Buying advice. 7 series.

[Digger.]

Just been checking Parkers, and their facts and figures for both the 740i and 750i. Both models seem to have the same performance stats in so far as they both whoosh* to 60 equally rapidly. Is that correct? I assumed the V12 would have the edge. Possibly different levels of whoosh* in gear 50-70 etc, but just thought I'd mention it .

I have to admit that I dont think i have ever heard a V12 up close and personal. Compared with a 540i V8 (which I own) would the engine sound even smoother and creamier, the whoosh* lasting longer as you go higher up the rev range?


* Limited vocabulary, sorry. Onomatopoeiac replies would be interesting for comparison

Edited by Digger. on Monday 15th September 10:44

[monthefish]

Blues said:

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!

I avoided the long wheelbase model. Once i looked at one it was just a bit too much "chauffeur" for me. I have upgraded the SatNav to the latest DVD, and found that to use the phone system you really need a sim card in the device in the boot - they don't seem to work in the in-car handset slot.

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 think the LWB looks better, as it looks sleeker due to the fact that the glasshouse/roofline is a smaller percentage of the overall length.

But yes, all the luxury and toys in the back when you're in the front does get a bit frustrating

[monthefish]

Also, get yourself along to 7series register. Lots of knowledgeable chaops over there, and there's a really good buyers guide there too.

[Blues]

Digger. said:

I have to admit that I dont think i have ever heard a V12 up close and personal. Compared with a 540i V8 (which I own) would the engine sound even smoother and creamier, the whoosh* lasting longer as you go higher up the rev range?

I am fortunate to have a 540 i V8 and the 750 V12 (as well as a supercharged V8 TVR Chimaera ).
Alongside the V8s, the V12 just purrs. It is a more refined engine note, which sadly is almost entirely masked by the double glazing. The 540 is "snappier" and much more sporty (it is the sports version)but the 750 is serene in its power delivery - and for motorway cruising, 2k rpm is over the speed limit.

I am thinking that i might get myself a decent exhaust for the 750, once i have finished spending on the Chim.

[carter711]

sparks87 said:

richyb said:

B'stard Child said:

richyb said:

I would guess with 'spirited' driving you could get it down to single figure mpg. I plan to waft about but will no doubt find out at some point.

Nope try as hard as you can but on public roads 20 is as low as I can get with spirited driving

Round town never less than 22

On a run 30 is easy at sensible motorway speeds (70-80) the sort of speed where you keep up with the other traffic rather than blast past and with a bit of restraint and some planning plus keeping it stuck at 70 I have seen 34mpg

All the above are not trip computer readings - that lies like hell - all are results of brim full to brim full on same pump whenever possible

Average overall since I bought mine is 24mpg but mainly because my journey to an from work is less than 2 miles

Thats fairly re-assuring then. The 750i can only be a couple of mpg less than that I guess. I walk to work and only do around 250-300 miles a month social use so the fuel side isn't much of a issue. I'm really leaning towards the 750i now. Already talked myself into a bigger budget!

Seriously, if you think you can stomach the (reasonable) running costs- just do it. Whats good enough for James Bond and the guy from the Transporter should be good enough for you!!

The guy from The Transporter has a 735i, quite why he has a an E38 and not an E39 M5 im not sure.

[monthefish]

carter711 said:

sparks87 said:

richyb said:

B'stard Child said:

richyb said:

I would guess with 'spirited' driving you could get it down to single figure mpg. I plan to waft about but will no doubt find out at some point.

Nope try as hard as you can but on public roads 20 is as low as I can get with spirited driving

Round town never less than 22

On a run 30 is easy at sensible motorway speeds (70-80) the sort of speed where you keep up with the other traffic rather than blast past and with a bit of restraint and some planning plus keeping it stuck at 70 I have seen 34mpg

All the above are not trip computer readings - that lies like hell - all are results of brim full to brim full on same pump whenever possible

Average overall since I bought mine is 24mpg but mainly because my journey to an from work is less than 2 miles

Thats fairly re-assuring then. The 750i can only be a couple of mpg less than that I guess. I walk to work and only do around 250-300 miles a month social use so the fuel side isn't much of a issue. I'm really leaning towards the 750i now. Already talked myself into a bigger budget!

Seriously, if you think you can stomach the (reasonable) running costs- just do it. Whats good enough for James Bond and the guy from the Transporter should be good enough for you!!

The guy from The Transporter has a 735i, quite why he has a an E38 and not an E39 M5 im not sure.

Wikipedia said:

In the film, Jason Statham's character Frank Martin specifically identifies the car as a "1999 Black BMW 735i". In the DVD commentary, however, Jason Statham indicates that the car was a one-off manual-transmission 1999 7-Series 750iL, with a V12 engine.

He presumably has a 7 series to give those he is 'transporting' more room...

[carter711]

I feel enlightened now

[XB70]

The 750il sounds like a turbine and just keeps accelerating - quite disconcerting since there is no let up....rev, next gear, rev, next gear all the way up to 155mph

[Pappa Lurve]

I have a 740 (N reg, 4.0 as oppose to 4.4).

She has done 180k and other than the same vibration issue at about 50 she was faultless. Picked it up just as a runner to the station and the occasional motorway jaunt. I love thoe kind of cars and on the prowl for the next one. Having had an S class, a bunch of Jags, a couple of saabs, a Range Rover and even, shamefully, a Citroen XM at one stage, the 7 series was one of the best. Never put a foot wrong, cost me nothing more than one set of tyres, pads and a minor service in 35k (the idea was to run her into the ground). Only two cars on my list now, a Jag XJ or a 7 series. & seems to have more toys on the whole but I have always liked the Jags. Not sure which I prefer but if you get a good & series I can't imagine you will be anything other than well impressed! A huge amount of metal for the money and really good to drive. Not the most sporty thing but plenty of power and perfectly able to be hooned when the mood strikes!

[Egbert Nobacon]

sparks87 said:

Realistically MPG wise from what you guys are saying it won't cost me that much more to run a 740 over my intended 528i purchase if it stays in the 20s around town (although parts may be astronomical and insurance is £1500, £700+ more than I would pay on a 5 Series)

Edited by sparks87 on Sunday 14th September 18:03

I acquired a cheapish '99 72k mile 740 in Feb and was surprised at how little difference in actual fuel consumption there was between it and my previous E39 530A Sport and 528i SE.

A recent run to Marbella and back showed an average of 30/32 mpg over 3.5k miles trundling at 80/85 on cruise.

Its not too bad around town either - just waft around in comfort feeling your pulse rate slow !

Far preferable to the E39's IMHO, covered 9k miles in it now and apart from changing all fluids and one suspension arm after purchase, nothing has gone wrong.

Edited by Egbert Nobacon on Monday 15th September 16:29

[richyb]

Blues said:

richyb said:

Blues said:

ETA
oooooooh looooook

750 £5k

Do you reckon this one is reasonably priced? Glass guide puts a trade in price of £3200 but I doubt a real example can be found for close to this price.

I guess it depends on how long you intend keeping it. It looks like the car is exactly the same spec as mine, and pretty much the same mileage as when i bought it in February this year. At that mileage it is just about run in, and could well last another 80k mithout much trouble. My plan is to run mine until it drops

To me, the things that make this one interesting are:
Just under 82,000 miles
Full service history which includes five BMW main agent stamps.
Serviced in May with all five green service indicators remaining.
Heated and electric rear comfort seats, double glazing
It also seems to have almost evry option that was available at the time.
From the list of service history and recent work done, i would expect this one to have been very well looked after.
Combined with having a current MOT and all green service lights lit, you should not expect to have to pay for anything (except petrol, tax and insurance) for another year or so. Tax is currenty £185, and is going to £200 next year

I'd see it, and if you like it offer £4k, and expect to end up paying about £4.3k.

One word of warning - i doscovered that there is a regular problem on these older ones with the hifi/sat nav kit, caused by some sort of dry joint. If you test drive the car, make sure you have the radio on for the duration of the test (Hopefully at least 30 minutes)- turn the volume right down if you like, and then make sure it is still working properly at the end. Symptoms include the whole lot just packing up, or not switching off, even when you turn the ignition off and remove the key. There is a guy on e bay who will repair this for about £150, but it can be a useful tool in your negotiation.

If i was in the market for one of these, i'd just have to look at this one.

And just for the record, i have absolutely no connection with the car or dealer
Good luck

Thanks again Blues and everyone else for the info. I've been on the email with the guy and the 750i mentioned earlier and it has a fault with the mirrors not closing automatically anymore and he said he is not interested in offers and no warranty/just statutory rights so I think I am going to keep looking. Looks like a great motor but £5k still seems to much for it.

[bmw2002]

This one has reared its beautiful head!! not read all through so it might it be a duplicate.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-E38-BMW-750i-L-AUTO-750...

[richyb]

bmw2002 said:

This one has reared its beautiful head!! not read all through so it might it be a duplicate.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-E38-BMW-750i-L-AUTO-750...

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on it. '96 is a bit older than I was looking for but could be a bargain barge in the making.

[Blues]

bmw2002 said:

This one has reared its beautiful head!! not read all through so it might it be a duplicate.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-E38-BMW-750i-L-AUTO-750...

Hmm, too good for spares?

[bmw2002]

Blues said:

bmw2002 said:

This one has reared its beautiful head!! not read all through so it might it be a duplicate.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-E38-BMW-750i-L-AUTO-750...

Hmm, too good for spares?

[richyb]

Blues said:

bmw2002 said:

This one has reared its beautiful head!! not read all through so it might it be a duplicate.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-E38-BMW-750i-L-AUTO-750...

Hmm, too good for spares?

Definately. I'm going to keep an eye on it and maybe have a punt if the price is low.

[CarbonM5]

Once tried a E38 750i with Sports EDC dampers which were switchable in car-very impressive beast and a rare option.
Totally defied its size and weight.

[Loach]

Don't rule out a 750. That's a beaut of an engine, totally unstressed and very reliable. Bloody quick, too. I prefer it in SWB form, but that's just me. Buying spark plugs is a pain in the butt, but they don't need frequent changing and a looked after car should use almost no oil. One thing to watch for, is all of the LED dot-matrix displays. They tend to go after a while, so try to find a car without too many dead pixels, as it's annoying to look at, and they're a bugger to set right. Seat motors are reliable, mechanicals are robust, they aren't rust prone and in general I can't think of any specific problem area if you find a looked after car. Some of the wood trims go milky so keep an eye on that.

[MrV]

richyb said:

Blues said:

bmw2002 said:

This one has reared its beautiful head!! not read all through so it might it be a duplicate.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-E38-BMW-750i-L-AUTO-750...

Hmm, too good for spares?

Definately. I'm going to keep an eye on it and maybe have a punt if the price is low.

I have added it to my watch list and I was not even really in the market for a new barge

[sparks87]

MrV said:

richyb said:

Blues said:

bmw2002 said:

This one has reared its beautiful head!! not read all through so it might it be a duplicate.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1996-E38-BMW-750i-L-AUTO-750...

Hmm, too good for spares?

Definately. I'm going to keep an eye on it and maybe have a punt if the price is low.

I have added it to my watch list and I was not even really in the market for a new barge

Dammit stop posting these links to truly awful cars that I'm not at all tempted to bid on, even a little bit