Considering a 2011+ 535i (F10) <$15k

[keeta]

Hi Everyone,

I'm considering buying a F10 (2011 or later) 535i. I am restricting myself to a <$15k budget.

The cars available are typically around 90k miles so I'm wondering, would this be a bad idea?
What kind of problems surface on F10 with high mileage?

I'm looking forward to the guidance and tips.

[emptyo]

I just asked a very similar question comparing the e60 and the f10. I think I’m going to go with the 2010 e60 because it has a better road feel. I might graduate to the F10 in a couple of years. I have the same budget as you. Looking forward to hearing the answers.


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[keeta]

I just asked a very similar question comparing the e60 and the f10. I think I’m going to go with the 2010 e60 because it has a better road feel. I might graduate to the F10 in a couple of years. I have the same budget as you. Looking forward to hearing the answers.


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Crickets so far

[miltolam]

I purchased mines a few months ago. My budget was a few thousands more. Assuming you’re in the US, and basing this off my own buying experience, in terms of mileage you’re going to get the pick of the runt in ‘11 and ‘12. Anything under $15k pretty much had 85k and better. I lucked up and got one with 63k for $17.8k All I can say is be patient, F10s are very common and the right one will pop up eventually but when it does, jump on it.


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[keeta]

I purchased mines a few months ago. My budget was a few thousands more. Assuming you’re in the US, and basing this off my own buying experience, in terms of mileage you’re going to get the pick of the runt in ‘11 and ‘12. Anything under $15k pretty much had 85k and better. I lucked up and got one with 63k for $17.8k All I can say is be patient, F10s are very common and the right one will pop up eventually but when it does, jump on it.


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So what does high mileage (80k & over) typically mean in terms of issues one can face?

I've been a Japanese car owner mostly so I'm not aware of the type of issues which pop up and cause costly headaches.

[srschang]

I recently sold a 2008 BMW 528xi. We bought it in 2009 with 9000 miles, and sold it a couple weeks ago with 203,000 miles on it. So I'm very familiar with the E60 vintage 528 and it's problems. We replaced it with a 2016 535xi. Here are my thoughts:


- The car is engineered to a higher level than a Toyota or Honda. Over the years I owned a couple of those. For instance, the BMW water pump is electrically driven, not driven by a belt from the front of the motor. The BMW can control the speed of the pump depending on conditions. If the engine is started cold, the water pump may not pump at all until the coolant is warm. Saves energy / better fuel mileage. The pump will speed up / slow down as needed while driving. More precise temperature control / better fuel mileage. The Honda/Toyota pump spins based on motor speed whether it needs to or not. Worse fuel mileage. If you get in your car after parking it and want to sit & stay warm, the BMW will turn on the water pump (without the engine running) and will circulate the warm engine coolant to blow warm air into the cab until the residual heat is gone from the engine block. So, another level of engineering vs the Honda / Toyota. But to replace the electric water is $550 for the part and a few hour labor for the BMW tech at $160 / hour. The Honda / Toyota belt driven pump is $100(?) and an hour labor by the tech at ? per hour. I'm sure much less than the BMW tech. Most of the BMW systems are similarly engineered, so a much more expensive and complex car.


- The e60 era 528 was known for water pump failures at ~100,000 miles. Little or no warning, you're stuck beside the road. Due to my fear based on what I read here and other places, I replaced the water pump myself at 120,000 miles. Nothing wrong with it, but I didn't want to be stranded. Still going strong at 203,000 miles.


- The reliability is not on Toyota/Honda levels. Some of that I believe is due to the technology used in the BMWs, IE the electric water pump.


- The most expensive failure I had in 203,000 miles was the transfer case at 120,000(?) miles $4500


- Most of the problems with the BMW was trying to keep the oils in the car and not on my garage floor. Valve cover gasket replaced 4 times, twice at the dealer $700 each, twice by me for $65 each. Mechatronics transmission seal leak repaired by the dealer twice, $800 each. Power steering hose leak $350 at the dealer. Rear main engine seal leak, $1400 at the dealer.


- The engine and transmission performed perfectly for the 203,000 miles. Although many people on these forums will call you foolish for following the BMW maintenance guidelines, I did. I changed the engine oil when the car told me to, usually at 15,000 to 20,000 miles. At 203,000 mile, the engine ran great and only used one quart of oil between changes. BMW got this one right.


- I had the transmission fluid changed once at the dealer at about 120,000 miles. Just because. BMW says the transmission fluid is lifetime. I was chicken to push it.


- The front & rear differential fluids were never changed, BMW says they are lifetime fluids. They were right.


- Service costs. I just got an OEM BMW oil change kit delivered to my house yesterday. It cost $68 for 7 quarts of full synthetic oil and an oil filter. Not sure what genuine Honda / Toyota 5 quarts of oil and filter cost. I'd guess at least $50 I think I paid to have the oil changed in the car one time, and it was about $85 at the dealer. So not a whole lot more expensive than a genuine Honda / Toyota oil change at the dealer, but the BMW change will last 15,000 to 20,000 miles. I'm sure the Honda / Toyota doesn't go that long between changes.


- One thing I will tell you. If you buy a BMW, it gets in your blood. You start talking about BMWs, you love to drive your BMW, you look for reasons to drive your BMW. I don't know what it is, maybe they put some drug in the cabin air filter. You hate the expensive problems, but you're hooked on the car. Love/hate relationship.

[keeta]

I've had a BMW for 3 years and recently sold it for personal reasons. Now I'm feeling like a drug addict being weaned off. I so feel like getting a F10 on the cheap and find a good mechanic who'll help keep it running solid.

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[not2fast]

I picked up a 2011 BMW 535i XDrive recently. You should be able to find one in your price range. I would keep looking. I think the F10 is a solid car and 535i seems to be the best of the bunch for reliability. I would have loved the 550i power, but they seem like they might come at the expense of serious headaches.

[Guitardedman]

I just picked up my 1st BMW about a month ago.. It is a 2011 535i it had 71k miles on it and picked it up for $14.5k... Just be patient and one will pop up and it will be worth the wait