I've been looking at a 2006 320i 2.0 SE at a dealers - it has high mileage but has been well cared for (ex company car) and had all the BMW services etc.

On start up the exhaust sounded a little "thrrfruppy" to me and a little smoky. The dealer said it hadn't warmed up yet.

After switch off, a few minutes later, there was a thin layer of creamy, pale, light brown "mayonnaise" on the inside of the oil cap. The dealer suggested it was just condensation from where the jet hose had cleaned the engine.

This all suggests to me that water is getting into the oil somewhere and that the head gasket might blow in a few years time. Even if they check and fix any problem free of charge and I get a 3 year warranty, does this suggest I should steer clear? I have had enough head gasket problems with other cars.

I'm a first time BMW buyer (almost!) and I love this car, but I have to get a good few years out of it. I won't be buyng another car for a very long time.

But do these symptoms suggest that the gasket will blow eventually?

How much (roughly) in UK GBP would it cost to fix a blown head gasket on a 320i?



Cheers

Oops! posted this in the wrong forum - could a moderator delete it? I'll repost.


Cheers