespan" of about 75-90k on many of the components, meaning a well maintained 100k mile car will be very refreshed but if someone has been putting stuff off, it will likely need a bit of work.

Things it will likely need catching up on are:
- Shocks/struts
- Control arms
- VCG
- OFHG
- RMS
- Then just the usual stuff any car would be due for, like oxygen sensors, all fluids replaced, etc.

If the car checks out well and the price is right, buy with confidence.
I just inherited my sisters 2006 E90 with 129k miles and addressed every item on this list except for RMS and oxygen sensors *sigh*

Parts and labor came out to about $3,000-and thats with a labor hook up

That car will have some issues that need to be addressed so get a PPI and know what you're getting yourself into.
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      10-04-2022, 09:21 AM   #9
jbailey895
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Thanks guys; I appreciate the input. The car is listed at 10 grand on the lot and it's about 6 hour drive each way.awaway. it is a 328i Msport E93 6MT. Every thing I want and very hard to find in the southwest. I'll try to find a good place to do a PPI if I go this weekend.
Thanks for the solid advice.
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      10-04-2022, 12:11 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbailey895 View Post
Thanks guys; I appreciate the input. The car is listed at 10 grand on the lot and it's about 6 hour drive each way.awaway. it is a 328i Msport E93 6MT. Every thing I want and very hard to find in the southwest. I'll try to find a good place to do a PPI if I go this weekend.
Thanks for the solid advice.
I paid 7,900usd for 6MT M-sport 330xi 119k miles in February 2 owner no accidents with four new bilstein b4 suspension/rear control arms, water pump/thermostat/radiator/expansion tank/coolant hoses, brakes/sensors, knock sensors, history of regular changes of all fluids (yes, transfer case too), fixes to electrical issues at the dealer, all recalls. Already spent quite a bit in pre-emptive maintenance parts and tools.

- CV Axle $440
- OEM Vanos solenoids $300
- Ignition Coils/Spark Plugs $150
- Power Steering reservoir kit/fluid $100
- Belt Service $100
- Engine mounts + bracket Bolts $200
- Starter kit. Haven't installed. $200
- Brake booster lines. $100
- Lower control arms $140
- Other fluids, filters, nuts, bolts, window regulator, random parts about $500

- Getting new tires this week. Probably pilot sports ($700-800 with alignment?).
- DISA Valve + PCV next year ($1000). Both work fine, thankfully.

140k miles should be around 7k... Lot fees really hit you.

Last edited by Suvorovo; 10-04-2022 at 02:31 PM..
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      10-04-2022, 02:52 PM   #11
jbailey895
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Yeah, I spoke with an indy garage in the area, kinda scared me off the higher miles. Might just have to wait for something to pop up.
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      10-04-2022, 03:28 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jbailey895 View Post
Yeah, I spoke with an indy garage in the area, kinda scared me off the higher miles. Might just have to wait for something to pop up.
It took me 4 months to find a 06 330 with decent maintenance history and receipts. They pop up, you just have to be ready to jump on it before the guy is hit with 5 other requests.
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      10-04-2022, 09:43 PM   #13
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Buy it.

140k is just getting broken in. X2 if it's been in a rust free climate.

Budget a few $k for the maintenance listed above, accept that the convertible top is a revolver with one bullet in the chamber, and enjoy the car.

It's preventative maintenance, not brick the car stuff. You have the luxury of time to patch things up as they come. Might be surprised that stuff just doesn't come up for repair for a long time.
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      10-05-2022, 12:41 PM   #14
jbailey895
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Haha, the enabler is always the most fun (and often the biggest source of regret.) It's just as easy to regret NOT doing something fun, tho'.
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      10-05-2022, 10:39 PM   #15
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Join BMWCCA, then call the President of the closest Club Chapter and ask if someone in the club could at least lay eyes on the car. 6+6=12 hours. My way is much better.
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