[shad0wboss]

Hey guys,

As i finally sold my E90, i am looking at the F series and i found one being sold by a private owner. It has done 140k kms and has decent options.

What are some things i can look out for in case the owner isn't willing to do the technical test?

Any tip will be greatly appreciated as well.

[ReluctantRenegade]

1. Timing chain
2. Timing chain
3. Timing chain

Generally, N47 engines from 2010 are much better than the ones built between 2007-2009 (so all F10/11s should have the improved version as they came out in 2010) but still (very) far from being truoble free. I suggest you google N47 timing chain problems and dig into the issue as deep as you can before you commit to buy one. The timing chain problems were supposed to be completely eleminated on cars built after March 2013, however, problems were reported even on 2014 cars.

[ReluctantRenegade]

Sorry, forgot to ask: what year are you looking at to buy?

[vladmury]

I would never buy a 520d, find a 530d if you want a diesel.

The 2.0 l engine is too small for such a heavy car.

[bfleming]

I have the 525d, the 2.0 218PS one. It's a fantastic car.
Lookouts:
Has the EGR cooler recall been addressed?
F07/F11 has rear air suspension, and the air springs need attention every 4 years or so as they will fail. F10 has steel springs, so not the same concerns.
Timing chains (on all models) can fail, but seem to do so because of maintenance neglect / symptom neglect. Few fail spontaneously.
The later 518d is underpowered. The 520d or bigger has enough power for everyday use.

[Jamese93]

Originally Posted by vladmury

I would never buy a 520d, find a 530d if you want a diesel.

The 2.0 l engine is too small for such a heavy car.

I've owned all sorts of different ones from a 520d 2015, a 2012 523i, a 2011 525d to a 530d and also a 640d. I disagree, the 520d is no ball of fire but perfectly adequate. Today I had three quarters of a tonne of shale in the boot of my current 520d and up hill down dale it was fine. By comparison my Macan S does not feel that much faster. A 520i or a 518d however you would be pushing your luck, it's on the motorway you notice it most! Still horse for courses, it took quite a while for me to convince myself against a six cylinder car, as I now do a large mileage and could do with more than 30 to the gallon which my larger engined diesel and petrol ones gave me. My advice as always would be to drive a few and see what you think. Not all models of the same car drive the same depending on how they have been treated.

[JamesB8721]

I'm too going to be looking to buy a 520d Touring 2013+ what things should I check or is there anything I need to know? I'm looking at ones with around 70K Miles on the clock