BMW V12's

[Ricky_k]

Hi,
im looking at a new car and was looking at 7 series BMW's
ive seen two that i like
one is a 2000 BMW 750i v12 with about 88k on the clock at £7.5k
the other one i was looking at is a 2003 760li (ive been told they are v12's) with 83k on the clock at £22k

they are above 70k on the clock is there anything i should look out on these cars?
is the 750 better or should i hold out for the 760? the price is not a issue but i like the looks of the 2000 plate bmw.
thanks
Ricky. (im new btw )

[E1DJH]

Ricky_k said:

Hi,
im looking at a new car and was looking at 7 series BMW's
ive seen two that i like
one is a 2000 BMW 750i v12 with about 88k on the clock at £7.5k
the other one i was looking at is a 2003 760li (ive been told they are v12's) with 83k on the clock at £22k

they are above 70k on the clock is there anything i should look out on these cars?
is the 750 better or should i hold out for the 760? the price is not a issue but i like the looks of the 2000 plate bmw.
thanks
Ricky. (im new btw )

Hi Ricky, welcome on board - YHM... (You Have Mail) check your e mail in box

[Spokey]

It's a question of personal taste. I had a 750iL and I miss it every single day. I'm not sure the 760Li would resonate with me in the same way. You do need to be aware that the V12 is a heavy lump, though, so front suspension can get worn. Utterly magnificent cars.

[Huliganov]

The V12 in the 750iL is the same V12 in the Rolls Royce Silver Seraph too, so it makes for interesting pub conversation over a pint.

[toohuge]

The 750il in the 2000 model should be the improved 5.4 version, it is a fantastic version and even with miles like that on it, when it starts etc it sounds as tight as if it was new. Mine never used a drop of oil and i ran it up to 70k or around that area.

I personally would go for the 760il as it has a whole host of technology and more power (445 versus 320). The 760il will also come with a better gearbox, although there is nothing wrong with the 750il, the 760il is a newer car etc. The problems to look out for on these models are interior gadgets etc. I had a few issues (all settled under warranty) which included the self levelling rear suspension hydraulic pipe, rear armrest control unit, dash board display etc and a water pump failure.

[burriana]

toohuge said:

rear armrest control unit,

Now I'm intrigued ... was that to keep the Becks chilled or did it do something even more exciting?

[toohuge]

burriana said:

toohuge said:

rear armrest control unit,

Now I'm intrigued ... was that to keep the Becks chilled or did it do something even more exciting?

It was a long wheel based 750, so a 750il with the rear seat package installed. A great package and definitely worth looking for, the arm rest in the back has its own telephone hand set, controls to move the passenger set in front of you and a control panel for the on board computer and audio system. The volume control stopped clicking as it were so BMW very kindly replaced the whole audio/computer control unit under warranty.

[burriana]

toohuge said:

controls to move the passenger set in front of you

I can imagine that could be very annoying depending on who was sitting in the back

[Ricky_k]

thanks for the replies guys!
i followed one to work today coincidently and it sounded beautiful.
it had V12 badges on the C pillar.
also does the engine use all 12 cylinders all the time or does it use them when they are needed i.e travelling at 70mph with 2k rpm?

[toohuge]

The 5.4 does not 'shut down' cylinders when you are driving along, the Mercedes v12 of that era did which was interesting. I remember reading somewhere that the new 6.0 v12 does shut down cylinders when you are driving along although i cannot find any concrete evidence. I think that this may have been some pre-release hype from BMW but a well educated dealer should know.
Just to let you know when i ran the 5.4 i could (with sensible motorway cruising) manage just over 24mpg which is really good. When driving through Germany consumption dropped a little but i can say that a good 750il is like silk at 120+mph....

[Penguinracer]

I've got an E32 750iL & the story with two banks is that the engine has an ignition system for each bank. This allows the vehicle to run on only one bank - you could call it a "limp home"facility - but BMW claimed it could "limp home" at up to 200 km/h on six cylinders! To be honest, BMW didn't deliberately set-out to provide this capability - the simple fact is that back in 1987 when the V!2 first came out BMW didn't have an ignition system which could run 12 cylinders so they just raided the corporate parts-bin and installed two six-cylinder systems!
This is a sublime engine though - smooth as a 30-year old Highland Malt, has the growl of a poked Tiger & the torque of an elephant hurrying home for dinner! The twelve gives the 7 or 8 an entirely different character to the V8 & transforms it from being a competent teutonic cruiser into something altogether more special.

[8Tech]

The engine in the 750 is an understressed, 2 valve per cylinder, SOHC high torque gem, utterly bulletproof and a replacement engine can be had for around £1000 and a gearbox similar. The 760 has the more powerful 6.0l 48V Valvetronic engine and transmission at 6x these prices. Virtually any competant technician can carry out work on the 750 but the 760........Main Dealer here we come.
The 750 is complex but electrical, the 760 is a nightmare of unreliable CAN-BUS electronics with i-drive and other associated systems. I do not like either the styling or the drive of the 760, it is too "isolated" whereas the 750 is far more involoving, you can take granny to the opera and race (and thrash) all the hot hatches on the way home.
If you get a Main Dealer warranty then the 760 is a purchase worthy of slight consideration, if not, it is 750 all the way.

[burriana]

Penguinracer said:

has ... the torque of an elephant hurrying home for dinner!

Class quote

[timskipper]

Magnificent cars maybe, but a £22k 760 has a LOT of depreciating yet to do.

[Ricky_k]

thanks for the reply guys!
the 760 looks huge compared to the 750.
i want soon as possible but got too many things to sort out before a new car

[swiftpete]

I wish they'd put the v12 in the 5 series. That would have been a quick car!

[eowen]

22k sounds a lot even for a 2003 760..

I'm confused that you are looking at 2 cars so far apart in value - whats the budget?!!

[eowen]

2003 03 Reg BMW 760Li
Price:£20,899


4 Doors, Automatic, Saloon, Petrol, 59,000 miles, TITANIUM SILVER BLACK LEATHER. ABS, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Central locking, Computer, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Foglights, Front armrest, Electrically adjustable seats, Headlight washers, Lumbar support, Immobiliser, Navigation system, Park distance control, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Rear armrest, Side airbags, Radio/CD Multichanger, Traction control, CD Multichanger, Climate Control, Electric sunroof, Heated seats, Multi function steering wheel, Sunblind. Long Wheel Base, Steptronic, Black Nasca Leather, TV Function, Second Cordless Phone Handset in Rear, Sun Protection Glass, Active Seat Ventilation to Front and Rear Seats, Active Heated Front Seats, Heated Rear Seats, Active Cruise Control, Electric Glass Sunroof, Tyre Pressure Control, 19"Star Spoke Alloys, £20,899

Trade Seller:
Carringtons Specialist Cars

Dealer's Website: Go to website

Contact number: [phone]

[eowen]

or (still new shape)

2002 BMW 7 SERIES 745i SE 4dr Auto Saloon
Price: £14,995


Automatic, 35,000 miles, 02/02; Titanium Grey Metallic/Nasca Beige Leather; Leather Comfort Seats; Electric Glass Sunroof; Front cup Holders; Multifunction Steering Wheel; Hi-Fi System Professional; Sat Nav; Phone; TV Function; Auto Dim Mirrors; Electric Blinds; Xenon Headlamps; Full Service History;. £14,995.

Trade Seller:
Howard Wise Cars

Contact number: 0208 5061771 or 07836 522234

[derestrictor]

I've driven a number of V12 750s and they have felt, well, old. I'm sure newer and/or low(ish) and/or pampered examples are altogether tighter but they simply cannot compare to the E65 variant.

Frankly, the Bangle cars (especially facelifted [E66s]) exhibit imo, a prescence the E38s simply do not. They are profoundly unphotogenic but in the metal, are quite striking - in a bold, positive way.

My experience of these cars I must admit, is limited to 730d (short and lwb versions) and the latest 4.8l 750i - by far the best cars I have driven ito overall considerations: comfort, ergonomics, dynamics and absolute performance have all been near perfect - the concept of sharing the current Rolls Royce Phantom's power plant - well, needs no defining.

I am quite sure the 760iL is the finest car money can buy - the finest car virtually nobody even possesses fleeting cognizance of...

Re your 'half bank shut down' query, Audi's A8 6.0 W12 does this: another contender for you to mull over, it most certainly should be. I've driven quite a few and they are sensational but ultimately, may - just may lose out ito that last percentile of necessary compliance which defines the uber luxo gruntbarge.

Lastly, please, please, please don't write off one of these - http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/MERC... - I absolutely assure you they are fabulous; a monumental leap forward ito interior quality over the 99-03 mk1 cars and ito bang/$?

An eye widening proposition...


Good hunting!