MT Auto Parts Blog | Expert Tips for BMW enthusiasts on BMW Parts, Accessories, Engines and More

  Photo by Yoab Anderson on Unsplash Buying a used BMW without knowing what to look for is expensive. Buying one armed with this list is considerably less so. These are the fifteen things that matter most, in roughly the order you should check them. Before You Even See the Car Check the service history interval — not just the number of stamps Count the miles between stamps, not just the stamps themselves. A BMW with four services in 80,000 miles has had half the oil changes it should. For turbocharged engines, anything beyond 10,000 miles between services is a red flag. Run the plate through the DVSA MOT history Free at check.vehicle.service.gov.uk. Look for advisory notices — recurring advisories for the same item mean it's been flagged and ignored. A history of suspension advisories on a high-mileage car tells you where the money is going. Check for outstanding recalls Also free via the DVSA website using the registration. BMW issues recalls and technical service bulletins that s...

  Image: BMW N57D30A Complete engine for sale at MT Auto Parts for £3,999.99 Buying a used BMW engine is one of the better value propositions in the entire used parts market. The saving over a new unit is often several thousand pounds, and a low-mileage genuine engine performs almost identically to a new unit. But the difference between a good purchase and an expensive mistake is almost entirely in what you check beforehand. This guide is direct: here is what matters, here is what to ask, here is what to walk away from. The Pre-Purchase Checklist Summary   What to check What does it tell you Engine code match Confirm the code on the engine matches your car's code exactly, not just the model and year Donor vehicle mileage Actual odometer reading from the donor car, not an estimate Oil cap/dipstick condition Check for milky residue — indicates coolant mixing with oil, likely head gasket Visual oil leaks Valve cover, oil filter housing, sump. Present leaks will continue after fi...

  Photo by Александр Бендус on Unsplash The BMW X3 is one of the more dependable BMWs in the current used market, but that doesn't mean it's problem-free. The three generations covered here (F25, G01, and the older E83, where relevant) each have their own set of faults. Most are well-documented, most have predictable mileage triggers, and most are fixable without paying dealer prices if you know where to source the right BMW X3 parts . F25 BMW X3 (2011–2017) — Common Problems N47 diesel timing chain — the main risk The 2.0d variants of the F25 up to around 2015 use the N47 diesel engine, which has a rear-mounted timing chain with a documented failure concern at higher mileages. It is the same issue as in the F30 3 Series. A cold-start rattle from the rear of the engine is the warning sign. If the chain hasn't been replaced and the car has more than 80,000 miles, treat this as a known cost. From approximately 2015, the N47 was replaced by the B47, a revised engine with a fro...