BMW 745i: PH Carpool

From one PHer to another, with a V8 7 Series plucked from the Bargain Barge thread

Name: Ross Fripp
Car: 2003 BMW 745i (E65)
Owned since: October 2013
Previously owned: Rover 214i, BMW 316 (E21), BMW 728i (E38)

Ross doesn't like the rear styling so...

Why I bought it:
"I really liked my E38 7 Series but, while I was in the position to afford the fuel, I decided I wanted a V8. It still needed to be quiet and comfortable though, for the daily slog down the M27 as well as on longer journeys. I wasn't particularly looking for an E65 but something like another 7 Series - S-Class Merc, A8, XJ, that kind of thing. However, it just so happened that a PHer on the bargain barge thread had one for sale... 450 miles away. Flight tickets were booked soon after and, as they say, the rest is history!"

What I wish I'd known:
"Despite having a full service history there were a few issues I found with the car over the first couple of months. The gearbox was clunky when downshifting, there was a little brake judder and a few other issues. I hadn't done much research really and I knew that big heavy cars wear suspension out so I checked for things like uneven tyre wear, ride height and so on when buying but I hadn't done much research into the engine. Which is notorious for oil and coolant leaks. And yes, mine had oil leaks. That's not a typo either; that's leaks plural!"

That's the big and comfy boxes ticked then

Things I love:
"It's a very, very capable car, a really quiet and comfortable place to while away the miles and the interior is a really nice place to spend time. The engine is silky smooth, quiet when you want to relax but when pressing on it makes a nice V8 noise and has a pretty decent turn of speed for such a big car. It's spacious inside too, something you really take for granted until you get into a smaller car! The automatic parking brake is fantastic in traffic. All the creature comforts make it a great daily driver."

Things I hate:
"Costs! It's cost me a lot of money to get it up to a good standard where it drives how it should and doesn't have any niggles (see below!). The fuel economy isn't fantastic but that's to be expected, I tend to average around 25mpg which isn't bad. I'm still not a fan of the styling at the rear of the car, but other than that there's not much to hate about the car! It's not a sports car, it doesn't try to be, but it can be hustled when required."

Oil leaks a major issue sadly

Costs:
"Lots. In three years I've spent - cough - around £7,000. This included a partial gearbox rebuild, almost a full suspension refresh (including new hydraulic suspension pipes for the dynamic drive system), two sets of tyres (£800+ for a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tyres), wheel refurbishments, basic servicing as well as other things like a new MAF sensor, sorting out the various oil leaks and so on. Most of my servicing is done by Brystone in Southampton who are utterly fantastic; they aren't too expensive but have fantastic knowledge, they're friendly and I'd thoroughly recommend them. The car is generally quite expensive to fix because parts aren't too costly but the work is often quite labour intensive."

Where I've been:
"Other than some Sunday Services the car has done a few trips to North Wales, the Lake District and the Peak District."

What next?
"I am looking to sell the car, as I'm due to be buying a house in the next nine months or so. I'll probably be getting something cheaper on fuel and servicing! But at least I can say I've owned a V8 before they're all taxed out of existence."

Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!