Hi guys,

I have found a 2002/02 BMW 525i Sport with Leather. It seems a very nice car.

But...

It has 155,000 miles.

I am no stranger to high mileage cars and have found them an excellent way of getting a newer car than would otherwise have been possible, or simply saving a pile of cash. My current Mondeo is now at 138k and is still excellent, and my first car, a Citroen Xantia, was traded in at 167k. Now, I had planned to buy a high mileage 5 Series anyway - again, to take advantage of the lower prices you get given they are undesireable.

But I had planned on 90-120k.

What are the potential pitfalls of a 155k car, and is it a bad idea? I have already figured the residual value of this car will be zero. If I buy it, I will never sell it, so depreciation is not a concern. My current thoughts are that it is entirely possible that this 2002 car with 155k could be in as good, if not better condition than 80-120k 2000 cars. My reasoning for this is as follows:

The car will have to have spent a considerable amount of time on the Motorway in order to rack up so many miles in so little time. Aside from stonechips, I would figure that a 200 mile motorway trip is less wear on the suspension, brakes, gearbox, engine, seats and interior than 100 miles of town mileage, which would feature frequent stop-start work, getting in, getting out, etc. So, in that respect, could it be the case that in reality the only negative aspect of this car over, say, a 2 year older example with 100k on the clock is the residual matter.

I am sure my feelings must be flawed - I would appreciate if some of the more learned members of this forum could point the flaws out. Remember, I am after flaws which DO NOT equally apply to an older, lower mileage example. I am aware of the pitfalls of E39 ownership of 80-120k mile cars, but not beyond this.

I do, however, envisage the price of this car will offer a significant saving over a 100k 2000 example, which can of course be used to offset higher maintainance costs, whatever these may be.

Finally, my copy of Glass's does not list mileage this high. What would be your estimation of this cars value? It is a Sport model, and it has full main dealer BMW SH. There are 10 stamps in the book, I think.

Half of me thinks I am silly to even contemplate this, and should revert immediatly to my previous plan of spending several thousand more on an older, lower mileage car. The other half says 'Errr hang on, its what, 15k more than your Mondeo? And thats a FORD!'.

What are BMW's like for rattles, squeeks and general feelings of old-and-naffness at this sort of mileage?

Many thanks. Read more

This never seems to appear in the maintenance schedules, but I was just wondering if, after 120,000 miles, it might be worth dropping the gearbox oil out of the Mondeo and filling with fresh stuff? I plan to keep the car for a bit by the way.

This gearbox actually seems to have a drain plug as well.

Would you bother? Any experiences to share?

Cheers
DP Read more

According to the new Ford Focus manual tyre pressures for 205/55 R 16 Diesel engines with normal load up to 3 persons is 34 lbf front and 34 lbf rear. According to the plate on the drivers door inside they should be 33 lbf for front and rear. According to the Michelin web site the Pilot Primacy 205/55 R 16 should be 30 lbf for front and rear.

So what are the correct tyre pressure for every combination of Ford Focus car type & engine ?

Well according to our Rapid Fit the Michelin Pilot Primacy, fitted as standard issue from new, should be 30 lbf front and rear for the 1.6 TDCi Zetec hatchback, 32 lbf front and rear for the 1.8 TDCi Zetec hatchback.

When I drive the Focus Zetec 1.6 TDCi with 34 lbf in the front and rear tyres the ride feels hard and somewhat jittery. When the tyre pressures were set at 30lbf front and 30lbf rear the ride was significantly better, more comfortable, quieter, and the balance of the car felt better. I experienced a similar significant difference in the Focus Zetec 1.8 TDCi with 33 lbf in the front and 32 lbf in the rear.

Could this be why some people find the new Focus ride a bit hard at times, could it be the tyre pressures for the tyre fitted to the car have been inflated a little too high ?

If anyone would like to post their findings for tyres for the Michelin Pilot Primacy or any other tyre they are using on the new Ford Focus please do so for whichever car/engine you have experience of. Also how have you found the ride, comfort, noise levels, handling etc. ? Read more

Hi all,

I have for a while been contemplating painting the alloy wheels on my 1984 Audi Coupe GT in white. The alloys are currently a dullish silver finish. The alloy wheels are standard on this car (the multispoke ones)

Is it possible to paint or spray alloys at home or is professional equipment needed?
What paint or spray do you guys recommned?

Anybody done this before....any tips or advice? Read more

I've read on this site and elsewhere that people have found out when cars were last taxed from DVLA. I can't find out how to check this and want to find out what happened to my old car (no major reason just curiosity realy.)

Can anyone post a link to where to do this please? Read more