1996 BMW E38 750i (SWB)
Discussion
My dads old MD back in the 80's had a 635csi (well two), he replaced the last one with an E32 750iL. I was a little disappointed, but he had given me the task to find the suitable car for him (think I was about 14 at the time) and the 750iL was top of the list.
When he purchased it from Park Lane it was the one of the first 50 sold. The first 50 owners were given a large presentation pack with the starting development through to end production. He gave me the pack as a thank you. I still have it to this day.
The time came when I needed a third car as the integrale was going through some difficulties, lucky for me a low mileage FSH E32 735iase came up for sale. Dolphine grey and dechromed, standard and wonderful condition. I snapped it up.
I always thought it would feel big and playing catch up on the corners, but it was fantastic, drove like a much smaller vehicle and incredibly comfortable, great driving position and plenty of go.
I would love a V12 version of that or the E38
When he purchased it from Park Lane it was the one of the first 50 sold. The first 50 owners were given a large presentation pack with the starting development through to end production. He gave me the pack as a thank you. I still have it to this day.
The time came when I needed a third car as the integrale was going through some difficulties, lucky for me a low mileage FSH E32 735iase came up for sale. Dolphine grey and dechromed, standard and wonderful condition. I snapped it up.
I always thought it would feel big and playing catch up on the corners, but it was fantastic, drove like a much smaller vehicle and incredibly comfortable, great driving position and plenty of go.
I would love a V12 version of that or the E38
I had an E32 with the 4.0 V8 but think if I had another I would go for the 'big six' 3.5. I think that's such a great engine, and had one in an e34 once. The e32 certainly does not feel like a huge car by modern standards and comes from an era when BMW's were still very much driver focussed cars.
The v12 presentation pack you have sounds great!
The v12 presentation pack you have sounds great!
Further rear suspension update, on dismantling the rear to get to the control arm bushes / ball joints the garage have informed me that the bushes in the rear trailing / swing arms are deteriorated. BMW only supply these as part of the trailing / swing arm themselves and they are a whopping £342 + VAT each from BMW and apparently there are only 2 in the country....
Luckily I have been able to source some replacement bushes which I will have pressed into the arms. See image below of the parts which are worn / deteriorated.
I'm hoping the knocking at the front end is cheaper and easier to gfix, wouldn't it be nice if it was just the drop links... I should have done those myself first really as they are an easy swap...
Oh well on we go!
Luckily I have been able to source some replacement bushes which I will have pressed into the arms. See image below of the parts which are worn / deteriorated.
I'm hoping the knocking at the front end is cheaper and easier to gfix, wouldn't it be nice if it was just the drop links... I should have done those myself first really as they are an easy swap...
Oh well on we go!
bmthnick1981 said:
I had an E32 with the 4.0 V8 but think if I had another I would go for the 'big six' 3.5. I think that's such a great engine, and had one in an e34 once. The e32 certainly does not feel like a huge car by modern standards and comes from an era when BMW's were still very much driver focussed cars.
It is, try an E32 '50 if you can find a decent one. Different feel to the daddy E38. More like an E34 535i with added balls and smoothness. Great thread, thanks for sharing the fun and pitfalls of V12 ownership 
Here's a few pics...
including this one taken at the same location mentioned above -
Lovely, lovely cars, so well-engineered
Zwolf said:
Looking good, given where you said you picked the car up from and the pics above in the ad, I expect they were from when the previous owner bought it. I'm acquainted with that same driveway and it's not in the Midlands. It's where a couple of mine came from and where seemingly all the better SWB V12 E32/8s pass through at some point.
That's the same place my (former) E32 750 came from too. The guy certainly seemed to know his stuff and the E32 that I bought was a fantastic car. Here's a few pics...
including this one taken at the same location mentioned above -
Lovely, lovely cars, so well-engineered
Zwolf said:
bmthnick1981 said:
I had an E32 with the 4.0 V8 but think if I had another I would go for the 'big six' 3.5. I think that's such a great engine, and had one in an e34 once. The e32 certainly does not feel like a huge car by modern standards and comes from an era when BMW's were still very much driver focussed cars.
It is, try an E32 '50 if you can find a decent one. Different feel to the daddy E38. More like an E34 535i with added balls and smoothness. Been ages since I saw any posts from you Zwolf! How are you? Is your 750i running? Still using the E36 as the daily?
E65Ross said:
Been ages since I saw any posts from you Zwolf! How are you? Is your 750i running? Still using the E36 as the daily?
I've been busy Pond-hopping, the E36 met an unfortunate end at the hands of my wife (she rear ended me in my company car, that was fun explaining at work) and the 750 has gone too. I'm BMW-less for the first time in 14 years - and feeling it! 
Zwolf said:
E65Ross said:
Been ages since I saw any posts from you Zwolf! How are you? Is your 750i running? Still using the E36 as the daily?
I've been busy Pond-hopping, the E36 met an unfortunate end at the hands of my wife (she rear ended me in my company car, that was fun explaining at work) and the 750 has gone too. I'm BMW-less for the first time in 14 years - and feeling it! I doubt it will be ready as I had a call today saying they have fitted 3 of the 4 bushes but one is slightly undersized so loose. I have ordered another but they come from Estonia (I can't find them in the UK?) so it will be another week....
I really want to come to Sunday Service as I enjoy MB world but with my 3 cars in the garage that only leaves coming in the wife's Alfa 147 which isn't that appealing. I might still do so any park it round the back out of sight!
I really want to come to Sunday Service as I enjoy MB world but with my 3 cars in the garage that only leaves coming in the wife's Alfa 147 which isn't that appealing. I might still do so any park it round the back out of sight!
bmthnick1981 said:
I doubt it will be ready as I had a call today saying they have fitted 3 of the 4 bushes but one is slightly undersized so loose. I have ordered another but they come from Estonia (I can't find them in the UK?) so it will be another week....
I really want to come to Sunday Service as I enjoy MB world but with my 3 cars in the garage that only leaves coming in the wife's Alfa 147 which isn't that appealing. I might still do so any park it round the back out of sight!
I really want to come to Sunday Service as I enjoy MB world but with my 3 cars in the garage that only leaves coming in the wife's Alfa 147 which isn't that appealing. I might still do so any park it round the back out of sight!
More than welcome to hitch a lift with me and a mate (also on PH), I'll be heading from Eastleigh area, meeting a few at Petersfield and taking the A3 way up to SS. If not, not to worry!
Yes, it's a f
king nightmare!
1 of the 4 new bushes doesn't fit (too loose), so ordered another, also too loose.
Have now ordered some polyurethane ones to see if they will fit, but also coming from Europe so another week delay.
It seems no UK supplier does these swing arm bushes for the E38 which I find rather odd.
king nightmare! 1 of the 4 new bushes doesn't fit (too loose), so ordered another, also too loose.
Have now ordered some polyurethane ones to see if they will fit, but also coming from Europe so another week delay.
It seems no UK supplier does these swing arm bushes for the E38 which I find rather odd.
bmthnick1981 said:
Yes, it's a fking nightmare!
1 of the 4 new bushes doesn't fit (too loose), so ordered another, also too loose.
Have now ordered some polyurethane ones to see if they will fit, but also coming from Europe so another week delay.
It seems no UK supplier does these swing arm bushes for the E38 which I find rather odd.
What a pain in the arse. I bet they cost a fortune from BMW as well? king nightmare! 1 of the 4 new bushes doesn't fit (too loose), so ordered another, also too loose.
Have now ordered some polyurethane ones to see if they will fit, but also coming from Europe so another week delay.
It seems no UK supplier does these swing arm bushes for the E38 which I find rather odd.
Am I right in thinking you were going to sell up? If so, how come? Running costs, fancy a change, surplus to requirements?
What's your experience of selling cars like this? My main concern is trying to sell the E65 when the time comes... How many want a thirsty V8 these days?
E65Ross said:
What's your experience of selling cars like this? My main concern is trying to sell the E65 when the time comes... How many want a thirsty V8 these days?
A bit of a leftfield option, but what about export? Given the rock bottom prices here, perhaps asia/indonesia could be an option?bmthnick, how is the 560 going? Any progress? I must say fair play to you for your barge escapades despite the headaches: not many people would take on a 750i AND a 560sec!
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