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Winter workhorse + Health update

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 4:53 pm
by N4LLY
:wink: Would this be the ticket or other marques i should be looking at ??

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 23&fromsra

This is only 33 miles away. Do not want to be traveling too far for a banger.

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 6:51 pm
by Mr Tidy
It looks like it has loads of options fitted. :thumbsup:

But would you do enough longer journeys fairly often for the DPF to regen?

My main concern would be that it will have the N47 diesel engine which can suffer cam-chain issues, and some bright spark at BMW decided to put it on the back of the engine! Having said that there must be loads of them that don't have a problem as they put them in 1, 3 and 5 Series as well.

Although it's one of the reasons I sold my 123d with that engine when it was on 81,000 miles - the other was that I fancied a change and it meant I got my first Z4. :D

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:09 pm
by pvr
Does 2008 have a DPF though?

I quite like them, the mileage is decent as well

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:16 pm
by DonDon
It says Euro 4, so might be taxed out of existence in the next few years. Also, would be liable for any congestion charges.

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:18 pm
by Mr Tidy
The 1 Series facelift came out in March 2007 and they all had one, so they were Euro IV rather than Euro III like the 320td I had before that.

The pre-facelift 1 Series didn't have one so the exhaust pointed at the ground like my 320td to try to disguise the cloud of smoke that came out when you booted it!

That X3 is an 08 and the exhaust doesn't point downwards and it's Euro IV so I expect it would have a DPF.

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:33 pm
by paddy wright
I’d be tempted to get a petrol one if it’s to be a winter beater- the 2.0d is not the best engine.
Or go for an e53 X5 with the more reliable M54 engine same as our Zeds.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 0153017099

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:35 pm
by enuff_zed
Buy yourself a Discovery Sport.
A chap in Luton reckons they are guaranteed to keep you warm through the winter. :D

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 8:01 pm
by N4LLY
enuff_zed wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2023 7:35 pm Buy yourself a Discovery Sport.
A chap in Luton reckons they are guaranteed to keep you warm through the winter. :D
:D

Not a long term, keeper. a winter workhorse. 2 commutes a week to work, odd trip to the tip.
MOT history pretty good. Apparently full service history and 3 month's warrenty.

Sent seller a message.

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 8:46 pm
by Mr Tidy
Hope it works out. :thumbsup:

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:31 pm
by Pondrew
N4LLY wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2023 8:01 pm Not a long term, keeper. a winter workhorse. 2 commutes a week to work, odd trip to the tip.
MOT history pretty good. Apparently full service history and 3 month's warrenty.

Sent seller a message.
I have become a bit of an 'ebay expert' on cheap old German cars, as a mate of mine keeps sending me links to piles of old shite he wants to buy. I have lost count of the number he has sent me over the past few months.

That does look extremely good value on the surface, admittedly. No advisory MOT just done. New rear springs recently, etc.
The ONLY thing I would say is.....how much would that dealer have paid for it? If he is offering a 3 month warranty and has put it through an MOT, he would have paid next to nothing for it. Why? What's wrong with it?
I am a sceptic, but it pays to be so IMHO, especially when it comes to car dealers with only a mobile phone number. :)

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:32 pm
by pvr
Perhaps it is a CAT?

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:34 pm
by Pondrew
pvr wrote: Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:32 pm Perhaps it is a CAT?
It could well be a DOG for that money!
Dealers should declare this by law (but car dealers don't usually worry about laws IME).
AT shows it isn't recorded.

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2023 7:25 am
by TitanTim
Looks OK on the surface, just do a Verticle car check if worried about accident damage. Pity its the diesel but then I had 2 118ds and its a decent enough engine when running ok.

End of the day it's a cheap car so not the end of the world if something major surfaced. I'd be more worried about rust at that age but you won't know without looking at it.

Tim.

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2023 11:31 am
by N4LLY
Booked to go see it tomorrow. New wing mirror cover should be on by then :wink:

As said, cheap enough not to worry about. If it's straight i will be having it.

Winter workhorse - Cheap.

Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2023 11:38 am
by pvr
Agreed - very good price and they are solid if not the best looking cars :thumbsup: