July 2016
Hi everyone,
What are your thoughts on the below car -> October 2011 BMW 318d with 118K miles on it,
www.evanshalshaw.com/search/vehicledetails/used-ca.../
It does feel like a lot of miles for a car that is shy of 5 years. (Approx 25k miles a year) However it appears to be a fleet car that has done that many motorway miles and I am told that is probably not too bad when compared to a car driven around the city with lots of start/stops.
Researching the internet, I am aware of N47 timing chain issues on this engine model which BMW cars made between 2009 and early 2011 suffered. -> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N47
However can't deny the fact that there are probably hoards of users out there who haven't run into this problem and are probably oblivious.
The car comes with 3 months warranty and I have the option of purchasing a 2 year warranty for £445. So technically even if I were to run into this issue within 2 year time, I should be covered by the dealership warranty ?
Also I am reading some users say that the average life of a good diesel engine is 200K to 300K easily if well maintained.
Thoughts, suggestions ? Is it worth the risk considering this car and getting another 50 to 60K miles on it over the course of the next 5 years ?
Apart from the high mileage, it does appear like the car is in pretty good condition, I did test drive it and it rode well. Am not an expert with cars though! The same of same age with sub 60K miles is priced at £14 K by BMW Approved Used (aka Peter Vardy).
Cheers,
O_Relly. Read more
So, now the PPI claims are drying up for claims lawyers, their sights are now aimed at PCP.
If this looks to be fruitful for them I predict a swathe of both genuine and spurious claims on this from the public. Many hoping to make a quick buck.
Undoubtedly some PCP will have been mis-sold, like just about everything at some point but the risk to the industry and economy is noteable as the cost of claims will be passed on to future customers so finance rates across all products will rise.
Having said that if anyone has any questions I'll try to help, with clear impartial advice, as always. Read more
Thanks leaseman, very lucid explanation. Some of the deals my friends have with PCP seem very good. Often a new vehicle can be supplied at a cheaper price than buying a used one outright. I guess it's called' 'moving metal'. I shall get some ball park figures soon and do some thinking.
Cheers Concrete...
I'm thinking of buying a VW Golf. Unfortunately I only drive automatics, & live inner city - so not planning on anything bigger than hatchback. The Golf has a 7 speed DSG with dry clutch (as opposed to 6 speed with wet clutch on more powerful models). I heard that the 7 speed wears out faster due to dry clutch. Any opinions on the 7 speed? I'm looking at buying a 1 year old car with around 10-15k miles on it. Another option would be Ford Focus with powershift. Any thoughts appreciated. I'm only really interested in reliability, after my Toyota with MMT twice proved a near death trap (even after expensive repairs), suddenly locking into neutral on motorway (with baby in the back seat!). Thanks Read more
I'd agree with Skodalan - a Toyota hybrid would be your best bet for the sort of motoring that you do. The Auris hybrid is the same size as the VW Golf, and has the advantage of a proper handbrake.
Apart from the short-lived MMT gearbox, Toyota's reputation for reliability is one of the best.
Bought 2 new Michelin cross climates for one of the fabias to compare with the vredestein quattrac 5/lites on the other. Surprised to find they only have 7mm tread new, opposed to the 8mm norm. They also don't have a treadwear rating on the sidewall (yes I know its a USA thing)
I feel short changed.... Read more
The rear Cross Climates on 'my' HRV were down to 7mm after 9,000 miles; fronts down to 6mm. That's entirely normal tyre wear. And I run them at 31PSI rear 32PSI front cold pressures, which is below the 'recommended' pressures. But then Honda UK can't make a recommendation for tyres that it does not fit as standard.I measured the tread depth when NEW at 7mm not after x thousand miles. From what you have posted it implies your tyres had the standard 8mm when new.
We've been contemplating getting a 1.5dCi Qashqai, and noticed that sometimes the CO2 emissions are given as 99g/km and other times as 103g/km. Has anyone any idea why there should be this difference? Could it relate to wheel size or, possibly gearbox type?
Thanks Read more
Teething trouble with a new model. That's another good reason to have bought one of the old shape run off models instead. The aircon on mine has been completely reliable. .so far.
Hi all
My previous experience of petrol cars is that the oil is gererally more honey coloured than black. Our corsa d petrol however the oil is black. It is still quite clear but much blacker than any oil I have seen from a petrol engine before. We bought it only a few months ago and the oil was more or less black then. Do you suppose it is just model specific or is there potential for an underlying issue?... Read more
I would advise DIY. Change the oil AND filter now.
Every time you change the oil change the filter too. If you don't change the filter the oil will turn black during the first journey. Don't leave it to the garage. My favourite mechanic always uses flushing oil to get the engine clean before putting in the new oil. ...
Hi !
I'm having EGR problems with my car so I'm trying to elminiate the problem step by step. Egr works fine, the signal is ok and as a last solution before taking the cable step by step to check if the wiring is at fault, I've taken the EGR piping and radiator down and gave it a good cleaning. EGR gases on this model are liquid cooled using the engine coolant and by removing the egr radiator I've lost some coolant. Now that I have toped it off to the max level some air came out but in order to "corectly"bleed the sistem most cars have a bleeder valve wich I have not managed to locate on my car.
Any sugestions? Read more
Did it. Thanks for the help ! :)
Just suffered a broken coil spring on a regularly Ford serviced 59 reg Fiesta with low mileage (about 25000) - Is this a common fault with these models? I know it was fairly common with the previous model (and the Fusion version) but I presumed it has been resolved as there don't seem many reports regarding this on the 2008 onwards version. Is there an upgrade available or have I just been unlucky? The break is on the last turn at the bottom which seems to be the week spot on the previous version. I believe there was a zinc sacrificial plate made by Ford for the previous version - is the same available for my version?
I Believe it failed when parked.... Read more
And low-profile tyres as well... Deep tyres give more cushioning over rough road surfaces and ruts and speed humps. The 'modern' craze for low-profile tyres is, in my opinion, crazy. Reducing the profile depth of tyres takes away part of the vehicles suspension, gives a rock-hard uncomfortable ride, often results in damaged wheel rims, sends shocks through the car to give the driver a bad back and cause premature failure of parts - and premature broken springs. Bring back 70-profile tyres, says I.
Evening - I've noticed at rumbling noise coming from bottom front of my car that is starting to get worse. It's most noticeable over bumps. Also when I reverse on take off the steering wheel vibrates. Any one know what it could be? Many thanks in advance Read more
Check heater motor. Gives you the air via dashboard. Bearings get worn and fan blades rattle all over the place inside module, eventually causing fan blades to shatter itself to bits. Stop the car, turn blower settings from low then to full power. Any noises?
Hey guys, Hoping someone can hopefully shed of light on this noise of mine before I leave the car in to a garage.
On my MK2 focus, I've started to get a 'CreakcreakcreakCLUNK' sound on acceleration or going up a steep ramp or hill in second gear. I've also been getting this noise if I go over a very bad pothole or bump in the road.
Basically, Anything but very, very gentle acceleration from a stop will make this weird noise. I've been thinking maybe an engine mount or Driveshaft?
Once you're driving along the car is fine, it's just those few seconds when the car frist takes off do you get this sound.
Really confused here and hope someone can help out.
Thanks.
Edit: To add, it sounds and 'feels' like it's coming from the front middle of the car, like between the two front seats. Read more
I'd suspect the gearbox to chassis mounting.
It's right about where you say the noise is coming from.
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Thanks Rob and Avant, very valid points for consideration!
Cheers
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