In the market for a 340i/440i - is 2016 too old now?

[GEKO]

Been in the market now for a 340i or a 440i for a few months now and just haven't been able to pull the trigger just yet. Found a decently specced 440i recently with 50k miles for just under £20k. I would preferably like a 2018 or 2019 car but haven't found the one. Either they're too expensive for what they are, or are poverty spec.

How does a 16 reg 40i hold up these days?

[RichardC300]

I was in your shoes 2 years ago searching for a really clean 440i Gran Coupe, and I never pulled the trigger on one, because I thought the same things you did. They're priced that way, because the demand is most likely there, so if you don't buy one that meets your criteria because you think it's just a little too overpriced, you might not ever find one, because there might be someone out there that wants the same thing and will pay the asking price. F30 340i and F36 440i cars are pretty desirable cars, because so many people praise the B58 engine.

But a 2016 car will have 10-year-old car issues in addition to gen 1 B58 issues, like the oil filter housing and the PCV valve and cooling system issues. I had a 10-year-old M235i, and it was starting to get age/mileage-related issues that would have needed to be addressed if I didn't sell it, and it needed a new valve cover TWICE during my 3-year ownership. So have a budget for repairs, even if you buy a super clean one.

[pbonsalb]

10 year old BMWs are great for DIYers.

[JABCAT]

Do you want one just to say you drive a BMW? Unless it's a special model or performance model, I don't see the point in buying a 10-yr-old basic sedan. There are so many better, newer non-BMW options available.

[GEKO]

Originally Posted by RichardC300

I was in your shoes 2 years ago searching for a really clean 440i Gran Coupe, and I never pulled the trigger on one, because I thought the same things you did. They're priced that way, because the demand is most likely there, so if you don't buy one that meets your criteria because you think it's just a little too overpriced, you might not ever find one, because there might be someone out there that wants the same thing and will pay the asking price. F30 340i and F36 440i cars are pretty desirable cars, because so many people praise the B58 engine.

But a 2016 car will have 10-year-old car issues in addition to gen 1 B58 issues, like the oil filter housing and the PCV valve and cooling system issues. I had a 10-year-old M235i, and it was starting to get age/mileage-related issues that would have needed to be addressed if I didn't sell it, and it needed a new valve cover TWICE during my 3-year ownership. So have a budget for repairs, even if you buy a super clean one.

I found mine today! Put a deposit down and seeing it at the weekend. Let’s hope it’s as good in person as it was online.

2018 440i 44k BMW FSH for £22k
Snapper rock blue too 😍

[GEKO]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

Do you want one just to say you drive a BMW? Unless it's a special model or performance model, I don't see the point in buying a 10-yr-old basic sedan. There are so many better, newer non-BMW options available.

Would buy a cheaper, newer 20i if all I wanted was a BMW! I want to experience the B58 before we move fully to electric vehicles

[RichardC300]

Originally Posted by joe_4411

I found mine today! Put a deposit down and seeing it at the weekend. Let’s hope it’s as good in person as it was online.

2018 440i 44k BMW FSH for £22k
Snapper rock blue too 😍

I’m guessing 44k kilometers since you’re in the UK? Sounds like an awesome car! Snapper rock blue is a nice color. Enjoy it!

[GEKO]

Originally Posted by RichardC300

I’m guessing 44k kilometers since you’re in the UK? Sounds like an awesome car! Snapper rock blue is a nice color. Enjoy it!

Wish it was KM, its miles. We still use imperial (mostly) for driving related things

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by joe_4411

Been in the market now for a 340i or a 440i for a few months now and just haven't been able to pull the trigger just yet. Found a decently specced 440i recently with 50k miles for just under £20k. I would preferably like a 2018 or 2019 car but haven't found the one. Either they're too expensive for what they are, or are poverty spec.

How does a 16 reg 40i hold up these days?

10 year old cars are going to have 10 year old car issues lol. Gaskets, seals, wear and tear items, etc.

[25 V8 IS]

Originally Posted by joe_4411

Wish it was KM, its miles. We still use imperial (mostly) for driving related things

Just be prepared once you hit 60K. I had a 2012 335i coupe that I bought with 43K. Now I know it is not apples to apples because that car had the N55 and yours has the B58, but once I hit 60K all sorts of issues started popping up on the car.

Just make sure you have either an extended warranty or cash set aside if anything does go wrong.

Enjoy in good health!

[GEKO]

Originally Posted by 25 V8 IS

Just be prepared once you hit 60K. I had a 2012 335i coupe that I bought with 43K. Now I know it is not apples to apples because that car had the N55 and yours has the B58, but once I hit 60K all sorts of issues started popping up on the car.

Just make sure you have either an extended warranty or cash set aside if anything does go wrong.

Enjoy in good health!

Oh for sure! First thing I'm doing is taking it to a BMW independent garage to service it, check the important fluids, potentially change the spark plugs too - although it would be way ahead of schedule. Anything else I'm potentially missing? They've mentioned there's new tyres on there, Continental ones, so will have a go on them, but if I don't like them will be changing to Michelin CC3's.

Also budgeting approx £2.5k a year on general maintenance, parts and any other things that woud need doing. Does this sound about right or am i over/under budgeting?

I can barely contain my excitement atm, just want to go see the car! Always been a BMW guy, but this 4 series has been a dream of mine since the first time I got into one about 12 years ago.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by joe_4411

Oh for sure! First thing I'm doing is taking it to a BMW independent garage to service it, check the important fluids, potentially change the spark plugs too - although it would be way ahead of schedule. Anything else I'm potentially missing? They've mentioned there's new tyres on there, Continental ones, so will have a go on them, but if I don't like them will be changing to Michelin CC3's.

Also budgeting approx £2.5k a year on general maintenance, parts and any other things that woud need doing. Does this sound about right or am i over/under budgeting?

I can barely contain my excitement atm, just want to go see the car! Always been a BMW guy, but this 4 series has been a dream of mine since the first time I got into one about 12 years ago.

If you're budgeting £2.5k a year, you'll be good. Most years, it will be much lower than that, but a few years it will be pricey. The B58 is a pretty reliable engine. The common issues are the oil filter housing (cracks / leaks), water pumps, occasionally a leaking liquid to air intercooler, and failed PCV in the valve cover. The biggest issue, though not super common, is leaking fuel injectors which can dilute the oil film on the cylinder walls and lead to bore scoring. If that happens, the engine is done as the B58 does not have steel cylinder liners, rather it uses a very thin layer of plasma arc spray. If that "liner" is damaged, it can't be easily fixed and would be easier / cheaper to source a used motor. The easiest way to check for leaking injectors is to let the motor sit for 24 hours with the spark plugs removed and run a borescope into each cylinder looking for liquid (i.e., fuel) sitting on top of the piston. IMO, it is worthwhile to do this once a year if you have a 5 y/o+ B58. You can do this yourself with minimal tools, borescope ($100), and about 2 hours of your time total.

[GEKO]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

The biggest issue, though not super common, is leaking fuel injectors which can dilute the oil film on the cylinder walls and lead to bore scoring.

Ok, that's something to watch out for. I'm very inexperienced when it comes to car DIY, so I'll have the mechanic look out for that when I take the car there. Is there any way to quickly identify if it could potentially be a problem before I buy the car?

[KevinGS]

I drive a 2013 M3 with 160,000 miles, to the grocery store, to the cleaners, to work, year-round through every season.

Find a car that was well-maintained, and a good aftermarket BMW shop or mechanic, and you should be OK. But do your research on that particular model for the common issues...spend time in that specific forum, and ask questions. And read the past threads. You'll learn a lot.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by joe_4411

Ok, that's something to watch out for. I'm very inexperienced when it comes to car DIY, so I'll have the mechanic look out for that when I take the car there. Is there any way to quickly identify if it could potentially be a problem before I buy the car?

I'd pull the plugs and inspect the cylinder bore for scoring. They'll need to rotate the crank to get each of the pistons at their lowest positions.

[thebmw]

In the past, this conversation was much easier. Old car with lots of potential maintenance costs = run. However, the conversation now is quite different. Newer cars are not better on multiple levels. They are more numb, weigh more, cost more, look worse, lack buttons, have massive electronic problems, and are harder or sometimes impossible to fix.

So, even if maintenance costs are higher on the used car, you are getting something that you simply cannot buy brand new. That is why many used and "old" cars are holding their value or even cost more than some of their new car equivalents

So the question is, what are you looking for and what is really important to you.

[kudos]

Originally Posted by thebmw

In the past, this conversation was much easier. Old car with lots of potential maintenance costs = run. However, the conversation now is quite different. Newer cars are not better on multiple levels. They are more numb, weigh more, cost more, look worse, lack buttons, have massive electronic problems, and are harder or sometimes impossible to fix.

So, even if maintenance costs are higher on the used car, you are getting something that you simply cannot buy brand new. That is why many used and "old" cars are holding their value or even cost more than some of their new car equivalents

So the question is, what are you looking for and what is really important to you.

Another reason why I want to buy a A90 while I still can.