E65 7-series. Should I run away?

[Gad-Westy]

Half thinking about an E65 7 Series to replace an E39 and E46. I know very little about them at this stage.

One that I'm particularly interested in is 2003 745 with about 110k on the clock. It looks a good deal and from the brief conversation I had with the garage, the car sounds well looked after.

Before I go and see it, I'd like to arm myself with a bit of knowledge about potential pit falls and how ruinous they're likely to be? Any key jobs that I should look for on the service history?

Is the 745 a decent variant to go for? Annual mileage will be about 6-7k and I'd be okay with 25-30 mpg on a motorway run if that is likely?

[Gad-Westy]

Thanks Simon, that's good to hear.

I've read a lot about problems with 2002 and 2003 cars but haven't actually unearthed what these problems are actually likely to be. I'm obviously aware that on-going running costs could be high in line with any car that cost this sort of amount when new but I wouldn't want to buy something that immediately needed remedial work so just looking out for common weaknesses or parts that a re particularly expensive.

[Gad-Westy]

simonreed said:

Yeah. I've seen a fair few comments about avoiding the first few years of e65, but like you, no common reasons.

All I have seen is the gearbox which is at its torque limit. Plus the oil for life, which needs changing at a 100k. I think it cost me around £500 to get changed at an independent. I did the pads and disks myself.

Regarding mpg. Youll be lucky to get 30 mpg in a petrol. Mine in mixed driving averages 32 mpg.

Its a great car. I use ours to tow my caterham. You cannot feel any indication of towing. Averaged 60mph between spa and home last summer.

I image the main thing is to make sure all the electrics work.

Simon

Cheers, do you find DIY work okay on them? Would definitely factor in a gearbox oil change. It was one of the first things I did on the E39 as well. Oil for life, my arse!

[Gad-Westy]

kev b said:

£500 for an autobox fluid change is a bit steep, it only takes an hour and £150 of parts and oil.

Out of interest, what are the parts that are needed? Just new plugs + washers or is there more to it?

[Gad-Westy]

simonreed said:

DIY. Me??? My limit is changing the disks and pads, plus changing the angle eyes to led. I did fit the tow bar, but the electrics was beyond me.

There are some good videos and picture instructions on the Internet.

Anything else, including oil changes, it goes to the local independent.

Simon

Thanks once again Simon, I like to get my hands dirty but some cars can be a real pain to work on. My suspicion is that the E65 will fall into that category particularly anything relating to the electrics.

[Gad-Westy]

Animal said:

Re fuel economy: I've got a 2004 E60 545i and I average 22-23mpg from a tank, which is predominantly short journeys around town. Long runs on a motorway easily get me 28mpg at a fast cruise. My best so far is 100 miles back from Birmingham at a lazy 60-65mph which saw 37mpg.

That's better than I'd expect. Actually pretty similar to my six cylinder BM's. Both of those average about 28 overall. I'd be happy with 25 for a V8 as long as other costs were under control. Got one to view at the weekend. Not sure whether I'll go for it or not yet, it still seems like a potential money pit but I'm not sure why.

[Gad-Westy]

burwoodman said:

In 2003 I ran a 2002 745. Lovely car when it worked. It broke down maybe 20 times and when it was finally rejected it had 26 pages worth of warranty work. Faults were:

Suspension collapsed (mid corner)
Key stuck in ignition, wouldn't release
Key release, engine remained running
Idrive failed twice
Sat nav failed 3 times
etc

Each time the fix was 'replace mother board' at a retail price of £2k.

Sounds like a nightmare! A third party warranty is available at approx £1000 per year but I have no idea if they are actually worth having.

[Gad-Westy]

burwoodman said:

Gad-Westy said:

Sounds like a nightmare! A third party warranty is available at approx £1000 per year but I have no idea if they are actually worth having.

The annoying part was that I purchased the car when it was 14 months old (BMW AUC). When I had the problems, BMW insisted they just keep fixing it. I smelt a rat and phoned the previous owner who proceeded to tell me that his arrangement with BMW is confidential. Eventually he admitted that he rejected the car and got a new 7. When I tabled this revelation BMW agreed to exchange the car. It was put back in the network. It should have been crushed. I pity the subsequent owner. This was one of those situations where a warranty doesn't help when the car is forever breaking down. Now, I always check the warranty work if I buy used.

Cheers Adam. As it happens the car that I was going to see has now sold so this plan is on ice a little now anyway. But I appreciate your post as it's opened my eyes to what can go wrong and your problems don't sound like the sort of thing that might immediately appear on a short test.