RE: SOTW: BMW 750iL (E32)
Discussion
soad said:
Yes - later model, actually used a re-badged 740i iirc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smvR7ocyNkM
Although a brilliant sequence, the continuity's always bugged the heckory out of me. BMW wise - the spontaneously repairing rear screen (happens at least once in the sequence) to the use of completely different design/smaller alloys for the tyre re-inflation segment. Still love watching the scene, though I do reckon Pierce Brosnan's Bond films were on an eternal sliding scale of quality...don't get me started on The World Is Not Enough http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smvR7ocyNkM
A mate of mine was actually linking to a few barges the other night, mainly later e38s and LS400's...I wonder if he'd be interested in this
This SOTW though, as many have said does kind of scream "money pit" even if you are just going to run it into the ground. How do the v8 versions compare for those that've had the experience? I would think they may make more economical sense but still provide the majority of the luxurious cruising experience 
urquattro said:
I keep a 500 sel (1985) although only a 4 speed auto V8 is does not have the limp home issue as electonics are basic and a long life auto box that even went into next series. The later S500 I had was sold due to its incredible complexity and future problems.
I found the same when looking at E32s and E38s and is a factor in why on balance, I took the older model each time. It also feels a bit lighter on its feet and drives more like a bigger 3er than the E38 does. To me, it's just a more grown up E30. urquattro said:
Also have a V12 XJS and that can be another can of worms, but if you know somebody who understands them and they (like BMW, have not been overheated) are very reliable and good driving fun - especially when a five speed gearbox change done.
Five speed auto? Or change to manual? I've long hankered for a Jag V12, but always come away underwhelmed by the relative lack of performance that one would expect compared to the theoretically less powerful biggest six. danielw said:
Interesting this, how do you identify an E38 750i Sport over a regular E38 750i? Were all SWB 750i's sports?
No they weren't - and the same way the Sports are differentiated against the standard models in all the other engines.Full body colour coding, dechromed window surrounds, staggered 18" M Parallel alloys, S-EDC suspension in the case of the V12s (sports suspension for other models), anthracite headlining, contour seats, M steering wheel and a higher stall speed torque converter and slightly lower ratio differential.
Factory Sport models are 2001MY (roughly 00X reg) onwards, prior to that it was just the standard 750i although there was a cosmetic sport pack upgrade for the earlier cars and most of the above were available as individually available cost options.
Zwoelf said:
It's worth thinking about how many Jag V12s ever actually made the claimed 300bhp too. When measured they seem to struggle past 200 and the old GM 3 speed slushbox seems to eat about half of what they do chuck out. You're doing well to get one of those into double figures MPG-wise. The 4.0 AJ6 is a stronger and more efficient performer in reality.
I'd go along with that. I recall seeing 3mpg on the LED panel of a XJS V12 in the past. I think we got 12mpg once we'd calmed down the driving.Much as I do like barges but surely this MR2 would be far more fun
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3210895.htm
Edited by Agent Orange on Friday 4th November 18:00
renorti said:
can't really see why anybody would even want one?
Because there simply aren't that many V12 road cars (or other twelve cylinder configurations) to choose from if you want one, especially if you don't have completely bottomless finances. Your choices are basically a BMW 7 or 8 Series, Mercedes S, CL or SL Class or a Jaguar (who stopped making them in 1996), before you get into Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Aston Martins (who only started making them in 1999) - in a money no object world, I'd have a Rapide in a heartbeat. Rolls Royce too since 1998 - using the BMW V12 as they do to the present day. Recent years have seen the oddity that is the W12 in VW Phaeton and Audi A8 guise, as well as 2002- Bentleys.
So other than Italian supercars which bring their own costs, you're largely left with 2 tonne barges that in their own ways will ALL present reliability concerns, all drink reasonably heavily (although mostly no worse than the V8 one model down the pecking order) and are massively complex things - the E32 relatively speaking is the simplest of the bunch.
Zwoelf said:
renorti said:
can't really see why anybody would even want one?
Because there simply aren't that many V12 road cars (or other twelve cylinder configurations) to choose from if you want one, especially if you don't have completely bottomless finances. Your choices are basically a BMW 7 or 8 Series, Mercedes S, CL or SL Class or a Jaguar (who stopped making them in 1996), before you get into Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Aston Martins (who only started making them in 1999) - in a money no object world, I'd have a Rapide in a heartbeat. Rolls Royce too since 1998 - using the BMW V12 as they do to the present day. Recent years have seen the oddity that is the W12 in VW Phaeton and Audi A8 guise, as well as 2002- Bentleys.
So other than Italian supercars which bring their own costs, you're largely left with 2 tonne barges that in their own ways will ALL present reliability concerns, all drink reasonably heavily (although mostly no worse than the V8 one model down the pecking order) and are massively complex things - the E32 relatively speaking is the simplest of the bunch.
Mr E said:
vit4 said:
We have one. It's mostly excellent.amazing cars I had 3 at 90ish mph it would do around 30 mpg. Nowhere near as bad as you would expect repair costs its basically 2 1980s 325 engines stuck together. The same fuel pumps (2) the same ignition systems even the same ecus just controlled by a 3rd. The only 750 only part is the fly by wire throttles. theres nothing quite like drifting a lwb 7 series I miss it.
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