Buying advice. 7 series.

[richyb]

Tempting but there is definately going to be more to it. That sort of car for that sort of money??? I know its only just started and is an auction but I hear the very distant sound of alarm bells ringing.

[Morningside]

richyb said:

Tempting but there is definately going to be more to it. That sort of car for that sort of money??? I know its only just started and is an auction but I hear the very distant sound of alarm bells ringing.

Apart from the older satnav that used CD's and not the latest DVD's
Only problem with the longer ones is darker versions do look like you are heading for a funeral and are a bh for multi-story and supermarket parking bays.
As for pixels mine were replaced before I owned the car by main BMW dealer and cost over £1000.
Main thing is check absolutely everything you can from the electric motor driven steering wheel to the electronc rear boot open - some also had twin batteries.
Remember also that the older ones only worked on GSM900 ie O2+Vodafone.

Agreed with what has been said: I thought was a shame what needed modding is having the twin rear exhaust pipes showing and perhaps a sports pipe for a bit of extra purr.

[richyb]

Morningside said:

.............and are a bh for multi-story and supermarket parking bays.........

I have to park a double cab hilux with a winch and a tow bar without being able to see out the back window in and around Ealing. A 750iL would be a treat in comparison.

[monthefish]

richyb said:

Morningside said:

.............and are a bh for multi-story and supermarket parking bays.........

I have to park a double cab hilux with a winch and a tow bar without being able to see out the back window in and around Ealing. A 750iL would be a treat in comparison.

especially with parking sensors, front and rear.

[XB70]

You would be astonished how easy a 750il is to park with the sensors - the car really does feel like a 5 series in terms of size

[richyb]

Need a little more advice lads. I looked at a 740i this morning, W Reg with 118k on the clock. I was impressed with it and gave it a good 30 mins test drive round town a few miles of A road stuff so got it upto 70mph. Bodywork was ok, some scratches but no dings. Front fog lights were cracked but still worked. All internal electrics were fine, OBC was fine, no pixels out etc. The bad bit is the service history is a bit jumpy. All BMW but the last service was 98k and was an oil service done in late 2007. Definately overdue a service despite 4 bars out of 5 up on the dash. The service history didn't have any ticks for inspection 2 either??? Just insp 1 followed oil and so on every year pretty much. The car did have some electronic faults which he did tell me about and I found myself which were the parking brake light stayed on and the airbag warning light was on. I mentioned this as well as needing new pads all round to the guy and he said the car would have all the faults fixed by bmw and get new pads all round. A years MOT would be put on it and it would have 3 months warranty. Priced up at £4000 I offered £3600. He said with all the bits to be corrected £3700 was the lowest so I said I'd have to look into a bit more and get back to him in the week. Now this is tempting but I am sure part of it is me being excited about the idea of it all. I need someones help to be a bit more subjective. I know book is about £3k but its hard to find one for that. Does this price seem fair with new MOT, faults fixed and warranty? The service history is my main worry. Any words of wisdom welcomed!

[XB70]

Walk away is my advice. To my mind, the most important thing with the 7's is service history and more to the point, what has actually been done in repairs!

I would query why the various lights were on also - electrical gremlins can be notorious to locate. Also would check whether that model had the Nikasil issues. The price also seems high.

Had a fellow come look on mine on Friday night - complete timewaster. Wanted to do standing starts in the car since "that is how I test my cars". I thought he was joking! 1400kg Honda I can understand but 2300kg sedan? *shakes head*

[Morningside]

XB70 said:

Walk away is my advice. ...

Agreed. Sounds like a very abused example. I would rather go for an older one with ALL stamps.As for airbag light being on... Could be £££££'s

[Blues]

I'm afraid i agree with the "walk away" advice.
Personally, i would not dream of trying to sell a car with those kind of obvious faults.
If he truly had looked after and cherished his car, hew would have corrected these faults before now.
There are plenty of good ones to be had - your patience will be rewarded!

[bmw2002]

Looks like this will be a cheapy, 6 hours to go @ £2k

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

[richyb]

Thanks guys. Alarm bells went off as soon as I saw the paper work. The SH is bmw but there were worrying gaps (20k or over a year). No insp 2's put me right off. I've had a bit of time to think it over and you guys have reassured me that I am not being too fussy. No service in a year and 22k shows its had a hard life. FBMWSH and excellent condition it was not. I was impressed with the level of equipment of the 740i's though. Took about 40 mins to check all the electrics! Anyways, the quest continues.

[richyb]

bmw2002 said:

Looks like this will be a cheapy, 6 hours to go @ £2k

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

Yeah I have been watching this one. Leicester is too far for me though.

[bmw2002]

richyb said:

bmw2002 said:

Looks like this will be a cheapy, 6 hours to go @ £2k

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

Yeah I have been watching this one. Leicester is too far for me though.

£3100 with 30 minutes to go

[papercup]

i wouldn't touch anything i hadn't personally seen first....buy something like this off eBay at your peril...

I have a '99 540 and while it has a few scratches, everything works. I wouldn't touch one where there are lights on or electronic gremlins. Its a buyer's market and there are lots around.

[jamoor]

papercup said:

i wouldn't touch anything i hadn't personally seen first....buy something like this off eBay at your peril...

I have a '99 540 and while it has a few scratches, everything works. I wouldn't touch one where there are lights on or electronic gremlins. Its a buyer's market and there are lots around.

If it turns out to be a dog, just don't buy it, it's his fault for not disclosing all facts in the listing.

[bmw2002]

bmw2002 said:

richyb said:

bmw2002 said:

Looks like this will be a cheapy, 6 hours to go @ £2k

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

Yeah I have been watching this one. Leicester is too far for me though.

£3100 with 30 minutes to go

Cheap at £4100 sold

[monthefish]

bmw2002 said:

bmw2002 said:

richyb said:

bmw2002 said:

Looks like this will be a cheapy, 6 hours to go @ £2k

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

Yeah I have been watching this one. Leicester is too far for me though.

£3100 with 30 minutes to go

Cheap at £4100 sold

Lotta car for £4k

[richyb]

papercup said:

i wouldn't touch anything i hadn't personally seen first....buy something like this off eBay at your peril...

Exactly my thoughts. I've never bought a car the ebay route but I would imagine you turn up and you hand over the cash and they hand over the keys and V5. No test drive etc. Way too risky.

[XB70]

Depends on the seller - I would expect that someone would want to drive mine before I handed over the V5 provided that they had insurance that covered any damage to my car or....and this is a big big if.....I got the feeling that I could trust them and we found a quiet spot.

Mr Friday Night "I want to do a standing start" and also wanted to rev the hell out of the car does not fall into person I would trust category!

If the car has been honestly described, and the buyer actually wants that particular make of car, then there should be no hassles and a smooth transaction.

[richyb]

XB70 said:

Depends on the seller - I would expect that someone would want to drive mine before I handed over the V5 provided that they had insurance that covered any damage to my car or....and this is a big big if.....I got the feeling that I could trust them and we found a quiet spot.

Mr Friday Night "I want to do a standing start" and also wanted to rev the hell out of the car does not fall into person I would trust category!

If the car has been honestly described, and the buyer actually wants that particular make of car, then there should be no hassles and a smooth transaction.

I can't understand anyone buying a car without driving it first. Surely this is one of the best ways to fault find.