[as400]

At 122K the car is running a dream on my 150 mile round commute which is 90% motorway.

Steady Eddy driving nice cruise the car is returning nearly 50mpg.

No reason to get rid of it especially as I'd probably only get £2.5K trade in so things that I can expect to go wrong?...worth replacing now?

I'm thinking clutch/flywheel.....would rather get it booked in on a day off than for it to break on the M3 at 05:30 and what about the turbo?...how long do they go on for?...worth swapping it for a new/reconditioned one?

Its a Highline model and was a bit 'up in the air' upon purchase so a couple of years ago I swapped the springs for some Eibachs which reduced that wheel arch gap but having driven a new 3 series recently while it was in for a recall I'm thinking now it needs a new set of dampers....after 122K the originals are ok and doing their job but maybe I would appreciate some new ones?

So would all this expenditure (about £3-4K) be money well spent if I'm going to hang on to the car for a few more years or should I just wait for things to break then fix them?

[Silver Streek]

If you are doing motorway miles and the car is running like a dream, then just keep it well maintained. No reason it should need a new turbo or clutch untill you start seeing symptoms. Keep the oil changes to 10k max mile's and it should be fine. If you feel the shocks are past their best them maybe get some Bilsteins fitted to match the springs.

Is it M57 of N57? If it's N57 maybe get the swirl flaps removed as preventative maintenance, if it's an M57 then happy days they don't have swirl flaps.

The main thing as with all cars is keep up with the servicing and it should do many miles of good service for you.

[nick46]

M57 will need swirl flaps removing, not N57.

[Silver Streek]

Originally Posted by nick46

M57 will need swirl flaps removing, not N57.

On the 330d maybe but the OP has a 325d these do not have swirl flaps in M57 form.

[as400]

Thanks for the comments...not sure which variation engine I have...VIN code is WBAWD32050PM69506 any ideas which this is and if it has swirl flaps?...

[Silver Streek]

A quick look on realoem.com shows you have the M57N2 engine. I looked up the intake manifold and you have the "without flap control" version which means you have no swirl flaps to worry about. That's one of the reasons I bought the M57 325d. They are less prone to timing chain issues too. As long as it's looked after that is.

[nick46]

Originally Posted by Silver Streek

On the 330d maybe but the OP has a 325d these do not have swirl flaps in M57 form.

Well you learn something new every day

[rasa bmw]

i wouldnt worry about clutch or turbo,,they are good if kept in good condition,,ie oil chages,,,and for the clutch,,no burn outs and keep in correct gear,,dont get lazy,,like putting foot down in 6th at say 50 mph