2004 BMW 730i Sport... Budget Barge
Discussion
So this story begins back in January. My brother owns a transport and recovery business in Glasgow and was asked to move a BMW 730 between 2 garages. The car was a non runner and the original garage couldn't solve the problem. Whilst organising the transport, my brother ended up buying the car as the owner was fed up trying to fix the car and wanted it gone and cheap! So, a potential bargain....
My brother and dad (both mechanics) decided to have a go at fixing it up. When I saw it I remembered I'd always liked the 7 series and kinda hoped they would get it going so I could at least take it a quick drive.
After about a month of tinkering in their spare time they found the fault and replaced the fuel pump, sensor and hey presto the car was back running!
Few minor adjustments, new discs and pads all round and the car passed its MOT in May
And so the car was put up for sale.......
After 3 months I noticed it was still parked in the unit unsold. It seemed folk were put off by the potential running costs of such an old complex car with its potential big bills.
Then last month I needed to borrow a car whilst my commuter Mondeo shed was getting fixed and I took the 7 series out for a few days.
That was it. I was impressed. The car drove brilliantly and was a really comfy big barge to waft about. Pretty much everything worked perfectly too. But, reality also kicked in. This was an early 7 series well known for electrical issues, absolutely no service history and would get half the mpg of the Mondeo....
Thankfully heart won over head and I thought to myself, be brave and why not enter the world of budget barging!
I'll try to keep this post updated with how I get on, issues and fixes.
Photos from day I picked it up
Bought Aug 2018
Total spend so far £1450
Mileage 110700
My brother and dad (both mechanics) decided to have a go at fixing it up. When I saw it I remembered I'd always liked the 7 series and kinda hoped they would get it going so I could at least take it a quick drive.
After about a month of tinkering in their spare time they found the fault and replaced the fuel pump, sensor and hey presto the car was back running!
Few minor adjustments, new discs and pads all round and the car passed its MOT in May
And so the car was put up for sale.......
After 3 months I noticed it was still parked in the unit unsold. It seemed folk were put off by the potential running costs of such an old complex car with its potential big bills.
Then last month I needed to borrow a car whilst my commuter Mondeo shed was getting fixed and I took the 7 series out for a few days.
That was it. I was impressed. The car drove brilliantly and was a really comfy big barge to waft about. Pretty much everything worked perfectly too. But, reality also kicked in. This was an early 7 series well known for electrical issues, absolutely no service history and would get half the mpg of the Mondeo....
Thankfully heart won over head and I thought to myself, be brave and why not enter the world of budget barging!
I'll try to keep this post updated with how I get on, issues and fixes.
Photos from day I picked it up
Bought Aug 2018
Total spend so far £1450
Mileage 110700
Edited by david mcc on Thursday 13th September 00:27
Edited by david mcc on Thursday 13th September 23:47
Welcome to the Big 7 club 
Great car aren't they? 
I'm currently driving around in this: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Sold my E39 530i Sport as I was hankering after another land barge and after looking at a number of them (including a few local 730i and 750i E65s); I settled on the LMB 730D
The 730i does drive very well; an excellent waft bus; but I couldn't find one in the spec I wanted and that's why I settled for a dirty oil burner, my first ever! Would have loved a 750i; but the valve stem oil seal rebuild stories & costs put me off them (c£3k etc)!
I'm just about to do a brake overhaul on mine as well; cheaper than you think on these, which is always good news
Great car aren't they? I'm currently driving around in this: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Sold my E39 530i Sport as I was hankering after another land barge and after looking at a number of them (including a few local 730i and 750i E65s); I settled on the LMB 730D
The 730i does drive very well; an excellent waft bus; but I couldn't find one in the spec I wanted and that's why I settled for a dirty oil burner, my first ever! Would have loved a 750i; but the valve stem oil seal rebuild stories & costs put me off them (c£3k etc)!
I'm just about to do a brake overhaul on mine as well; cheaper than you think on these, which is always good news
So since the car didn't come with any service history and the oil looked pretty dirty, first job was oil and filter change. After seeing the oil coming out it was clearly well over due.
Then gave the car a good check over up on the ramps and plugged in the codereader.
Pretty good overall to be honest. Minimal rust and only needing a rear bush and a lambda sensor replaced so I've ordered them. Also managed to remove the front badge which looked crap, defog the front drivers headlight (not perfect but as good as I'll get without a new headlight unit) and change my plate.
Total spent £1550
Mileage 111034
Then gave the car a good check over up on the ramps and plugged in the codereader.
Pretty good overall to be honest. Minimal rust and only needing a rear bush and a lambda sensor replaced so I've ordered them. Also managed to remove the front badge which looked crap, defog the front drivers headlight (not perfect but as good as I'll get without a new headlight unit) and change my plate.
Total spent £1550
Mileage 111034
Welcome to the club! OK, you paid a lot less than me, but you’ve only got half an engine!
What does a 30i engine look like under the bonnet? Plenty of room?
I wish you many wafty miles ahead, they are excellent distance cruisers - I’d get the gearbox flushed / new zf sump done if I were you, at that mileage it should improve the smoothness of the changes significantly.
What does a 30i engine look like under the bonnet? Plenty of room?
I wish you many wafty miles ahead, they are excellent distance cruisers - I’d get the gearbox flushed / new zf sump done if I were you, at that mileage it should improve the smoothness of the changes significantly.
Another update on the barge,
Replaced lambda sensor which was causing check engine light on dash
Replaced rear wishbone (bush was worn)
Replaced all internal bulbs with LED (roof, boot, footwells, maps)
Replaced all rear exterior bulbs with LED (number plate, brake, reverse)
Total Spent £1770
Mileage 113240
Replaced lambda sensor which was causing check engine light on dash
Replaced rear wishbone (bush was worn)
Replaced all internal bulbs with LED (roof, boot, footwells, maps)
Replaced all rear exterior bulbs with LED (number plate, brake, reverse)
Total Spent £1770
Mileage 113240
Edited by david mcc on Tuesday 20th November 02:17
Wee update on the barge, Its been pretty good overall. Running well all through the winter. Then, last week I got a warning for low brake fluid and brakes became pretty spongey. Stuck it up on the ramps yesterday to find one of the rear brake lines was knackered (corrosion had been previously noted on the MOT but I didn't realise they were quite so bad).
2 new pipes made up for both sides (might as well swap both sides now) and fitted and the brake fluid changed.
The big bus is back running 100% now
2 new pipes made up for both sides (might as well swap both sides now) and fitted and the brake fluid changed.
The big bus is back running 100% now
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