Good buy- 04 4.8is?
 

I've been looking for a 4.8is to be available in my city for about 2 years now.

I just found one for sale by the owner and it looks brand new, it has 116k miles and they just spend $4k on maintenance.

I was wondering if those are too many miles? I'm also going to buy extended warranty.

Thanks!

This big question is how much are they asking? From what I've heard, it can go either one of two ways. 1. By now, all of the major issues have been fixed. or 2. You're about due for some major issues if they haven't been fixed. Some people are better with maintenance than others. If you know of a good independent shop, I'd ask the seller if it were too much to ask that you both go to get it checked out. Even then, some things might get missed or not bad at that moment. Bought mine in January and I was told that it looks solid and all I need to replace is one tie rod end and maybe a cv boot. Now I'm about to spend roughly $1500 on the front end and tires all around. So it's a crap shoot. I had gotten an extended warranty. It was $2600ish for 24k miles/24 months. I cancelled it because I had faith that I would make it to 100k miles before I have any major issues. Only 10k miles to go before I win the bet ;-)

Be sure to get all the records for maintenance in it and see what all has been done. If the owner truly has taken great care of it then, 116k on the clock is nothing and many would snatch it up right now!

I got my 04 4.8 with 94k last thanksgiving and immediately knew I would need to put about $3-4k into it. CV axles were due, suspension arms and minor cosmetic interior work would have to be done. Engine was clean and purred like a kitten so I got it and even with the additional unexpected work, I have no regrets and will keep it!

Get it before Twin Turbo does!!

:rofl:

I wouldn't snake his deal. Well... I started looking all over last night and saw this too, but he mentioned it and he has first dibs.

Now as far as price, being relative to market trends, it is priced high. There are a few in Jersey with ~98K - 100K miles in a MY 2005 and up going for that much and they are one to two owners.

Even right now, I spotted an 04 4.8is loaded with 104K miles at $18K at a BWM dealership and is a one owner.

So relative to where this private seller is, he is looking for above full retail on it.

Thanks guys.

Haha, it is above retail about 1-2k but it's in pretty great condition.

Go get it man!

Soon ill go check it out. Are there anythings in particular I should check?

Service records as mentioned... CV boots, have a flash light handy and look at the sides and bottom of the engine and skid plate for oil/ fluid leaks.

Get it to a trusty mechanic if possible for a good look up on a lift.

Keep us updated with your decision!!

Good Luck!

Let's see. If you are going yourself, then check these things. This isn't a complete list, but has most of the common areas.

Engine:
Look for any unusual grease spots.
Listen for excessive valve tick.
Listen to motor at start up for any banging or anything unusual
Rev motor for any engine whine
Check under for any leaks
Open coolant tanks and see if coolant is blue and not green.

Tranny-

Test drive, check for 1 to 2nd hesitation, bucking, delays, etc
Check for 3rd to 4th hesitation, bucking, delays, etc
Listen to the tranny when the X downshifts from those gears.
Find any delay in R and D
Any lurching or Jerking

Suspension:
You are limited, but check with the owner in the car, place X in Drive and have him take his foot off the brake. After 10 seconds or so, have him jam the brakes. Watch carefully for the front wheels. Any movement within the well indicated some rubber component that is shot in the suspension. Looking at the picture, the guy has an incline drive. SO when you do test drive it, drive it up his driveway and listen for a clunk.

Exterior:
Check all lights.
Check for any body work. Now I can't remember what color it was, but I think black. If it is Black Sapphire, check carefully for any lightening of metallic flake. You will see the finish be nice in one area, but if you move your eye slowly, you can see spray over run from the metallic flake. Run your finger along all seams, checking for a step in paint.

Check all glass. Make sure they all have BMW logo. If not, ask what happened. If a replaced Windshield, usually it is because of a rock chip. If it is a side or rear window, either it was a break-in, accident, or Tiger Woods' Ex wife went Ape sh*t on it.

Interior:

Make sure all door handles work, inside and outside.
No Pixels out on Cluster.
No tamper dot by "Trip" counter
Excessive wear on seats, arm rests, etc.
Make sure all controls work.
Hard to test Rain Sensing wipers, just check outside if there is any bubbling around sensor.

Other Mechanical:

Check Air Ride suspension. Try to be there when you first start it. Any significant movement in ride hight indicates a problem with the Air bags. Use the control panel to raise and lower the suspension.
Check driveway for any oil spots and look under X carefully.

Well that is all I can think about now, good luck.

Thanks guys! I'll have a look soon!