E38 7 series questions

[Stu R]

Hi chaps.

I'm looking for a bargain waft wagon to serve as my daily smoker. Not being one for frugal motoring I quite like the look of the E38's, they seem a tremendous bargain too.

Done a little searching through some threads on here, and picked up a few links, but figured I'd get the basic q's out of the way.

now, I'm hoping to pick one up next weekend, so I've got a bit of looking around to do. there's a few around to choose from it seems. The 728's I'm keen to avoid as I fear they couldn't pull the skin from a rice pudding, and the 735's don't make much sense for the difference in price over a 740I.

So, I'm fairly conviced it'll be a 740 I go for (sport if possible), but I've spotted a few 750IL's too. I'm just wondering what the main differences are in terms of running costs etc, and which is the preferred option generally? I do love a good V8, but the V12 seems to offer a bit more shove. I'm guessing there's a downside, such as liking a drink? I've little to no preference as to whether it's the IL version or not, but then I've driven neither. Any views?

I don't have a budget as such, but I'm struggling to see the point in buying at the top end of the market when there's so many bargains about, and I really need to stop myself from buying an E39 M5, which is what I'll revert to if I look too high up the E38 price ladder

Thanks in advance,
Stu

[anonymous-user]

As no one has replied I'll start, here in Malaysia 740's are common among expats, (no worries about fuel cost but don't want big money invested in case you get sent home), you can pick one up from 1500 pounds up, as E38 and 800 as E32's. I have several mates use them as daily drivers, one has 250,000 on the clock, no one has had a major problem and all would buy another one, none are serviced in the BMW main dealers but rather buy good known specilists. I'm told that the gear box on the 740 is more reliable at high milage than that on the 735.

[richyb]

Perhaps when you're looking about you can give me a bit of feedback on mine, I've got a thread going (albeit slowly). I am considerng selling it as I am in need of a 4X4. Fantastic cars in my opinion. Luxury and comfort combined with decent power. I've not encountered any major expenses in mine. You obviously factor in things like 8 litres of oil instead of your average 4 and more plugs/leads etc. I'd recommend them to anyone.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by richyb on Monday 11th May 07:31

[monthefish]

Absolutely superb vehicles. Buy a good one and you won't be disapointed.


On the iL -vs- i debate, I've always thought the iL looks better/sleeker/lower due to the depth of the glasshouse to length-of-car ration. (Plus, if you ever get to be driven in the back of one, it is simply a wonderful place to be).

[sidpinup]

I have a 728i sport that I picked up a year ago as I needed a car quickly and this one came up and I love it! It's a 2001 model with 46k on the clock and I paid just over £6k . It was only supposed to be a stop gap car but I am keeping it as my daily drive for the forseable future. The 728i isn't as slow as you may think and has plenty of grunt once its on its way and gives me well over 30mpg on a run average MPG is showing at 28. I have also serviced it myself(oil and filters)and replaced the front and rear brakes (pads and discs)which was easy and saved my loads of money. Tyres are a little pricy as I have the 18" M wheels.

Great cars and built like tanks. Being an older BMW the quality of the car really shines through. Made to last. Get one and you wont want to be without it.

The 750iL is double glazed IIRC, how cool is that!

[Stu R]

Thanks for the feedback chaps, all sounds very positive!

I'd considered a few other uber luxury barges, Jag XJR, Merc S class etc, but the beemer ticks all the right boxes for smoking up and down the motorway in comfort and keeping the miles off other vehicles.

I love the look of both the I and the IL, so either fit the bill, I agree with the iL looking that little bit better given it's length though. Richy I could well be interested in yours, though you're quite far away from me. Any chance you could drop me a mail through my profile with a bit more detail / pics?

How horrific an MPG can be expected of a 750iL out of curiosity? I'm guessing low 20's on the m'way run?

On another note I got some insurance quotes today, unbelievably cheap!

[richyb]

Stu R said:

How horrific an MPG can be expected of a 750iL out of curiosity? I'm guessing low 20's on the m'way run?

No experience of the 750il but in my 740iL I can average 26mpg at 80 on cruise control. On a nice slow run I can get 32mpg but thats at speedo 70mph (gps said 66mph). Feels painfully slow but with the massaging seats on, climate control and a bit of chill out music its a great way to cover a few hundred miles.

[Stu R]

Corr, all it needs is a sauna in the boot and it'd be a venerable health spa

Massaging seats sound ace

[richyb]

Stu R said:

Corr, all it needs is a sauna in the boot and it'd be a venerable health spa

Massaging seats sound ace

They are pretty sweet, the car is loaded with gadgets. It will sound a bit daft but my favourite is the rear electric blind. Mines got the standard bmw phone in it which I've got a PAYG sim in but also has a port to attach your fax machine (80's yuppie eat your heart out!!!).

[B'stard Child]

Stu R said:

Hi chaps.

I'm looking for a bargain waft wagon to serve as my daily smoker. Not being one for frugal motoring I quite like the look of the E38's, they seem a tremendous bargain too.

Done a little searching through some threads on here, and picked up a few links, but figured I'd get the basic q's out of the way.

Tim Meeks site is worth a visit

http://www.the7seriesregister.co.uk (the forum) is great for info too

Stu R said:

now, I'm hoping to pick one up next weekend, so I've got a bit of looking around to do. there's a few around to choose from it seems. The 728's I'm keen to avoid as I fear they couldn't pull the skin from a rice pudding, and the 735's don't make much sense for the difference in price over a 740I.

So, I'm fairly conviced it'll be a 740 I go for (sport if possible), but I've spotted a few 750IL's too. I'm just wondering what the main differences are in terms of running costs etc, and which is the preferred option generally? I do love a good V8, but the V12 seems to offer a bit more shove. I'm guessing there's a downside, such as liking a drink? I've little to no preference as to whether it's the IL version or not, but then I've driven neither. Any views?

Can't compare 740 v 750 cos I've only owned a 740 but at 80mph incicated cruise over 30 mpg is easy which is absolutely amazing for the size of the car

bhp difference isn't huge between the V8 and the V12 but you don't really get a V8 sound

I can't fit an iL in my garage so for me after initially considering it I stuck with the shortie version

Stu R said:

I don't have a budget as such, but I'm struggling to see the point in buying at the top end of the market when there's so many bargains about, and I really need to stop myself from buying an E39 M5, which is what I'll revert to if I look too high up the E38 price ladder

Thanks in advance,
Stu

Cheap as chips so grab one and chuckle - they can shift when you boot them but they don't feel that quick till you look down at the speedo

Only advice I can give is buy based on condition and make sure every single bit of equipment works - and understand before viewing how stuff works - so thats where research works wonders - making stuff work again is a pet hate of mine but I'm sure many previous owners just ignore stuff that doesn't work

[richyb]

Here is a really good site I used when I was hunting (recommended by a few guys on here).

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/Index.htm

The common problems section was really useful when viewing/test driving.

[turbobloke]

There are threads somewhere on PH BMW forums with things to look for regarsding potential problems on the E38 7-series, at least one thread for sure as several informed people posted up when I was in the market for one or had just got it. Some I can even remember...the usual suspension niggles on a heavy car, lazy door lock mechanisms that respond (or not) to the remote at whim and finally expire when you need to get in or out urgently. And the rest.

Not too many though, the 740 is a great V8 and the E38 represents a lot of car for your money.

[turbobloke]

richyb said:

Here is a really good site I used when I was hunting (recommended by a few guys on here).

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/Index.htm

The common problems section was really useful when viewing/test driving.

Definitely a geat site even when it's mostly fixed, as there's bound to be at least one more thing...

[richyb]

turbobloke said:

There are threads somewhere on PH BMW forums with things to look for regarsding potential problems on the E38 7-series, at least one thread for sure as several informed people posted up when I was in the market for one or had just got it. Some I can even remember...the usual suspension niggles on a heavy car, lazy door lock mechanisms that respond (or not) to the remote at whim and finally expire when you need to get in or out urgently. And the rest.

Not too many though, the 740 is a great V8 and the E38 represents a lot of car for your money.

It was me back in August last year.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Stu R]

again, thanks for all the help folks.

Think I've read everything there is to read on them over the course of the evening.

What's the general concensus on the 735? I can't help but get the feeling I'd regret not going for an M62 engined 740, but I keep looking at this and wondering whether it's worth suffering, as I love the look of this one...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1034134.htm any thoughts on what would be a sensible offer out of curiosity? I was thinking nearer 4k for that.

I've found a couple of 740's, none locally (sods law) and very few 750s, so we'll have to see how it goes, trouble is I'm impatient and want to pick one up on sunday, so if anyone knows of any that are worth looking over ....

[richyb]

Looks good but you've got a long drive down there. Pre-2001 is the way to go.

[Slurms]

735 isn't worth it these days.

You get 740i fuel economy with 728i performance.

Find a nice 740i instead.

[monthefish]

Here's your car....


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/986123.htm

:tongueincheek:

[richyb]

monthefish said:

Here's your car....


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/986123.htm

:tongueincheek:

Sweet ride, you'll be the envy of every blud in ya hood.

[Spokey]

Stu R said:

How horrific an MPG can be expected of a 750iL out of curiosity? I'm guessing low 20's on the m'way run?

If you can restrain yourself, you might see high 20's (26/27). My overall consumption after a couple of years of mixed driving was a whisker under 22. However, it doesn't like town, you would be lucky to get better than 16 in town.