[Knighrider949]

I am having a difficult time deciding whether to keep my 2012 528i or sell it. I am currently at 98,000+ miles. I have had no problems until this month, which the following repairs were done:

*Valve cover assembly and gasket

*Coolant expansion tank

*Motor mounts.

I replaced the battery, spark plugs and coils, and did a brake fluid flush. Also, I'm debating to replaced the timing chain and oil pump drive chain as a preventive measure if I decide to keep the car.

Now, with all these repairs done recently (including the timing/oil chains), would it be safe to assume that I can drive my car for another 50K with not major repairs? Or should I forget about replacing the timing/oil chains (cost about 2K) and sell it before it hits 100K miles. I love driving my car and not really interested in getting a new CPO, but I'm afraid that keeping it with such high mileage would cost more than a CPO in the long run.

I know this is a subjective question, but I'm looking for anyone with similar predicaments of keeping a car with 100K+ miles or selling it. I appreciate your input.

[ezaircon4jc]

What are your long term plans? If you plan on keeping it for a while, repairs, to a point, are cheaper than a car payment.

[velos]

Regarding timing chain, I asked the service guy about the schedule replacement for the chain, he said never. Probably just the chain guide. Just keep using synthetic oil and premium gas easy another 50k miles.

[BigKutta]

OP - I have the exact same car as you (about 78k miles), and I just got my motor mounts replaced and the car drives like a brand new car.

Fortunately for me I was able to get the timing chain guides replaced by BMW before the extended 7 yr warranty expired. I think they may be extending that based on a settlement...I'm not sure but call your BMW dealer and ask if they'll cover it. What is the cost of replacement of the guides if you paid out of pocket?

Overall, the car has been reliable for me and I do plan to keep it another 5 years. Last couple of years have been routine maintenance only so why not. Looks like you've put some money into it so I'd hold onto it as long as i could.

[OnlyGerman]

Cars don't blow up over 100k like many people think. If you like it and don't want a car payment, keep it and get some preventative repairs completed.

[chipguy]

I have the same car and at 92k miles. Owned the car since new and changed the engine oil every 5k miles. Did the timing chain guides (only) and not the chain myself. The chain stretch was very minimal. After what I read on line, the sudden failures were due to the guide disintegrating. My guides were cracked at a couple of points already.

3 other repairs you probably need soon:

Oil filter housing gasket
Rear diff bushing
Trans fluid and filter change

BTW, I decided to keep the car at least a few more years.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by chipguy

I have the same car and at 92k miles. Owned the car since new and changed the engine oil every 5k miles. Did the timing chain guides (only) and not the chain myself. The chain stretch was very minimal. After what I read on line, the sudden failures were due to the guide disintegrating. My guides were cracked at a couple of points already.

3 other repairs you probably need soon:

Oil filter housing gasket
Rear diff bushing
Trans fluid and filter change

BTW, I decided to keep the car at least a few more years.

Interesting, my mechanic has been keeping an eye on the oil pan gasket for me as well. There is a leak but nothing worth addressing. I will also get a trans fluid change at 100k (may be years away for me).

How do you diagnose the rear diff bushing?

[chipguy]

It is through a visual inspection. THere is a good article on this.

https://bmwtechnician.com/2016/11/19...ntial-bushing/

FYI, ZF recommends changing the trans fluid at 60k miles.

[streetcommander]

Chipguy, how long did the chain guide replacement take, and was it a challenge? Assume I used to turn wrenches for a living 15 years ago. Any tips?

Through the valve cover I presume?

[chipguy]

Originally Posted by streetcommander

Chipguy, how long did the chain guide replacement take, and was it a challenge? Assume I used to turn wrenches for a living 15 years ago. Any tips?

Through the valve cover I presume?

I am a DIY'er, never turned wrenches for a living.

Took me about 15 hours. I was super careful and used a torque wrench on most of the bolts. The valve cover and the hpfp pump bolts need to be tightened evenly with 1/2 turn on each bolt.

I would say if you are comfortable taking off the valve cover, you could probably do the job. You would also need the timing tool to hold the camshafts in place.

You can also inspect the guide with a borescope through the oil filler cap. The tabs are the first to go.

[moosebeamer]

I get the concern about fix a bunch of stuff or get rid of it and start over again. Im so fed up with initial depreciation that I decided for the first time (and first BMW) to fix things (within reason) and see what I spend over the remaining life of the car.

I have a '12 528xi which now has 172K miles on it. It was CPO. So what have I been responsible for thats non regular maintenance since crossing 100K mile warranty.

All this stuff was done by my local mechanic, not BMW. These are rough prices

1800 transfer case rebuilt
3800 replaced left and right front axle's , tie rods, control arms
300 replaced guibo (what a name)
1200 valve cover job
600 water pump (preventative)
$7700

This sounds like sticker shock to some. But the thought of spending another $60K only to watch 15-20K of it basically depreciate immediately out of the dealership was just not what I wanted to deal with. If I had a major engine issue (timing guide etc), I would have probably stopped. But other than the valve cover job, any other engine issue happened in regular warranty. Also, a car payment over the almost 5 years since this all started would have cost more than 3 times that.

One longevity item that lasted an insane amount of time was my battery. Replaced after almost 10 years and 165K miles.

I still love this car and plan to keep it past 200K miles, but I suspect I have an engine mount issue, and know I have HVAC fan blower issue now too.

Barry

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by moosebeamer

I get the concern about fix a bunch of stuff or get rid of it and start over again. Im so fed up with initial depreciation that I decided for the first time (and first BMW) to fix things (within reason) and see what I spend over the remaining life of the car.

I have a '12 528xi which now has 172K miles on it. It was CPO. So what have I been responsible for thats non regular maintenance since crossing 100K mile warranty.

All this stuff was done by my local mechanic, not BMW. These are rough prices

1800 transfer case rebuilt
3800 replaced left and right front axle's , tie rods, control arms
300 replaced guibo (what a name)
1200 valve cover job
600 water pump (preventative)
$7700

This sounds like sticker shock to some. But the thought of spending another $60K only to watch 15-20K of it basically depreciate immediately out of the dealership was just not what I wanted to deal with. If I had a major engine issue (timing guide etc), I would have probably stopped. But other than the valve cover job, any other engine issue happened in regular warranty. Also, a car payment over the almost 5 years since this all started would have cost more than 3 times that.

One longevity item that lasted an insane amount of time was my battery. Replaced after almost 10 years and 165K miles.

I still love this car and plan to keep it past 200K miles, but I suspect I have an engine mount issue, and know I have HVAC fan blower issue now too.

Barry

Engine mounts issue can be fixed and its not very expensive, but makes a world of a difference. I have the fan blower issue LOL. The fan is crazy loud (like groaning) when its running high. Whats the fix for that?

[div1ne]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

Engine mounts issue can be fixed and its not very expensive, but makes a world of a difference. I have the fan blower issue LOL. The fan is crazy loud (like groaning) when its running high. Whats the fix for that?

I literally have the same issues with the fan blower. On top of that, when it's set on cold the AC is blowing hot air in the leg area, both driver and passenger side. Service appointment in the works

[moosebeamer]

Sorry for the delay. Been out of town.

Well my fan barely runs at all anymore. And I need it for the hot summer. In the winter, I mostly live with my heated seats (nuclear powered).

I found this old article and am hoping based off the discussion that its the root cause, or maybe I just need to replace the fan.

https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthr...light=HVAC+fan

Barry

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Knighrider949

I am having a difficult time deciding whether to keep my 2012 528i or sell it. I am currently at 98,000+ miles. I have had no problems until this month, which the following repairs were done:

*Valve cover assembly and gasket

*Coolant expansion tank

*Motor mounts.

I replaced the battery, spark plugs and coils, and did a brake fluid flush. Also, I'm debating to replaced the timing chain and oil pump drive chain as a preventive measure if I decide to keep the car.

Now, with all these repairs done recently (including the timing/oil chains), would it be safe to assume that I can drive my car for another 50K with not major repairs? Or should I forget about replacing the timing/oil chains (cost about 2K) and sell it before it hits 100K miles. I love driving my car and not really interested in getting a new CPO, but I'm afraid that keeping it with such high mileage would cost more than a CPO in the long run.

I know this is a subjective question, but I'm looking for anyone with similar predicaments of keeping a car with 100K+ miles or selling it. I appreciate your input.

Oh man, car is just getting broken in! Definitely a keeper. Do those three known repairs, plus transmission fluid, and a water pump. Check the oil pan gasket and maybe do that and the water pump when you're getting the motor mounts done. Valve guides maybe as preventative maintenance? Presume those are going to go. Even if you have to put another $5k into it over the next two years, what car are you going to get for that? That's only $200 a month for those two years, a lot cheaper than a car payment! I don't think you would have to put that much, but maybe with the guides it could get up there.

Remember, the best used car you can buy is the one you own!