7 series purchase
Discussion
Contemplating the purchase of a 730D that is on a 55 plate and has 58K on the clock.
It is now due a service, anyone know if it will be an Inspection 1 or 2?
Any major problems to look out for?
Finally, I noticed that the car hasn't got Isofix and a bit of digging shows that it was only an option on these cars (obviously the plurocrats don't have kids). Does anyone know if it can be retro fitted?
It is now due a service, anyone know if it will be an Inspection 1 or 2?
Any major problems to look out for?
Finally, I noticed that the car hasn't got Isofix and a bit of digging shows that it was only an option on these cars (obviously the plurocrats don't have kids). Does anyone know if it can be retro fitted?
Welcome to your new 7. You'll enjoy it for sure.
Servicing is condition based. Have a scroll through the idrive service menu and see what needs doing. Be warned that the condition based servicing relies on stuff being done on time and then the counter resetting but even then it could say you've got X thousand miles to go until brake pads need replacing whereas in reality they already need doing. This has happened to me once or twice. You're probably best to get the car to a good BMW indy and get it given a good going over, oil change, filters, oil breather pipe etc and check the pads, discs etc. The 'Inspection 1, 2' etc is just BMW speak to hose you for more money. In reality all it means is a more thorough inspection of the car.
E65s don't have particularly common faults as such. The only two I've come across seem to be the very occasional damp morning where the traction control light comes on when you start the car and goes off when you shut down and restart it, and when it's icy the rear window makes a really weird squeaking sound that sounds like someone rubbing polysytene blocks together until it thaws out! The other thing to watch out for are batteries failing. Apparently in the E65 when the battery starts to die the car has the world's biggest brain fart and literally every warning light for everything will come on and the car will bong and bing you to death, so keep an eye out for that. In a design flaw that only BMW can explain, you have to drop the bumper to replace headlight bulbs which is a giant pain. E65s are very sensitive to tyres and wheel balancing so make sure you don't skimp on either.
Isofix was an option around then and I'm not sure it's a retrofit but there are part numbers for it so it might be possible. Googling doesn't give a definitive answer so best talk to your dealer, who'll happily empty your wallet. Last time I took my 1 year old nephew in the car I attached the seat with the belts and it was perfectly fine, although probably a faff to do regularly.
The 7 Series forum over on bmwland.co.uk has plenty of useful advice too, just so you know.
Servicing is condition based. Have a scroll through the idrive service menu and see what needs doing. Be warned that the condition based servicing relies on stuff being done on time and then the counter resetting but even then it could say you've got X thousand miles to go until brake pads need replacing whereas in reality they already need doing. This has happened to me once or twice. You're probably best to get the car to a good BMW indy and get it given a good going over, oil change, filters, oil breather pipe etc and check the pads, discs etc. The 'Inspection 1, 2' etc is just BMW speak to hose you for more money. In reality all it means is a more thorough inspection of the car.
E65s don't have particularly common faults as such. The only two I've come across seem to be the very occasional damp morning where the traction control light comes on when you start the car and goes off when you shut down and restart it, and when it's icy the rear window makes a really weird squeaking sound that sounds like someone rubbing polysytene blocks together until it thaws out! The other thing to watch out for are batteries failing. Apparently in the E65 when the battery starts to die the car has the world's biggest brain fart and literally every warning light for everything will come on and the car will bong and bing you to death, so keep an eye out for that. In a design flaw that only BMW can explain, you have to drop the bumper to replace headlight bulbs which is a giant pain. E65s are very sensitive to tyres and wheel balancing so make sure you don't skimp on either.
Isofix was an option around then and I'm not sure it's a retrofit but there are part numbers for it so it might be possible. Googling doesn't give a definitive answer so best talk to your dealer, who'll happily empty your wallet. Last time I took my 1 year old nephew in the car I attached the seat with the belts and it was perfectly fine, although probably a faff to do regularly.
The 7 Series forum over on bmwland.co.uk has plenty of useful advice too, just so you know.
Edited by bennyboydurham on Monday 15th August 15:40
Cheers Benny.
The car is due a service and the dealer has said he will do this - but at approaching 60K miles, if not already done I would imagine it is ready for discs and pads on the front at least (my X5 was at that mileage) and he may just be talking about an oil and filter change.
Looks like I need to dive into iDrive and see what needs doing and get the dealer to commit to that, or do a deal whereby I take the car as is and get the work done.
The car is due a service and the dealer has said he will do this - but at approaching 60K miles, if not already done I would imagine it is ready for discs and pads on the front at least (my X5 was at that mileage) and he may just be talking about an oil and filter change.
Looks like I need to dive into iDrive and see what needs doing and get the dealer to commit to that, or do a deal whereby I take the car as is and get the work done.
Stitch said:
Cheers Benny.
The car is due a service and the dealer has said he will do this - but at approaching 60K miles, if not already done I would imagine it is ready for discs and pads on the front at least (my X5 was at that mileage) and he may just be talking about an oil and filter change.
Looks like I need to dive into iDrive and see what needs doing and get the dealer to commit to that, or do a deal whereby I take the car as is and get the work done.
Yep idrive will give you a good idea. Just fyi mine is now on 79k and needed new front discs at around 50k. The rears are original. The car is due a service and the dealer has said he will do this - but at approaching 60K miles, if not already done I would imagine it is ready for discs and pads on the front at least (my X5 was at that mileage) and he may just be talking about an oil and filter change.
Looks like I need to dive into iDrive and see what needs doing and get the dealer to commit to that, or do a deal whereby I take the car as is and get the work done.
Edited by bennyboydurham on Monday 15th August 19:25
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