E38 7 series questions
Discussion
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
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
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!
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!
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 ....
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 ....
dave_s13 said:
monthefish said:
That would have been a lovely thing if left standard. Given there's no mention of any service history and it looks a bit bling and needs "tlc" it's worth half the asking price imo.I'd be very wary of a full respray on one of those given a proper job would be several thousand quid.
Sorry to be a pest,
what's the general concensus on this one?
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
I'm really taken with the looks of it, and as those who know me will attest to, I have a bit of a thing for black cars.
what's the general concensus on this one?
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
I'm really taken with the looks of it, and as those who know me will attest to, I have a bit of a thing for black cars.
I don't mind paying through the arse on tax for the right car, which a black 7 series really would be. I love black cars, and must have a 7 series. But there's so few about that fit the bill that I can't be *too* fussy. That one's down on the south coast somewhere, which is as far from me as you could realistically get in this country being as I'm way up in the north east. Sure is pretty though!
IF it was registered after the dreaded deadline am I right in thinking it'd be £400?
It's got fairly short tax on it, and 'ono' after the price, so I'm tempted to wade in with a low offer and take it from there if it all checks out with BMW and HPI etc, assuming it hasn't sold!
I'll be picking one up on monday I hope, tuesday at the latest, whatever happens, so I can't really be too selective.
IF it was registered after the dreaded deadline am I right in thinking it'd be £400?
It's got fairly short tax on it, and 'ono' after the price, so I'm tempted to wade in with a low offer and take it from there if it all checks out with BMW and HPI etc, assuming it hasn't sold!
I'll be picking one up on monday I hope, tuesday at the latest, whatever happens, so I can't really be too selective.
Cheers Dave, but as Okgo points out, it's a bit steep. It's not that I don't see it being worth the money, quite the opposite, but at 7k I'd probably just opt to stick another few k on top and come home with an E39 M5. I'm odd like that 
Budget wise I've not got one really, but I'm relishing the challenge of finding a <4k minter for some reason. Never had a bargain barge before really
Budget wise I've not got one really, but I'm relishing the challenge of finding a <4k minter for some reason. Never had a bargain barge before really
dave_s13 said:
Stu R said:
Cheers Dave, but as Okgo points out, it's a bit steep. It's not that I don't see it being worth the money, quite the opposite, but at 7k I'd probably just opt to stick another few k on top and come home with an E39 M5. I'm odd like that
Budget wise I've not got one really, but I'm relishing the challenge of finding a <4k minter for some reason. Never had a bargain barge before really
Fvck that Stu, just buy an M5 then while you can still get them in excellent condition Budget wise I've not got one really, but I'm relishing the challenge of finding a <4k minter for some reason. Never had a bargain barge before really
Right, sorry for going back a step here but I've found what I believe to be the perfect 7 series for me, I'm absolutely smitten with it.
BUT..........
There's one little problem, it's not a 740 or a 750, it's a 735! Sods law, but I'm starting to seriously consider embracing taking the sibling of the V8 range, it's that nice.
Is the difference in performance between the 735i and the 740i really that noticeable? Now, I know it's probably seen as sacrelige by 7 series fans, but I'm not scared of doing some tweaks here and there. Is there realistically anything that can be done to try and extract a bit more performance from the 735? What could one hope to achieve with say a remap, induction, exhaust, high flow cats, that sort of rubbish, noticeable difference?
I know it's never going to be a sports car, but if I could get a little bit more out of it I dare say I could forgive it being a little bit lower in the capacity stakes. I've also got a nitrous kit lying around, that'd be funny (sorry, I really am sensible and nice, and I won't bastidise it I promise).
But really, it's such a lovely car, and ticks every box. I'm a little bit disheartened that it's not a 740i, but I still really want it.
help....!!!!
BUT..........
There's one little problem, it's not a 740 or a 750, it's a 735! Sods law, but I'm starting to seriously consider embracing taking the sibling of the V8 range, it's that nice.
Is the difference in performance between the 735i and the 740i really that noticeable? Now, I know it's probably seen as sacrelige by 7 series fans, but I'm not scared of doing some tweaks here and there. Is there realistically anything that can be done to try and extract a bit more performance from the 735? What could one hope to achieve with say a remap, induction, exhaust, high flow cats, that sort of rubbish, noticeable difference?
I know it's never going to be a sports car, but if I could get a little bit more out of it I dare say I could forgive it being a little bit lower in the capacity stakes. I've also got a nitrous kit lying around, that'd be funny
(sorry, I really am sensible and nice, and I won't bastidise it I promise). But really, it's such a lovely car, and ticks every box. I'm a little bit disheartened that it's not a 740i, but I still really want it.
help....!!!!
Thanks for the link! I have emailed them about that one a few hours ago as it happens, but since I've found the one mentioned in my last post I'm less enthusiastic about it! Honestly, I'm that fickle.
The only thing I don't like about the one at lymington is it's location, again right on the south coast so it's going to be a PITA to view it if I'm not bringing it home with me. Still, see what they come back with, I'm certainly not ruling it out.
Honestly, I'm that fickle. The only thing I don't like about the one at lymington is it's location, again right on the south coast so it's going to be a PITA to view it if I'm not bringing it home with me. Still, see what they come back with, I'm certainly not ruling it out.
replied to your mail rich!
Cheers Okgo, I've been on the blower all morning.
The black one is a dud unfortunately. Long story short the full bmw service history was conveniently lost, gave him the benefit of the doubt and checked it out, and it's been in for plenty of stuff, just not since last year, and not serviced as many times as I'd like. Also, the AC needing a regass 'could be a compressor which is only a couple of hundred quid mate', a couple of hundred being 550+vat.
So, a total pup then.
I've found another one which is getting checked out soon by a mate who's fellow PH'er for me who lives locally (ish), that's a 740i.
Now to follow up my email about the aforementioned blue one on the south coast!
Wish me luck...
Cheers Okgo, I've been on the blower all morning.
The black one is a dud unfortunately. Long story short the full bmw service history was conveniently lost, gave him the benefit of the doubt and checked it out, and it's been in for plenty of stuff, just not since last year, and not serviced as many times as I'd like. Also, the AC needing a regass 'could be a compressor which is only a couple of hundred quid mate', a couple of hundred being 550+vat.
So, a total pup then.
I've found another one which is getting checked out soon by a mate who's fellow PH'er for me who lives locally (ish), that's a 740i.
Now to follow up my email about the aforementioned blue one on the south coast!
Wish me luck...
Blue one is on SOR, it's fixed at 4k, but the sat nav screen has got the all too common dead display syndrome which they're trying to sort. Seemed ok on the phone, apparantly it's a really tidy car with bags of history and he'll get back to me later RE my e-mail. I did ask a lot of questions
So we'll see where that goes, but it's 300 miles away and I'm not in the mood for gambling.
NEXT!
So we'll see where that goes, but it's 300 miles away and I'm not in the mood for gambling.
NEXT!
Diablo SVTT said:
I can't remember if this was one of the previous ones discussed so may as well post it
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
Stolen from the Bargain Barges thread
cheers! http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
Stolen from the Bargain Barges thread
That radius vehicles are sticking a hell of a markup on cars they don't own. The purple one I found for 5k was actually 3.5k on the trader and has now sold. I'll drop them a line tomorrow, new autotrader tomorrow too isn't it?
thanks for the update btw Rich, car's looking very nice! I shall pop thee another e-mail
Edited by Stu R on Thursday 14th May 22:51
Sorry for the delayed reply, been a bit of a hectic day.
It's a late S plate 740i, double glazed, sat nav / tv / phone / the wheels I like whose name I don't know, loads of other stuff I've yet to discover.
Cosmetically the exterior is the only slight down side I've encountered so far as it isn't perfect, but is very good overall. As the service history is absolutely epic. Í could jack in doing weights and just use the service book to benchpress. Shade over 90k miles with the best part of a years tax and test on it, every previous MOT and tax disc, 10 or 11 service stamps, plus a folder full of reciepts for everything it's ever had replaced since new, some big bills in there as all the common problems like coolant hoses, radiator, drop links etc have been replaced, as well as wads of trivial stuff. Basically a service books full and an A4 folder full.
It was the dealers personal car around 7 years ago, which he sold on to a mate, who had it for 5 years and seems to have looked after it very well (hence the reciepts and spotless engine bay), before getting done for drink driving and selling him the car back.
As for what needs doing, not a lot really, it's got a scratch on the pax side front wing which is about 6 inches long, and a small amount of lacquer missing by the bonnet badge. There's a tiny little rust bubble *just* starting on the rear arch, and the lenses on the back lights are a bit manky. all fairly minor stuff. I'll pop it into the body shop to get it all sorted some time very soon. Key fobs are a bit tatty so they'll get replaced (I'm picky), and the front number plate is a bit shabby, and has the GB sticker on which I hate, so there's new ones en route from fancyplates. Interior is like brand new, totally immaculate and very well looked after.
Got some jewel rear lights ordered, the LED jobbies with the clear tops, personally much prefer the look of them, and some clear side repeater lenses just to freshen it up a bit, and a few other nice bits and pieces once that little lot is dealt with. More on that later but I do have some interesting plans for it.
A few pics, apologies for the pi$$ poor quality, it's a bit murky and I took them on an iPhone. It does look better in the flesh but everyone says that. I'm pretty happy with it. I'll get some better ones soon.
It's a late S plate 740i, double glazed, sat nav / tv / phone / the wheels I like whose name I don't know, loads of other stuff I've yet to discover.
Cosmetically the exterior is the only slight down side I've encountered so far as it isn't perfect, but is very good overall. As the service history is absolutely epic. Í could jack in doing weights and just use the service book to benchpress. Shade over 90k miles with the best part of a years tax and test on it, every previous MOT and tax disc, 10 or 11 service stamps, plus a folder full of reciepts for everything it's ever had replaced since new, some big bills in there as all the common problems like coolant hoses, radiator, drop links etc have been replaced, as well as wads of trivial stuff. Basically a service books full and an A4 folder full.
It was the dealers personal car around 7 years ago, which he sold on to a mate, who had it for 5 years and seems to have looked after it very well (hence the reciepts and spotless engine bay), before getting done for drink driving and selling him the car back.
As for what needs doing, not a lot really, it's got a scratch on the pax side front wing which is about 6 inches long, and a small amount of lacquer missing by the bonnet badge. There's a tiny little rust bubble *just* starting on the rear arch, and the lenses on the back lights are a bit manky. all fairly minor stuff. I'll pop it into the body shop to get it all sorted some time very soon. Key fobs are a bit tatty so they'll get replaced (I'm picky), and the front number plate is a bit shabby, and has the GB sticker on which I hate, so there's new ones en route from fancyplates. Interior is like brand new, totally immaculate and very well looked after.
Got some jewel rear lights ordered, the LED jobbies with the clear tops, personally much prefer the look of them, and some clear side repeater lenses just to freshen it up a bit, and a few other nice bits and pieces once that little lot is dealt with. More on that later but I do have some interesting plans for it.
A few pics, apologies for the pi$$ poor quality, it's a bit murky and I took them on an iPhone. It does look better in the flesh but everyone says that. I'm pretty happy with it. I'll get some better ones soon.
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