High Mileage advice

R

richy176

Member
 Buckinghamshire
Hi, my son has a 20102.5 23iM Sport sDrive which has about 65k on the clock. It is his daily commute car but a change in location could mean an increase in his daily commute for the next year (possibly two years) to about 25k per year. He is now wondering if doing this high mileage is likely to lead to some very expensive repair bills in which case it might make sense to sell now and get a lower mileage diesel (would have to have decent performance).
I appreciate that any car can develop an expensive fault but wondered if there were any common ones as the mileage increases.
His journey would be 12 miles on country roads followed by 26 miles of motorway and then the reverse journey.One idea if he keeps the Z4 would be to change from run-flat tyres to regular tyres to make the motorway miles a bit softer/quieter.
Would you consider a Z4 this age and mileage suitable for his new commute?
Thanks for any input.
 
Only thing he should be concerned about is resale value if he’s gonna be piling on the miles.
If he looks after it, make sure engine oil is correct level and spec and pref has an intermediate change and doesnt abuse the clutch then he shouldnt have any problems.

I got over 250k miles from a 3 series 323i coupe as a euro-taxi doing regular trips between Poland, Norway, Germany and The Netherlands without any serious issue before I got tw@tted into by an old duffer in a VW sh!tbox.

I reckon I could have got another 250k miles out of it.
Point is, looked after properly and it will go to the moon and back easily.
:thumbsup:
 
Unfortunately no one has a Cristal ball to foretell the future, but as far as I know common problems are injectors and fuel pumps. If you’re son is happy with the car I would suggest he keeps it until he either fancies changing it for something else or the running cost out way the pleasure and then change for something more economical
 
As above.... Personally, I feel Z4’s have turned out to be very reliable save a few odd we’ll documented gremlins, so I would like to suggest an alternative question.

Would your son prefer to run a car he already knows well, say up to 150k & beyond knowing he won’t get too much back on it, but all those work miles would be driven with a smile on his face, or buy a 2nd hand car he doesn’t with the government planning a witch hunt for diesel owners after they told us to buy them to save the planet.

I’ve found most cars become more reliable the more u use them & by taking it to a recommended independent garage, the more frequent servicing won’t be too much of an issue every 15k.

Depending where on the planet u r, a second set of winter wheels will be an invaluable investment, firstly as my previous 3.0 was a PITA on Michelin’s under 5 degrees & secondly gives u an excuse to inspect your tyres properly twice a year.
 
I'll go against the run here and say get a reliable deisel, these cars can get expensive to maintain as they age, not to mention the huge fuel savings he will make going up to 25k miles per year... that said if he loves the car then why sell? Head decision go for a deisel.. heart keep the z4 :thumbsup:
 
Jembo said:
As above.... Personally, I feel Z4’s have turned out to be very reliable save a few odd we’ll documented gremlins, so I would like to suggest an alternative question.

Would your son prefer to run a car he already knows well, say up to 150k & beyond knowing he won’t get too much back on it, but all those work miles would be driven with a smile on his face, or buy a 2nd hand car he doesn’t with the government planning a witch hunt for diesel owners after they told us to buy them to save the planet.

I’ve found most cars become more reliable the more u use them & by taking it to a recommended independent garage, the more frequent servicing won’t be too much of an issue every 15k.

Depending where on the planet u r, a second set of winter wheels will be an invaluable investment, firstly as my previous 3.0 was a PITA on Michelin’s under 5 degrees & secondly gives u an excuse to inspect your tyres properly twice a year.
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This,I used mine to 144k miles ,daily driver , if your driving for 2 hours a day then enjoy them.
I have not had any major problems or expenses in six years just the normal wear and tear you would get with any car
The car is still running strong with another owner .and just passed mot with no advisories,just my experience 👍
 
My 2009 23i is my daily drive, have taken it from 29k to now 82k without any major problems, just the usual suspects like the boot problem and tail light moisture.
 
Currently doing 80 mile round trip every day in my 28i and love it.done 12 months and around 15k, roof down all weathers except extreme cold or rain and can’t do that in a solid top.

Returns 440 miles to a tank unless the traffic plays up on a good week. On a bad week nearer 370.

Weekend fun as well at the drop of a hat.

Best of both worlds IMO keep it and just make sure you stay on top of the services
 
Keep putting fresh oil in regularly and there’s no particular reason why it won’t see 500k Miles trouble free bar normal wear and tear and the odd hiccup. Diesels are plain nasty...
 
If he likes his Z4 I'd say keep it so long as the fuel costs aren't going to cripple him.

I bought an E91 last year with the same 2.5 litre N52 engine that had done 132K miles and ran it for a year. I only had 2 issues, one was the dreaded electric water pump dying at 135K and the other was the battery in January, but then it was the original 13 year old one. :o

It was still running just fine when I sold it this year on 139K miles - I only sold it because I fancied a 330i! :lol:
 
The Zed should be fine doing that for couple of years, with regular maintenance. But a decent diesel will save a small fortune in fuel bills?
 
buzyg said:
The Zed should be fine doing that for couple of years, with regular maintenance. But a decent diesel will save a small fortune in fuel bills?
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Really? If he's sensible with his right foot?
I'm averaging 38mpg in the zed these days. Combination of town and motorway driving. Not so many miles admittedly but I drive like a nun and it's paying dividends for economy if not for sh!ts n giggles....
 
Chris_D said:
buzyg said:
The Zed should be fine doing that for couple of years, with regular maintenance. But a decent diesel will save a small fortune in fuel bills?
Click to expand...
Really? If he's sensible with his right foot?
I'm averaging 38mpg in the zed these days. Combination of town and motorway driving. Not so many miles admittedly but I drive like a nun and it's paying dividends for economy if not for sh!ts n giggles....
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Indeed but a modern diesel will do 50+ mpg. If driven in a similar manor.

Not that I dive in such a manner, or own a diesel. :wink:
 
My Z4 doesn't commute so isn't out in the rush hour, and most trips are 35+ miles each way - the OBC is showing an average of 33.2mpg.

Before I saw the light I had a 123d for 6+ years and that "only" showed an average of 48.7mpg.

OK the Z4 uses more fuel, but it's a price I don't mind paying for the sound-track and the whole driving experience. :D
 
Any car can last 1,000,000 miles. Just replace what it needs and keep truckin, seriously. I have a '69 Mercedes that's as good as it was in 1979. Repairing, especially if done 'DYI', is also always cheaper than buying new every 5 or so years, as in tens of thousands cheaper, in the long run. So if he really likes this car, then he can commit to it and enjoy a great many years with it.
 
Taken all comments on board and the lad had a look at some diesels and then we looked at the pennies (more like £s) and for a diesel that he felt he could live with for a couple of years there was not a lot of saving over running the Z4. He drove to work this morning doing a very similar journey to the one he will be doing and although twice the distance of his usual commute, it didn't take much longer. All down to less traffic congestion and therefore a lot less stop/start driving which should be better for the car.
Looks as if the Z4 will be staying.
Thanks for all the comments - they really helped.
 
One thing i can say for my 10 year old 82k Zed, it's just passed it's 7th mot under my ownership and has never failed a mot.
That's a first for all the cars i have owned.
Most other cars i have owned i would be replacing the exhaust, ball joints and gaiters by now.
And adjusting the hand brake for the millionth time.
 
My '69 Merc has not failed an MOT yet. Just maintain as needed. Same for our two Volvos (150K plus miles) and our 95K miles Z4.
 
There is a lot more electronics and sensitive, complex and potentially temperamental stuff in a Zed than a '69 Merc Clees... When it goes wrong, it goes expensively wrong.... I take your general point though.
 
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