What should I look for when test driving a used E70?

[Spanky Deluxe]

I'm sure something like this has already posted but the search isn't working for me at the moment.

I'm in the market for a used diesel E70. I had a look at two a few weeks ago but wasn't ready for a purchase then and was just 'scoping' them out. I'll likely be going to look at another one seriously in the next few days.

What kind of things should I look out for?

The one I have my eye on is an approved used car (i.e. from a BMW dealership, I think this is similar to the US' CPO) so I imagine it's been checked over (in theory) and it'll a year's warranty due to being approved used. I've done an HPI check in advance of seeing the vehicle and there are no outstanding issues. It's only had one previous owner and I think has been a BMW lease hire type thing.

Can I ask to see any kind of records for used cars purchased from BMW showing any work done etc? Does it matter? I just want to go in with my eyes open.

[spacegreyx]

Look for noise in the front suspension while driving, especially if it has the 20inch sport package. I drove 2 that made noise (clunk or knock) on bumpy roads. Both dealers told me it was normal, but it wasn't. I bought a 08 E70 and it started to make the noise, took it to the dealer for them to check out. They replaced the electronic swaybar or steering damper. No noise anymore.

[Price]

I'd say #1 would be to check for body repairs. Can't speak of UK, but here in US a car can be CPO'd even after severe accident.

[Boston X5 4.4]

I had the dealership run the VIN # to list all the repairs/services that had been performed to date....assuming you can do the same in the UK.

[Spanky Deluxe]

Thanks for all the tips! I think I've found a good one and will hopefully be taking ownership of it next Friday. They ran the VIN number for me and it looks like it's only been in for services. I couldn't see any evidence of any past crashes and although it won't tell me much more, the HPI would tell me if it had ever been a write off. The previous owner sounds like a decent owner too and has added a few goodies to the car since getting it. He's also been a client of the dealership for 20 years and has traded the car in to upgrade to a new X6 now that his kids have grown up. He's also an engineer by trade (not car engineer but still) so I'd hope that he'd be the type of guy that takes care of his vehicles.

It's a great spec car and I feel like I've got a good price for it (slightly more than what the Parker's guide would suggest but that doesn't take everything into account) and I've also got them to give me 2 years of warranty instead of 1 (alas they don't hand out warranties quite here quite like they do in the US - new BMWs get 3 years warranty and approved used get 1 year).

I'll post photos of it when I get it next week!