How high is "high mileage"?

[Smeeagain]

I hear folk referring to "high mileage" vehicles, but how high is high? Today My 2004 E53 3.0d Auto Sport hit 250,000 miles (or 400,000km)......

[X5Sport]

Just about run in now then 

Power plant should be good for another 200k all being fair and equal.

[henrym3]

you gotta go for the 1/2 million

[Smeeagain]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Just about run in now then 

Power plant should be good for another 200k all being fair and equal.
[/quote]

Nice - but seriously though, anyone else got higher?

[Horizon]

[quote="Smeeagain"]
[quote="X5Sport"]
Just about run in now then 

Power plant should be good for another 200k all being fair and equal.
[/quote]

Nice - but seriously though, anyone else got higher?
[/quote]
When I was in my 20's ( many years ago

[X5-D-Sport]

My D-Sport has 180k miles on the clock & still going strong.... so I am hopeful that it won't pop a head gasket any time soon...

[gs223]

Just curious what sort of work/lifestyle/location leads to people building up such high yearly mileages (assuming not company car/traveling salesman kind of thing)...

[X5Sport]

When I worked as project manager in the IT industry it wasn’t unusual to be clocking up 30k a year, sometimes more.  I am very glad those days are well behind me.....and we didn’t have company cars either!

[Horizon]

[quote="gs223"]
Just curious what sort of work/lifestyle/location leads to people building up such high yearly mileages (assuming not company car/traveling salesman kind of thing)...
[/quote]

I live in Lancashire and work for a company in Yorkshire, it's 60miles the office and back , so that's at least 300 miles a week.I'm a Field Service engineer so I'm traveling to several different sites in a day.
I usually clock up 35/40k a year
I've just got a new van last Monday ( VW Caddy Maxi 2.0d euro6 ) so I'm treating it with kid gloves, for a fortnight anyway

[Smeeagain]

[quote="gs223"]
Just curious what sort of work/lifestyle/location leads to people building up such high yearly mileages (assuming not company car/traveling salesman kind of thing)...
[/quote]

For me it is two things - I own a consultancy business that literally takes me all over the country for work, That and the fact that although I live in Hampshire, I'm originally from Scotland and I holiday in Scotland (on the islands where 4 wheel drive comes in handy) and visit family in Scotland. Driving there and back gives the flexibility of taking in other things on they way up and back.
That said, I bought the car at 70k and have put 180k on in 7 years - that is just over 25k miles a year, 2000 per month, 500/week.

I don't think I do significantly higher mileage than others but I think where I differ is that Ive done it in the one car!

R

[X5-D-Sport]

How long can I expect a head gasket to last on a D-Sport, without running low on water etc.

[Smeeagain]

Eh? Think you need to start a separate post

[M30rmf]

Just bought my 2004 3.0d on 92k, lowest mileage car I've owned for years, traded my Volvo for it that had done 177k and ran perfectly...its not miles that kill them in my opinion it's the lack off maintenance and thinking it's not worth spending money on as it's old and done a lot off miles..

[Smeeagain]

[quote="Smeeagain"]
I hear folk referring to "high mileage" vehicles, but how high is high? Today My 2004 E53 3.0d Auto Sport hit 250,000 miles (or 400,000km)......

[/quote]

I thought I'd add some context to this post. Leaving aside general consumables (windscreen wiper blades, bulbs, brake pads etc), here is an overview, not necessarily comprehensive, but covers the main points of things I've paid out for on the car.

Im posting this for others to know observe learn etc and a s statement of fact not for debate - it is what is is.

I bought the car at 72k and at the time of writing this is is now siting at 251k miles, so I have put on circa 180k miles.

Maintenance - all services done as required. Green lights go out every 5k so 25k between oil and filter change. I discovered only recently that my local garage (not a BMW dealer) does a quick engine flush too before replacing the oil. Never been a fan of that but clearly it isn't causing a problemFuel filter and pollen filter every 3rd service as I recall. I use Castrol Magnatec (can't remember spec - 5w30 perhaps). The garage also does a quick once over when doing a service and when changing summer/winter wheels and pick up on things like cv boots and so on so everything gets done as soon as possible

MOT - seven years of straight passes - probably due to the work mentioned above.


Oil breather was changed to the vortex type as soon as I got the car.

Battery - the car s 13 years old. The first battery passed away at 6 years which is what I would expect. Replaced with Bosch Silver S5 with 5 year warranty. Although it was end of life the starter was playing up and killing the battery - i had the dreaded 2004 dodgy starter model so replaced that. Second battery replaced under warranty - alternator died at the same time. Starter, battery and alternator all fine since. I use a CTEK 8 stage conditioner from time to time just to keep it in good order although all the motorway driving I do seems to keep ti topped up

Electrics - always let the dash lights go out before starting. get in, switch on ignition and then put on seatbelt in that order - by the time you've put your belts on  the lights have gone out.

Tyres - i have 17 inch winter tyres and wheels, and 19 inch summer tyres and wheels. Change them over approx every six months. Although I live in Hampshire I drive off road on holiday in the Scottish island and encounter deep snow in the winter when driving in Scotland, Yorkshire and Wales. Get alignment checked at each swap over along with balancing. Spec for tyre pressure is 32psi - I run at 34psi as there cars are big and heavy and roll a little in corners roundabouts etc , enough to wear the shoulder of the tyre slightly even f the suspicion is in good nick. The higher pressure stops this.

Brake discs - original OEM set lasted just over 100k miles. Next set lasted another 100k miles. Next set (paid) warped very quickly. Got them skimmed and problem resolved then it came back. they have been skimmed 3 times now and seem to be fine

Suspension - front arm control arm bushes, upper and lower,  done twice as I recall. Don't recall anything on rear, although i had to get all alignment adjusters cut off the rear and replaced for alignment. I had to replace front offside shock absorber due to a slight leak

Glow plugs - 3 needed replacing at 180k miles. Made sense financially to do all six at the same time. Controller replaced too at same time

Viscous fan coupling done at 100k and will need done again as I can hear the wear in the bearings.

Aircon pressure sensor switch replaced. System has been regassed twice in my seven year ownership.

Gearbox - possibly the most contentious issue. I have had the lurch for the 7 years Ive owned the car. it comes and goes. BMW say the box is sealed for life which they regard as 60k miles. So when i bought the car at 72k miles I had a decision to make - do the oil change and encounter the potential problems that brings or soldier on. I decided to soldier on. I have set aside a chunk of money to have the gearbox rebuilt (either by Birch motors or Jason chip tune). So as I say I soldiered on. I am now at 251k miles and the oil has still not been changed (I believe there is a filer in there too?). I have also not done diff oil, transfer box etc. My car, my choice, my decision.

That's about it - there are other incidentals like coding the doors to lock at 12mph, audible alarm beep etc all done with BMW 1.4.0 scanner

Hope that helps

Smee

[X5Sport]

Looks like a comprehensive and normal ‘wear and tear’ list.  Nothing unexp3cted in there.  You obviously have one of the good boxes as it has lasted so well.  And yes there is a filter inside the bottom cover of the box.

Let’s wait for you next report at 500K