e38... talk to me
Discussion
Chaps,
Considering selling my Alpina and if I do will be looking to spend c. £5k on an e38 to be used on a mixture of town & motorway driving, mainly as a work hack (don't commute but do around 12k per year mixture of work and social).
Reason for the e38 is I just love the look and want some power under my foot in a nice comfy, luxurious auto-barge. Has to feel special as I know I will miss the Alpina as soon as it's gone.
I'm doing this to downsize and free up some cash so I don't want to be getting into a wallet-rapage situation, but equally don't want to be driving round in a snotter. I have a shed estate for the tip/dog runs and still need something Bavarian for the other times.
Now I've sold myself on the idea of a 6 or 8 cylinder, preferably 8 and would really like it to be LPG'd as I have never had one and would quite like to experience it. Don't want to go near a v12 at the moment.
So what I'm looking for is some views from custodians/former custodians of said bargey waftiness, what problems are rife, expected running costs etc. I have read several buying guides but want to remove the rose tinted specs for a while and hear from people who have run for a few years over 20k plus.
Cheers
Considering selling my Alpina and if I do will be looking to spend c. £5k on an e38 to be used on a mixture of town & motorway driving, mainly as a work hack (don't commute but do around 12k per year mixture of work and social).
Reason for the e38 is I just love the look and want some power under my foot in a nice comfy, luxurious auto-barge. Has to feel special as I know I will miss the Alpina as soon as it's gone.
I'm doing this to downsize and free up some cash so I don't want to be getting into a wallet-rapage situation, but equally don't want to be driving round in a snotter. I have a shed estate for the tip/dog runs and still need something Bavarian for the other times.
Now I've sold myself on the idea of a 6 or 8 cylinder, preferably 8 and would really like it to be LPG'd as I have never had one and would quite like to experience it. Don't want to go near a v12 at the moment.
So what I'm looking for is some views from custodians/former custodians of said bargey waftiness, what problems are rife, expected running costs etc. I have read several buying guides but want to remove the rose tinted specs for a while and hear from people who have run for a few years over 20k plus.
Cheers
From what I have heard they are not much more than an enlarged slightly more luxurious 5 Series which if you stay away from the V12 costs the same to run as an E39. The 728 would be a fine wafting machine but I would think when your going that size a 740 V8 is the way to go as the 6 cylinder may struggle with the added weight. In an E39 there is no sense that the engine is struggling but I don't know how much more the E38 weighs. I really would like a 7 Series but im not sure about V8 running costs just yet. For your money a late 740 Sport could be had with all the kit. They look better in darker colours if you ask me, there is a lovely green V Reg example around this way, I love them.
Having had a few E39 5's and now having run an E38 740 for the last couple of years I would say that the running costs are pretty comparable.
E38's are much more spacious inside and the V8's are real mile munchers.
In terms of fuel consumption I get similar to my previous 530 Sport and on long European runs average 31/32mpg. 20 ish around town. LPG isn't really necessary IMHO. Don't buy a 728 thinking it'll be cheaper on fuel - it's unlikely it will be .
Buying right is the key and preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure to continuing reliability.
Sport models are nice but the ride is compromised slightly, they cost more (more popular) and tyres etc are more expensive.
Don't worry about lack of sat nav/TV. Tom Toms are cheap and digital TV switchover will render the in car stuff obsolete (plus they break and cost to repair)
You can find some very nice 99/00 FSH, low owner/ mileage, non sport models with no Nav for £3/4k.
Buying guides on www.bmwland.co.uk
E38's are much more spacious inside and the V8's are real mile munchers.
In terms of fuel consumption I get similar to my previous 530 Sport and on long European runs average 31/32mpg. 20 ish around town. LPG isn't really necessary IMHO. Don't buy a 728 thinking it'll be cheaper on fuel - it's unlikely it will be .
Buying right is the key and preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure to continuing reliability.
Sport models are nice but the ride is compromised slightly, they cost more (more popular) and tyres etc are more expensive.
Don't worry about lack of sat nav/TV. Tom Toms are cheap and digital TV switchover will render the in car stuff obsolete (plus they break and cost to repair)
You can find some very nice 99/00 FSH, low owner/ mileage, non sport models with no Nav for £3/4k.
Buying guides on www.bmwland.co.uk
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