Choosing an E38 - 750 or 740?
Discussion
The title says it all! I am looking for a 7 Series and wondered what experiences are of either the V8 or the V12. Mostly this will be an occasional long distance car, motorways, europe etc. Not crawling in traffic.
I'm not after an "L" and miss the noise of a V8 but am tempted by the toys of the V12.
Are there any indies that are well known for servicing E38's and V12s in particular?
Anything major to look out for, or just check that all the electrics work?
I'm not after an "L" and miss the noise of a V8 but am tempted by the toys of the V12.
Are there any indies that are well known for servicing E38's and V12s in particular?
Anything major to look out for, or just check that all the electrics work?
danielw said:
The title says it all! I am looking for a 7 Series and wondered what experiences are of either the V8 or the V12. Mostly this will be an occasional long distance car, motorways, europe etc. Not crawling in traffic.
I'm not after an "L" and miss the noise of a V8 but am tempted by the toys of the V12.
Are there any indies that are well known for servicing E38's and V12s in particular?
Anything major to look out for, or just check that all the electrics work?
http://www.fritzsbits.co.uk/ they will do it. one of them has a 740i. if you're worried about ownership costs, 740i all the way. 728i too under powered for a huge car. the V12 750 IS the one to have, but servicing bills are monumental on them. a PROPER inspection service (i'm not talking asking your local garage to do a service on it, i mean a proper, BMW inspection of all major mechanicals etc as well as filters, fluids etc) is a whole days job.so a normal yearly service with bits will cost you £700-800 at a guess, without anything else going wrong. inspection II services more likely near £1000 with nothing really going wrong. spark plugs need to be changed from under the car.I'm not after an "L" and miss the noise of a V8 but am tempted by the toys of the V12.
Are there any indies that are well known for servicing E38's and V12s in particular?
Anything major to look out for, or just check that all the electrics work?
they are a nightmare to work on. however......IF you get a good one and IF you maintain it properly and care for it....they are EPIC. will sit at 150mph all day long in comfort. don't get me wrong, the V12 is the one to have, just make sure you can afford the servicing bills.
Neither car are without their problems. Nevertheless, the V8's are much mor euser friendly if you enjoy spannering at home.
It really depends what you want from the car and how deep yrou pockets are. In reality, the 750 is no faster than the 740 but with the added issue of being much more expensive to run. They are exquisite on long journeys though and have seemingly endless power reserves.
I use a 740 (M62) as a daily driver and it's fantastic. As a point to point car, it's pretty agile and thrives on being given the loud pedal. In addition, it's still very well appointed and offers all the creature comforts available in it's bigger brother.
The way I see it is if you want to drive, the 740 is best. If you're being driven, the 750 is where it's at.
It really depends what you want from the car and how deep yrou pockets are. In reality, the 750 is no faster than the 740 but with the added issue of being much more expensive to run. They are exquisite on long journeys though and have seemingly endless power reserves.
I use a 740 (M62) as a daily driver and it's fantastic. As a point to point car, it's pretty agile and thrives on being given the loud pedal. In addition, it's still very well appointed and offers all the creature comforts available in it's bigger brother.
The way I see it is if you want to drive, the 740 is best. If you're being driven, the 750 is where it's at.
I had the option of either. As much as I liked the 750IL, the 740i sport was the one I opted for. You just can't beat a V8, and you're not losing much over the 750. I think in hindsight I'd go for an IL as opposed to just an I though.
Neither are too hard to work on either, I've done shed loads to mine. There's a huge amount of resources available like manuals and stuff, so for all but the most novice of spanner twirlers they shouldn't be too intimidating. Most people same to think they're hard to work on because everything is so snug in the engine bay and things can take a smidgen longer. Aside of the mountains of electrical stuff packed into them, they're not all that complex really.
Neither are too hard to work on either, I've done shed loads to mine. There's a huge amount of resources available like manuals and stuff, so for all but the most novice of spanner twirlers they shouldn't be too intimidating. Most people same to think they're hard to work on because everything is so snug in the engine bay and things can take a smidgen longer. Aside of the mountains of electrical stuff packed into them, they're not all that complex really.
I've gone and bought a 750i.
The idea of an E38 BMW (7 series - pre-Bangle) sort of began to grow on me. I remember an article in Autocar a year ago which must have set the seed. Big, german build (quality?), comfortable and in V8 Sport guise plenty quick enough.
And then I noticed that V12 E38's seem to be cheaper than the V8's and only a 10% penalty in fuel consumption (my daily transport in London is to ride "fixed")...
So a week ago I picked up a 750 (not the stretch). Same colours as my 996, slightly larger tyres, electric rear seats, electric suspension, heated seats all round, double glazing, sun-blinds, TV, and a phone on a curly cable "cars shouldn't have telephones daddy!". And all for 2k.
It moves, in kick down it sounds like a turbine, I get more looks from kids in saxo's than in anything i've driven for a long time and so far nothing's broken but there are a few odd clonking noises...
The idea of an E38 BMW (7 series - pre-Bangle) sort of began to grow on me. I remember an article in Autocar a year ago which must have set the seed. Big, german build (quality?), comfortable and in V8 Sport guise plenty quick enough.
And then I noticed that V12 E38's seem to be cheaper than the V8's and only a 10% penalty in fuel consumption (my daily transport in London is to ride "fixed")...
So a week ago I picked up a 750 (not the stretch). Same colours as my 996, slightly larger tyres, electric rear seats, electric suspension, heated seats all round, double glazing, sun-blinds, TV, and a phone on a curly cable "cars shouldn't have telephones daddy!". And all for 2k.
It moves, in kick down it sounds like a turbine, I get more looks from kids in saxo's than in anything i've driven for a long time and so far nothing's broken but there are a few odd clonking noises...
I had a 750i, albeit the model before E38 about 10 years ago and it was ruinous. I had a cascade effect failure of all ECUs, left cylinder bank, right cylinder bank then fly by wire throttle ECU. Was going to cost in the region of 4k to sort anyhow and BMW didn`t really want to know. Started by defaulting to limp home mode about 20% of the time. When it did work though it was a beautiful car. Mine was a 1992 in Zinnobar red, you hardly ever see the big 7s in that colour. It actually looked a bit pimpish with motorsport alloys, natural cream leather and that green shade band on windscreen.
That clonking will either be the steering column or even more expensive the EDC dampers are shot.
Enjoy it and just turn up the stereo to negate clonks!
That clonking will either be the steering column or even more expensive the EDC dampers are shot.
Enjoy it and just turn up the stereo to negate clonks!
My brother had a 1988 E32 750iL which he bought as an approved used BMW with 50,000 miles in 1998. I bought it off him in 2000 when he traded to an E38 740i because he needed the deeper boot for prams etc. He felt that the 750iL was in another league from the 740i & having driven both I agree. The V12 pushes the "7" into that special category where it could be compared with contemporaries such as the Bently Turbo R, M-B 560 SEL & the Series 3 Daimler Double-Six. The big motor is turbine smooth, very quiet & delivers its urge at seemingly half the rpm of the V8. The the fact that the 750 had the Nappa leather option (leather-clad doors, central console, glove box & lower dash) made it feel special compared to the acres of plastic fittings in the 740. But then the E32 is more of an owner/drivers machine than the E38 which pushed more into limo territory. By comparison the E32 has heavier, more feelsome steering & stiffer suspension. Yes, I've replaced the rear EDC shocks, upgraded the aircon, new hydraulic pipework, alternator & a few suspension parts - but the car is still pristine at 88,000 miles & has a FBMWSH from new. It drives like a new car - but then it gets whatever it needs & its been run on Mobil One since my brother bought it all those years ago. I can well remember a drive where I found myself on a piece of motorway falling into an easy 130 lepton convoy with a Lotus Carlton, a Bentley Turbo R & a 560 SEL - quite surreal. And all for pocket change - but then I knew this car pretty well before I bought it - they could be a nightmare if you got a lemon.A pre-purchase inspection is a must for a 750.
sorry to thread steal...
Ive (perhaps) been looking at getting an E38 740 to run around in.
am i kidding myself in thinking they will be ok to run without major issues and spending thousands a year? i do roughly 12k a year, so i would budget for yearly service and consumables. What sort of MPG will it realistically achieve on a run at 70? You see plently of 1996/97 740's around with the 100k mark for around the £2000mark. Would there be anything specific that i would need to look out for or avoid?
I've heard that i should avoid the ealier 4L cars due to nikasil liners.
Thanks
Ive (perhaps) been looking at getting an E38 740 to run around in.
am i kidding myself in thinking they will be ok to run without major issues and spending thousands a year? i do roughly 12k a year, so i would budget for yearly service and consumables. What sort of MPG will it realistically achieve on a run at 70? You see plently of 1996/97 740's around with the 100k mark for around the £2000mark. Would there be anything specific that i would need to look out for or avoid?
I've heard that i should avoid the ealier 4L cars due to nikasil liners.
Thanks
Thanks for the info, Had a chat with my GF's uncle that has a newer 54' 730 about 7's. Turns out he had a 740 for 10 years and 100k so had quite a lengthy chat with him yesterday. Main things he said to look for are front suspension components,Cats and air con/rad pipes + Making sure its got FSH. Apparently 2 things went wrong in the 10 years: an Air con ECU and an engine problem which cost him £4,500 to repair!!
im thinking about budgeting about £2000 for a 96/97 with roughly 100k.
im thinking about budgeting about £2000 for a 96/97 with roughly 100k.
S3_Graham said:
sorry to thread steal...
Ive (perhaps) been looking at getting an E38 740 to run around in.
am i kidding myself in thinking they will be ok to run without major issues and spending thousands a year? i do roughly 12k a year, so i would budget for yearly service and consumables. What sort of MPG will it realistically achieve on a run at 70? You see plently of 1996/97 740's around with the 100k mark for around the £2000mark. Would there be anything specific that i would need to look out for or avoid?
I've heard that i should avoid the ealier 4L cars due to nikasil liners.
Thanks
By and large the Nikasil issue won't be much of a problem now. If you're talking about a car that's close to 15 years old (the early e38's with the 4.0) then after tens of thousands of miles the issue is unlikely to rear it's head now. It should have shown up early in the car's life (and hopefully dealt with by a previous owner).Ive (perhaps) been looking at getting an E38 740 to run around in.
am i kidding myself in thinking they will be ok to run without major issues and spending thousands a year? i do roughly 12k a year, so i would budget for yearly service and consumables. What sort of MPG will it realistically achieve on a run at 70? You see plently of 1996/97 740's around with the 100k mark for around the £2000mark. Would there be anything specific that i would need to look out for or avoid?
I've heard that i should avoid the ealier 4L cars due to nikasil liners.
Thanks
One minor-ish thing to check is for the usual shimmy at 50mph.
http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/E38_Shimmy.htm
I'm personally going to get a V12, next time out. Love the V8, just fancy all the extras next time
I bought a 2000 740i Sport back in April as a motorway cruiser and I absolutely love it. At current price levels, the principals of bangernomics applies - if something big goes wrong, scrap it and buy another.
Although mine has cover over 130k, it came will a full service history including recent new gearbox and suspension.
My only issue is the project I bought the car for is finished so it now sees little use.
Although mine has cover over 130k, it came will a full service history including recent new gearbox and suspension.
My only issue is the project I bought the car for is finished so it now sees little use.
Parking can be a problem as it is bigger than most, what the pics didn't show were the columns and limited turning space.
Frankly, its brilliant and I tend to use the 750i more than my 911... Its not so hot in traffic (mpg is poor) but for weekends and anything except pootling its great. The only incident was the loss of an indicator somewhere in france (popping out is well known apparently) and it managed to kill its batteries (2x in the boot) on a 27 hour bumpy crossing to Spain. Yes, its been well used.
Bangernomics do apply, but i'm pretty attached to it and i'm prepared to service it properly. There are a few minor clunks but its 15 years old and a pretty heavy beast.
As a "family" car or cruiser it's great (it was OK going up snowy alps in march also) and I couldn't imagine what could replace it. In every way it's a thumbs up, however (because?) it hasn't needed a penny spending so far. Ask me again at service time.
Frankly, its brilliant and I tend to use the 750i more than my 911... Its not so hot in traffic (mpg is poor) but for weekends and anything except pootling its great. The only incident was the loss of an indicator somewhere in france (popping out is well known apparently) and it managed to kill its batteries (2x in the boot) on a 27 hour bumpy crossing to Spain. Yes, its been well used.
Bangernomics do apply, but i'm pretty attached to it and i'm prepared to service it properly. There are a few minor clunks but its 15 years old and a pretty heavy beast.
As a "family" car or cruiser it's great (it was OK going up snowy alps in march also) and I couldn't imagine what could replace it. In every way it's a thumbs up, however (because?) it hasn't needed a penny spending so far. Ask me again at service time.
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