Buying a 2011 535xdrive with 77k miles. What to look out for?

MikesBMW · 09-06-2018, 04:40 PM

I'm putting down a deposit on an out of state 2011 535 that's at an Audi dealership. It has 77k miles and all maintained by BMW.. and it has a clean carfax. They said it passed their safety inspection and they put it on a lift and saw no leaks.

When I go to pick up the car, what should I look for in terms of a visual inspection. If all looks good and I take the car home, what sort of annual budget should I plan for for maintenance if I have an independent shop maintain it vs me working on it myself? Any big ticket items go bad after 75k miles or so?

TZ · 09-06-2018, 08:36 PM

F10 535i is a decent car and the best model of the F10s. My 2011 is getting 76K also and runs great. Beside the normal performance, checking leaks for any early failure probably the best thing you can do. I recently removed the bottom cover and discovered sign of leaks. I still can't figure out what kind of leak and where is the source. I cleaned it up and keep an eye on it.
Good luck

MikesBMW · 09-06-2018, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TZ

F10 535i is a decent car and the best model of the F10s. My 2011 is getting 76K also and runs great. Beside the normal performance, checking leaks for any early failure probably the best thing you can do. I recently removed the bottom cover and discovered sign of leaks. I still can't figure out what kind of leak and where is the source. I cleaned it up and keep an eye on it.
Good luck

Cool. Thank you!

vlam · 09-06-2018, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW135iMike

I'm putting down a deposit on an out of state 2011 535 that's at an Audi dealership. It has 77k miles and all maintained by BMW.. and it has a clean carfax. They said it passed their safety inspection and they put it on a lift and saw no leaks.

When I go to pick up the car, what should I look for in terms of a visual inspection. If all looks good and I take the car home, what sort of annual budget should I plan for for maintenance if I have an independent shop maintain it vs me working on it myself? Any big ticket items go bad after 75k miles or so?

If it was all maintained by BMW, you should be able to get a list of all the maintenance work. Forget the normal work done under warranty. Things you want to keep an eye out for with that type of miles.

1. Oil filter housing
2. Plugs
3. Injectors
4. Water pump
5. Belt pulley and tensioner
5. AC related work (compressor/condenser)
6. Valve cover gasket
7. Oil pan gasket
8. Axle boot
9. Transmission filter

I've had to deal with all those items by 80K miles.

The TRG · 09-07-2018, 03:14 PM

Fun fact about carfax that I use all the time now: if you go to mycarfax.com you can create a “garage” for your cars. By inputting the vin# it pulls ALL registered service activity into your dashboard and allows you to view. The best part is that it’s FREE. While shopping for cars, i just continuously added vin#’s of every car that I looked at to see what the service records were and if there was proof to back up the sellers claims.

BurrNinja · 09-07-2018, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vlam

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW135iMike

I'm putting down a deposit on an out of state 2011 535 that's at an Audi dealership. It has 77k miles and all maintained by BMW.. and it has a clean carfax. They said it passed their safety inspection and they put it on a lift and saw no leaks.

When I go to pick up the car, what should I look for in terms of a visual inspection. If all looks good and I take the car home, what sort of annual budget should I plan for for maintenance if I have an independent shop maintain it vs me working on it myself? Any big ticket items go bad after 75k miles or so?

If it was all maintained by BMW, you should be able to get a list of all the maintenance work. Forget the normal work done under warranty. Things you want to keep an eye out for with that type of miles.

1. Oil filter housing
2. Plugs
3. Injectors
4. Water pump
5. Belt pulley and tensioner
5. AC related work (compressor/condenser)
6. Valve cover gasket
7. Oil pan gasket
8. Axle boot
9. Transmission filter

I've had to deal with all those items by 80K miles.

Also check pcv system/rear main seal squealing.

vlam · 09-08-2018, 10:18 AM

Also forgot to mention the battery. You should probably replace if it is still original.

Tasmanian · 09-08-2018, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vlam

Also forgot to mention the battery. You should probably replace if it is still original.

And...that battery could run you $500 to have it installed and programmed by BMW.

Tasmanian

BurrNinja · 09-08-2018, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tasmanian

Quote:

Originally Posted by vlam

Also forgot to mention the battery. You should probably replace if it is still original.

[COLOR="Teal"]
And...that battery could run you $500 to have it installed and programmed by BMW.

Tasmanian[/COLOR]

Install self, and use carly app will save you tons in the future =)

Bmw doubles · 09-11-2018, 11:34 AM

LPFP 2011 should be recall
2011 Vanos might be recall
Oil cooler, oil pan and valve cover gasket leak
Electric Water pump
Ticking in steering electric steering bolts replacement

TTG · 09-13-2018, 03:34 PM

I also would not buy a 1st year production car yet alone a BMW with 75K miles off of a used dealer lot unless you can do all the work yourself or have a pretty good indy. It would be a different story if I personally knew the car's history and the owner.

Save your $$$ and buy something with a warranty which might end up saving you $$$ in the long run.

09-06-2018, 04:40 PM	#1
MikesBMW Banned 318 Rep 1,410 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ohio iTrader: (1) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2017 BMW X1 [0.00]	Buying a 2011 535xdrive with 77k miles. What to look out for? I'm putting down a deposit on an out of state 2011 535 that's at an Audi dealership. It has 77k miles and all maintained by BMW.. and it has a clean carfax. They said it passed their safety inspection and they put it on a lift and saw no leaks. When I go to pick up the car, what should I look for in terms of a visual inspection. If all looks good and I take the car home, what sort of annual budget should I plan for for maintenance if I have an independent shop maintain it vs me working on it myself? Any big ticket items go bad after 75k miles or so?
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09-06-2018, 08:36 PM	#2
TZ Second Lieutenant 51 Rep 228 Posts Drives: 2011 535i xDrive, 2014 435i CO Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	F10 535i is a decent car and the best model of the F10s. My 2011 is getting 76K also and runs great. Beside the normal performance, checking leaks for any early failure probably the best thing you can do. I recently removed the bottom cover and discovered sign of leaks. I still can't figure out what kind of leak and where is the source. I cleaned it up and keep an eye on it. Good luck __________________ 2011 535i xDrive Black/Black, Michelin PS AS 4 2014 435i RWD Convertible Service Manual: www.newtis.info Part: http://www.realoem.com
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09-07-2018, 03:14 PM	#5
The TRG Second Lieutenant 56 Rep 214 Posts Drives: 2016 340ix Black Sapphire Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (2)	Fun fact about carfax that I use all the time now: if you go to mycarfax.com you can create a “garage” for your cars. By inputting the vin# it pulls ALL registered service activity into your dashboard and allows you to view. The best part is that it’s FREE. While shopping for cars, i just continuously added vin#’s of every car that I looked at to see what the service records were and if there was proof to back up the sellers claims.
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09-08-2018, 10:18 AM	#7
vlam Enlisted Member 13 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 535xi Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: 08054 iTrader: (0)	Also forgot to mention the battery. You should probably replace if it is still original.
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09-11-2018, 11:34 AM	#10
Bmw doubles Dream crusher 984 Rep 2,421 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: westside iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 535 [0.00]	LPFP 2011 should be recall 2011 Vanos might be recall Oil cooler, oil pan and valve cover gasket leak Electric Water pump Ticking in steering electric steering bolts replacement __________________ 535i MIssion Performance, PS2, Helix HPFP Kit, Wagner FMIC, Spec 3 clutch, Steel SMF, Wolf Racing CP, UUC SSK, GFB dv, SprintBooster, Custom Dynomax Exhaust, M5 Sways, Eibach OE Springs, Koni Sports Adjustable, Custom Short Ram CAI IG: @bmwdoubles
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09-13-2018, 03:34 PM	#11
TTG ... 935 Rep 4,326 Posts Drives: M340 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [7.84] 2007 335 Coupe (ret ... [9.00]	I also would not buy a 1st year production car yet alone a BMW with 75K miles off of a used dealer lot unless you can do all the work yourself or have a pretty good indy. It would be a different story if I personally knew the car's history and the owner. Save your $$$ and buy something with a warranty which might end up saving you $$$ in the long run. __________________ 2020 G20 M340 xDrive - Portimao Blue - ZDA\|ZPP\|ZPX\|1CR\|1PE\|6NW\|6WD 2016 F10 535i xDrive - AW - Retired 2011 E92 M3 - AW……………....ED April 29th, 2010 - Retired 2007 E92 335i -Space Gray.....ED Oct 19th, 2006 - Retired
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