XSeries-forum

Hi guys,
I have put a deposit down on a 58 plate 3.0sd M Sport, 64k miles FBMWSH.
The spec is awesome!
I was just wondering if anyone could give me a few pointers on common problems to look out for when i go and pick it up.
I understand the pano roof can leak into the boot area if the gutters arent clean?
Any pointers would be great so i can avoid or get the price down if there are potential issues ahead.
Thanks guys

Spec:
Code Description (EPC)
S1CBA CO2 equipment
S217A Active steering
S220A Self-levelling suspension
S230A Extra package, EU-speciifc
S2M9A BMW LA wheel, M V-spoke 227
S2PAA Wheel bolt locks
S2VAA Chassis & suspens. setup"Adaptive Drive"
S302A Alarm system
S316A automatic trunk lid mechanism
S322A Comfort access
S323A Soft-Close-Automatic doors
P337A M Sports package
S3AGA Reversing camera
S3MCA Indiv.roofrailing,mirror-fin.Shadow Line
S402A Panorama glass roof
S423A Floor mats velours
S428A Warning triangle and first aid kit
S430A Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S441A Smoker package
S456A Comfort seat with memory
S488A Lumbar support, driver and passenger
S494A Seat heating driver/passenger
S4ADA Interior trim strips, brushed aluminium
S4M5A Individual leather-covered dashboard
S502A Headlight cleaning system
S508A Park Distance Control (PDC)
S521A Rain sensor
S522A Xenon Light
S524A Adaptive Headlights
S534A Automatic air conditioning
S536A Auxiliary heating
S544A Cruise control with brake function
S563A Light package
S5ACA High-beam assistant
S5DAA Passenger airbag deactivation
S601A TV function
S609A Navigation system Professional
S610A Head-up display
S612A BMW Assist
S616A BMW Online
S620A Voice control
S633A Preparation, mobile phone, Business
S654A DAB tuner
S672A CD changer for 6 CDs
S677A HiFi system Professional DSP
S698A Area-Code 2 for DVD
S6FFA DVD-system in rear compartment
S6FLA USB/audio interface
S710A M leather steering wheel
S760A High gloss shadow line
S761A Individual sunshade glazing
S775A Headlining anthracite
S7M5A M exterior equipment
L812A National version England / Ireland
S840A High speed synchronisation
S863A Dealer List Europe
S877A Omission of non-combined operation
S880A On-board literature, English
S8S2A Coding, alarm signal
S8SMA Car ident. number visible from outside
S8SPA Control unit COP
S925A Dispatch protection pack
S853A Language version, English

open and close the pano roof about 10 times

Any signs of water in the rear light clusters needs investigating.  Seems to come up regularly and may mean new ones are required.

As above, make sure the roof works.  If it sticks in any way then ask them to fix or completely replace it.  If it fails later you could be looking at a large bill.

Check that any and all recalls have been done - they should be able to prove it to you if it's from a BMW Dealer.  Recall data is on the VOSA website.  Ask about the 'security update' too as that might be needed.

Richard

Are you buying from BMW?  If so try and get a 2nd years AUC warranty out of them at least at cost.  Theres a lot of kit on the car and just the adaptive suspension can be expensive to fix.

Sound very similar to my car in spec too.......youll love it 

Cheers guys
Its a private sale which is why im a little more hesitant with knowing its a good car or not. I have checked the history and it all checks out nicely. Just want to make double sure.

I also read on here that you can get a BMW warranty on pay monthly?
Is this with BMW or a 3rd party?

Hi

If buying privately and the car is say 20k it may be worth getting a garage or AA to professionally check it as well.

If not make sure you check all electrical stuff window seats sunroofs etc as these can be overlooked and on the dash display press the button and the system check to make sure no faults are present.

Warranty scan be bought I have an AA one but it's up to £500 an item and they all try to deny any liability but you pays your money and takes your choice in all honesty some just out some money aside to cover problems.

Hth

Thanks for the reply graemeX5

I am reasonably handy with a spanner and have close friends who are mechanics so im not afraid of a little DIY.

LOL i recently took the entire roof off my Z4M to replace the pump... not something i want to repeat but certainly hundreds if not a thousand pounds cheaper than paying bmw.

A good well looked after car is fine and no car is perfect but im just trying to get up to speed with common problems that are easy to spot.

One of the main reasons i am going private for this car is that the price is within my means and leaves me capable of covering anything bad financially should it happen. I have done all the checks with its history and phoned all the places its had work at so just want to go into the deal with my eyes open.

Thank you graemeX5, squeaky2, X5Sport & shadrack your comments are a massive help

If it's a private sale then you could ask the seller to provide a printout of any fault codes, or give you a discount....

Doesn't take long to do at a Dealer and at least you know what it then stored, or not (being the preferred option of course).

R

A pretty obvious one, but check all 4 tyres for uneaven wear. The fronts usually wear on the outside edges and the rears on the insides... The rears might look ok at a quick glance, but check the very inside edges..... Tyres dont come cheap....
Its a bit of a bug bear of mine the alighnment settings for these cars.... ::) ::) ::)

As above regarding the pano roofs... I dont think they leak into the boot, i think thats a E61 trait...But the rear part , ive heard has a tendancy to stick open...

Hi Nine468
I've been scouring the forum for things since my post and i have noticed people mention the uneven wear. I asked the owner already about tyres and he said they were changed about 6 months ago and are in decent condition. I have heard of people swapping the sides on the tyres but i guess this calls for non-asymmetrical ones.

I had to replace the roof pump on my Z4m Roadster which involved taking the entire roof off... so i am fine with doing preventative maintenance lol... don't want to go down that path again!

Tyre swapping is, like you say, ok if there directional, but NOT if there asymmetric...
And try finding a NON asymmetric tyre for our cars at the moment, of good quality. Ive just been trying to....With no luck....

Think the recent spate of off/soft roaders have shown tyre companies that they should make us not reuse

Excellent spec. Has most of the options. Check all the soft close doors do! One of my rears doesn't.
Check both the keys work. Comfort access keys have batteries you can change and do not charge off the key slot and may need to be resync'd to the car (easy procedure).
Have seen several reports of leaking rear air struts on the self levelling suspension. Guess you would hear a hissing noise around the rear if that was the case  )

I know it sounds stupid, but check the car over once, go back again and possibly a 3rd time. I checked my car once thoroughly or so I thought then I bought it on th e2nd visit and it has lots of little niggly things around bodywork, scratches etc that I didn't see and one big area of corrosion in the inner of the lower tailgate which I found by accident. Take someone else with you who will look at it from a 3rd party point of view and will point out things you may choose to overlook as you no doubt love the car. Once you've done al of that bargain hard and haggle for everything. £22k is a lot of money, if you get  a feeling something isn't right then walk away

Did you get it!?