Buying advice. 7 series.
Discussion
Hello all, I regret to publicise I have been a diesel driver for a few years due to high mileages 
. My situation has now changed and I live 5 mins walk from work, have been given a company vehicle to use during the day and my annual mileage has gone from 20k commuting and business to 3k social so I've decided to indulge myself. I've always been a bargain barge fan and in particular the E38 7 series. What I am looking for is buying advice for said vehicle. Budget is around £4k and I am obviously looking at pre 2001 to avoid the tax re-banding. Ideal vehicle I am looking at is a 1999 740i on around 100k mileage. I did have a thread a while ago about the timing chain situation but I am really looking for advice on what else to look for. Any advice appreciated.
. My situation has now changed and I live 5 mins walk from work, have been given a company vehicle to use during the day and my annual mileage has gone from 20k commuting and business to 3k social so I've decided to indulge myself. I've always been a bargain barge fan and in particular the E38 7 series. What I am looking for is buying advice for said vehicle. Budget is around £4k and I am obviously looking at pre 2001 to avoid the tax re-banding. Ideal vehicle I am looking at is a 1999 740i on around 100k mileage. I did have a thread a while ago about the timing chain situation but I am really looking for advice on what else to look for. Any advice appreciated. I bought a 735 a few months ago, and it's a great drive! Look out for vibration from the front at ~45mph when you touch the brakes - it's most likely the traction links in the front suspension (~£70 for a pair plus tracking).
I don't know if you're doing your own servicing or not, if not an inspection II service can be £800 but comes round rarely. I've been vey impressed with the service interval on mine, every 12,000 or so, though I have been used to 6000 mile intervals!
Also check for electrical gremlins, as the car is complex, I've mostly got to grips with it now, but then I studied this sort of thing for four years! To give you an idea I've counted 7! different networks in use. Having siad that the electronics are generally very reliable, unlike certain french brands I could mention.
Go to www.e38.org and look for buying guides and more info there.
Hope that helps
N.
I don't know if you're doing your own servicing or not, if not an inspection II service can be £800 but comes round rarely. I've been vey impressed with the service interval on mine, every 12,000 or so, though I have been used to 6000 mile intervals!
Also check for electrical gremlins, as the car is complex, I've mostly got to grips with it now, but then I studied this sort of thing for four years! To give you an idea I've counted 7! different networks in use. Having siad that the electronics are generally very reliable, unlike certain french brands I could mention.
Go to www.e38.org and look for buying guides and more info there.
Hope that helps
N.
Thanks for the info. I did expect the servicing to be more expensive but £800 on a £3k is probably not going to happen. I have always serviced my cars myself so would like to continue that (started with just filters and have progressed to pads, discs upto water pump and timing belt sort of level so I am reasonably competant). I am going to get a check by AA or RAC before buying anyways to check the car over properly. The plan is going to be to get something with a FSH and then keep the vehicle till the end of its days. I think a decent example should be available for £3.5kish.
ndg said:
Go to www.e38.org and look for buying guides and more info there.
Cheers for this, loads of good stuff. I bought a 75k miles 1997 750 earlier this year, with full BMW service history. It was a little more than your budget at £6k, but i am absolutely thrilled with it. I started out looking for a 740, but once i tried the V12, i had to ignore the fuel consumption issue and buy it.
As a motorway cruiser it is superb,you have to be very careful about the speed creeping up on you though. It has every conceivable extra, including double glazing, which gives an extremely quiet ride.
I can strongly reccommend them!
As a motorway cruiser it is superb,you have to be very careful about the speed creeping up on you though. It has every conceivable extra, including double glazing, which gives an extremely quiet ride.
I can strongly reccommend them!
Blues said:
I bought a 75k miles 1997 750 earlier this year, with full BMW service history. It was a little more than your budget at £6k, but i am absolutely thrilled with it. I started out looking for a 740, but once i tried the V12, i had to ignore the fuel consumption issue and buy it.
As a motorway cruiser it is superb,you have to be very careful about the speed creeping up on you though. It has every conceivable extra, including double glazing, which gives an extremely quiet ride.
I can strongly reccommend them!
I have seen several 750iL's for sale but I didn't like the idea of a lot of the luxury stuff being in the back where I wouldn't be. I thought the 750s would be rarer and hence a bit more pricey as well. I could be easily swayed though! As a motorway cruiser it is superb,you have to be very careful about the speed creeping up on you though. It has every conceivable extra, including double glazing, which gives an extremely quiet ride.
I can strongly reccommend them!
Make sure the displays for the climate control and dash have all the pixels working, often they don't and it is ruinously expensive to repair.
On a 740i front you'll be looking at the M62 engined 4.4 at the more recent engine, this didn't suffer from the Nikasil liner issues that the M60 4 litre engine did.
Satnav discs are ferociously expensive if it has one and needs updating, and early mobile phones are 900MHz only so won't work on Orange or T Mobile networks.
LWB models (il, 740il, 750il etc) tend to have more toys (rear phone, picnic tables etc) and some more legroom for rear passengers.
If you're not doing a massive mileage also look at the 750i with the V12 engine, creamy!
On a 740i front you'll be looking at the M62 engined 4.4 at the more recent engine, this didn't suffer from the Nikasil liner issues that the M60 4 litre engine did.
Satnav discs are ferociously expensive if it has one and needs updating, and early mobile phones are 900MHz only so won't work on Orange or T Mobile networks.
LWB models (il, 740il, 750il etc) tend to have more toys (rear phone, picnic tables etc) and some more legroom for rear passengers.
If you're not doing a massive mileage also look at the 750i with the V12 engine, creamy!
richyb said:
Blues said:
I bought a 75k miles 1997 750 earlier this year, with full BMW service history. It was a little more than your budget at £6k, but i am absolutely thrilled with it. I started out looking for a 740, but once i tried the V12, i had to ignore the fuel consumption issue and buy it.
As a motorway cruiser it is superb,you have to be very careful about the speed creeping up on you though. It has every conceivable extra, including double glazing, which gives an extremely quiet ride.
I can strongly reccommend them!
I have seen several 750iL's for sale but I didn't like the idea of a lot of the luxury stuff being in the back where I wouldn't be. I thought the 750s would be rarer and hence a bit more pricey as well. I could be easily swayed though! As a motorway cruiser it is superb,you have to be very careful about the speed creeping up on you though. It has every conceivable extra, including double glazing, which gives an extremely quiet ride.
I can strongly reccommend them!
Definitely check the battery storage area in the off-side rear wing of the boot. There were leak problems, which got into the electrics and created all sorts of problems. I saw a couple with water/rust residue in there, and walked away.
I've got no interest in the sat navs or phone as I rarely use the mobile and have a tomtom anyways. I didn't realise the 750s came in anything other than the long wheel base so will now definately have a look. I've had a good look at GSF for parts and they are still affordable so I feel confident I could keep it well maintained.
richyb said:
I've got no interest in the sat navs or phone as I rarely use the mobile and have a tomtom anyways. I didn't realise the 750s came in anything other than the long wheel base so will now definately have a look. I've had a good look at GSF for parts and they are still affordable so I feel confident I could keep it well maintained.
Richy, dpepending where you are in West London, if you are passing you can pop out and have a shot in mine if you want.I'm 5 minutes away from Junct 10 on M4 Reading/Bracknell Junct
Blues said:
richyb said:
I've got no interest in the sat navs or phone as I rarely use the mobile and have a tomtom anyways. I didn't realise the 750s came in anything other than the long wheel base so will now definately have a look. I've had a good look at GSF for parts and they are still affordable so I feel confident I could keep it well maintained.
Richy, dpepending where you are in West London, if you are passing you can pop out and have a shot in mine if you want.I'm 5 minutes away from Junct 10 on M4 Reading/Bracknell Junct
markmullen said:
Make sure the displays for the climate control and dash have all the pixels working, often they don't and it is ruinously expensive to repair.
On a 740i front you'll be looking at the M62 engined 4.4 at the more recent engine, this didn't suffer from the Nikasil liner issues that the M60 4 litre engine did.
Satnav discs are ferociously expensive if it has one and needs updating, and early mobile phones are 900MHz only so won't work on Orange or T Mobile networks.
LWB models (il, 740il, 750il etc) tend to have more toys (rear phone, picnic tables etc) and some more legroom for rear passengers.
If you're not doing a massive mileage also look at the 750i with the V12 engine, creamy!
Sure is! On a 740i front you'll be looking at the M62 engined 4.4 at the more recent engine, this didn't suffer from the Nikasil liner issues that the M60 4 litre engine did.
Satnav discs are ferociously expensive if it has one and needs updating, and early mobile phones are 900MHz only so won't work on Orange or T Mobile networks.
LWB models (il, 740il, 750il etc) tend to have more toys (rear phone, picnic tables etc) and some more legroom for rear passengers.
If you're not doing a massive mileage also look at the 750i with the V12 engine, creamy!
750i has ALL the toys. Go look at a 740 and then the 750. I compared mine to a friends at the time (both "N") his did NOT have. TV, rear electric blinds, electric seat with memory, electric steering wheel, full 12 speaker stereo system, satnav, leather dashboard, double glazing. etc. etc. etc.
Try and go for a slightly later model "P" or newer as these have better features as in:
Version 2 of the satnav system, the earlier models used CD NOT DVD and cannot be fully updated.
TV has widescreen.
Better lighting (discharge)
Better autobox with manual/auto shift option.
The V12 also just has oodles of power and just glides effortlessly from 0 to *ahum* without any problem and for such a large car it is also quite nimble.
Problems:
Judder around 50 - This is due to the bushes going soft and is a VERY common problem.
electical niggles - I had a few of these, nothing drastic just tiny irriating ones.
Discs - She is a heavy girl BUT to have both rear discs and pads replaced come well under £400
I will say the engine caused zero problems whatsoever.
Loved it to bits, I only parted with it as it was impractical at the time (dogs etc) but would buy another one tomorrow without hesitation.
Added: Yeah, pixels
It cost the garage over £1000 to have the speedo display and climate display replaced.Edited by Morningside on Saturday 9th August 15:04
richyb said:
Blues said:
richyb said:
I've got no interest in the sat navs or phone as I rarely use the mobile and have a tomtom anyways. I didn't realise the 750s came in anything other than the long wheel base so will now definately have a look. I've had a good look at GSF for parts and they are still affordable so I feel confident I could keep it well maintained.
Richy, dpepending where you are in West London, if you are passing you can pop out and have a shot in mine if you want.I'm 5 minutes away from Junct 10 on M4 Reading/Bracknell Junct
Hello again, I've been out looking at 740/750's and have seen a few good examples so far. I am just emailing a guy at present who has one up for sale but it has a minor fault which is descibed as slight vibration between 50 and 55mph. The guy said "he think it is lower control arm on the nearside as the offside has been replaced recently and ideally you should change these in pairs". Anyone got any advice on this or whether it could be an expensive issue to fix. I know its not a lot of info to go on but any advice would be helpful.
Very, very common fault the 7-series shimmy.
Here you go, a detailed repair
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/3052
and a forum help
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.ph...
I must admit when I got my 750 ONE arm had been replaced. I have also been told it is the bushes as well.
Here you go, a detailed repair
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/3052
and a forum help
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.ph...
I must admit when I got my 750 ONE arm had been replaced. I have also been told it is the bushes as well.
Edited by Morningside on Monday 1st September 19:48
Morningside said:
Very, very common fault the 7-series shimmy.
Here you go a detailed repair
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/3052
Again the absolute power of PH prevails. Thanks a lot. Here you go a detailed repair
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/3052
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/701756.htm
What do you guys think? Did notice the rear seat leather looks a bit warn and some signs of scuffing but to be expected for age/price? I have enquired about mileage, MOT and tax. Just waiting for reply.
What do you guys think? Did notice the rear seat leather looks a bit warn and some signs of scuffing but to be expected for age/price? I have enquired about mileage, MOT and tax. Just waiting for reply.
Edited by richyb on Saturday 13th September 12:31
. The mileage will be the key to whether it is priced correcly, and also check if the service history is all BMW - the advert says "BMW service history" - not "full". Good luckrichyb said:
Got a reply. 118k and years MOT, no tax. Glass guide comes in at around £3k with this sort of mileage. Provided there are no faults I would probably look at around £3750 offer wise. Sound reasonable?
I'm not sure that i follow your logic on the offer front old chap? If he has it for sale at £3995, i'd definately start much lower.I'd also have a look on autotrader, these two don't make that one look too much of a bargain
740 £3k
And another
Have you seen this, for price comparison if nothing else
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/598276.htm
ETA
oooooooh looooook
750 £5k
Edited by Blues on Saturday 13th September 13:17
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