Talk me out of an E38 735i V8
Discussion
I'm thinking of buying an E38 735i V8, there seems to be some really nice examples around, well maintained and fully serviced for sub 4k.
I know very little about the car other than I like the looks and the V8. I was contemplating a post 2000 XJR but nice examples are so rare that I think the BMW is the way to go.
Anything to look out for with them ?
(The V12 is very tempting but I figure a potential money pit)
I know very little about the car other than I like the looks and the V8. I was contemplating a post 2000 XJR but nice examples are so rare that I think the BMW is the way to go.
Anything to look out for with them ?
(The V12 is very tempting but I figure a potential money pit)
S3_Graham said:
Buy the 740! Same fuel economy and more go!
Very true.Check out http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/ or http://the7seriesregister.co.uk/e38.htm
I've had mine(740i)for around a year, averages 22mpg on mixed driving, circa 30mpg at 80. If your contemplating a 750i, you'll find a 728i underpowered.
cableguy said:
There was an e38 740d, however only available in LHD (Europe). Superb engine from what i've read. 
C.
I found these 730d's and 740d's in Germany a little while after posting. I assume the 730d economy will be slightly less than an e39 530d, any idea what the 740d manages? Tempting to import one and just deal with it being LHD.C.
I've had my head turned....
A friend asked if I had considered a Lexus (GS300), which I hadn't. Looking around though there are bargains to be had with (?) less to go wrong (?), (?) increased reliability etc
I realise that they are rather sterile but in terms of waftability & comfort are they a more sensible option ?
A friend asked if I had considered a Lexus (GS300), which I hadn't. Looking around though there are bargains to be had with (?) less to go wrong (?), (?) increased reliability etc
I realise that they are rather sterile but in terms of waftability & comfort are they a more sensible option ?
g3org3y said:
S3_Graham said:
Buy the 740! Same fuel economy and more go!
This. I wouldn't spend 4k on a 735i tbh.I've had a 728 and 740 and paid less than £1500 for each one - that's when they were 9 and 12 years old respectively and far from bog standard.
735s are the middle child although you can find some very well specced examples out there. A late 740 sport can be had with decent miles for around £2.5k so spend some time looking around.
drfrank said:
I've had my head turned....
A friend asked if I had considered a Lexus (GS300), which I hadn't. Looking around though there are bargains to be had with (?) less to go wrong (?), (?) increased reliability etc
I realise that they are rather sterile but in terms of waftability & comfort are they a more sensible option ?
Cheap waftability, I'd look at the LS rather than the GS, but both are decent. A friend asked if I had considered a Lexus (GS300), which I hadn't. Looking around though there are bargains to be had with (?) less to go wrong (?), (?) increased reliability etc
I realise that they are rather sterile but in terms of waftability & comfort are they a more sensible option ?
Still prefer the E38, but I'd wager Lexus would be less bothersome. My E38 was very reliable, until it wasn't. Then it was a money pit.
drfrank said:
I've had my head turned....
A friend asked if I had considered a Lexus (GS300), which I hadn't. Looking around though there are bargains to be had with (?) less to go wrong (?), (?) increased reliability etc
I realise that they are rather sterile but in terms of waftability & comfort are they a more sensible option ?
Im a Lexus fan had GS430 and GS450 as a TOOL to commute or do motorways in they are sublime, as your car for the weekend hoon they are bloody awful. Boring and unexciting as a pleasure car, unmatched as a business tool.A friend asked if I had considered a Lexus (GS300), which I hadn't. Looking around though there are bargains to be had with (?) less to go wrong (?), (?) increased reliability etc
I realise that they are rather sterile but in terms of waftability & comfort are they a more sensible option ?
Probably not the best person to talk to if you want to be deterred from an E38
I had a 1998 735i sport for a couple of years, it was 6 years old when I got it. Put 40k trouble free miles on it. Only issue was a front spring £200 fitted. I found the 4 pot brakes so much nicer than the 2 pot ones on the 740 and I found the performance difference negligible. It had a mega spec. M parallels, Buffalo leather, electric blinds etc.
After the 735, I bought a 1999 740 (non sport) and ran it for 6 years from 70k miles to 200k miles. Issues were; 1 x water pump £400, 3 springs @ £200 fitted over the years, one fuel tank due to too much vacuum in the tank £350 as it was under warranty, full price was £850.
I used mine for the 240 mile trip to work and back. Steady 80 to 85 was 30 Mpg in both.
I would buy on condition with Buffalo leather and M parallel's as the nicest options. Please also consider things like condition of the discs / pads and tyres, as it is easy to spend £1k on these bits.
The final point to remember is that after a nice E38, everything else will seem built to a price / cheap.
I loved both of mine until the day I sold them! I would gladly own one again.
I had a 1998 735i sport for a couple of years, it was 6 years old when I got it. Put 40k trouble free miles on it. Only issue was a front spring £200 fitted. I found the 4 pot brakes so much nicer than the 2 pot ones on the 740 and I found the performance difference negligible. It had a mega spec. M parallels, Buffalo leather, electric blinds etc.
After the 735, I bought a 1999 740 (non sport) and ran it for 6 years from 70k miles to 200k miles. Issues were; 1 x water pump £400, 3 springs @ £200 fitted over the years, one fuel tank due to too much vacuum in the tank £350 as it was under warranty, full price was £850.
I used mine for the 240 mile trip to work and back. Steady 80 to 85 was 30 Mpg in both.
I would buy on condition with Buffalo leather and M parallel's as the nicest options. Please also consider things like condition of the discs / pads and tyres, as it is easy to spend £1k on these bits.
The final point to remember is that after a nice E38, everything else will seem built to a price / cheap.
I loved both of mine until the day I sold them! I would gladly own one again.
gf15 said:
Probably not the best person to talk to if you want to be deterred from an E38
I had a 1998 735i sport for a couple of years, it was 6 years old when I got it. Put 40k trouble free miles on it. Only issue was a front spring £200 fitted. I found the 4 pot brakes so much nicer than the 2 pot ones on the 740 and I found the performance difference negligible. It had a mega spec. M parallels, Buffalo leather, electric blinds etc.
After the 735, I bought a 1999 740 (non sport) and ran it for 6 years from 70k miles to 200k miles. Issues were; 1 x water pump £400, 3 springs @ £200 fitted over the years, one fuel tank due to too much vacuum in the tank £350 as it was under warranty, full price was £850.
I used mine for the 240 mile trip to work and back. Steady 80 to 85 was 30 Mpg in both.
I would buy on condition with Buffalo leather and M parallel's as the nicest options. Please also consider things like condition of the discs / pads and tyres, as it is easy to spend £1k on these bits.
The final point to remember is that after a nice E38, everything else will seem built to a price / cheap.
I loved both of mine until the day I sold them! I would gladly own one again.
Cool, and nice garage/car port.I had a 1998 735i sport for a couple of years, it was 6 years old when I got it. Put 40k trouble free miles on it. Only issue was a front spring £200 fitted. I found the 4 pot brakes so much nicer than the 2 pot ones on the 740 and I found the performance difference negligible. It had a mega spec. M parallels, Buffalo leather, electric blinds etc.
After the 735, I bought a 1999 740 (non sport) and ran it for 6 years from 70k miles to 200k miles. Issues were; 1 x water pump £400, 3 springs @ £200 fitted over the years, one fuel tank due to too much vacuum in the tank £350 as it was under warranty, full price was £850.
I used mine for the 240 mile trip to work and back. Steady 80 to 85 was 30 Mpg in both.
I would buy on condition with Buffalo leather and M parallel's as the nicest options. Please also consider things like condition of the discs / pads and tyres, as it is easy to spend £1k on these bits.
The final point to remember is that after a nice E38, everything else will seem built to a price / cheap.
I loved both of mine until the day I sold them! I would gladly own one again.
Ahhh if only there were room for multiple cars. Love the E38's but my E39 is also awesome.
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