Replacement tyres for runflats? 330d

BennyC

BennyC

BennyC

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Joined
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I'm due to complete a deal on a 330d in roughly 2-3 weeks time from a trader. As the rears are low about 3mm left at best these need changing and have been negotiated off the price.

I have two options:

Replace the rears, leave the fronts - the more likely option if I have to part ex if my car doesn't sell.
Replace all and sell the fronts (6/7mm left) - hopefully if my car sells then I can afford this more easily.

At the moment it has Bridgestone Forenza in:
Front: 225/40/18 | Rear: 255/35/18.

Having only driven it in scorching hot weather on Sunday I've not really had much experience with these particular RFT's. I have however read some reviews which don't sing their praises.

I know that mixing regular tyres and non-RFT's isn't advised so I won't be doing this. My reasoning for not replacing with all RFT's I'm sure most people are aware of the compromised ride and also price.

The only tyre I really have any experience of is the Michelin PE2 on my 182 which are fantastic but now discontinued.

My budget if replacing them all would be £200ish per corner. My budget if replacing just the rears would be nearer to £250 per corner. My primary needs & wants are a good wear rate I'd like them to last as long as possible for what will be mostly motorway miles with very occasionally a bit of spirited driving. Providing the ride is no worse than the tyres already on there I'll be happy.

A quick skim of blackcircles & event tyres does show that PE2's are available for the front and Pilot Sport 2's for the rear but the rear would have to be a 40 profile instead of 35. Would there be any major difference? a more comfortable ride I expect? is there any reason not to increase the rear profile?

Thank

BennyC
 
Is this the one you posted about before?

If so, why? From what you've told us the car has an incomplete service history. Why buy a car of this value with an incomplete service history?
 
[TW]Fox;19465708 said:
Is this the one you posted about before?

If so, why? From what you've told us the car has an incomplete service history. Why buy a car of this value with an incomplete service history?
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It is yes.

The service history is something that I've been trying to clarify today. As mentioned in the thread it would seem more likely that it would have it's first service nearer to 21k miles than 11k and that it may well be a human error in the service book. When would you expect the first service?

BMW have been very difficult and not particularly helpful in that even after calling their premium rate number they would not disclose any details other than the first and last service and which garages they took place at. I have left it with the trader to call and find details for me as technically he owns it right now and it is actually a family car. His brother claims to have taken it in to BMW for a service due to the period of time it had been but due to the on board saying it didn't need one sent him on his way.

I've been trying to find details of any work it's had done either paid for or covered by warranty in the first 5 years but as BMW are being tight lipped, due to data protection of the current owner, this is proving difficult. I'm going to speak to the warranty department tomorrow to ask if it's still valid to be covered by a warranty and hopefully get details of all work done, otherwise I'll be walking away.

The trader did find out that it had been in for some suspension work under warranty at some point.

I have the VIN & engine number but am unsure where else I can check these details? It's HPI is clear.
 
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I have to echo the comments above, a 330d is not an uncommon car and the information you are after should have been obtained by the salesman, before purchase.

In regards to the possible typo, is this car cheap enough that the next buyer will turn a blind eye?

Why is this car so special you are prepared to do the leg work?
 
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BennyC said:
It is yes.

The service history is something that I've been trying to clarify today. As mentioned in the thread it would seem more likely that it would have it's first service nearer to 21k miles than 11k and that it may well be a human error in the service book. When would you expect the first service?
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Anything between 11k and 20k depending on usage. It could quite easily have been 11k if the mileage was low - it's every 2 years OR variable.

What BMW Customer Information (Or infact any BMW dealer if you talk to them nicely) can provide you with is a list of dealership visits - you can then call these dealerships and find out what the car was in for.

But to be be honest if it has a book stamped at 11k and again at 40k then I'd suggest thats exactly when it's been in.

Why bother? Is it particularly cheap or something?
 
Ta for the advice.

It isn't particularly cheap but is quite highly spec'd. Though I have found another which is a little dearer by £800 but is a 07 plate as opposed to 55 and spec'd similarly with similar miles. It's further away but I'm prepared to go the difference and also pay slightly more for the younger car.

I'll have to see what the trader from the first one gets back to me with tomorrow. The second is a private sale so my 182 needs to sell first which I'd prefer, hopefully won't take too long.
 
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I tell you one thing i can never get me head round, the travelling distance thing, you buy a telly down the road cos a telly is a telly, so best buy one local.

But not cars, certainly not 4 year old BMW's anyway, at 10k getting spent, thats when you start putting the 200 mile radius in Autotrader. You spend a few wasted days finding a good one travelling, why compromise on a bit of travelling when your buying the second most expensive thing in ya life after a house?
 
mjt said:
Walk away. If it's at all fishy, walk away. It's not worth the stress if it's a lemon. Really.
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True, if I'm honest I'm usually very cautious so I don't know why I haven't walked away sooner.

[TW]Fox;19466263 said:
£800 more for an 18 month newer car? That seems a no brainer to me?

How much is this car?
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http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201124391750650/

After realising to find a tidy example of the car I wanted my budget needed to up from £10k to nearer £15k, with a house purchase in the works I just decreased my deposit slightly.

I'm not sure if the black grill & black '330d' badge sit well with me but minor aesthetic changes I'm not fussed about providing it's mechanically sound and the bodywork & interior isn't wrecked.
 
DM said:
I tell you one thing i can never get me head round, the travelling distance thing, you buy a telly down the road cos a telly is a telly, so best buy one local.

But not cars, certainly not 4 year old BMW's anyway, at 10k getting spent, thats when you start putting the 200 mile radius in Autotrader. You spend a few wasted days finding a good one travelling, why compromise on a bit of travelling when your buying the second most expensive thing in ya life after a house?
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True. I don't know why I've been being a bit of a foolish tit.
 
Yea that 07 car is a trader, not that that matters, but dont be rushing into this there are plenty about.
 
[TW]Fox;19466325 said:
Thats not a private sale, thats a home trader or something. So the 55 plate one is £15k?
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I spoke to him and am fairly certain he isn't. He said he has bought and sold a few cars but isn't really a trader and that having used AT before it wouldn't let him put anything other than trader...

Seems quite a lot really? :/
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That or the 07's going on the cheap. It's been serviced at 19,800 - 40,082 and at 55,601 and is now on just over 57k. MOT till April and Tax till October. New discs & pads on the front recently too. 3/4mm tread on the front tyres and didn't actually say how much was on the rears, both Bridgestone Forenza's.


DM said:
Yea that 07 car is a trader, not that that matters, but dont be rushing into this there are plenty about.
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He's unavailable (stag do abroad) until next week really. Sunday afternoon at the earliest.
 
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Seriously the blokes a trader and now he's already telling you lies you might as well give him a miss too.
 
DM said:
Seriously the blokes a trader and now he's already telling you lies you might as well give him a miss too.
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You may be right, though I can't see any other cars advertised by him. This is 'his car' brought from a dealer just over a year ago.

Raymond Lin said:
I'd get the 07 car, sounds much a safer bet to me.

New Brakes too, that's what? another £400?
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True.

DM said:
There first one i picked out that looks tidy theres so many of these about no need to buy a ropey one.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201123390536104/
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Of course. Ideally I'm looking for one with Sat Nav/Loudspeaker, leather etc, similar spec to the ones I linked really. If I'm going to drop £15k I'd like it to be spec'd well.
 
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