E38 7 Series Advice Sought

[anonymous-user]

Evening all...

After much deliberation, I've decided it's time to join the ever-swelling ranks of barge owners here on PH.

I currently drive a clio 182 which is great, but as a day to day car it's just not comfortable enough any more. I'm doing around 12-15k miles a year, 50/50 town/motorway and want something big, automatic, comfortable, preferably V8, pre March 2001 and under £4k.

Is that a realistic budget for a good 735/740i? Is there a handy buying guide anywhere?

Any owners on here care to share their experiences?

[XB70]

730 underpowered
look for Nikasil issues on the 740
750's are just incredible cars
They will go forever IF you look after them - mine had 196,000 miles and people were running for the hills but a couple of people came to see it and were gobsmacked since it felt more like 96,000 miles - had my arm torn off by the bloke who bought it so keen was he to get his hands on it.

You WILL have a radiator, coolant tank and water pump failure - for all three to be done properly, allow £800

Test drive all three - the 750iL is nothing short of hilarious in how quickly something that big can get from A to B

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for the tips! Just need to try and find some to look at up here in Edinburgh.. usual story up here of limited, overpriced stock..

[MitchT]

I believe the Nikasil issue was on the 4.0ltr 740, not the later 4.4ltr 740 - I'm assuming that the issue relates to the 740 the same was as it does the 840.

[XB70]

That's right - the radiator issues are across the board though

[Alistair H.]

Let me throw in a vote for the 728.

I have had a 730 and a 740 and a 728. The 728 will return you just short of 30 mpg. if you are doing mileage a 740 will soon start to hurt. i get 400 miles a tank out of the 728 against less than 300 on the 740. yes the V8 is gruntier...but the 728 is ample.

get yourself a sport version with 18" rims...lovely.

Oh and agree on the radiator/water pump stuff....

[anonymous-user]

Interesting re the 728i. I'd pretty much written them off as being a bit gutless but maybe I'll give one a try.

They do look good in sport spec though

[Gramrugby]

I ran a 740 sport for 5 years and didn't spend a penny on it apart from servicing & tyres. I previously had the 728 sport - gutless.
I traded the 740 against a 645 which although a nice car the build quality is nothing near that of the 740.
Take your time and find a good one which will probably be hard by now. It was one of the best cars I've ever owned.

[anonymous-user]

There does seem to be a lot of tat around.. chrome door handles and window tints fitted by their mate Dave seem to be a particular favourite!