2015 N55 - new to me, 7 days to assess, most common issues/things to check out

[rangerjake]

In 2019 I purchased my first x1 (2015 n20). Loved it. Wanted a little more oomph and a little more room to potentially mod. Just closing on a 2015 n55 msport.

Because I live among New England's salty roads/shitty winters, and because these cars are rare enough as-is, I had to make a best-judgement purchase sight unseen to get a "southern" car. I do have an "escape hatch" period, if things really go sour. Basically it is my chance to inspect and sniff out issues.

Risky as any purchase is, and this maybe more so than others, I am hoping to get input from the collective. Place yourselves in my shoes; what are you closely inspecting? What red flags are you most concerned about?

FWIW, the car is very low mileage (<25k). So issues that typically surface from wear-and-tear should be less prevalent, while issues that can present from latent problems or non-use may be more relevant. (for instance, as a longtime Subaru owner, a 7 year old/low mileage 2.5 would be as likely a candidate - if not more likely candidate - for head gasket leaks).

Thx for the input.

[05X3lover]

Originally Posted by rangerjake

In 2019 I purchased my first x1 (2015 n20). Loved it. Wanted a little more oomph and a little more room to potentially mod. Just closing on a 2015 n55 msport.

Because I live among New England's salty roads/shitty winters, and because these cars are rare enough as-is, I had to make a best-judgement purchase sight unseen to get a "southern" car. I do have an "escape hatch" period, if things really go sour. Basically it is my chance to inspect and sniff out issues.

Risky as any purchase is, and this maybe more so than others, I am hoping to get input from the collective. Place yourselves in my shoes; what are you closely inspecting? What red flags are you most concerned about?

FWIW, the car is very low mileage (<25k). So issues that typically surface from wear-and-tear should be less prevalent, while issues that can present from latent problems or non-use may be more relevant. (for instance, as a longtime Subaru owner, a 7 year old/low mileage 2.5 would be as likely a candidate - if not more likely candidate - for head gasket leaks).

Thx for the input.

We got my wife a '15 as well, around 2018. We bought it with 55K miles on it from a higher end used car dealer. It had been a lease car before they got it, so we were fairly confident all the maintenance had been kept up on it. It's been a great vehicle, with no repairs at all in the time we've owned it. We've kept up the maintenance and fluid changes of course, and we garage it when not driving it. It's been a very solid vehicle all around. We keep the stop/start feature off on the car too, as I think it's better for the vehicle than the wear you add using it for miniscule gas savings.

Since you have a week to inspect the car I would have a prepurchase inspection done if possible, or at the very least take it to the shop you plan on using to maintain it and ask them to do a basic look-over and see what they think. I've done this before with great success.

X1s are pretty solid vehicles if not abused and if their maintenance is not neglected. If yours is in good shape I think you'll be to go.

[gregthegr8]

Congrats. You get the black one from Carvana I think it was?

[rangerjake]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Congrats. You get the black one from Carvana I think it was?

Well, Vroom. But yes. Exactly the car I was looking for, a bit more $ than I wanted to spend, but these non-dealership outfits already make some sense for me since I was gonna be getting the car shipped no matter what. That, and they gave me a very good trade price on my 28i. I am pretty wary of Vroom, the reviews are god awful (mostly regarding lease/loan payoffs and other financing/documentation debacles) and I generally do not find them to be that good in the CS department. At least I am entering the transaction eyes-open and want to cover my bases so I can make best use of the 7 day return window.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by rangerjake

Well, Vroom. But yes. Exactly the car I was looking for, a bit more $ than I wanted to spend, but these non-dealership outfits already make some sense for me since I was gonna be getting the car shipped no matter what. That, and they gave me a very good trade price on my 28i. I am pretty wary of Vroom, the reviews are god awful (mostly regarding lease/loan payoffs and other financing/documentation debacles) and I generally do not find them to be that good in the CS department. At least I am entering the transaction eyes-open and want to cover my bases so I can make best use of the 7 day return window.

Ah, I remember seeing a listing, but it was gone practically the next day so sold pretty fast. I've sold a car to Vroom and in that regards they were quite good, but ya, a bit of a crapshoot buying online these days. However, finding an m-sport with under 30k miles is a rare find, so gotta do what you gotta do.

When do you get it? With that low mileage, probably not much to worry about other than the usual problems with N55's, which will be valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket leaks, even sometimes with that low mileage just due to age. Water pump and thermostat issues probably won't be an issue til 40-60k miles. Charge pipes on these can go at any moment as the plastic can just blow, which you can either put an aftermarket metal one on as a preventative measure or just wait until it goes. Those are the usual things I can think of off the top of my head, but obviously check for any other sorta leaks, bad bushings, etc.

[rangerjake]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Ah, I remember seeing a listing, but it was gone practically the next day so sold pretty fast. I've sold a car to Vroom and in that regards they were quite good, but ya, a bit of a crapshoot buying online these days. However, finding an m-sport with under 30k miles is a rare find, so gotta do what you gotta do.

When do you get it? With that low mileage, probably not much to worry about other than the usual problems with N55's, which will be valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket leaks, even sometimes with that low mileage just due to age. Water pump and thermostat issues probably won't be an issue til 40-60k miles. Charge pipes on these can go at any moment as the plastic can just blow, which you can either put an aftermarket metal one on as a preventative measure or just wait until it goes. Those are the usual things I can think of off the top of my head, but obviously check for any other sorta leaks, bad bushings, etc.

I have been actively stalking the 35i market for about 5 months. Came close on a couple others from dealers out west, mid 30k miles, but typically lost out mid-negotiation. As you said, once I saw this one come up and I was able to get proper trade price on my 28i, gotta do whatcha gotta do.

Delivery is TBD. I received my contract but they f'd up the odometer disclosure on my trade. So getting them to fix the mistake and resend the contract has been ongoing for about a week, holidays surely factoring into the delay. AFAIC, they can take as long as they want. I still have my 28i (which I still love), and every day gone by is one less winter day for the new car.

Thanks for that brief rundown - exactly the type of assessment I was seeking. Seems roughly in line with what I was thinking. I just recently found a local non-dealership BMW/euro specialist mechanic near my house (extra beneficial since nearest dealer is over an hour away). Though I am sure they have a good idea what to look for, these are good starting points for an inspection.

[cwickberg]

I've had one since new (purchased a 2013 demo) now has 100k miles on it... have replaced repaired thre items that Greg above mentioned... it's a great little rocket, especially with a nice tune and transmission flash... my daughter had been driving it the past few years and was just home for Christmas and said she doesn't want to get rid of it...

Biggest disappointment has been failure of panoramic sunroof cover. It's $1800 to $2500 repair
Soo far she's just keeping the cover open...

Ditch the run flat tires for something else for better for handling and ride quality.

Good luck

[Gamb1t]

You can also skip over to the e90 forum to read up on N55 engine issues. AFAIK, it is more reliable than the N54 twin turbos. I would say the zf6hp is less refine as the zf8hp.
Just make sure the oil is kept fresh. Coolant system is a biggie for all BMWs.
It's a low miler relatively speaking therefore you shouldn't be encountering lots of issues or major maintenance on the horizon.

[healeydays]

Originally Posted by rangerjake

I have been actively stalking the 35i market for about 5 months. Came close on a couple others from dealers out west, mid 30k miles, but typically lost out mid-negotiation. As you said, once I saw this one come up and I was able to get proper trade price on my 28i, gotta do whatcha gotta do.

Delivery is TBD. I received my contract but they f'd up the odometer disclosure on my trade. So getting them to fix the mistake and resend the contract has been ongoing for about a week, holidays surely factoring into the delay. AFAIC, they can take as long as they want. I still have my 28i (which I still love), and every day gone by is one less winter day for the new car.

Thanks for that brief rundown - exactly the type of assessment I was seeking. Seems roughly in line with what I was thinking. I just recently found a local non-dealership BMW/euro specialist mechanic near my house (extra beneficial since nearest dealer is over an hour away). Though I am sure they have a good idea what to look for, these are good starting points for an inspection.

I bought a 14 35i from Carvana with 37K back in September and was looking for quite awhile too.

My suggestion is go to a mechanic that knows BMW and will do a delivery inspection and detail anything they find. By doing that, I got Carvana to pay for $2600 in work.

[rangerjake]

Originally Posted by healeydays

I bought a 14 35i from Carvana with 37K back in September and was looking for quite awhile too.

My suggestion is go to a mechanic that knows BMW and will do a delivery inspection and detail anything they find. By doing that, I got Carvana to pay for $2600 in work.

Good experience to note, and sounds like a nice find.

Vroom has a 3 month "warranty" that covers mechanical failure. Meaning no matter how f'd a car is, it must be inoperable/towed to get coverage (along with a whole host of other contractual "requirements"). But I have heard anecdotes similar to yours about getting inspections and certain repairs covered. Curious for your relatively low mileage 35i what Carvana covered that totaled $2400?

Thanks!