How many miles will a BMW 5 series 530D do?

[Mich the Tester]

One thing with the turbo is that you should let the engine idle for about 20 seconds before switching off, as otherwise the turbo can continue rolling without oil being pumped through it, and then it can destroy itself after about 150k miles.

[Paddy]

Nothing but Problems with 530D - BMW Forum - BimmerWerkz.com

Do a search for the 530d, it seems to be very unreliable.

[original PM]

Full Service History? If so I guess it is down to luck with these things.... Which is why I am considering getting a cheaper 11 year old one...... Low risk

Had full service history - was a compmay car with 1 owner (Finance director) so I was assuming as all accountants are boring it would not have been pushed too hard!

but yes I think as soon as you look at cars with 100k+ on the clock you are entering a bit of a lottery.

[tranceporter]

One thing with the turbo is that you should let the engine idle for about 20 seconds before switching off, as otherwise the turbo can continue rolling without oil being pumped through it, and then it can destroy itself after about 150k miles.

This! Can't stress this enough. Either let it idle to let the oil drain, or get a turbo timer fitted, which automatically does that for you. If you drive it hard, and then pootle along some city roads at 30mph, then you can switch it off immediately. But switching it off immediately after driving hard is an invitation for blown turbo seals.

[original PM]

This! Can't stress this enough. Either let it idle to let the oil drain, or get a turbo timer fitted, which automatically does that for you. If you drive it hard, and then pootle along some city roads at 30mph, then you can switch it off immediately. But switching it off immediately after driving hard is an invitation for blown turbo seals.

oops!

[northernladuk]

It's not just the engines though. If he has been doing a lot of road (not motorway miles) there starts to be problems with play in the steering and all the joints in the hub (not to forget the dam rubber covers which go when they want). Bearings could be an issue even if it is a Beemer. Ok getting a great looking car like that but if the suspension/steering knocks or bangs it makes the drive bloody awful.

Have to say though for that price it looks like a nice car and you should be able to hear any knocks or play in steering.

All said and done I went for a Ford Focus at around £4k to eat the miles to client co and it's suffered all the above at only 70k so I will be going back to a big older car like this when it goes tbh.

Don't forget to check out the Audi A6's as well. Get a lot of car for your cash with these as well.

[tranceporter]

Going to look at (and hopefully buy) an oldish BMW with 130k on the clock tomorrow. It has full service history and looks in mint condition.

Is 130k on the clock even a lot for a diesel BMW?

Not sure if you have already done this, but I would pay BMW some money to just get the car inspected. Ask them to do a thorough inspection, and come up with a list of what needs changing on a scale of 1-10. If there is something scary like smoky turbo, leaking shock absorbers, leaky gearbox etc, then you want to stay away from it. A hundred quid spent now would be well worth it later onwards.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

Not sure if you have already done this, but I would pay BMW some money to just get the car inspected. Ask them to do a thorough inspection, and come up with a list of what needs changing on a scale of 1-10. If there is something scary like smoky turbo, leaking shock absorbers, leaky gearbox etc, then you want to stay away from it. A hundred quid spent now would be well worth it later onwards.

garages will be ok with this?

[gingerjedi]

Diesel engines are tough little b*ggers and 130k isn't too bad, provided the cars been regularly serviced.

If the current owner can't provide proof that the cam-belt has been changed within the last 60k then you'd best budget for that (and the water pump if it's the original). Min £300.

Cam belt? Pretty sure BMW have chains in all their engines.

As for tough, old non turbo diesels maybe as they were never pushed hard. Modern diesels seem to be fragile and expensive to fix from the horror stories I've been reading.

DPF failing, injectors blocking, fuel pumps seizing, cambelts snapping, camchains stretching, swirl flaps dropping off and destroying the engine, turbos failing, fuel leaking into the engine oil... etc etc

Most of these don't seem to effect petrol engines to anywhere near the same extent, I want a diesel next for the mpg and torque but I'm struggling to justify it to myself especially when they cost 20% more in the first place.

[sasguru]

FFS not another aging boring BMW on the road.
Get a Citroen C6. A bit different, comfy as hell, great motorway cruiser and cheap as chips.
Oh and according to a mate who has one, the diesel 2.7 is brilliant.