Thoughts on this used 730d please
Discussion
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
I am considering purchasing a used 7 series over the next few weeks along the lines of the example and price in the ad above, if that one goes then i will be looking for something similar.
My brief recent car history is 2005-2007 RR Sport 2.7D company car, 2008-2009 BMW 523 Msport company car, 2009 to now following redundancy / career change been running a bought and paid for VW Passat 55 plate 2.0 tdi bought at 107k miles now 122k.
The VW has been reliable and sailed through its last 2 MOT's, one big bill was DMF failure last spring but touch wood nothing else.
I want to get back to something that is as comfortable and luxurious inside as the Range Rover but obviously doesn't cost the £750 per month that it did!
The questions i am looking at really are whether a 730 with 100k on the clock would be a sound investment and if the car linked seems decent value for money in the market?
Also what about the colour, i normally prefer black and sometimes silver however i like the look of that grey in the photos however if everyone else hates it i might struggle to shift it on in the future? I like the darker wood effect on this example rather than the more lighter one in a lot i have seen.
I have looked at warranties but i tend to have a little put by for emergencies and even when i was out of work for 6 months was never flat broke, i am not wealthy but i can manage money quite well and dont tend to over spend that often.
As i wouldnt know my way round an engine at all would it be a good idea to have an AA / RAC inspection or are there any alternatives in the North West?
Any other words of wisdom from experienced 7 series owners or things i should know before i set out would be welcome.
I am considering purchasing a used 7 series over the next few weeks along the lines of the example and price in the ad above, if that one goes then i will be looking for something similar.
My brief recent car history is 2005-2007 RR Sport 2.7D company car, 2008-2009 BMW 523 Msport company car, 2009 to now following redundancy / career change been running a bought and paid for VW Passat 55 plate 2.0 tdi bought at 107k miles now 122k.
The VW has been reliable and sailed through its last 2 MOT's, one big bill was DMF failure last spring but touch wood nothing else.
I want to get back to something that is as comfortable and luxurious inside as the Range Rover but obviously doesn't cost the £750 per month that it did!
The questions i am looking at really are whether a 730 with 100k on the clock would be a sound investment and if the car linked seems decent value for money in the market?
Also what about the colour, i normally prefer black and sometimes silver however i like the look of that grey in the photos however if everyone else hates it i might struggle to shift it on in the future? I like the darker wood effect on this example rather than the more lighter one in a lot i have seen.
I have looked at warranties but i tend to have a little put by for emergencies and even when i was out of work for 6 months was never flat broke, i am not wealthy but i can manage money quite well and dont tend to over spend that often.
As i wouldnt know my way round an engine at all would it be a good idea to have an AA / RAC inspection or are there any alternatives in the North West?
Any other words of wisdom from experienced 7 series owners or things i should know before i set out would be welcome.
http://www.petrolheadsni.com/display_item.cgi?item...
That has the best seats - Comforts, and it drove fine on the short route & time I had.
Think they were looking £11995 or £12495 - forgotten now.
Had it a while, so I'm sure a deal could be done.
Only a short distance away, so could take a look and give you an honest appraisal of the paintwork & wheels, and check all the electricals are working.
That has the best seats - Comforts, and it drove fine on the short route & time I had.
Think they were looking £11995 or £12495 - forgotten now.
Had it a while, so I'm sure a deal could be done.
Only a short distance away, so could take a look and give you an honest appraisal of the paintwork & wheels, and check all the electricals are working.
I ran an E65 730d sport to 140k before I had to chop it in as I got a better deal on a fully expensed e60 520d msport. I am sure that car would have done 200k easily. It was comfortable averaged 38mpg on a roads (E60 520d did 44mpg)and would do slightly more on the motorway. I have to say it was one of the best cars (E39 ran it very close), the E60 felt cheap compared to it. I had the std sports seats like the one in the op classified. I always wanted one with the comfort seats but they are hard to come by in a sport, and I prefer the sport.
Cars really vary car to car, some like mine don't need anything except good servicing, tyres and a battery. Others can be a money pit if the electrics start playing up. Gearboxes are another expensive hobby, and on a diesel you may have a turbo go at 70-100k (more if motorway miles).
The cars wear well, they are very well put together and generally have great specs. Not a day goes by where I don't miss it, as you feel like a king driving it. The new one is even better. I paid 22k for mine at a 18 months old and sold it for 8k, 2yrs later with 140k on. My advice buy a good one, look after it and run it into the ground, then it really is cheap motoring.
PS I really like the first one.
Cars really vary car to car, some like mine don't need anything except good servicing, tyres and a battery. Others can be a money pit if the electrics start playing up. Gearboxes are another expensive hobby, and on a diesel you may have a turbo go at 70-100k (more if motorway miles).
The cars wear well, they are very well put together and generally have great specs. Not a day goes by where I don't miss it, as you feel like a king driving it. The new one is even better. I paid 22k for mine at a 18 months old and sold it for 8k, 2yrs later with 140k on. My advice buy a good one, look after it and run it into the ground, then it really is cheap motoring.
PS I really like the first one.
Now you have me looking at replacing my M3!
This is my pick of the bunch
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-730d-Sport-2006-Mode...
This is my pick of the bunch
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-730d-Sport-2006-Mode...
Research potential turbo failures, torque converter failures, cooling system overhauls, ( not sure about swirl flaps on these, if so www.swirlflaps.co.uk), EGR failures, vac pipes, cracked manifolds, egr/turbo pressure converter failures, glow plug relays, lower bushes etc.
I'm not an expert with the 7 series but I do imagine electric niggles will be there aswell.
If you're lucky you will only have a few of the above issues.
I'm not an expert with the 7 series but I do imagine electric niggles will be there aswell.
If you're lucky you will only have a few of the above issues.
nrick said:
Now you have me looking at replacing my M3!
This is my pick of the bunch
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-730d-Sport-2006-Mode...
That's a lot of car for the money!This is my pick of the bunch
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-730d-Sport-2006-Mode...
Moar said:
Research potential turbo failures, torque converter failures, cooling system overhauls, ( not sure about swirl flaps on these, if so www.swirlflaps.co.uk), EGR failures, vac pipes, cracked manifolds, egr/turbo pressure converter failures, glow plug relays, lower bushes etc.
I'm not an expert with the 7 series but I do imagine electric niggles will be there aswell.
If you're lucky you will only have a few of the above issues.
140k didn't have any of those! Must just have been luckyI'm not an expert with the 7 series but I do imagine electric niggles will be there aswell.
If you're lucky you will only have a few of the above issues.
Helicopter123 said:
When you can lease a brand new 730d SE for £399 a month, why bother looking second hand?
The deals are tempting,mbut don't suit everyone, I used to do high mileage, I like the options sheet and it can be a viable alternative. When I had my e65 they were 500+,.Need to add vat as well, and if you put it through the company then you get hit with the car tax. So I paid for my privately then claimed an allowance, the next one I leased. Horses for courses really. I could only have an e60 520d msport under lease due to rules etc
Every car will deteriorate over time and mileage, there would no doubt have been a minor loss in performance, more noise and a little more compliance in the bushes etc. This car wore the mileage very well, looked as good when I sold it and drove fine. In the time I had it I just did tyres and routine maintenance. There was no wear on the bolsters, she handled well and was a pleasure to drive. There were no flat spots though.
I lost a turbo in an E39 530d at 120k but again that car drove well was on the original gearbox (auto) and engine.
I lost a turbo in an E39 530d at 120k but again that car drove well was on the original gearbox (auto) and engine.
Like all BMW's, beautifully engineered and made. Maintenance is key, impeccable service records ideally BMW main agent for your purchase. When meeting the vendor, can they afford to run the car?
In real terms they sort of hit a sweet spot around £12,000 - £15,000 and represent excellent value and cling to there value from there on in quite nicely.
Find a good independent garage for work and keep the routine servicing and inspections main agent. Expensive stuff done like brakes and pads done at the independent and source OEM BMW parts from a company like Motormec who specialise in BMW parts from Germany by the original suppliers, Bosch, Hella, Bilstiin etc. You will save a fortune.
I love the 730d, should cost you less to run than a new Ford Focus, if you take into account the dreaded depreciation and if there is a major disaster, the breakers have plenty of parts and even offer a warranty these days!
People alway talk about the scary stuff, just do it.
In real terms they sort of hit a sweet spot around £12,000 - £15,000 and represent excellent value and cling to there value from there on in quite nicely.
Find a good independent garage for work and keep the routine servicing and inspections main agent. Expensive stuff done like brakes and pads done at the independent and source OEM BMW parts from a company like Motormec who specialise in BMW parts from Germany by the original suppliers, Bosch, Hella, Bilstiin etc. You will save a fortune.
I love the 730d, should cost you less to run than a new Ford Focus, if you take into account the dreaded depreciation and if there is a major disaster, the breakers have plenty of parts and even offer a warranty these days!
People alway talk about the scary stuff, just do it.
nrick said:
My advice buy a good one, look after it and run it into the ground, then it really is cheap motoring.
This. Great advice. My E65 is 6 years old and 80k up and still feels box fresh. They can go wrong but it'll be niggly stuff rather than showstoppers. If you're unlucky it might throw up a big bill but what car doesn't? Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff