Car advice, anyone?

G-RMPS

G-RMPS

Joined
Oct 27, 2017
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Since 2014
A neighbour bought a brand new high-spec BMW 3-series estate car around 2018. He developed dementia soon afterwards, and his license was withdrawn. The car has never moved from his garage since then. It’s probably only got 5000 miles on the clock. I think it is diesel, but not certain.

What might be the downsides of offering to purchase this? I don’t know the reg. it may not even be sorn’d

Thanks…
 
Battery,filter(s) wipers, discs, pads, seals and tyres plus fluid changes, if not on blocks or turned over on a regular basis need checking out if garaged could be fine but budget for a service and replacement of some bits. Oh and check wires for rodent damage!
 
The engine above the sump, will be bone dry due to being stood so long. That could probably cause an issue. Check if is has been started at all by relatives etc. Brake might be corroded or if handbrake left on it will probably be stuck on.
If the engine has been run and its ok, the oil and filter will need changing.
 
Any bearings with rolling elements (such as wheel bearings) can suffering from ‘brinelling’ if not moved for a long period. This is where the bearing surfaces can be permanently deformed due to the balls or rollers being fixed in one position and under pre-load.
This is why you should ideally start up an unused vehicle and at least move it back and forth slightly every two months or so.
So probably need new wheel bearings, maybe gearbox and transmission bearings etc.
 
My avatar image is my 1998 BMW recently had replacement bushes throughout as they had lost elasticity over the past 26 years and 33k miles often not started, driven or moved for long periods. New shocks all round. The last 9 years it sat in a dry garage (not my garage). It sat for 2 years earlier on the lawn.

Before starting the engine I had the cam belt checked in case of breaking and causing irreparable damage. New battery as the 12 year old one in the car was deceased through the battery master being turned off unbeknown to me. It started first turn of the key.

I did as a matter of course have a full service undertaken.

The only issue was the cheap ditch finder tyres on it had flat spots that didn't come out, so put new Cross Climates on it.

A previous car/toy used to sit on blocks for extended periods over my ownership of 12 years. Always started first time (was in my own garage with a battery master always switched on).
This one:
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I've never subscribed to the theory of this or that might happen, I go on empirical evaluation and experience.

To the OP G-RMPS go look at it and decide on condition. Always a bargain out there.

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Should be a chain not a belt, take the lead of that operates the inj pump, remove air filter couple of squirts of wd 40 turn it over short burst, do it again put back together and fire up.
 
It will depend largely on the price. I think a lot of people would see it as a really good buy at a Very low mileage but as others have hinted one that covered a regular 5k miles a year and has been regularly serviced I think would be in better mechanical condition
 
G-RMPS said:
A neighbour bought a brand new high-spec BMW 3-series estate car around 2018. He developed dementia soon afterwards, and his license was withdrawn. The car has never moved from his garage since then. It’s probably only got 5000 miles on the clock. I think it is diesel, but not certain.

What might be the downsides of offering to purchase this? I don’t know the reg. it may not even be sorn’d

Thanks…
Click to expand...
Well my van sat for 12 years , needed a few bits changing so you need to budget for that.


Otherwise it just depends are you an optimist or a pessimist


Lot of what ifs n buts

That's why there's bargains to be had for those who dare
 
6 years standing isn't great. But it was a nearly new car and it's been garaged the whole time. I'd put a battery in it. Put it in neutral and make sure I can move it. Then see if there's a trick to turn it over without the injectors squirting fuel. Spin it over for a bit to get oil through the system. If it sounded even and not too clunky... I'd fire it up until the smoke clears and immediately see what we buy any car will offer.

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Run the registration number through DVLA and check recall history, if it's anything like my last BM diesel, a 435D, there were a few for EGR type problems.
If you're a low mileage user I would be wary of this. You could still get the recalls sorted free at your local dealer, but if not, it can be expensive.

Terry
 
KNWH said:
Any bearings with rolling elements (such as wheel bearings) can suffering from ‘brinelling’ if not moved for a long period. This is where the bearing surfaces can be permanently deformed due to the balls or rollers being fixed in one position and under pre-load.
This is why you should ideally start up an unused vehicle and at least move it back and forth slightly every two months or so.
So probably need new wheel bearings, maybe gearbox and transmission bearings etc.
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No no and no, there is so much wrong information in this post that it's frightening.
 
KNWH said:
I’ve got a degree in mechanical engineering, so thought I was reasonably knowledgeable, but I’m happy to hear your thoughts if you think that’s incorrect.
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Ok, here we go. I too am more than qualified to comment and albeit the brinelling effect exists it is highly unlikely that on a vehicle unused since 2018 (6 years only) that it will manifest itself in the wheel bearings, and much less on transmission bearings, as it is normally associated with excess pressure on the bearings themselves, for example being over tightened. I myself have restored vehicles that have been stored up for more than 25 years and never seen this effect. The key is always to turn the motor over a few times, without starting - so remove the plugs (spark or injectors depending on petrol or diesel) and a little bit of oil down the cylinders to lubricate. The fuel will probably need replacing especially if it is petrol. Oh, and you'll need a new battery 😀
 
At least we can agree that Brinelling is a thing, even if we have different ideas on how much of a problem it could potentially be.
If people are aware of potential risks then it is up to them to decide how much weight they want to put on them.

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KNWH said:
Any bearings with rolling elements (such as wheel bearings) can suffering from ‘brinelling’ if not moved for a long period. This is where the bearing surfaces can be permanently deformed due to the balls or rollers being fixed in one position and under pre-load.
This is why you should ideally start up an unused vehicle and at least move it back and forth slightly every two months or so.
So probably need new wheel bearings, maybe gearbox and transmission bearings etc.
Click to expand...
So does this apply to the factory storage area where cars can be stored in their hundreds for a year or more.
 
Leaving any vehicle standing for long periods can potentially cause problems, as mentioned in the various posts above.
I’m certainly not saying that if a car is left standing for a year then its bearings will all need renewing. I’m saying that there is a risk that you could get issues down the line the longer it has not been used, even if that risk is small.
If it was a year I probably wouldn’t be too concerned if the price was right. If it was 5 years I’d walk away, but that’s just my personal opinion.
 
KNWH said:
I’ve got a degree in mechanical engineering, so thought I was reasonably knowledgeable, but I’m happy to hear your thoughts if you think that’s incorrect.
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My motorhome was parked unmoved for 12 years , all wheel bearings etc seem absolutely fine .

Did need a service and a few other bits and might possibly need other bits replaced over time but then I've had loads of motors in constant use that's needed those parts too.

I'd say judge every vehicle on its own merit.
 
I'd check it over to ensure the mice haven't been at the wiring, then cahnge the petrol/oil squirt some light oil into the bores, and turn it over with the plugs out to get oil circulated, and take it along to a garage to re-comision. Brake fluid might well be contaminated, tyres will be out of date, battery etc. as per Barriesimpson, But assuming rodents haven't feasted on the wiring it should be fine!
 
AdrianChen said:
I'd check it over to ensure the mice haven't been at the wiring, then cahnge the petrol/oil squirt some light oil into the bores, and turn it over with the plugs out to get oil circulated, and take it along to a garage to re-comision. Brake fluid might well be contaminated, tyres will be out of date, battery etc. as per Barriesimpson, But assuming rodents haven't feasted on the wiring it should be fine!
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How's that?

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KNWH said:
At least we can agree that Brinelling is a thing, even if we have different ideas on how much of a problem it could potentially be.
If people are aware of potential risks then it is up to them to decide how much weight they want to put on them.
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Yes, absolutely KNWH
 
KASPAR said:
Really?

Recommended by who, Tyre salespeople?
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Quick google in case I'm mistaken

How long should tyres last before cracking?​

As tyres are made out of rubber, a naturally occurring material, you can expect them to degrade over time (even if you don't use your car very much). It's best to at least get your tyres professionally checked every 5 years – in most cases, you'll need replacement tyres.
 

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