750iL - Yay or Nay?
Discussion
I've never owned a BMW before, and I have the possibility of swapping my W202 C Class for my brothers 750iL (late 90's model IIRC) in the near future, and as attractive as the uber-barge sounds, am I likely to regret it?
I've searched for buyers guides recently and not found anything particularly detailed (which may be a good thing), and all I really know about is problems with the fuel filler pipe and the fuel sender / gauge issues. I don't know much about the history of my brothers car, he's only had it a month or so himself, and I know that the fuel gauge doesn't work but is a fairly simple fix, but are there any other issues that I should be aware of?
It'll be a straight swap, so price isn't an issue should I get the car, but a complex V12 and the fancy suspension it has (is it hydraulic?) scares me a little should they go wrong. My old Toyota Soarer with it's air suspension scared me a little, but then parts for that tank were uber rare and usually relied on canibalising existing cars.
Can anyone give me any advice on what to look for, or what to be aware of, it would be much appreciated!
I've searched for buyers guides recently and not found anything particularly detailed (which may be a good thing), and all I really know about is problems with the fuel filler pipe and the fuel sender / gauge issues. I don't know much about the history of my brothers car, he's only had it a month or so himself, and I know that the fuel gauge doesn't work but is a fairly simple fix, but are there any other issues that I should be aware of?
It'll be a straight swap, so price isn't an issue should I get the car, but a complex V12 and the fancy suspension it has (is it hydraulic?) scares me a little should they go wrong. My old Toyota Soarer with it's air suspension scared me a little, but then parts for that tank were uber rare and usually relied on canibalising existing cars.
Can anyone give me any advice on what to look for, or what to be aware of, it would be much appreciated!
I used to be a BMW mechanic up until approx 16 years ago and to be honest the only thing engine wise I ever had to do on these was related to water leaks mainly from the "valley gasket". The cork type gasket that ran from front to rear of the engine buried in the V of the engine. A very labour intensive job too do (no costly parts though). Therefore, check for coolant leaks etc.
Brigand said:
I've never owned a BMW before, and I have the possibility of swapping my W202 C Class for my brothers 750iL (late 90's model IIRC) in the near future, and as attractive as the uber-barge sounds, am I likely to regret it?
I've searched for buyers guides recently and not found anything particularly detailed (which may be a good thing), and all I really know about is problems with the fuel filler pipe and the fuel sender / gauge issues. I don't know much about the history of my brothers car, he's only had it a month or so himself, and I know that the fuel gauge doesn't work but is a fairly simple fix, but are there any other issues that I should be aware of?
It'll be a straight swap, so price isn't an issue should I get the car, but a complex V12 and the fancy suspension it has (is it hydraulic?) scares me a little should they go wrong. My old Toyota Soarer with it's air suspension scared me a little, but then parts for that tank were uber rare and usually relied on canibalising existing cars.
Can anyone give me any advice on what to look for, or what to be aware of, it would be much appreciated!
Fill up the petrol tank to the brim and check no fuel runs out. The tanks are steel and tend to rust out.I've searched for buyers guides recently and not found anything particularly detailed (which may be a good thing), and all I really know about is problems with the fuel filler pipe and the fuel sender / gauge issues. I don't know much about the history of my brothers car, he's only had it a month or so himself, and I know that the fuel gauge doesn't work but is a fairly simple fix, but are there any other issues that I should be aware of?
It'll be a straight swap, so price isn't an issue should I get the car, but a complex V12 and the fancy suspension it has (is it hydraulic?) scares me a little should they go wrong. My old Toyota Soarer with it's air suspension scared me a little, but then parts for that tank were uber rare and usually relied on canibalising existing cars.
Can anyone give me any advice on what to look for, or what to be aware of, it would be much appreciated!
I run an E38 750 ( although a 5 1/2" shorter non L )as my daily car and its great.
Mine had a new tank in 2012 ( previous owner replaced it ) that has a reciept for just supply at about £800 that was with 15% employee discount!
the guide to everything http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/Index.htm
Its a yay from me, not sure what i'd want to replace it with?
Mine had a new tank in 2012 ( previous owner replaced it ) that has a reciept for just supply at about £800 that was with 15% employee discount!
the guide to everything http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/Index.htm
Its a yay from me, not sure what i'd want to replace it with?
rm163603 said:
Fill up the petrol tank to the brim and check no fuel runs out. The tanks are steel and tend to rust out.
+1 
Leaking fuel tanks are probably the most common fault on the E38 7series and a major reason for them ending up being broken for parts due to the cost of replacement.
They suffer from a couple of problems:
The first, as already mentioned is corrosion. If there are damp patches on the outside of the tank then you need to sand the surface back to find the leak. The corrosion damage is often in the form of minute pin-holes, more often than not around in the tanks inlet pipe.
The second failure is the tank splitting around its seam due to the tank contracting and expanding. The cause of this is a failure of the tanks ventilation system which then causes a vacuum in the tank (If you're driving along with @ half a tank of fuel and you hear an odd "boing" sound from the rear end of the car - that's the fuel tank contracting/expanding!).
Replacement tanks are not cheap (both BMW and pattern tanks), and second hand tanks are hard to find for obvious reasons. It's also quite labour intensive to replace the tank and not the easiest job to do DIY.
This site has a lot of information on the E38 for those interested in them : http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/
I'd have to say that the E38 7series is one of the most svelte and elegant cars BMW has ever made! - Always been a favourite of mine!
FilH said:
the guide to everything http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e38/Index.htm
There's some cracking information on that site, the author has gone to some lengths to make the noddy guides and information. Top job!4rephill said:
The second failure is the tank splitting around its seam due to the tank contracting and expanding. The cause of this is a failure of the tanks ventilation system which then causes a vacuum in the tank (If you're driving along with @ half a tank of fuel and you hear an odd "boing" sound from the rear end of the car - that's the fuel tank contracting/expanding!).
hmm ive heard that boing noise a few times when the tanks near empty! ill guess I better investigate this tank breather system!
I'd stick with the Merc!
750iL's were great cars when new, but now they're moneypits. You may be lucky, but if you're not, everything is uber-££££££££ on these. The basic engine is strong but there are two ECU's, two electronic (EML) throttle bodies and lots of sensors. They're also a cow to work on. Sump gaskets leak, but not as prone as the E32 version was. Even so, it's a gearbox off job. The cooling system is as marginal as it was on the V8's.
Being a 750i and a long wheelbase version, you have the joy of EDC dampers, virtually unobtainable secondhand and a snip at only £1200 each new from BMW. The back ones are also self levelling but I think they're still under £1500 each with VAT. The pipes and accumulators all rust and leak eventually.
E38 tanks are a mystery - a mystery as to why they were made from mild steel with a lightest lick of black paint when the E36, E39 etc all had plastic tanks. They rust all around the seams and any original fit tank will now be about to expire if it hasn't already. The tanks can split at tghe base around where the plastic inserts are fitted before ther two halves are welded together. They're about £1000 new with no aftermarket alternative and used ones are very scarce. Check the exhaust very carefully as there's lots of it and it's all lots of £££££.
Basically, you need to be buying the car for the equivalent of £500 - 1000 tops, and consider yourself the last owner. They're absolutely unsaleable (15 -20 mpg) as a whole but they do break well - you'll make money comes getting rid time by pulling it to bits.
750iL's were great cars when new, but now they're moneypits. You may be lucky, but if you're not, everything is uber-££££££££ on these. The basic engine is strong but there are two ECU's, two electronic (EML) throttle bodies and lots of sensors. They're also a cow to work on. Sump gaskets leak, but not as prone as the E32 version was. Even so, it's a gearbox off job. The cooling system is as marginal as it was on the V8's.
Being a 750i and a long wheelbase version, you have the joy of EDC dampers, virtually unobtainable secondhand and a snip at only £1200 each new from BMW. The back ones are also self levelling but I think they're still under £1500 each with VAT. The pipes and accumulators all rust and leak eventually.
E38 tanks are a mystery - a mystery as to why they were made from mild steel with a lightest lick of black paint when the E36, E39 etc all had plastic tanks. They rust all around the seams and any original fit tank will now be about to expire if it hasn't already. The tanks can split at tghe base around where the plastic inserts are fitted before ther two halves are welded together. They're about £1000 new with no aftermarket alternative and used ones are very scarce. Check the exhaust very carefully as there's lots of it and it's all lots of £££££.
Basically, you need to be buying the car for the equivalent of £500 - 1000 tops, and consider yourself the last owner. They're absolutely unsaleable (15 -20 mpg) as a whole but they do break well - you'll make money comes getting rid time by pulling it to bits.
I'd say go for it but I am biased as I have an e38 750i (SWB) as my daily; http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Used to have a 750il previously; http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
They are, in my opinion, fantastic cars.
The main faults have been mentioned above and the fuel tank issue is an issue for all e38's. They can now be repaired / refurbished and a chap on the barge thread (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=1321138&mid=62110&i=5680&nmt=Best+Smoker+Barges+1-5+large+%5BVol+6%5D&mid=62110) has had this done recently, I think with mechanics bills, courier fees, refurb fees for the tank it cost him £600-£800 to sort. Worth it in my opinion to keep the car on the road.
The EDC shocks can be refurbed in Poland for £160 a corner (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181271953401?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649) and there are plenty of second hand bits as many of these cars are now being broken up.
So in summary, yes, they do have their problems, but most older cars do, and the faults can be sorted if you dont mind spending a bit on an older car with a lower value.
Used to have a 750il previously; http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
They are, in my opinion, fantastic cars.
The main faults have been mentioned above and the fuel tank issue is an issue for all e38's. They can now be repaired / refurbished and a chap on the barge thread (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=1321138&mid=62110&i=5680&nmt=Best+Smoker+Barges+1-5+large+%5BVol+6%5D&mid=62110) has had this done recently, I think with mechanics bills, courier fees, refurb fees for the tank it cost him £600-£800 to sort. Worth it in my opinion to keep the car on the road.
The EDC shocks can be refurbed in Poland for £160 a corner (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181271953401?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649) and there are plenty of second hand bits as many of these cars are now being broken up.
So in summary, yes, they do have their problems, but most older cars do, and the faults can be sorted if you dont mind spending a bit on an older car with a lower value.
My 750iL developed the dreaded fuel tank leak earlier this year. I opted to have the tank fixed rather that chuck away an otherwise fantastic car. It was £438 for the tank fix including VAT and courier costs; removal and refitting is easily a full days work. The final bill was just over a grand but it was worth it 
I've been thinking about selling mine for over a year now, but somehow I just can't bring myself to do it. They're great cars and you get so much for your money. Go for it
I've been thinking about selling mine for over a year now, but somehow I just can't bring myself to do it. They're great cars and you get so much for your money. Go for it
judas said:
My 750iL developed the dreaded fuel tank leak earlier this year. I opted to have the tank fixed rather that chuck away an otherwise fantastic car. It was £438 for the tank fix including VAT and courier costs; removal and refitting is easily a full days work. The final bill was just over a grand but it was worth it
I've been thinking about selling mine for over a year now, but somehow I just can't bring myself to do it. They're great cars and you get so much for your money. Go for it
Who did the tank repair for you Judas?I've been thinking about selling mine for over a year now, but somehow I just can't bring myself to do it. They're great cars and you get so much for your money. Go for it
It is hard to imagine more car for the money.
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