Help on getting an E90

[sillycarx]

Hey Guys,I have been dreaming of getting my UDM, and I am finally ready to get my car. I have been car-pooling with my wife for the last 8 months, and now finally I can get my car. I have been looking around for a used (non-LCI) E90. I had a couple deals which fell through. I had found 2 good 07/08 320, but the seller eventually pulled out from the sale. So I found a 2005 325i, the mileage is normal at 80k. I've called up AB where the car has been regularly serviced even until now. The service record seems ok, with minor fixes here and there. The car is being sold by one of the AB SA who is doing on behalf of his client who wants to upgrade. So, he will be bring the car to my parents place in Ara Damansara this saturday. I would like to get one of you sifu to come help me check the car and see if the engine is smooth and everything is good. looking into things like the absorber brush, leaks, bearings and etc. Please PM me if you can help! We can go for TT after that! Can't wait till I finally get my UDM.I was planning to check they car out myself, looking at the interior, checking out the body, drive the car around to see if gears are transitioning smoothly, and that each gear has decent torque at 3-5k RPM without any sluggishness. This is where I need some help! Not very well-verse in BMW.... just been reading this forum.If it passes that test, I plan to take it to AB for an inspection, just to make sure all the sensors are working, and that the ECU isn't complaining about anything. And of course jack the car up, and look at the under-carriage to see if things are ok. Hopefully all is good, and I'll make my purchase!Thanks guys!

 

[Spaceman]

word of advice, all cars at 80K km require to change some important parts. go check with AB what are those that supposed to be changed or had been changed already. so you can figure out how much to spend after getting the car.

for instance, every 20-30k to change shock absorbers....if you want it driven like new.

just my 2 cts..

 

[danc]

Change shocks at 20-30K? That sounds too early, right?

 

[Schwepps]

Spaceman has a point because it's said that shocks are past their best after a year. So 20-30k is right if you want to be anal about your car's handling. Otherwise if I'm not mistaken, the rule of thumb is 100-120k.

Shocks are like tyres - their wear rate depends on how you drive, and the roads you drive on. But they're working all the time and the parts will get worn out, the oil will lose viscosity. Unlike tyres, you won't notice the degradation as it's gradual. The best thing to do is to go to a dealer with suspension diagnostic equipment and have your suspension checked occasionally.

sillycarx, you sound so keen! Spaceman has given you a good tip that 80k is when a lot of things need replacing. So don't only look at the service record, but look at the replacement record too. If there is none, be wary. Don't put too much faith in the fact that it's being sold by an AB SA - he just wants to sell a new car to his customer and make his quota. Replacing parts in a BMW that's not under warranty is very, very costly. So if you're unlucky, you can end up spending at a lot of money right away. Why don't you look at the pre-owned selections at all 3 dealers? They come with a 1 year warranty and so you wouldn't have to worry for the first year. Although the price may be higher, you may end up paying less in the end.

A BMW is a great car - take your time to find a good one. Good luck!

 

[sillycarx]

Hey, thanks for the advice. I've been looking for a list of things which needs replacement at 80k or even 100k. BUt the problem is that, I can't find the damn service maintenance manual for the E90. It would be great if someone could list out a list of things which needs to be "changed" at 80k. I call up a couple of mechanics, and he said that things which will need to get changed are like some of the hose, and he recommended changing all the major fluids of the car.

I saw the service record, and seems like the stuff which got changed are like Brakes pads, disc. He changed the alternator, couple of hose. The rest are just filters and engine oil.

 

[Schwepps]

You won't find such a list because condition is individual to each car. The E90 manual and service booklet say nothing. It's good that the brake pads, discs, alternator and some hoses have been changed. Seems normal for a 80k car.

You can expect the following to need changing between 80-120k in a NORMAL car (other forumers might add to it):
- Engine mounts
- Suspension bushes
- Wheel bearings
- Belts
- Battery
- All fluids, including ATF if you want
- Pumps (water, fuel, oil, steering)
- Critical sensors like O2, flywheel, gearbox
- Cat converters and other exhaust parts

Be aware that the cost of these parts in a BMW is 2-3 times that in a Jap or national car, and each repair visit will never be below 4 digits. You could ask the spares dept of a dealer for the cost of each part and add 30% for labour as a gauge.

BMW has a very good Premium pre-owned program where the cars are fixed up by them, and a 6 or 12 month warranty is given. Compare the cost of a direct purchase+maintenance versus the cost of a premium selection+12 month warranty. Saving RM20k in a direct purchase may be vapourous if you're unlucky. Not trying to discourage you, but just encouraging you to use your head rather than your heart when buying a pre-owned car.

 

[glock_8]

Shocks are like tyres - their wear rate depends on how you drive, and the roads you drive on. But they're working all the time and the parts will get worn out, the oil will lose viscosity. Unlike tyres, you won't notice the degradation as it's gradual. The best thing to do is to go to a dealer with suspension diagnostic equipment and have your suspension checked occasionally.

Bro schwepps, any help on which workshop that can do suspension bushing replacement?

 

[Schwepps]

Sorry glock, I don't know outside BMW mechs. I always go to the dealers.

 

[astroboy]

You won't find such a list because condition is individual to each car. The E90 manual and service booklet say nothing. It's good that the brake pads, discs, alternator and some hoses have been changed. Seems normal for a 80k car.

You can expect the following to need changing between 80-120k in a NORMAL car (other forumers might add to it):
- Engine mounts
- Suspension bushes
- Wheel bearings
- Belts
- Battery
- All fluids, including ATF if you want
- Pumps (water, fuel, oil, steering)
- Critical sensors like O2, flywheel, gearbox
- Cat converters and other exhaust parts

Be aware that the cost of these parts in a BMW is 2-3 times that in a Jap or national car, and each repair visit will never be below 4 digits. You could ask the spares dept of a dealer for the cost of each part and add 30% for labour as a gauge.

BMW has a very good Premium pre-owned program where the cars are fixed up by them, and a 6 or 12 month warranty is given. Compare the cost of a direct purchase+maintenance versus the cost of a premium selection+12 month warranty. Saving RM20k in a direct purchase may be vapourous if you're unlucky. Not trying to discourage you, but just encouraging you to use your head rather than your heart when buying a pre-owned car.

Haha.... best still if engine overhaul before like the old E36 which I bought decades ago that has 160k km on the odo.. and the mess around the head gasket caused by silicon sealer confirmed the owner is not lying..

U left out spark plugs, absorbers, brake pads, brake rotor and perhaps ignition coils, timing chain, flywheel seal and crank seal, longitude shaft coupling, wheel bearings ...

BMW Premium pre-own program I heard despite the few months limited warranty but when comes to claiming, SC will give "besok-lusa" excuses.. make sure u get it from a trusted sales agent because if anything wrong, u cucuk the agent is much more effective than cucuk the corporate giant..

 

[Schwepps]

U left out spark plugs, absorbers, brake pads, brake rotor and perhaps ignition coils, timing chain, flywheel seal and crank seal, longitude shaft coupling, wheel bearings ...

BMW Premium pre-own program I heard despite the few months limited warranty but when comes to claiming, SC will give "besok-lusa" excuses.. make sure u get it from a trusted sales agent because if anything wrong, u cucuk the agent is much more effective than cucuk the corporate giant..

1. Allo...are you being dyslexic now? Read what our friend and I said properly.
2. I don't think that's true. It's a warranty in writing from the dealer.

 

[sillycarx]

Hmm.... thanks for the advice. I have recently spotted another car. It is a 2007 July 320i. The mileage is 40k, and the owner is willing to let go at 168k. What do you think of this deal?

2007 July 320i ( Still has BSRI for 1 year, and about 1 month of warranty, with maybe another year of Goodwill warranty).
-> Not sure if it comes with SE.
-> 40k mileage
-> Serviced fully by Sapura Auto
-> Will have to check the service history from SA.
-> This car was bought used at 15k (after 1 year), so I'll be the 3rd owner.
-> Price is 168k

2005 325 CBU
-> 80k mileage
-> Comes with Auto cruise / full electric seats / roller blinds
-> extra 500cc of engine
-> CBU
-> This car is bought pre-registered from AB, so I'll be 3rd owner, but 1st owner is AB.
-> Price is 152k
-> Fully serviced by AB.
-> The engine was changed by AB 6 months after it was bought. Apparently, there the engine had some defect, and AB change the engine under the warranty ( so maybe the mileage on the new engine is just 70k )

=> Which do you think will be a better buy. Assuming my budget ~175k. The problem is that, I am in Penang, and there are just too few pre-owned cars in Penang. So every time I spot a car in KL, I have make a trip to KL ( my parent's place) to go take a look at the car. Which is really a pain!.

 

[Schwepps]

Both sound pretty good, but you have to see and test the cars to know more. 2007 with BSRI sounds a safer bet of course, but the 500cc +2 cylinders is enticing. Prices can be negotiated further in today's very soft used car market. The CBU sounds like it had the oil burn problem of the early units.

Why don't you make an appointment with the Premium Selection dept of all 3 dealers in KL and go check them out in one trip?

 

[astroboy]

My money is on the 325i. Let me know if your don't want.. poison a bit..

The 325i sounds like DY's car la.. Got Sprint Booster ka?

 

[Spaceman]

whoa 152k is really cheap for 325i.

didnt know my beloved E90 is dirt cheap nowadays...

 

[E46Fanatic]

Whats the reg plate of the 325i? Sounds like Macheet's car!

 

[astroboy]

I have a friend that wanted to buy Civic 2.0 for 130k, I'll ask this fella to screw the JDM if this 325 is in good condition!

Anyone else is selling?! E90, 4-pot? 6-pot? 8-pot?

 

[Schwepps]

The used car market is bad worldwide and is not expected to recover. The majority of our used cars are exported to less developed RHD countries, but many countries are now following the Singapore-invented "trade-in rebate or cash-back schemes" to boost car replacement. We've just adopted it, and so has the UK and other European countries. Now there's talk of the US considering it since GM has gone Chapter 11, Chrysler is now Italian-owned, and there are 10 million unsold cars in yards. China is also looking into it.

What it means is there is a huge overhang of RHD, and soon to be LHD, used cars flooding less developed countries. RM152k for a 2005 325i can be considered a good price going forward!

Be choosy and bargain like hell if you're buying a pre-owned car...

 

[sillycarx]

The 325 is a owned by some VIP. the Car plate is 6, but he is taking the number back. So I'll have to register a new number. So anyone here willing to help me check the car out? I'll definitely check with the AB, SA & IA for the premium used car section.

Thanks Schwepps, you've been really helpful!

From what I can tell from the service record, he seems to be following the service indicator religiously. Cause I see that he brings the car in at 63k for oil change, then 67k for micro-filter change. So seems like everytime the lights pop, he sends it in for a check up. the latest service had no complains. There was some noise complain on the service before that, and the rectification was change of the alternator.

 

[Schwepps]

My pleasure bro. I was young once and eager to get hold of my dreams. If only someone had given me some relevant tips, I could have avoided many mistakes along the way.

RM152 for a 6-pot 325i in good condition is a good buy, but bargain summore!

 

[racheltoh]

bargain sounds rude..Negotiate....ahahhaha j/k
sillycarx, u got 230k? i have a 325Msport ...