Thinking of buying 2005 730DLi - 100,000 - 150,000 miles
Discussion
As a 2005ish, you could be looking at both pre/post facelift models. In both cases, the revisons are to the body, not the engine/trim.
Whichever you look at, bear in mind it's a big, heavy car, with lots of complex electrical kit, and 12+years old...
I don't have any direct experience of the 3.0d engine in this car, but at 245hp & 2000kgs, it's not going to be quick (imo!). Unless you're doing many miles, I'd say a pre-facelift 745 or post-facelift 750 is a better bet - not only do you get a (mostly) reliable V8, with associated noise benefits, the mpg isn't substantially worse (23 vs 30) - unless you're driving like a loon... (for what it's worth, I can break 24 on a long run, 10 around town in a 760iL).
If I can't sell you on that & it has to be Diesel...
The engine is well proven, it's been in many, many cars. For starters I'd want to check the operating temperature, as thermostats are known to fail in the 3.0d engine, and this will mean decreased mpg, and may also prevent DPF regens. Assuming that's OK, check also for glow-plug operation, again, can impact DPF if they're not working. I am unsure whether the single-turbo 3.0d has the 'red-boost hose' (I know the twin-turbo does), again, this will impact mpg. If all that seems good, then I'd check all the vacuum hoses next - the car is 12+years old, and rubber perishes over time. Air leaks can lead to poor running, etc... The gearbox is a ZF (6HP26 IIRC) - BMW say sealed for life, ZF disagree. If it's not very smooth, a filter & fluid can be done for around 350-400.
Assuming the engine is OK, next, check the interior. The vast majority of 7-series of this type are the diesel, so you can afford to be picky & get as good a specification as you can.
In my opinion, the comfort seats are a must - they're so much better than standard. (You can tell comfort seats as they have a 2-part backrest, and there's a section of the headrest that you can fold out - so that it supports your neck from the side - it's soooo good).
Heated front seats are mostly standard, cooling & massage (don't bother) optional, but again, more stuff to go wrong. The climate should work well on auto (both sides), set it to a temperature once & forget it - if it can't do that, in near-silence, then there's an issue.
Double glazing is nice, sunroof is not something I'd have for preference, it's a LOT noisier with the blind for it open, never mind actually opening the sunroof itself! - that should give you a clue as to how quiet it can be inside.
If you're going LWB (As you suggest), again, look for one with electric rear blinds (rear screen & doors), and adjustable seats too - your passengers will appreciate it! The 2nd I-drive with associated screen in the centre is a nice-to-have option, allowing you to show a DVD to the rear passengers, etc... (If you have that, check the centre armrest as to whether it has headphone sockets or not - otherwise you're getting the DVD sound through the stereo). Again, this is more things to go wrong.
The I-drive itself is version 1, it feels like it's ancient these days, but it should still work. The basic stereo is OK, Logic7 (there will be an equaliser in the settings) is good. However, there's a design fault with the L7 amps, so check it all works. A new amp is around 1500 at BMW, other E-bay options are available. Door modules (locks) can give electrical drains. The car design pre-dates smart phones (pretty much), so you might have one (or two) actual cell-phones in the car - which are fun in a retro kind of way. What this means though is there's no real OEM support for ipod integration, etc... It's possible in the >07 cars, but costs money... Again, other alternatives are available, but you will lose the OEM-ness.
When working well, these are fantastic things to drive around in (or be passengered in!), but remember it's still a 90k car when new, with associated running costs. You won't see change out of 900 for a set of premium branded 19" tyres, and make that 1000 for 20". At 100k-150k miles, I'd be thinking about doing the ATF for a 2nd time (if upper end), as well as a suspension refresh (the dynamic ride hides a lot, but you'll know when driving it if the car feels tired). In other words, these are now cheap, for a reason...
If you're anywhere near Manchester, happy enough to meet up & show you mine (albeit a 760) for you to get a feel for a "good" one.
One final thing - how are your parking skills? The LWB doesn't fit in a standard UK parking space, and Multi-storey parking ramps can be "tight", to say the least. Of course, you get used to it, but it's something to be aware of...
Whichever you look at, bear in mind it's a big, heavy car, with lots of complex electrical kit, and 12+years old...
I don't have any direct experience of the 3.0d engine in this car, but at 245hp & 2000kgs, it's not going to be quick (imo!). Unless you're doing many miles, I'd say a pre-facelift 745 or post-facelift 750 is a better bet - not only do you get a (mostly) reliable V8, with associated noise benefits, the mpg isn't substantially worse (23 vs 30) - unless you're driving like a loon... (for what it's worth, I can break 24 on a long run, 10 around town in a 760iL).
If I can't sell you on that & it has to be Diesel...
The engine is well proven, it's been in many, many cars. For starters I'd want to check the operating temperature, as thermostats are known to fail in the 3.0d engine, and this will mean decreased mpg, and may also prevent DPF regens. Assuming that's OK, check also for glow-plug operation, again, can impact DPF if they're not working. I am unsure whether the single-turbo 3.0d has the 'red-boost hose' (I know the twin-turbo does), again, this will impact mpg. If all that seems good, then I'd check all the vacuum hoses next - the car is 12+years old, and rubber perishes over time. Air leaks can lead to poor running, etc... The gearbox is a ZF (6HP26 IIRC) - BMW say sealed for life, ZF disagree. If it's not very smooth, a filter & fluid can be done for around 350-400.
Assuming the engine is OK, next, check the interior. The vast majority of 7-series of this type are the diesel, so you can afford to be picky & get as good a specification as you can.
In my opinion, the comfort seats are a must - they're so much better than standard. (You can tell comfort seats as they have a 2-part backrest, and there's a section of the headrest that you can fold out - so that it supports your neck from the side - it's soooo good).
Heated front seats are mostly standard, cooling & massage (don't bother) optional, but again, more stuff to go wrong. The climate should work well on auto (both sides), set it to a temperature once & forget it - if it can't do that, in near-silence, then there's an issue.
Double glazing is nice, sunroof is not something I'd have for preference, it's a LOT noisier with the blind for it open, never mind actually opening the sunroof itself! - that should give you a clue as to how quiet it can be inside.
If you're going LWB (As you suggest), again, look for one with electric rear blinds (rear screen & doors), and adjustable seats too - your passengers will appreciate it! The 2nd I-drive with associated screen in the centre is a nice-to-have option, allowing you to show a DVD to the rear passengers, etc... (If you have that, check the centre armrest as to whether it has headphone sockets or not - otherwise you're getting the DVD sound through the stereo). Again, this is more things to go wrong.
The I-drive itself is version 1, it feels like it's ancient these days, but it should still work. The basic stereo is OK, Logic7 (there will be an equaliser in the settings) is good. However, there's a design fault with the L7 amps, so check it all works. A new amp is around 1500 at BMW, other E-bay options are available. Door modules (locks) can give electrical drains. The car design pre-dates smart phones (pretty much), so you might have one (or two) actual cell-phones in the car - which are fun in a retro kind of way. What this means though is there's no real OEM support for ipod integration, etc... It's possible in the >07 cars, but costs money... Again, other alternatives are available, but you will lose the OEM-ness.
When working well, these are fantastic things to drive around in (or be passengered in!), but remember it's still a 90k car when new, with associated running costs. You won't see change out of 900 for a set of premium branded 19" tyres, and make that 1000 for 20". At 100k-150k miles, I'd be thinking about doing the ATF for a 2nd time (if upper end), as well as a suspension refresh (the dynamic ride hides a lot, but you'll know when driving it if the car feels tired). In other words, these are now cheap, for a reason...
If you're anywhere near Manchester, happy enough to meet up & show you mine (albeit a 760) for you to get a feel for a "good" one.
One final thing - how are your parking skills? The LWB doesn't fit in a standard UK parking space, and Multi-storey parking ramps can be "tight", to say the least. Of course, you get used to it, but it's something to be aware of...
Hey Prinny,
First of all, many thanks for such a detailed response...!
I had a 730D Sport back in the day (2007) and it was a quality car, I wish I kept it, but that's another story. Nevertheless, I know the car reasonably well and all of the comforts you'd mentioned.
Funny you should mention the larger engines, I was looking at this and probably would have snapped it up if it wasn't for the high mileage....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
The problem I have is that I do have a heavy foot and will probably kill myself driving this... also, I've got a 328 E46 and I've caused a bit of damage to the backend flooring it... On which note, I'll probably settle with something like this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Only 10 years, under 90,000 miles which is brilliant, and the price is extremely reasonable.
The car will eventually find itself in Alicante, cars over there are so expensive which is why I'm importing from UK. I will just drive back every year for the MOT.
But, from what you've said, I should be good to go with a vehicle like this, especially one with low mileage under 100,000. I don't mind "odd" maintenance costs, but after a few old cars now I also appreciate that certain models just have inherent problems that will go wrong over time.
Once again, thanks for a detailed response.
First of all, many thanks for such a detailed response...!
I had a 730D Sport back in the day (2007) and it was a quality car, I wish I kept it, but that's another story. Nevertheless, I know the car reasonably well and all of the comforts you'd mentioned.
Funny you should mention the larger engines, I was looking at this and probably would have snapped it up if it wasn't for the high mileage....
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
The problem I have is that I do have a heavy foot and will probably kill myself driving this... also, I've got a 328 E46 and I've caused a bit of damage to the backend flooring it... On which note, I'll probably settle with something like this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
Only 10 years, under 90,000 miles which is brilliant, and the price is extremely reasonable.
The car will eventually find itself in Alicante, cars over there are so expensive which is why I'm importing from UK. I will just drive back every year for the MOT.
But, from what you've said, I should be good to go with a vehicle like this, especially one with low mileage under 100,000. I don't mind "odd" maintenance costs, but after a few old cars now I also appreciate that certain models just have inherent problems that will go wrong over time.
Once again, thanks for a detailed response.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff