Well, I bought an E66 760Li, it's EPIC

Well, I bought an E66 760Li, it's EPIC

Author
Discussion

BlownImp

Original Poster:

91 posts

124 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
I am a serial lurker on PH, having not been on here for a long time though, as work, family and life in general has hoovered up all my time. I have a Celica project that was last updated on here in 2014!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... I will get around to updating that soon.

To the main topic, I have purchased a barge and have decided to keep a little blog of preventative maintenance on here.
I have had a few autobahn stormers before including two E39 V8's (a 535 and a 540i, both sports). I needed something a little more practical for commuting from the midlands to the south coast, so an ST220 was purchased and run for a while. The biggest issue with that was the build quality, it was POOR, rattles, road noise and component life were all rubbish compared to the previously owned BMW's. This was despite the mondeo having 40k less miles on the clock (purchased around 50k miles).
Having driven 18k miles in the Mondeo, enough was enough, we had moved down closer to family and work, so I could get something a little more silly again.

After going in circles looking at various different cars it became clear that another BMW was in order. I have always wanted a 7 to waft around in and after looking at a few E38's it became clear that good ones were few and far between.

Now I love cars with 'divisive' styling, I have owned three Citroen XM's, I think my ST205 looks great, and I even rate Hillman Imps over Minis!
So when looking at 7's, the early E65's are a really distinctive car for me, that bustle back and the shaped front lights look great!

They are also a BARGAIN because people are scared of big petrol engines. I was looking at the V8's and doing man maths on them, it was all looking well when I put up a FB post about my search for a good one.
This is when my Uncle steps in, telling me his 760Li was for sale........

Well we all know how that turned out, I am now the owner of a 83k mile well looked after E66!
The options list is silly and it all still works, the active antiroll is astonishing as is the ride quality even on 19" wheels.
The 6L V12 is returning 21mpg on my 30 mile a day A and B road commute, which again is pretty astonishing considering the 2300kg mass!
It moves me around in quiet comfort, the seats are great, the kids love the rear I-drive, and when you want it, the 440hp and 600Nm(!) of torque can really get her moving biggrin



So, I have already purchased 10L of 5w30 Shell Helix Ultra and a filter, cabin and engine air filters. Most importantly a transmission filter and 7L of Mannol ZF6HP26 fluid to give the gearbox a bit of a spruce up.
Given the sheer size of the car I have booked it in a Walkers Autotech in West Sussex for the gearbox and engine oil changes. The airfilters will be done on the drive way.
I am also planning to change the power steering fluid progressively over the coming weeks, as it does a lot of work with the ARB's and dynamic steering system.







As work progresses I will post up photos, as I know you guys love to see what it is actually like owning behemoths like this biggrin

Kind regards,

J

hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
Like!

Alex

9,975 posts

283 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
V12 is a box I need to tick...

How much, if you don't mind me asking?

BlownImp

Original Poster:

91 posts

124 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
Well.... I may keep that a secret as it was a family deal, and if I do come to sell it I don't want it to be used as a point of leverage biggrin

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
Great post!

What interested me, well, it was like a history lesson of what tech was available at this level 12 years ago.

This car's about the same age ( 5 months older) as my M3. And I guess my M3 is of average spec, with nav/TV and heated\lumbar supported front seats but the list of standard items and options on this one is immense. And I Drive too smile

*I looked up the build sheet, in case you wonder how I knew wink

Stedman

7,203 posts

191 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
Lovely lovely thing, i'm quite envious! It's an E65 though isn't it? smile

Burwood

18,709 posts

245 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
Nice barge. I assume you know the car well, and whether it's been reliable. Big bills if things break. I owned a troublesome E65 when it was 1 year old in 2004. Great cars but they give me cold sweats now smile

BlownImp

Original Poster:

91 posts

124 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
E66 is the long wheel base version, E65 for standard smile

Well done on looking up the options list, I relied on the print out my uncle got from BMW! Yes, it has some epic options in there. Steerable headlights (not as good as our Mazda MPS ones!), active seats, comfort pack, dimming heated wing mirrors. Even the quality of the Logic7 stereo is incredible, and the wood veneers!

However there are issues with them, but as long as you know what you are in for then it is not so bad. HPFP's are a worry, but then again it is just a reinforced diaphragm, and an audi unit has been found to fit, that or I might just get some material and make some!

Valve stem seals? They are a worry, but most failures are due to the looooooong service intervals on oil if the CBS is used. This one has had regular services and oil changes, no smoke so I am confident that regular oil changes should keep them sweet.

Active anti roll can go wrong, but again, regular fluid changes should help seals stay supple and prevent wear.

Then it is electronics, some of that is due to water ingress from blocked drains. I plan to clean and keep them clean.

bmwmike

6,898 posts

107 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
Very nice. Love those wheels too.

Burwood

18,709 posts

245 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
bmwmike said:
Very nice. Love those wheels too.
difficult to curb those bad boys.

iSore

4,011 posts

143 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
I love the pre facelift E65. It was BMW's big 'fk you' moment and I was astounded at how good the 745i was. Never driven a V12, it must be stonking.

I like the front end and the detailing on the boot lid is superb. In years to come it will be THE classic 7 Series along with the E32.

Nicely bought Sir.

BlownImp

Original Poster:

91 posts

124 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
Thanks chaps, I just love driving it, I've got that 'smug' face back biggrin


keepoffthemarbles

43 posts

89 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
I wish I had b@lls as big as yours....! Good man, keep the updates coming.

Matt UK

17,637 posts

199 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
Epic car and looks great in the pics.
Looks at home on a petrol forecourt, sneakily eyeing up the unleaded pump wink

Nice barging, Sir!

Patrick Bateman

12,126 posts

173 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
Yes.

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
keepoffthemarbles said:
I wish I had b@lls as big as yours....! Good man, keep the updates coming.
Just what I was thinking...... imagine what 10 year old ( or say even 7 year old ) cars you can buy for great money if had the cajones

Good Luck with the car

BlownImp

Original Poster:

91 posts

124 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
quotequote all
I guess there is a bit of balls involved, but mainly maths.

I could go out and get a new car like a golf gti, this would be £300 a month plus depreciation, and you still need consumables so they are discounted.

Something like this 760 is CONSIDERABLY cheaper than that a month, any left over is for unforseen issues, and that will cover a LOT of issues!

Then you come to compare what you get for your money, does a golf have 440hp and 600Nm? Does it have heated 20+way adjustable massage seats? Active ARB's? This is just a nobrainer for me, pick the bonkers luxury over the 'new' car :-)

MattHall91

1,268 posts

123 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
quotequote all
BlownImp said:
I guess there is a bit of balls involved, but mainly maths.

I could go out and get a new car like a golf gti, this would be £300 a month plus depreciation, and you still need consumables so they are discounted.

Something like this 760 is CONSIDERABLY cheaper than that a month, any left over is for unforseen issues, and that will cover a LOT of issues!

Then you come to compare what you get for your money, does a golf have 440hp and 600Nm? Does it have heated 20+way adjustable massage seats? Active ARB's? This is just a nobrainer for me, pick the bonkers luxury over the 'new' car :-)
Love the logic. If you mean £300 for a lease/PCP though, that figure covers depreciation.

outnumbered

4,064 posts

233 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
quotequote all
Lovely barge - but how often are you going to get to sit in the back smile ?

BlownImp

Original Poster:

91 posts

124 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
quotequote all
Guilty pleasure coming up..

I go out to the car at lunch and sit in the back! Bit of music, some PH browsing on my phone, lovely :-D