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Comments
M
M
As a result, as noted by many contributors to this thread, as well as to the 5 series thread, is that higher mileage / older Bimmers tend to require regular mechanical attention, some of it rather expensive. This characteristic is also evidenced by large amount of depreciation expense owners of new Bimmers incur; the escalating maintainence expenses associated with higher-mileage vehicles is the economic cause of the high depreciation cost. (note that once you sweep aside the marketing smoke of "depreciation rate" v. the actual dollar amount of the depreciation, the 7 and 5 series BMW suffer from rather high depreciation expense.)
In assessing the particular car that you are considering, your first action should be to find an experienced mechanic who specializes in BMWs and understands their specific maintainence requirements and deterioration characteritics. Investing a couple of hundred dollars for a through mechanical evaluation is cheap insurance. With a knowledgeable mechanic's advice, you should be able to determine if your candidate car offers both a good value and a reasonable mechanical life expectancy or if its just another candidate for the BMW Lemon web site.
You should avoid any Bimmer with the ZF automatics (the V-engined 5 & 7 series). Those cars are still subject to recall and continued mechanical adventures.
The manual transmission cars and the GM autotrans cars have reliable transmissions. Also, the manufacturing short cut that BMW took with many of its aluminum alloy blocks of deleting the pressed-in steel cylinder liners produced significant manufacturing cost reductions at the expense of manifold long-term maintainence issues. The sixes have always been BMW's forte. They are delightfully smooth powerplants that offer reasonable mechanical reliability.
The brake systems are another area of manufacturing expediency. The brakes perform very well, but they are subject to unusually high maintainence frequencies.
Be sure to check for signs of trailer towing, such as signs of trailer hitch receiver removal, wiring system modification,etc.). Unlike in Europe with its short distances and moderate climate, BMW has typically required warranty voidance if trailers are towed in North America. While the warranty issue is not relevant to you, the beyond-design-intent wear imposed upon BMWs used to tow trailers would exacerbate the car's deterioration (as per BMW-NA; speak to their consumer affairs dept if you need more info on that topic). BMWs are not Suburbans or Crown Victorias; they don't have the mechanical integrity for towing and are not intended to be mechanically stressed in that fashion.
Good luck with your search. If you're successful, you'll be delighted with a terrific car.
Thanks in advance,
maneesh
The rear chrome strip above the license plate area was standard as of 2000 model year, though not on the Sport. The part is only about $35.00 and you can apply it yourself very easily. I prefer the clean look. It looks better on the EUro models because the chrome is the length of the license plate area. The US version, has a smaller (not as wide) openeing and the chrome strip looks kinda dorky hanging off to either side I think.
Thanks for your input.
1)Mercedes S600 Sport
2)Mercedes S55
3)Mercedes S500 Sport
4)Mercedes S430 Sport
5)BMW M7 (If they made it)
Why are the 740i Sport, and the 740il, faster than the 750il? Anyway get your order in now. For further information, go to MBUSA.com.
BDOG
Thanks!
Are you sure they replaced the engine with a 4.4? Just because the short block was replaced does not mean it is the 4.4. When BMW does this under warranty the cars get new 4.0L blocks. Have the front lower control arms inspected, when the ball joints wear out the whole aluminum arm must be replaced. Make sure all of the gadgets work, spend a good half hour in a parking lot with the car. Like any premium auto the maint costs are high. I think the inspection 2 service is about $500, and the inspection 1 is about $350. Awesome cars though, this is our 4th BMW and second 7 series.
I'm considering a '95 740iL for my wife but I'm wondering about a couple of things. First, does anyone here have high miles on an E38? If so, have you found any particularly troublesome areas, such as the transmissions? Not too worried about small stuff, just the major hardware.
Next, I suppose the '95 had the original 4.0 M60 motor (same as E32 and E34). Is this correct, and if so, does anyone know for sure if these had nikasil blocks? I haven't noticed E38 owners talking about motor replacements, but then again, I've only just started paying attention to E38s.
Thanks for any input.
Dave
'91 M5
1st bmw, running lower octane gas will not HURT your car, it will retard the spark curve accordingly to avoid knock. You may lose a small amount of performance, although most people would not be able to tell. Personally I run the reccomended fuel in all of my cars, all three require premium, one of the pitfalls of buying a premium car.
According to my dealer, almost every short wheelbase model that they have sold has been a sports model so your information regarding unhappy customers is suspect. I would never go back to a standard 7 after owning this beast.
Chris
Also, whats the story on the reliability of the dot matrix for the temp readout and MID? The temp readout has already been replaced, and I lose a few pixels, it seems, every time I look at the MID. Cant BMW figure out how to make a reliable readout?
Last, any experience with maintenance at 100K or so? What should I be expecting? Unfortunately, I am familiar with the catalytic converter(s) going bad, and have the death rattle to prove it. Is there a suitable aftermarket product, or should I stick with the BMW part? Can you replace one, or should both be replaced?
Please, let me know how to find this out!
Worried Seller
P.S. I am selling him an all comprehensive 4/48,000 warranty with the car. Will that be sufficient?
This will give you all of the info on the M60 V8 and the nikasil problem. I personally feel that eventually all of these engines will develop the problem. It is caused by a chemical reaction and will affect the performance sooner or later. As for selling to a friend, as long as he/she is aware of the problem I would sell in good consience. Paying to put a new block into a lower mile car is preferable to putting it into a high mile car from a resale standpoint. Good Luck.
I love the experience and the safety of the 7 series. hope to get one and heard lots of good stuff but am concerned about the trannies and engines. I understand routine stuff have no problem with it etc. but help is appreciated.
VIKT: I checked with Warranty Gold before I bought mine and they have a nice feature where the coverage (in time) begins when you purchase their plan, instead of when the car went into service originally. The miles limitation still applies, but this works well for people that do not put a lot of miles on their car, and thus are looking for more years of coverage rather than just milage. Regards,
DB
Thanks,
BMWAaron
I am seriously looking at 1998s 740i, 749iL, and 750i. Am very interested in hearing about their perfromance/troubles (if any) from respective owners.
Thanks
p.s. any experience with BMW White Plains vs BMW Greenwich dealers?
Check this site out [url]http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/9323/new7.htm[/url]
traumagas
Rob
8*/
M
$45.900 if interested contact shannon
postmaster@bigm.win.net
What is the epitome of driving? THE BMW 7 Series.
BMW sets trends, not follows them like Mercedes or Audi. So what all you so called "Loyal BMW-Fans" are actually urging the complete disintegration of the 7 series. You are actually plotting against classic BMW design, even the Z8 encompasses classic design, whereas NONE of the new designs have any classic styling. If BMW wants to continue updating, that's fine but don't destroy the Ultimate Luxury Car. The current design commands respect and prestige. Where I live, five or six Mercedes S500 and S55s go by and no one turns their head, when a new 740iL or 750iL (2001) comes down the street, traffic stops and everyone looks. BMW can create a new design, but re-number it, keep the current design and call it the 740isL or something of that nature, S for sport. BMW has always set the trends, and Mercedes and all the other companies follow BMWs designs, BMW sets trends, not follows them.
If you agree with me, please write BMWDesign Works and express your feelings.
Thanks,
BMWAaron
Can someone give me a quick sentence on how I "teach" my beemir remote to talk to my garage door opener?