I need your opinion on a '07 328i!!!

So I'm seriously thinking a purchasing a '07 328i today. The car has 116k miles with a clean autocheck report. I know nothing about BMW's so I don't want to make a mistake. What is the life expectancy of the engine? The car has a few small chips on the hood and the clear coat is starting to peel a little on the rear bumper. The dealership told me they'd sell it to me for 11.5k which I know is a pretty good deal. Should I buy the car? How long can I expect to drive the car before issues?

You will need to know a good reasonable indy repair shop owner and the names of all his kids.

Or be very handy yourself.

Engine is not the issue it's the "little things" that will nibble you on a car with this mileage.

Take the key to a BMW dealer and they can read it and tell you the in network services that were done to the car. Look for paper records from the seller after the warranty ran out.

We have a 2002 330i in the family with just under that mileage and it is still a joy to drive!

I don't quite understand the "car with this mileage". If you owned a car from the 80's and before the life expectancy was 100k...Mainly because most people never took care of their cars. The same still holds true for today - if you don't take care of your ride then it will break that much quicker. The life expectancy of these cars is 200,000miles+ easy - again how do you treat the car is the question. Do you ride it like you are in a rally car race or do you drive it "normally"? Do you maintenance it regularly or do you ignore it? Will you let the car sit for months without driving it (rust build-up) or will you use it?

given that, check the service history on the car. Ask the seller to provide you the BMW dealer service records as well as his. There will be things that wear out and you may need to change them...if you are lucky the seller already did this and you won't have to worry about it (think brakes, timing belts, shocks, fluid change, tires, etc). The paint chips sounds like normal parking situation. I live in downtown philly and have some minor chips on my bumper...while I park well, my neighbors blow monkey chunks.

The 328i is a solid car and many people on here love it.

I have a 2006 330xi and love it. It only has 70some thousand miles.

Find a good BMW indy mechanic in your area and use them over the dealership. The dealership prices are outrageous. If you are a DIY person then you can fix your own car. Use TireRack.com when you want new tires (keep two in storage for emergency situations).

If the car has had the typical long oil and service intervals I would stay away.
If it was taken care of by somebody that serviced the car at normal car intervals
and everything looks clean I might think it about it . I tend to not want to buy
something used if it has more than 50k because at 100 k it will need stuff.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=627435

Known issures with 325,328,330

valve ticking
head bolt breakage

there are threads on the above.

Originally Posted by ctuna

If the car has had the typical long oil and service intervals I would stay away.
If it was taken care of by somebody that serviced the car at normal car intervals
and everything looks clean I might think it about it . I tend to not want to buy
something used if it has more than 50k because at 100 k it will need stuff.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=627435

Known issures with 325,328,330

valve ticking
head bolt breakage

there are threads on the above.

That's good advice no doubt but if the OP is on a budget he is going to have to take the bad with the good.

I repoed and sold a 2000 or so E46 with uncertain origin and 174,000 miles on it for $4,000 ..... to a guy who drove it another 30,000 before sending it on its way. The engine was never an issue.

Good idea to look under the oil cap as well as read up on what you are getting into!

I would buy it. I bought one with same mileage at the beginning of the year I was quaking in my boots once I posted on here but apart from the normal items that break (water pump) (battery at 5+ years) and tires the cars great.

Rember that at 100k it was a big service cost if its been done then you should be stoked. (Plugs, filter, tranny fluid change ect.)

Originally Posted by Mkds1109

Should I buy the car? How long can I expect to drive the car before issues?

The answers are:

[1] Witout a detailed mechanical evaluation, the question cannot be answered.

[2] See [1]

Originally Posted by CALWATERBOY

The answers are:

[1] Witout a detailed mechanical evaluation, the question cannot be answered.

[2] See [1]

+1

OP, Since I see you are in Houston, if you are close to the west side of town give Mike Haven at MPH Auto a call and ask him to evaluate it. He isn't necessarily the cheapest indy in town, but he knows his stuff and he stands by his work and he doesn't sugarcoat things. http://www.mphauto.com/