My 760Li BMW barge
Discussion
Having spent years following the £1k - £5k smoker barge threads I was set on an E38 or LS430. Finally Mrs CLF came round to agreeing we needed something comfortable for long distance excursions.
We have two children under 10 who don't like being cooped up so I wanted something big, preferably with rear TV.
I'd noticed the E65/66 7 series were getting cheaper but all the adverts seemed to have something putting me off, I'm also not convinced about the styling.
Last week a 760 long wheel base was on ebay, not the best of adverts with poor pictures. But it was the colour I wanted, didn't have a beige interior, had non working rear TVs and a V12. After a few exchanges with the owner it didn't sound too bad but was too far away to view.
I won the auction at £5200 and collected yesterday. Condition was better than expected, a bronzed wing mirror glass the only unforeseen fault so far.
It drove without fault on the 250 miles home.
The aircon was declared not working, we put some gas in today and it is now working. Time will tell if it leaks. It is colder on the passenger side for some reason, 5 deg c at the vent versus 10 deg on the drivers side. It works in the rear and the fridge works.
I've been lucky so far but know there will be disappointment to come, probably expensive. I just hope it's at a level I can live with as it is an awesome car to be in.
I don't know much about the cars other than many hours spent trawling the net over the last week, so any guidance or advice is welcome.
I'd welcome recommendations for BMW Indys, South of Birmingham to South of Oxford. I'm really looking for someone who has experience of the later 7s & diagnostics for the full car. I have a good friend with a non BMW garage and main system diagnostics. There are no problems showing yet but will de due a service in 3000 miles.
We have two children under 10 who don't like being cooped up so I wanted something big, preferably with rear TV.
I'd noticed the E65/66 7 series were getting cheaper but all the adverts seemed to have something putting me off, I'm also not convinced about the styling.
Last week a 760 long wheel base was on ebay, not the best of adverts with poor pictures. But it was the colour I wanted, didn't have a beige interior, had non working rear TVs and a V12. After a few exchanges with the owner it didn't sound too bad but was too far away to view.
I won the auction at £5200 and collected yesterday. Condition was better than expected, a bronzed wing mirror glass the only unforeseen fault so far.
It drove without fault on the 250 miles home.
The aircon was declared not working, we put some gas in today and it is now working. Time will tell if it leaks. It is colder on the passenger side for some reason, 5 deg c at the vent versus 10 deg on the drivers side. It works in the rear and the fridge works.
I've been lucky so far but know there will be disappointment to come, probably expensive. I just hope it's at a level I can live with as it is an awesome car to be in.
I don't know much about the cars other than many hours spent trawling the net over the last week, so any guidance or advice is welcome.
I'd welcome recommendations for BMW Indys, South of Birmingham to South of Oxford. I'm really looking for someone who has experience of the later 7s & diagnostics for the full car. I have a good friend with a non BMW garage and main system diagnostics. There are no problems showing yet but will de due a service in 3000 miles.
Followed this on the smoker barges thread and you have my admiration for not only buying this monster but also getting the Mrs to approve in advance of turning up with it lol
Ref the temperature variation - only reason I can think of is either a duff temperature sensor on one side of the car, thinking it's cooler than it is, or a mechanical fault with a motor somewhere that chooses where to direct air to/from. I suspect a proper diagnostic kit will be able to monitor temperatures and motor operation and pick up where the issue lies.
Did they put a UV dye in the air-con in case it is leaking?
Ref the temperature variation - only reason I can think of is either a duff temperature sensor on one side of the car, thinking it's cooler than it is, or a mechanical fault with a motor somewhere that chooses where to direct air to/from. I suspect a proper diagnostic kit will be able to monitor temperatures and motor operation and pick up where the issue lies.
Did they put a UV dye in the air-con in case it is leaking?
Challo said:
They quite thirsty?
Stupid question.. of course it is.. but its kinda pointless talking about fuel with cars like these, they aren't bought with economy in mind.. Great buy OP! I'd love a E65, but wouldn't fancy an Li personally, Cornish roads where I live are a little off putting!
Oh man, it makes me wince thinking of the financial hurt one of these could dish up if it goes wrong. I admire you for taking the risk, what an awesome amount of car for the money.
A question; does it feel like it has 431bhp? Some reviews of these that i've seen say it doesn't feel as powerful as it is.
Again, massive admiration for buying it. Überbarge.
A question; does it feel like it has 431bhp? Some reviews of these that i've seen say it doesn't feel as powerful as it is.
Again, massive admiration for buying it. Überbarge.
Lee540 said:
Challo said:
They quite thirsty?
Stupid question.. of course it is.. but its kinda pointless talking about fuel with cars like these, they aren't bought with economy in mind.. Great buy OP! I'd love a E65, but wouldn't fancy an Li personally, Cornish roads where I live are a little off putting!
Adrian E said:
Ref the temperature variation - only reason I can think of is either a duff temperature sensor on one side of the car, thinking it's cooler than it is, or a mechanical fault with a motor somewhere that chooses where to direct air to/from. I suspect a proper diagnostic kit will be able to monitor temperatures and motor operation and pick up where the issue lies.
Did they put a UV dye in the air-con in case it is leaking?
I have a bottle and gauges that we use for topping up the tractors, so I just put some gas in to see if it would work.Did they put a UV dye in the air-con in case it is leaking?
I've got a chap coming around Tuesday to look at it properly. We found an excuse for a trip this afternoon, it cools but not enough.
Challo said:
They quite thirsty?
Yes, 23mpg on the way homevesparider said:
Oh man, it makes me wince thinking of the financial hurt one of these could dish up if it goes wrong.
Yep, me too. But it won't depreciate, it's done most of that at £1 a mile. By my maths I've had £350 worth of use already 
vesparider said:
A question; does it feel like it has 431bhp? Some reviews of these that I've seen say it doesn't feel as powerful as it is.
I haven't really given it a good hoon, it seems effortlessly quick without being nuts. For some reason it just seems fundamentally wrong to plant the throttle, rather like chewing gum in Church. Other than on the odd occasion to remind yourself it's there.Paraicj said:
I would advise you to be very careful with your new purchase. It's conceivable that you could lose two small children in the back of that monster!
They love the room and toys. I've gone from having them kick the back of my seat to them not being able to touch the floor.TheLordJohn said:
For a specialist - I can't recommend Jason Jackson at ProTech Cars (Aylesbury).
I travelled 45 minutes to go and see him and would be happy to travel 1 hour 45 minutes!
Good engine choice, btw.
Thanks. I found them via Google and called them before purchase to discuss upper bork levels on the aircon. Seemed to know their onions and nice to have a recommendationI travelled 45 minutes to go and see him and would be happy to travel 1 hour 45 minutes!
Good engine choice, btw.
crazy about cars said:
Need more pics!
The ghost of Christmas future
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