E38 Bmw 740i - experiences/advice

Kersh

Anyone got any experience or advice on owning one of these. Likely faults/problems to look for?
Would 728i be better, etc etc,,,

The 308 doesnt get much of a look in in this weather, and the Pathfinder only has 2 seats... but really I fancy a barge

Cmar-Ireland

Seriously luxurious motor. Big tax on the 4l V8, but big grins too for the noise.
The 728 is a little underpowered, but fine for regular cruising. The 4l is quick, but not really fast. But then if it's just going to be a big (very) comfy cruiser, then save a few bob and go for the 2.8

Owen

Driven both for extended periods. The 728 feels underpowered, the 4 has that wonderful v8 grumble, and has ample power to bring you to 155mph in a gentle fashion - you're going quickly, but you don't feel you are if you know what I mean.

Gumbo

the 740 has the same engine as the 4.4 X5.

V8 rumble, 286 bhp and over 320 foot pounds of torque, very effertless acceleration, and as above will take you to 155 mph comfortably.

i have no experience of the 7 series chassis, but im assuming its a big comfy tank and with that engine it will be even more special as my jeep is 2 tonnes

mick.fr

Before 1996 there was a lot of problems with the gearbox.
Very very expensive to replace on a 7 series, even outside BMW.
I remember to have seen a guy who replaced his gearbox for 6000 euros.
It was an OEM part but BMW's price with replacement was about 10k.

Anan1

Have a look at an A8 too. There's nothing like a barge that can pummel sports cars.

Kersh

I have looked at the A8... I really like the 7 series shape.., and only the E38 model.
Taxing/running either is not an issue, it wont be out a whole lot, I just want to make sure I buy right if you know what I mean.

Anan1

You really need to talk to Unkel so. I'd go for the 740, the big engine is a central part of the attraction of a car like that.

bazz26

Anan1 wrote: »

You really need to talk to Unkel so. I'd go for the 740, the big engine is a central part of the attraction of a car like that.

+1

Unkel is the man to talk to with regards the E38.

Owen

Except the V12 750, a mate bought one, and it broke his heart. Then another mate bought one, and that broke his heart too. The slightest thing was a few hundred Euro to fix.

E92

kceire wrote: »

286 bhp and over 320 foot pounds of torque,

I always thought lb ft was said "pounds feet", no? I know the Yanks call it "foot pounds" but they call aluminium "alooh-min-um" instead of "al-you-min-e-um" and they call it a "coop" instead of a "Coo-pay" for Coupé. I mean it's not ft lbs, or have I this arseways? Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm just curious:D!

Owen

Well 'Alooh-min-um' is apparently the original pronounciation of Aluminium!

E92

Any big car like an E38 needs a thorough going over by a competant technician. Those babies are not exactly cheap to fix when they go wrong. BMW's V8's are supposed to be as good as a Jap car for reliability i.e. bulletproof, but that doesn't mean they can be neglected as mistakes are very expensive to fix. It is a beautiful car, but I could see it breaking somebody's heart if they bought a lemon.

E92

ned78 wrote: »

Well 'Alooh-min-um' is apparently the original pronounciation of Aluminium!

You learn something new everyday! But how does one say lb ft? The way I think or do we copy the Yanks and pretend the symbols are in reverse? I'm so used to Top Gear talking about a car and they say it has x "torques", so I've completely forgotten plus any car person I speak to is only interested in 0-60 and bhp!

Owen

I say 'foot pounds of torque' when speaking in older terms, but these days it's all newton metres.

SouperComputer

For yourself, an E38 isnt going to be a big deal as far as maintenace is concerned. Control arm bushings wear, rads need to be replaced after 100K, intake gaskets harden. Nothing majorly compicated, or difficult just time consuming.

The 740i with the sports package would probably suit you best.

But the 750iL is nice too

Heres an older thread

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055132499&highlight=740i

unkel

Evening, gents

Starting off, I'd strongly recommend the V8 engines. Sure the V12 is superior, but do you really want to find out at what costs? The straight six is just not powerful enough and it lacks torque for a car in this class

Now that we're on the V8, I had the earlier M60 engine in my previous car. Fine engine, but if it was originally a UK car, it might suffer from the notorious "nikasil" issue. Cut a long story short, you don't want to even google it. Just go for the new M62 engine. From '96, the E38 735 (3.5l) or 740 (4.4l) have this new engine and a great engine it is!

I've owned my E38 735 for nearly 4 years now. It had 112k miles when I bought it and it has over 138k miles now. It has had only regular servicing. One electric window stopped working and I very recently had a suspension job done (cost about a grand). The current NCT is up late '09

My car is nearly 11.5 years old now. It has options that many brand new top of the range models from mainstream manufacturers still don't have. LCD TV, Nappa leather, automatic windscreen wipers, full front and back park distance control, etc.

Apart from the suspension work, typical expensive issues are the replacement of the cats (around the 100k miles mark - mine were done before I bought the car) and the dashboard instrument cluster LCD lights. Mine work on and off. Some people say it will cost €700 to fix :eek:

My car is the only E38 I have driven and my experience is probably not a great guidance. My car is substantially lowered. The brakes are uprated (bigger discs) and the suspension is tightened. And then there's the 18" 255/45 ZR 18 tyres (back) and 235/50 (front). Look great, fine on good roads, but not good at all on typical Irish country roads

Insurance. For me it is cheaper to insure my 735 V8 than to insure a 320

Finally there's fuel consumption. On longer drives I get about 30MPG but in mostly Dublin start stop traffic it's about 20MPG

unkel

E92 wrote: »

Any big car like an E38 needs a thorough going over by a competant technician. Those babies are not exactly cheap to fix when they go wrong. BMW's V8's are supposed to be as good as a Jap car for reliability i.e. bulletproof, but that doesn't mean they can be neglected as mistakes are very expensive to fix.

The best point made in this thread. Whatever you do, Kersh, make sure you have a (indy) specialist give you the green light. My green light cost me €50 from my indy. The best money I ever spent. And yeah, the M62 V8 petrol is supposed to be good for 250k miles without any issues, overhauls or anything

Andrewf20

As far as im aware, these motors have vanos units. If so they can be very expensive to replace/repair, so listen out for potential vanos rattle from the front of the engine. Youtube has a few vids on this with sound to get an idea of a wonky vanos unit. Noises like a weary vanos may in fact be a number of things, possibly a quick fix, but just keep an ear out for it. I had a ticking noise from my E36 engine front, which I thought was vanos problems, in the end though, it was a cam position senor, a 200 euro fix. Phew.

Cmar-Ireland

Unkel, Those dash lcd's may be cured by replacing a few capacitors on the instrument main board. I know thats the solution to the problem on the E34.