Discussion
Very expensive to run - petrol etc. Relatively reliable I believe, but can have lots of problems with electrics according to someone I know who has one. Apparently, almost all of the electrics are on their own little circuit so it's never just a case of opening the fuse box and chucking a new one in if it blows, it is a case of removing back seats to get to airbags, flying to the moon to fix a headlamp etc....
Very nice cars though, brilliant wafter!!
Very nice cars though, brilliant wafter!!
Have a look on this forum, they are usually pretty good: http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/
I used to have a 730i E38 & as others have said, they are great wafters, just amazingly quiet on motorway runs & still able to have a fair bit of pace on B-roads.
There is potential for electrical gremlins & these can range from cheap fixes to £££'s - silly things like jump starting can send electrics a bit doolally.
MPG for mine was about 15-20 around town & bang on 30 on a motorway run (as low as 8mpg on short cold trip to the newsagents).
I would have another in a heartbeat.
(Edited for schpelling & grammaa & stuff innit.)
I used to have a 730i E38 & as others have said, they are great wafters, just amazingly quiet on motorway runs & still able to have a fair bit of pace on B-roads.
There is potential for electrical gremlins & these can range from cheap fixes to £££'s - silly things like jump starting can send electrics a bit doolally.
MPG for mine was about 15-20 around town & bang on 30 on a motorway run (as low as 8mpg on short cold trip to the newsagents).
I would have another in a heartbeat.
(Edited for schpelling & grammaa & stuff innit.)
Edited by PHmember on Thursday 2nd September 12:30
richardxjr said:
Best in class AFAIC. Comfort, performance, handling, ride, space.
I had the (earlier) 4.0 - fully loaded cruising at 70 cost 29.9mpg.
Never heard of electrical gremlins either - mine was faultless.
I'm not entirely sure that there are gremlins as such, but I know that if something did go wrong, it would be a bugger to fix. To be fair, in any modern 'prestige' car like the 7 series, it'll be a nightmare doing anything anyway!I had the (earlier) 4.0 - fully loaded cruising at 70 cost 29.9mpg.
Never heard of electrical gremlins either - mine was faultless.
I too had an early 4.0 e38 740 and it was as faultless as Ricardo's, above and for the late 90s, it was indeed 'the chauffeur driven car the chauffeur rarely drove,' as it were.
However, it wan't remotely in the same league as the Lexus LS430 as a Boss Hog, coasting proposition.
Given that these can be had for runner beans, these days, I'd be looking at one of these and abandon the GS idea.
Spoke to a chum who still runs a 150k mile example and he claims a 70-75 mph M1 waft earlier this week did yield 34 mpg. In proper silence.
However, it wan't remotely in the same league as the Lexus LS430 as a Boss Hog, coasting proposition.
Given that these can be had for runner beans, these days, I'd be looking at one of these and abandon the GS idea.
Spoke to a chum who still runs a 150k mile example and he claims a 70-75 mph M1 waft earlier this week did yield 34 mpg. In proper silence.
derestrictor said:
I too had an early 4.0 e38 740 and it was as faultless as Ricardo's, above and for the late 90s, it was indeed 'the chauffeur driven car the chauffeur rarely drove,' as it were.
However, it wan't remotely in the same league as the Lexus LS430 as a Boss Hog, coasting proposition.
Given that these can be had for runner beans, these days, I'd be looking at one of these and abandon the GS idea.
Spoke to a chum who still runs a 150k mile example and he claims a 70-75 mph M1 waft earlier this week did yield 34 mpg. In proper silence.
Scrap the GS430 V8 in favour of the BMW 740i? However, it wan't remotely in the same league as the Lexus LS430 as a Boss Hog, coasting proposition.
Given that these can be had for runner beans, these days, I'd be looking at one of these and abandon the GS idea.
Spoke to a chum who still runs a 150k mile example and he claims a 70-75 mph M1 waft earlier this week did yield 34 mpg. In proper silence.
You have read the bargain barges threads yes?
E38 and LS come out tops. E38 for overall driving package, LS for comfort, quietness and reliability.
Note that's the LS not the GS which doesn't compare.
ETA was typing this at the same time DeR was replying. He's the chap to listen too for this type of thing
E38 and LS come out tops. E38 for overall driving package, LS for comfort, quietness and reliability.
Note that's the LS not the GS which doesn't compare.
ETA was typing this at the same time DeR was replying. He's the chap to listen too for this type of thing
Edited by richardxjr on Thursday 2nd September 12:50
1996 BMW 740i V8
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Trade Seller: Bhp Autos
4 Doors, Automatic, Saloon, Petrol, 52,000 miles, Metallic ONLY TWO OWNERS FIFTY TWO THOUSAND MILES ONLY, 2 Owners. Air conditioning, Heated door mirrors, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Alloy wheels, Cruise control, Rear headrests, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Immobiliser, Side airbags, Front electric windows, www.bhpautosherts.co.uk, Electric door mirrors, Radio/CD Multichanger, Rear electric windows, Audio remote control, Electrically adjustable drivers seat, ABS, Electrically adjustable passenger seat, Front fog lights, Electric sunroof, Front armrest, Headlight washers, Passenger airbag, Rear armrest, Radio/Cassette, Traction control, Reverse parking aid, Remote central locking, Drivers airbag, Service indicator, Trip computer, Alarm, Body coloured bumpers, PAS. Insurance Group:19A, Over mats,S/hist,Just serviced and new MOT,Pirelli tyres,Elec m/f/s/wheel,Drivers memory,Powerfold mirrors,Park dist f/rear,2xRem keys,BMW then ONE PRIVATE OWNER FROM 1997.FANTASTIC OPPURTUNITY TO PURCHASE A GENUINE LOW MILEAGE 740i IN SUPREME ORDER THROUGHOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOT YOUR TYPICAL EXAMPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!, £3,795
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