OT: Opinions on E38 750il

[Jimbo]

I have the chance to purchase a 1998 750il with 98K miles on it for what I think is a great price. I was wondering if anyone has had any particular experience with these cars and can give me any advice on what to watch out for. The car appears to be very well maintained, and I already got a service history on it from the local dealer where it was serviced.

I know a car like this is going to be pricey to work on, and not quite as easy to DIY as on the E34, but I have been looking for a later model BMW for a few months, and if I don't get this I will probably end up with a late 90's E39.

Any opinions/comments/experiences are greatly appreciated.

[Macv]

My mother's 2000 740iL is probably the greatest driving car I've ever had the chance to drive.

IMO, the e38 is (probably) the best model BMW has came out with.

[Jimbo]

My mother's 2000 740iL is probably the greatest driving car I've ever had the chance to drive.

IMO, the e38 is (probably) the best model BMW has came out with.

I can vouch for that, this car drives like a dream and it feels much smaller and lighter than it is.

The main thing I am concerned about is whether this car will become a maintenance nightmare in the near future.

[Macv]

The main thing I am concerned about is whether this car will become a maintenance nightmare in the near future.

Unfortunately, my mothers e38 does have its fair share of problems. Nothing mechanically luckily, but many small (expensive) pieces begin to fall apart in the cabin and such. It's only got 42k on it, so if it's holding up on yours, great!

[Ross]

Fabulous engine, pre I-drive silliness, what's not to like. Get it inspected!

[J.DeFeo]

There aren't any manual e38s in the US, right? Not that I'd mind, if I were ever in the market for one. The automatic in those cars is excellent.

[TC535i]

For the love of god, don't get it. We have one, and it went to the dealership 42 times under warranty, and still remained unfixed when warranty expired.

Biggest electronic nightmares on the planet.

[Kobe Diesel]

In USA, no manual E38's in 740 or 750 versions, although UUC converted a 750 auto with a manual from an 850 (check there website - it's awesome). In Europe, I think the 728 was available with 5-speed.

Awesome car but the electrics are a nightmare. I also read somewhere that the auto tranny goes at around 120k miles.

I came close to getting one but i already have my hands full with my current BMW.

[Ferret]

Make sure you buy the added trailer option with it - the one that has fuel tanks in it. :D

I was looking at a 750 recently here, just the fuel consumption is scary when you're paying as much as we do...

[Macv]

My mothers gets better fuel economy than my 5.

And I must agree... they are wiring nightmares.

[ILoveMPower]

My mothers gets better fuel economy than my 5.

And I must agree... they are wiring nightmares.

740 vs 750 meng

[ber55ber55]

I personally have heard nothing butbad things aboutthe 750's. Old e32 and e38. mostly electronic problems. Also the car is extremely rare so if your gonna need some parts, you aint gonna find them at the yard. youll have to go strait dealer ALL the time. If you have the wallet, go for it. It is a beautiful and wonderful car.

Good luck either way.

[CharlesAFerg]

I personally have heard nothing butbad things aboutthe 750's. Old e32 and e38. mostly electronic problems. Also the car is extremely rare so if your gonna need some parts, you aint gonna find them at the yard. youll have to go strait dealer ALL the time. If you have the wallet, go for it. It is a beautiful and wonderful car.

Good luck either way.

Uh, I don't know where you're from - but the E38 and E32 750il models are fairly common in the United States.

My dad has a 740i sport and I agree w/MacV, the E38 4,4L is a great car, I don't know about the V12 though... We need more info on the specific differences when it comes to maintinence.

The 740i sport is amazing, especially compared to the iL with all of the crazy features. (steptronic and some improvements to the shifting patterns or something, suspension, shadowline, Mpars - All OEM from the factory!)
Wicked.

[TC535i]

The 750 has computer module failures left and right. It has TWO BATTERIES, and a computer dedicated to switching the charging back and forth. That thing craps out on the regular. It has HEATERS on the cats to bring them up to operating temp quicker (emissions thing, M5 has it too. big motors...). It has a computer that controls THAT. Replaced.

General module replaced 3 times. Car would drain battery, intermittently not go into sleep mode, etc etc. What a nightmare... BMW dealer wants nothing to do with it. Offered us $12k for it on trade-in for a new 7-series!!

[rreimund]

My understanding was that the 750's engine was essentially two inline-6 engines (M20s?) put together in a V. Problem was that they have duplicates of nearly every system - one for each "engine". Which sort of goes with TC535i's post about there being two batteries, etc.

That said.. the 740i Sport is dead sexy. And if it's not an E39 M5, then my E34 will be replaced with an e38 740 sport

[Jimbo]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I think I am possibly being blinded by the prospect of owning a car with such a magnificent engine and such amazing luxury (leather covering just about everything, 16 way power seats...) for a very reasonable price. The A/C on my 535i has not worked all summer, and with temperatures in the mid 90's (I'm in Kansas City) and getting hotter every day I really just want to get something newer with less to fix right away, and this 750 is actually less than many of the late 90's 528's and 328's I've been eyeing.

I have to make a decision by tomorrow, I'll keep you posted on what I decide to do...

[Jimbo]

My understanding was that the 750's engine was essentially two inline-6 engines (M20s?) put together in a V. Problem was that they have duplicates of nearly every system - one for each "engine". Which sort of goes with TC535i's post about there being two batteries, etc.


I believe the architecture of the V12 in the E32 was essentially that of two M20's joined at the crank, however the M73 in the car I'm looking at is an aluminum 5.4L, though interestingly it is still SOHC unlike the V8's and sixes from this time period. There only appears to be one battery (albeit a huge one) for this vehicle from what I can find.

[CharlesAFerg]

My understanding was that the 750's engine was essentially two inline-6 engines (M20s?) put together in a V. Problem was that they have duplicates of nearly every system - one for each "engine". Which sort of goes with TC535i's post about there being two batteries, etc.

That said.. the 740i Sport is dead sexy. And if it's not an E39 M5, then my E34 will be replaced with an e38 740 sport

Why do people keep talking about the E32 like it's the topic of this thread...? E38 740 is indeed really nice.

[TC535i]

The two batteries are on top of eachother, but the lower one is covered by a black metal shelf for the upper battery. The bottom one's even bigger than the one you see!

BTW, don't consider the purchase price the "cost of owning" this car... far from it.

[Elekta]

740i Sport with M//'s with the 4.0 alusil is a sexy beast. My brother has one with over 200k on it. It is the highway sled of all time. There are tons of iL's out there, some with really low miles on them, driven by women and neat as kitten.

750's are easy math. twice the cyl's, twice the bills. RUN

http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/features/2004/bmw-75/03-large/1999-740i.jpg

[Macv]

740 vs 750 meng

very true, didn't pay attention to the number i guess. I would choose the v8 m62 models over the v12 due the maintenance.

[markus]

my nuddy who is a BMW tech tells me they HATE working on the V12. Probly because the engine is so damn cramped. Anyway he told me whenever a 750 comes to the shop he prays he doesnt have to touch it. He also tells me BMW doesnt give out much information about working on these things either. And he is a factory trained tech.

[barry 90 525i]

i know people who have a 850 and another who has a e32 750, they both have had no problems with the engine, u should go to the 7 series page, the engines were over built, and while its true they have a lot of electronics on them, all 7 series do, the engine it self is very reliable and last up to 400,000 mile with not much work, theres always someone who gets a lemon and dont let that make up your mind, ive done a lot of research and will probably get one soon also.l

[CharlesAFerg]

740i Sport with M//'s with the 4.0 alusil is a sexy beast. My brother has one with over 200k on it. It is the highway sled of all time. There are tons of iL's out there, some with really low miles on them, driven by women and neat as kitten.

750's are easy math. twice the cyl's, twice the bills. RUN

http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/features/2004/bmw-75/03-large/1999-740i.jpg

I thought it was 4,4L - am I wrong?

[Jimbo]

So I decided not to purchase the 750. The combination of poor fuel economy, very high insurance cost and possibly astronomical maintenance costs combined
really make the cost of ownership of this vehicle a little more than I am willing to deal with right now. Hopefully someday, but not today...

[Macv]

Smart choice

[Evan]

I'd agree it's probably a wise choice you made. Our cars are almost to the point where they aren't worth spending the money necessary to keep them properly maintained for daily driving...

as a third car, however...