[unkkn0wn]

Context:

I’d be a first time bmw owner. Seen this listing setup a test drive of this car this weekend. Been doing research and came across a few common issues with these N55 motors. So I haven’t seen the car in person but I know common things people replace on these cars from plastic to aluminum(ie. charge pipe, coolant cap, etc) Also to mention seller would take $6800 as lowest.. My common thing I always thought with BMWs close to or more than 100k miles stay away.

What i’m asking,

1.Good deal?
2. What to look for/stay away from when checking the car?
3. If I do purchase the car what should be the first things I do to not “insure” reliability but give me a little more life than expected? if that makes sense.

[BashShah]

Do Car Fax and Lien search
I am not sure if this an MSport vehicle or not, but, those RIMs are not Msport rims.....atleast I have never seen them on a 535i here.

6800 to 7000 is not thatr much of a difference.
I have had 2012 335 from 2018 to 2023 and put 100K km on it and only had 1 issue and did a few preventative maintenance items.
Also My 2012 335i had 19 inch Rims that looks exactly like the one you posted.

1) If the OFHG is leaking or starting to.... replace it (Myway...I used permetek ultra grey along with an updated gasket....I have done it 5 times on 4 different vehicles), This will save you the tensioner and Serpentine belt in the future.
2) Plugs all of them..... I did this within the 1st month of ownership. I did coils also but that is up to you if you want to. (They do last longer than plugs... I used OEM Bosch and I did not intend to tune.
3) Valve Cover Gasket did go, and I had to to that.... not that bad of a job.

Other than that.....N55 Very reliable.

Also, my 2 cents.
try to get a 2014 LCI or newer Msport.... worth it.
comes with Round airbag Msport streering wheel.

I think I just picked up the cleanest 2016 535i MSport 20 inch wheels, like 4 weeks ago.
Space Grey Cream Interior and July 2016 Production Month and with only 74K km on it.
Just under 14K USD.

[ctcarbonari]

imho, ~$7k for an M-Sport (F10) 535 w/ ~85k+ miles is a great deal.

Agree with everything the previous post said. Especially in regard to those rims. There's something off about them. Probably aftermarket but I've no idea.

Best bet is to have and Indy shop w/ certified BMW techs do a PPI on it.

As with any used car, I'd plan on dumping ALL the fluids and changing filters (Engine oil/filter, Engine Air Filter, Cabin Air Filter, Tranny Fluid & Filter/Pan, Brake fluid flush, coolant flush)

All N55s will eventually leak engine oil w/ the OFHG being the most critical to address. The Valve Cover and Oil Pan gasket leaks are more of a nuisance; however, the OP gasket is a headache to DIY w/ xdrive and will be expensive to have a mechanic fix.

@85k+ miles your transmission is overdue for fluid/filter service (assuming it has never been done). Also, this is the time to change differentials oil and transfer case oil.

@85k+ miles the flex disc on the driveline (aka the Giubo disc) has been known to start cracking as well as the one main rear bushing starting to tear.

@85k+ miles for sure change the plugs if they've never been done! I'd do the coils too but not "necessary", imo.

You should be considering changing out the Tensioner, Belt, and Pulley soon-ish (before 100k miles). Good time to add an aftermarket crankseal guard.

Consider changing out the coolant hose flange (aka the mickey mouse flange) to an aftermarket aluminum style.

Check the headlight lenses for water ingress (condensation on the inside) and make sure the DRLs, high/lows all work. Not sure if this (or all 535s?) have the Xenon Adaptive Headlights but they are very expensive to replace. They can be sealed and new gaskets installed if you catch the ingress problem early enough.

If the car has comfort access check all the door handles!

Overall the N55 has a decent reputation for longevity. You'll just need to give it some preventative maintenance TLC. You won't be the quickest off the line but the high end torque is wonderful. I thoroughly love my 15' 535i.

Take the car for a test drive, listen for any turbo whine (doubtful) and get the engine up to temp. Needle should be just slightly to the left of "noon" at normal operating temp.

Good Luck!!!

P.S. The 3 stripes on the grill would make me think that the kid prolly "got on it" immediatly after starting up in the mornings. But that's just the old man in me talking.

Here's a pic of what the stock M-Sport rims look like. (not the rotors are Zimmermann drilled - for looks.) IMHO, Drilled and slotted rotors don't any performance benefit on the stock caliper brake set-up.

[ezaircon4jc]

It's missing the right side headlight washer cover...

Personally, I'd pass.

[Cvx5832]

Pass. Get something newer. 2014+

[ChiltiCoatl89]

It's a 2011, I'd pass on that, as mentioned above several times, get a 2013+ LCI and don't look back if you are wanting a F10 535i

[StradaRedlands]

Can you DIY the maintenance items listed above? If so, definitely get it. If not... budget in to get that work done and then decide how bad you need it LOL