High Mileage Cars....

[Guy]

Mainly aimed at Dave87 here......
High mileage is not an issue!

This weekend I helped a friend out by going with him whilst he picked up his new car. Usually once the deal is done if its a long way away usually just book a 1 way train ticket or flight, or if its more local bribe a friend to drive you. The particular car he was going to look at was found off ebay, so whilst it was a good price, and looked in fairly good nick you can never be too sure!

So a plan came together! He picks me up Sunday morning, we drive all the way up to Leeds (it was actually a little futher north of Leeds ) give the car a going over, and if all was well, he drive his new purchase back, and I drive his current/soon to be retired machine down as well.

Anyway after 3 hours or so later we arrive, the new car is as described all parties happy so we set off for the slog back.

Now I know the current car is in a fairly good condition with one or two things which are on there way out, but nothing major.
But this is the first chance I have had to properly drive it. It's currently sat outside the house, waiting for a moment that I can drop it back round and get a lift back. Whilst I have it for a few days I gave it a quick jet wash, and it comes up quite nicely!

Before I say the mileage, I'll put up a few pics and see what you lot think/guess

Oh and the issues with the car are:

• The E34 wheels on the rear are only temp, just on to pass the MOT a while ago, and wait for the fronts to finally die, so all 4 can be replaced at the same time!
  
• The external temp sensor has given up, so the car always registers the outside air temp is -40. (£5 new sensor, on the to-do list!)
  
• Common E39 dead pixels on the stereo display, it is quite bad, but the dash display was changed a while ago.
  
• Operation wood removal is still in mid progress, so the lovely wood surround hasnt *quite* gone!
  
• A worn bush on the offside front, gives you an occasional clunk during slow full lock turns.

Other than that, drives perfectly, still giving mid 40's/early 50's if your nice MPG wise, all electrics work, no rattles or creaks, rear air bags still good creaks or any smoke! Not even that much bolster wear on the drivers seat.

Oh and its no triggers broom! Original engine, box, turbo etc!

So guess the mileage!

[jon bda]

A well looked after example with 250k i guess

[MadduckUK]

140k

[blueball]

delivery only

[HSK]

Im thinking more 100k

[MadduckUK]

Im thinking more 10k, more 10k yes?

[Guy]

I wasnt going to give any hints, but yeah more than 10k

I'm off down the pub now, I'll post up the mileage when I get back.

Tbh its a tidy little car, and it being a manual 530D Touring Sport still v desirable!

[TeePee]

BMW's typically need all the bushings replaced at about 100-150K, so that's my guess!

[mmh]

yeah, about 125k my guess, i had to do my bushes on my e46 at 100k, I'd guess a lil more on the E39 as it was likely to be a reps car for a lil while

[malfunction]

What do we win - the car?

I say 180,000 miles

[Konan555]

No clues at all?

How about the size of the area that the particular area manager that originally owned it covered?

[finlay666]

So a plan came together! He picks me up Sunday morning, we drive all the way up to Leeds (it was actually a little futher north of Leeds ) give the car a going over, and if all was well, he drive his new purchase back, and I drive his current/soon to be retired machine down as well.

OT you really should have said, was just outside of York on Sunday

I'm going to say 210k, seen a few on autotrader with more but much worse condition

Also ROFL at the retro carphone

[Betty_Swallocks]

I'd say about 150k from the shine on the wheel

[Guy]

BMW's typically need all the bushings replaced at about 100-150K, so that's my guess!

Nope, good guess though

yeah, about 125k my guess, i had to do my bushes on my e46 at 100k, I'd guess a lil more on the E39 as it was likely to be a reps car for a lil while

As above! Hmm I would have thought 3'ers would be more rep mobiles, with the list price of 5's you were usually higher up the food chain! Either that or the retiring early golfing types....

What do we win - the car?

I say 180,000 miles

Pfft hell no, I'm half tempted for the mates rate I have been offered for it

No clues at all?

How about the size of the area that the particular area manager that originally owned it covered?

Nope, where would the challenge be in giving out clues

No idea on the original owner, never had chance to go through the paperwork

OT you really should have said, was just outside of York on Sunday

I'm going to say 210k, seen a few on autotrader with more but much worse condition

Also ROFL at the retro carphone

Sorry mate, was literally a flying visit. The longest we were stationary was when looking at the replacement, so an hour tops then straight back home again.

Its actually a cordless handset, so standard wireless housephone, that when docked charges it and enables you to make/receive calls through the car, otherwise take it out the dock and use it like a normal phone. It takes a standard simcard, so get a second SIM for your phone and you would be away, still works now

[Guy]

Ok answer time!

Its actually on 230,000 (well 229,933) but by the time I get it back it will be.



So Jon + Fin were both out by 20k, not bad guesses.

Like I said the car is still on the original everything.
There is one bush that is defintely on its way out, and tbh if they were all done it might sharpen the car up a bit.
Finish wrapping the dash, sort the pixels out on the screen, replace the outside temp sensor, and retyre the OEM rears, and it will just plod on.

The car has regularly done the Lemans trip usually 4 up with the boot full of enough beer to last a lifetime, it has done the hillclimb at Prescott, so not just motorway miles. (Yes it does spend most of the time on there, but its not just a 5th gear Queen).

[TeePee]

That's about the same as my '94 740.

You should do the upper control arms if nothing else. You'll thank me.