johnocamp61

Hi, I found nearby a 2010 535i x drive wagon with 218,000 miles. It is a 2 owner car and is for sale for around $7900. Had major service done in 2020 including oil cooler lines and gasket, oil level sensor, oil pan gasket, oil filter housing gasket, oil cooler thermostat, heater control valve, front pads and rotars, and service. Carfax looks good with one damage report around 25,000 miles. Am I crazy to buy this car with so many miles? What should I look for when test driving the car? Thank you for your help and input. John

gman6262

I'm at 145,000 miles on my 2010 535xit. Do you have it's maintenance history? Were the turbos ever replaced? The wastegate valve pivot rod wears and causes the wastegate valve not to seal correctly, you loose boost and it's a big job to repair. A vigorous test drive will expose this - you should also check for engine codes following your test drive. Test transmission function with starts and stops, coming on and off the throttle at various speeds. Maintenance history should show complete fluid changes at that mileage - transmission, transfer case, and front and rear differentials. Once the car gets to 100,000 miles, those fluids need to be replaced regularly. Check suspension bushings, front and rear, the car should track straight on the highway without any wheel vibration or wobble. Struts should have been done. They are fantastic cars to drive, but they are also a bit maintenance intensive at higher mileages. It's really all about the maintenance history - and about your mechanical aptitude and budget for repairs. The recent oil system repairs you listed are a good start. There is lots of support on these forums. We've been through it all.

johnocamp61

Gman6262, Thank you for your tips! I'm going back this afternoon to drive it again. According to the CarFax the car had the Oil Cooler seals replaced, intake manifold gaskets replaced and transfer case serviced at 122,000 miles. Coils and Spark Plugs replaced at 170,000 miles, Water Pump & Thermostat replaced, cooling system bled & decarbon service completed at 174,000 miles - At 176,000 miles the Engine/powertrain computer/module checked, Fuel injection system flushed/serviced, Axle(s) replaced, & Drivability/performance checked. At 197,000 miles the Maintenance inspection completed, Radiator hose(s) replaced, Axle(s) replaced, Engine oil/fluid leak checked and Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed, Cooling system checked. Between 200,000 and now (218,000) the following has been completed -

• Maintenance inspection completed
• 5,000 mile service performed
• Turn signal switch replaced
• Oil and filter changed
• Fluids checked
• Steering/suspension checked
• Air filter checked
• Computer(s) checked
• Battery serviced
• Emissions or safety inspection performed
• Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed
• Drive belt tensioner replaced
• A/C refrigerant recharged
• Oil and filter changed
• A/C and heating system checked
• A/C system checked
• Maintenance inspection completed
• Oil and filter change

The second owner (he is consigning the car) is a BMW mechanic if that means anything! It seems the car was serviced regularly.

Thank you again.

gman6262

Everything you've listed seems about right for that mileage - it's good information, I think that shows the car has seen some love. Let us know how the test drive goes.