728i servicing

[macp]

Im thinking of buying a 728i which has FSH and was last serviced by the main dealer at 85k.The car now has 107k is it due inspection 1 or 2 and which is the biggy,any idea of cost ?

Thanks all.

[Alistair H.]

not sure where you are, but up north you are looking at 300 sheets.

I am sure dealer will find something else wrong though!

[macp]

Alistair H. said:

not sure where you are, but up north you are looking at 300 sheets.

I am sure dealer will find something else wrong though!

Thanks but is that for insp 1 or 2 and what is due now ?

[B19GRR]

The dash should tell you what's due, or check your service history, the pattern is; oil, insp1, oil, insp2, oil, insp1, oil, insp2,...

I don't think there's a vast amount of difference between 1 and 2, and I think bmw might have scrapped that system completely now anyway for the newer models. I'd agree £300 is a good starting place though, time to get on the blower to some indies really.

Check this link out for garage reviews:
http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/garages.html

Cheers,
Rob

[soprano]

Has it really done 22k without a service?

Edited because I can't do basic maths.

Edited by soprano on Friday 3rd July 23:01

[richyb]

soprano said:

Has it really done 22k without a service?

Edited because I can't do basic maths.

That would bring up a few concerns for me. I might be behind the times but 1 year or 12k is the biggest service interval I'd be happy with. Thedifference between a cared for and not cared for vehicle. The E38 is an expensive beast to fix and regular, on schedule servicing is key to avoiding issues.

[macp]

Talking to some owners they say to budget 3k per year for maintenance on a 7.

Getting worried now as I have less than three weeks to sort a car and I thought a 7 would fit the bit as a cheap luxo barge.

[Nick M]

macp said:

Talking to some owners they say to budget 3k per year for maintenance on a 7.

I've not spent that much on my E32 in over two years, and that includes service costs, water pump, new wheels and refurb, new tyres, aircon bits, new brakes all round and getting the headlining panel retrimmed !!

If you do your homework and get a half decent car then I'd expect to get years of relatively inexpensive motoring.

[macp]

Cheers Nick that helps.

[monthefish]

macp said:

Talking to some owners they say to budget 3k per year for maintenance on a 7.

Getting worried now as I have less than three weeks to sort a car and I thought a 7 would fit the bit as a cheap luxo barge.

That may be true for some very unlucky indivduals, but 3k p.a. for maintenance is certainly not normal. (a one-off £3k bill would write off most E38's, never mind spending that per year)

7's tend to be very reliable, and whilst some replacement parts aren't cheap in comparison to cheaper marques/cars, the frequency that you have to replace parts is a lot lower.

I'd say get a 7, but make sure you get a good one.

[Nick M]

monthefish said:

macp said:

Talking to some owners they say to budget 3k per year for maintenance on a 7.

Getting worried now as I have less than three weeks to sort a car and I thought a 7 would fit the bit as a cheap luxo barge.

That may be true for some very unlucky indivduals, but 3k p.a. for maintenance is certainly not normal. (a one-off £3k bill would write off most E38's, never mind spending that per year)

Much as it pains me to say it, the minute I'm faced with a big bill for my E32 (one that's close to the value of the car) then it's scrappage scheme here we come !!

Either that or break it for spares so others get some benefit from it.

I've just shelled out for new brakes all round because, at the moment, there's still plenty of life left in the car and, well, being able to stop is quite nice ! But if the engine dies or something else significant packs up then it's just not worth my time or money to keep it going. I'd rather put that money / time into a new(er) car.

[richyb]

macp said:

Talking to some owners they say to budget 3k per year for maintenance on a 7.

Getting worried now as I have less than three weeks to sort a car and I thought a 7 would fit the bit as a cheap luxo barge.

As said above most E38s are worth barely that so you'd be crazy to spent that on servicing. I've spent around £450 on parts in the last year and done it all myself. This includes plugs, 2 oil and filter changes, fuel and air filter, microfilters, rear diff oil, new pads all round and fluid, wipers and a few new bulbs. That also includes a aircon regas. I'm about to put in two new PDC sensors which will be around £100 for parts. Tyres will cost around £420 but really should last a couple of years. As long as you're not a complete plonker servicing it yourself is by far the best option.

[macp]

Many thanks guys