Can I get another 50K miles out of this?

[bobbyp]

I'm looking to buy an 88 528e with 250K miles from my mechanic. He's had it for the last 200K using it as a loaner and for trips to the auction. It is well maintened (has all the records) and mechanically sound. It rides great. I trust the guy (I bought my M3 off him) but I just don't know if I can squeeze a few years out of it. I'm buying it for my daughter as her first car to drive to school and work. Am I nuts to think about a car with this many miles?

[Gofast]

I'd definitley say you're good for that long. If the car's been maintained and drives well, I bet you can easily go over 300K.

[MaloventEvil]

i'd stay away. even if one little thing goes wrong...well, you're in trouble.
its a gamble... you would be better off getting an older 5 series (like mine) you should be able to pick one up for < 6k and they last for well over the 300k mark.

-Aurash
:redspot

[GEN3RIC]

Wasnt there an article in teh back of Eurropean Car with a 400k + E34? Something like that. if itwas well maintained i would go for it.

[count_schemula]

I think the danger is that it would be your "daughter's first car." She probably will have no idea what to look out for or listen for, etc to help you keep the car maintained.

Much to her chagrin, go Toyota and be done with it.

[bmwe30is]

I would be mildly concerned with the car. E28's and E30's have similar problems, and for 20+ year old cars, they always have certain problems.

How is the suspension and electronics on the car? Everything functioning properly? If those are fine, then you've got a decent car.

Even though the motor can run for thousands miles more, I'd stick with something lower mileage especially if you want it as a commuter car for your daughter. I have no doubt in my mind that if the car has been maintained, it'll last longer than a few years. Just depending on how much preventative maitenance you want to perform on the car.

Like Count said, if something does go wrong, it might be a bit harder for you to figure out.

Maybe a decent E36 ?

[count_schemula]

Like Count said, if something does go wrong, it might be a bit harder for you to figure out.

I mostly mean that she may not be that good babying and feathering a car with that many miles. It's gonna talk to you and drop hints and she's prolly not going to pick those hints up until things break or she gets stranded or the car won't start.

A later model Japanese car is gonna be more hop in and go, which may be more what she's after. Not some car with a personality.

Also gas is $2 forever. She may appreciate high 20's mpg over low 20's.

Just my take on it. Best of luck.

[Jyep]

make sure you set aside an annual mntc budget........

[yosshimura]

What year is your M3? And you are thinking of putting YOUR daughter in a car with over 200K miles? Why don't you get her something decent vs a car with such high miles? :rolleyes:

[bähnstormer]

u can pick up a low maint SAFE saturn from like 95 for 3500 or so
i had one for my first car, 85,000 miles on it, learned stick
85hp to teh wheels, can't really get in trouble =]
not a single drop of oil

[525iT_Feen]

Wasnt there an article in teh back of Eurropean Car with a 400k + E34? Something like that. if itwas well maintained i would go for it.

Few months back.
Chasis had over 700k and the car had been through 2 or 3 motors.
If i remember correctly.

I think you would be in a different situation if you had owned the car from like 50-60k and now were curious if it could go further.

Problem here is that you will never know the history of the car, so you don't know what its been through.

[bobbyp]

I would be mildly concerned with the car. E28's and E30's have similar problems, and for 20+ year old cars, they always have certain problems.

How is the suspension and electronics on the car? Everything functioning properly? If those are fine, then you've got a decent car.

Even though the motor can run for thousands miles more, I'd stick with something lower mileage especially if you want it as a commuter car for your daughter. I have no doubt in my mind that if the car has been maintained, it'll last longer than a few years. Just depending on how much preventative maitenance you want to perform on the car.

Like Count said, if something does go wrong, it might be a bit harder for you to figure out.

Maybe a decent E36 ?

All the electronics work. I checked the computer display and it showed mpg, temp, etc... All the lights on the overhead display lit up OK. Air condition was very cold. Heater blew hot.

Now after reading all the replies I'm having second thoughts. Not about the car itself but that my 17 year old is driving it. She let my 95 lumina brakes wear down and ruined the rotors. That doesn't happen overnight.

Thanks everyone for their input.

[Gunslinger]

If I had to choose between my daughter and myself having a newer, more reliable car, I would choose her. (Actually, since she's 8, I'm spared this dilemma for a few years)

I had no trouble buying a 12 year old car with 92,000 miles for myself because I know cars - I've driven for 20+ years and can work on the car. I would have never bought this car for my daughter. If she wants it in 8 years, and I still have it, well, I'll have 160K or so of experience with the car and can make the decision at that point.

I'm not saying that the 528e is a bad car - it may be a wonderful car. However, 16 year old cars are going to have their quirks, and you're also going to be committed to sourcing miscellaneous parts as they break, which is time consuming and not so much fun if it's not a project car.

A friend of mine has a 1996 740iL with 116,000 miles on it. When he bought his daughter a car a year ago, he got her a 2000 323i - newer than his and worth more, also more likely to give her absolutely no trouble, while he gets towed from Alexandria, Louisiana when his alternator goes in the 740.

Figure out your price point and buy the most trouble free car for her which meets her needs. If that's a BMW, great, but given a choice, I'd go for safety and relaibility first.

[bobbyp]

Well, I bought this car for $2000. For me, not my daughter. I liked it so much I couldn't pass it up! Now I have to find room for it!