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Comments
M
sound. 2K miles - 120mph reached and cruising.
Everyone else loves the car - turns heads everywhere. People come up to me and complement the car as to its beauty. In a line up with BMW,
MERCEDES, BMW and LEXUS the JAG gets the
complements. Looks is not everything but it goes a
long way in the luxury class.
Thanks!
The short answer to the questions here, all BMWs are very fine running cars--maybe the best of all marques. But after the first few years, you will have to spend money on maintenance and repairs. I'd say once the car is 5 years old plan to spend several hundred dollars a year.
concerning the reliability of a late model
(1997-1999) BMW740iL. I have read with great
interest much of the feedback from the "Sedan"
segment related to the 740. It seems from what I
have read the early or mid 1990's tended to have
significant problems (i.e. engine, electrical,
transmission). The question is has BMW corrected
these problems? I love the car in terms of looks,
comfort and driveability and can purchase one
(1998) for around $45-48K certified by BMW (not a
third party). I tend to keep a car for 6-8 years
and put easily 150K plus miles (mostly highway) on
it. What I don't need is a problem or a money pit
that spends more time in the shop than in my
garage. I realize the car requires maintenance and that the cost of that maintenance will be higher than average and I accept that. I have read through many reports such as Consumer Guide and most have very little data on the BMW 7 series in terms of reliability/customer satisfaction. I have also seen a few posts on this topic but have not seen very much response. Any feedback that can be provided such as your experience as an owner or reports/data you have run across would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Like a couple of others who posted about used BMW 7s, I too will be in the market for a used 7 in 2002/3. I'm doing my research early so that I could learn as much as possible about the 7 series.
I've been a member of the BMW CCA since '96 (I've attended 12+ BMW CCA driving schools in my '93 Rx7 R1:), and am quite knowledeable on E36 3ers/M3s, but have practically no insights on the 7s (BTW what is the E designation for the '95 to '00 7s?)
Like a couple of other posters out there, my wife and I are looking for a roomy great road trip car as well as daily driver. We'll put 15 to 17K miles on it per year, and we tend to keep our cars for a long time: her car--6 years, mine--8 years. We don't like to buy new because of the terrible depreciation hit for the first few years. The plan is to sell her car and replace it with the bimmer 7.
BTW, post #116 of 137: rmac88 (gearman) Wed 23 Feb '00 (01:16 PM) was a fantastic post. Unfortunately it was the only one regarding the reliablity of bimmer 7s.
From what I've gathered from your posts, it appears that the later 7 series are the best to buy used. The '90 to '94 models had problems with the nikasil cylinder liners, as well slushbox problems with the ZF units. The V8s and V12s were not as strong as the inline 6es with regard to mileage reliability and durability.
This then leaves us with the 1997-2000 models. As a sports car enthusiast driver, I especially like the idea of 740i Sport model.
(I could probably convince Mrs. Rx7 R1 on the advantages of better handling from an upgraded suspension/wheel/tire package:)
What year was the first year for the 740i Sport? Is there much of a difference between that first-year 7 sport and a '00 7 Sport?
What would I expect to pay for 740i Sport in 2002 or 2003?
Will there be some sort of extended warranty for these used/off-lease BMWS?
Thanks in advance for your replies. I've let my BMW CCA membership lapse. I've decided to pass up the driving schools fow a couple of years. The new plan is to just enjoy tooling around in a big luxo cruiser (BMW 740i Sport) and seeing the wonderful sights our great big country has to offer!
Best Regards,
ML
You may have a real sports car as a daily driver but I have raced them and until a few months ago had one as my weekend toy (98 'vette). The sport model is a lot of fun and let me get rid of the toy.) In my opinion, the difference in acceleration is very noticable (which I would know since I have had both).
BTW, it is more than the rear end on the sport that has been upgraded (the torque converter had to be upgraded substantially
My hands (and feet:) are competent operating the controls of a true blue sports car. I've never driven a slushbox drivetrained car around a track so from that perspective, you would be right--I woudn't be competent. I'd be left-foot braking into every turn, trailing off of the brake while blending the gas. I bet it wouldn't take me long before I got the hang of things though:)
FWIW, I've attended over 50 hours of BMW CCA driving schools since 1997 in my 1993 Mazda Rx7 R1. I've driven many different tracks with all kinds of other cars! I guess you could say that I've "raced" them without really going wheel-to-wheel with them. If you've done schools, then you know it's pretty much "gentlemen's racing" once the instructor signs you off to go have fun:)
Here's my repertoire of road racing venues:
Mid Ohio '97 '98 '99
Road Atlanta '00
Road America '00
Summit Point '99
Gingerman '99 '00
Putnam Park '97 '98 '99 '00
Oh yeah, I "raced" against 2 ZR1 Vettes at Road America earlier this month (May 6/7 weekend). I was surprised that they didn't pull away on the three long straights (RA is 4 miles per lap)! Even more surprised when I got passing signals from both!
Passed the new BMW M5s all day long! Wonderful daily driving cars, but not road racers, IMO. Capable but not sizzling fast! Physics laws again:)
The only other shifter I'd have in a sports car, other than a classical manual would be Ferrari's F1 paddle shifter mechanism, which blips the throttle during downshifts.
Mazda's new Rx7 is supposed to have a F1 shifter variant in the upcoming Rx7 model:)
My point in all this is that I'm not willing to pay the premium (actually can't afford to pay it!) for a '99 Sport 740i over a '97 740i with upgraded suspension, wheels, tires. I'm sure you feel like you got your money's worth and that's great! The 740i will serve the purpose that I intend for it. There will be no track time planned for the the big 7:)
I'm soooohhhhh envious;)
A Porsche 996 for you, and and a big honking 740i Sport for Mrs. jesk! Life at the jesk house must be good!
ML
Good luck shopping. It's fun, and all the sports car salesfolks get to know you real well:D
One more thing, how can they get away with not publishing manuals? This should be against the law!!!! I can't even attempt to trouble shot the problem or educate myself on a diagnosed problem.
All help is appreciated.
Is this in the ballpark? Haven't been in market!
Thanks.
Is this in the ballpark? Haven't been in market!
Thanks.
I've not had a S500, or a 750, but, I swapped a 99 c class for a 2k 3 series. The Mercedes wasn't even in the same league as the bimmer. Now I can't attest to the larger siblings, but I bet it runs in the family.
If you want a car to just say you own something, buy a Benz, if you want to "drive" a car, buy a BMW!
Thanks for letting me post on your(7series) topic.
bunky3
I missed your point when you compared the two designs. However, even though the 230 design was a few years old, you couldn't compare a 99 with say a 97, they even made updates to the car right up to the 2k model,(esp)then became standard.Now with the 01 model, I think they are gonna give bmw a race. I loved the mb feel, a truely solid car, the doors closed with a thud, and not some tinny sound. Geez I realized what topic we are in, I'll see you over in the 3 series topic, the people here have been gracious in letting us post.
bunky3
The beast did well, however. Yes, the M3s and Porsches were far too nimble and fast for the big 7 but the 323s weren't nor did most 328s fare better. When the chief instructor took it out for a spin during an instructor's slot, nothing short of an M3 kept up with the beast.
The most interesting aspect of the weekend was the reaction of other drivers to seeing a big, 4300 pound sport-luxury sedan move around the track with surprising speed and agility. Every instructor who drove with me commented on how suprisingly agile and competent the car was as did many of the drivers of the little hot rods.
RX7 guy, you are wrong! The 740 Sport is a very competent automobile and can prove itself on the track. Of course, now I am wondering what it would be like in an M5.
Chris
Chris
David
Any battery problem of any kind?