Considering a barge...

[cyprinis]

Ive been having a look for the best part of the evening at the classifieds section, and am considering selling my current MX5, and buying a barge to waft about in. £2k budget, although less would be better.

I like the look of the E38 740i, but having never owned a car with more than 4 cylinders I'm unsure how bad the running costs actually could be. How much difference is there between the 728 and the 740 in everyday terms of performance?

Also, are there any other barges that I should be considering?

[Pothole]

you can have mine for £2k

[Pothole]

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

[bozmandb9]

728- 740, a world of difference in performance terms. I've had 8 7 series, nothing wrong with the 728, but not a high performance car. 740 has fantastic grunt, all in all a great car. Don't believe the guys who tell you it'll cost you a fortune, it can cost a bit, especially if you buy one which needs all the suspension replacing, or the gearbox replacing.

Once you have a 7 series, it's difficult not to keep going back to them. Only reason I've managed it is because I now have a Range Rover Supercharged, which gives the same effortless grunt, sense of occasion and luxury.

I would say the E38 is bargain of the decade now, get it and enjoy it, whatever you're paying in fuel and repairs, is probably less than depreciation in an average rep-mobile.

p.s. I don't see the point in considering other barges, Mercs will be rusty, Lexii boring, nothing really compares to the 7!

[B'stard Child]

bozmandb9 said:

p.s. I don't see the point in considering other barges, Mercs will be rusty, Lexii boring, nothing really compares to the 7!

Audi A8 would make a good alternative (alloy body means lighter and less corrosion issues)

Try and find one that has been enthusiast mainteained rather than dealer maintained

Make sure absolutely everything works - a heck of a lot of electrical kit on these cars

They do rust but it tends to be cosmetic rather that structural which is better but not perfect

Ride is better on 16's but it's not dreadfull on 18's

The only thing that piddles me off with mine is it rolls like the general belgrano in corners but is jiggly on the straight bit - typical BMW

Edited by B'stard Child on Sunday 27th March 23:57

[bozmandb9]

B'stard Child said:

Audi A8 would make a good alternative (alloy body means lighter and less corrosion issues)

Try and find one that has been enthusiast mainteained rather than dealer maintained

Make sure absolutely everything works - a heck of a lot of electrical kit on these cars

They do rust but it tends to be cosmetic rather that structural which is better but not perfect

Ride is better on 16's but it's not dreadfull on 18's

The only thing that piddles me off with mine is it rolls like the general belgrano in corners but is jiggly on the straight bit - typical BMW

Edited by B'stard Child on Sunday 27th March 23:57

I don't disagree with your suggestion of the A8, though it doesn't float my boat. However I would say that in general, if you find a 7 series with corrosion it's due to panel damage, they don't generally rust!

[edo]

mmmmmmm.

2001 BMW 7 SERIES 740i V8 Sport 4dr Auto Saloon
Private Seller

59,900 miles, STUNNING& IMMACULATE 740, Black, Automatic, TV,SatNav, M sport steering wheel, M sport suspension,new front Michelin Pilot tyres,tinted rear windows, (21/26/33mpg, 0-62= 6.2s), heated electric seats, electric sunroof, 3 months warranty, cruise control, soft close boot, full BMW service history,18" M-Tech parallel spoke alloys, etc. 2 previous owners-LOADS OF RECEIPTS incl. 1st SALE ONE. Very rare car to buy in the best possible condition for its age. One of the very last E38 produced. Very clean and looked after car in &out.

£6,250.

[joebongo]

Mine's on autotrader (didn't think PH would get much interest in it - will do that next round if it doesn't sell). For a lot less than that one as well.

E38's live and die by their maintenance - mine should stick out like a sore arse as I've done a lot to it as I was planning to keep it forever.

[tomtom]

W124. Do it.

[B'stard Child]

bozmandb9 said:

I don't disagree with your suggestion of the A8, though it doesn't float my boat. However I would say that in general, if you find a 7 series with corrosion it's due to panel damage, they don't generally rust!

They do on the arches (bloody plastic wheel arch liners) and bottoms of the doors (due to those add on trims)

The rest of the body work is fine

[BliarOut]

Have you considered an E39?

[B'stard Child]

joebongo said:

E38's live and die by their maintenance - mine should stick out like a sore arse as I've done a lot to it as I was planning to keep it forever.

I agree I've had my MY99 740 5 years or so

Autotrans fluid changed (twice - how to in BMW section)

Light control Module (the only component failure)

All coolant hoses replaced (really important especialy when you realise the dash display shows middle at 75 Deg and then just stays there untill 120 deg C when it buries itself in the red - normall running temp is 115-118 deg C)

Oil Serviced every 3000 miles (3k Oil 6k Oil and filter 9K oil etc)

Spark plus and fuel Filter (ouch) done at 100K

Couple of suspension bushes have been required bit I'm begining to think that it's best to renew all bushes at the same time as it seems to knock new bushes out quite quickly if they are replaced in isolation

I'm sure there is some other stuff but in the main it's been reliable luxo barge never returning less than 24 mpg (average during ownership is 27 mpg and it frequently returns 30 plus on a run - All "brim fill up to brim fill up" calculations and subsequent rolling average as the trip computer isn't the most accurate indicator)

It was purchased to replace a Vauxhall Senator 24V and in most respects it's equal to the task - except handling/ride comfort where it's not even close.

[jbi]

On a budget you really can't beat the LS400

Silly reliability, plenty of toys and effortless waftability.

Fuel economy isn't too bad either (30 mpg on a run) provided your O2 sensors are in good condition.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Go for a Jag X300. Timeless and bulletproof.

[monthefish]

edo said:

mmmmmmm.

2001 BMW 7 SERIES 740i V8 Sport 4dr Auto Saloon
Private Seller

59,900 miles, STUNNING& IMMACULATE 740, Black, Automatic, TV,SatNav, M sport steering wheel, M sport suspension,new front Michelin Pilot tyres,tinted rear windows, (21/26/33mpg, 0-62= 6.2s), heated electric seats, electric sunroof, 3 months warranty, cruise control, soft close boot, full BMW service history,18" M-Tech parallel spoke alloys, etc. 2 previous owners-LOADS OF RECEIPTS incl. 1st SALE ONE. Very rare car to buy in the best possible condition for its age. One of the very last E38 produced. Very clean and looked after car in &out.

£6,250.

That is lovely, but you could get an almost identical car for half that.

[monthefish]

p.s. With regard to engine, no huge difference in running costs from the 728i to 740i, but worlds apart in terms of experience and performance.

[hornetrider]

In the same vein I bought an E38 728i a fortnight ago on eBay - a bit of a punt if you will. P reg, 116k, FSH. Good nick, lovely condition inside, everything works, all MOTs from new - 850 quid!!11! Done 700 miles in it now at an average of about 35mpg (brim to brim calc). I love the thing, simply because it was so cheap and is a perfect motorway cruise machine.

WIN.

[Pappa Lurve]

B'stard Child said:

bozmandb9 said:

p.s. I don't see the point in considering other barges, Mercs will be rusty, Lexii boring, nothing really compares to the 7!

Audi A8 would make a good alternative (alloy body means lighter and less corrosion issues)

Try and find one that has been enthusiast mainteained rather than dealer maintained

Make sure absolutely everything works - a heck of a lot of electrical kit on these cars

They do rust but it tends to be cosmetic rather that structural which is better but not perfect

Ride is better on 16's but it's not dreadfull on 18's

The only thing that piddles me off with mine is it rolls like the general belgrano in corners but is jiggly on the straight bit - typical BMW

Edited by B'stard Child on Sunday 27th March 23:57

Had a 740 and loved it. Great car, looks good and really nicely put together. Now have an S8. BMW looks nicer and has a slightly more elegant interior. Build quality is pretty similar although if pushed I would say the Audi is probably the better but not by much. However, the Audi, certainly the S8 version, is faster, has more comfortable seats, handles better and returns a better MPG (not by much though!). Both great cars but for me, I would be looking at the XJ and the Audi over a 740. Having said that, if I needed to replace the Audi and got a decent deal on the 740 I would have another one happily. All great cars and to be honest, comes down to personal taste between them. My BMW never missed a beat so never cost a penny to own other than pads, tyres and some oil. Still, in my opinion, the Audi is the best all rounder, does everything very well. Jag makes you feel so good and out of the 4 I have had, only ever had one serious issue. It is also the nicest looking and has the best interior feel. The BMW is a great car which I really could not fault and was the best ergonomically but I found the suspension just a little hard for wafting and yet not as good to chuck about as either the Jag or the Audi, but then my Audi has Quatro which I guess helps a lot. Basically, all damn good cars!

[Robatr0n]

Do it!

I was seriously considering an E39 540i, infact I even arranged to view one but I spotted a lovely E34 540i Manual up for sale so went and had a look at that instead. It was half the money of the E39 but certainly not half the car.

I've only had it since Thursday but I'm really enjoying it and wondering why I didn't get one years ago.

[B'stard Child]

Pappa Lurve said:

B'stard Child said:

bozmandb9 said:

p.s. I don't see the point in considering other barges, Mercs will be rusty, Lexii boring, nothing really compares to the 7!

Audi A8 would make a good alternative (alloy body means lighter and less corrosion issues)

Try and find one that has been enthusiast mainteained rather than dealer maintained

Make sure absolutely everything works - a heck of a lot of electrical kit on these cars

They do rust but it tends to be cosmetic rather that structural which is better but not perfect

Ride is better on 16's but it's not dreadfull on 18's

The only thing that piddles me off with mine is it rolls like the general belgrano in corners but is jiggly on the straight bit - typical BMW

Edited by B'stard Child on Sunday 27th March 23:57

<snip>
The BMW is a great car which I really could not fault and was the best ergonomically but I found the suspension just a little hard for wafting and yet not as good to chuck about as either the Jag or the Audi, but then my Audi has Quatro which I guess helps a lot. Basically, all damn good cars!

Exactly my point - ride isn't wafty enough - jiggly is my best description, on anything other than totally smooth tarmac (let's face we don't have a lot of smooth tarmac in the UK) and yet tip it into a bend and it rolls like the General Belgrano. I'll never understand how or why BMW allow this characteristic on a limo suspension set up - after all it was totally compliant and a lovely magic carpet ride I'd have no objection to any amount of body roll when pushed in the bends. As it stands, it is and always will be an irritant to me.