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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
BMW E38 740I - What is costs to own one!
- Thread starter BimmerMan
- Start date
J
Jandre
Guest
Aai... Let's not get started on that GT aai.
Clatter clatter clatter
Clatter clatter clatter
Hellas
///Member
plonkster said:
Jandre said:
OK, totally going OT her (but I'm just following Jandre
)I had a Kia Cerato as a rental once and all I can say is that its like a Corolla, but less expensive. It did however cut out and refused to start after going over a motor gate on the gravel road. The rental co had to bring down another car and tow that one back... Not too fast too either, but it's a good allrounder for the missus.As for the BMW bills, it's ALWAYS a sword over a BMW driver's head when your car is out of warranty, but like LZ said, the joy of living that goes with owning such a superb car makes it worth it. Even the hunt to beat the dealership's prices when you have to DIY is always exiting!
yoginnaidoo
New member
Having owned a range of E32 and E38 740i's, I can assure you that your car was an absolute lemon, where the factory build started on a Friday afternoon and completed on the Monday morning.
BMW on the whole are NOT radically expensive cars to maintain. I am currently vying for an '01 740i with all th bells and whistles @ R120k. F@ck the motorplan
BMW on the whole are NOT radically expensive cars to maintain. I am currently vying for an '01 740i with all th bells and whistles @ R120k. F@ck the motorplan
plonkster
New member
yoginnaidoo said:
I was at Bonnerts the other day to buy a window regulator for the e46. They asked me, as a matter of interest, how much a new one is. When I said its about R2000 VAT inclusive, the sales person said he doesn't understand why, because the e46 used to be one of the cheapest models to get parts for.
But I've also discovered that a new window regulator for a Polo is about R1600. So it seems I'm just getting old... and like old people I expect prices to stay "reasonable".
CAR magazine is currently running a series of Questionnaires. They send it to various manufacturers and they query part prices. In one of the previous months they asked manufacturers how much a replacement ignition key was. Answers ranged from R380 (for the Cadillac BLS) to R3700 (for the Lexus IS250). BMW wants R1700, and Amazingly Toyota wants R2500 for a Coolla key. All VAT exclusive.
But this poses the question: Why does a replacement key cost the same as an entry level netbook? Surely it has all the same storage, development, insurance, transport, etc etc costs as other electronic devices?
Hellas
///Member
Why are the people just giving these cars away??
http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Car...m-Full-House-2002-735i-E65-W0QQAdIdZ170842221
http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Car...-2002-BMW-7SERIES-E65-735i-W0QQAdIdZ170779112
http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Car...m-Full-House-2002-735i-E65-W0QQAdIdZ170842221
http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Car...-2002-BMW-7SERIES-E65-735i-W0QQAdIdZ170779112
BimmerMan
New member
Gosh I would not touch that car with a 20 metre pole!!!
I GUARANTEE you that it is going for that price because something has failed, or about to fail. He may have had problems with the gearbox and when he took it in, BMW told him its R60 000 to fix. At 150 000KM, normal wear and tear things are going to need to be done...possibly coils, valvetronic motors, valve cover gaskets, OSV, oxygen sensors, suspension work, new coolant pipes etc...
I mean, if you get the original tyres for that car, you are looking at like R13 000!
I GUARANTEE you that it is going for that price because something has failed, or about to fail. He may have had problems with the gearbox and when he took it in, BMW told him its R60 000 to fix. At 150 000KM, normal wear and tear things are going to need to be done...possibly coils, valvetronic motors, valve cover gaskets, OSV, oxygen sensors, suspension work, new coolant pipes etc...
I mean, if you get the original tyres for that car, you are looking at like R13 000!
zaleonardz
Well-known member
Enthusiast do it yourselfer... Yes
Average Joe in the street, stay away from it
The 02 and 03's were TERRIBLE with electronics, and the V8's has that coolant pipe issue where you had to pull the motor if it started leaking.
I may regret it later, but I still LOVE my E65.
Average Joe in the street, stay away from it
The 02 and 03's were TERRIBLE with electronics, and the V8's has that coolant pipe issue where you had to pull the motor if it started leaking.
I may regret it later, but I still LOVE my E65.
zaleonardz
Well-known member
Just relooked at this thread, its now 4 months later, and I still love my E65
msm
Well-known member
zaleonardz said:Just relooked at this thread, its now 4 months later, and I still love my E65
How about sharing some info on your car - any issues. Would love to own one, but scared of the running costs as well.
Also, hyperthertically (xcuse spelling) speaking if one where to buy one out of MP, which model and motor do you think would be decent ....
zaleonardz
Well-known member
Did have an issue, and BMW decided to replace the turbo, I still say it wasnt a turbo issue, but who am I to argue with MP..
Issues on the car apart from that turbo thing has been done, car is running silk, no electronic errors.
The 730d appears to be the most reliable based on my research, and it shares "Mostly" the bits of the 330/530d, so parts are not too incompatible.
Guys in the US does not have too many complaints about them, apart from the usual BMW issues, apart from a pesky water pipe that the dealer will want to pull the motor to fix, but there are ways around it.
I dont know man, its a strong car, just avoid the 02 to 03 models, from 04 they got most of the gremlins out. I would take a 745 or a 750 in a heartbeat... 750 or an E60 M5 is my next car.
Issues on the car apart from that turbo thing has been done, car is running silk, no electronic errors.
The 730d appears to be the most reliable based on my research, and it shares "Mostly" the bits of the 330/530d, so parts are not too incompatible.
Guys in the US does not have too many complaints about them, apart from the usual BMW issues, apart from a pesky water pipe that the dealer will want to pull the motor to fix, but there are ways around it.
I dont know man, its a strong car, just avoid the 02 to 03 models, from 04 they got most of the gremlins out. I would take a 745 or a 750 in a heartbeat... 750 or an E60 M5 is my next car.
E
E38_V8
Guest
Hi BimmerMan,
Thanks for the previous posted shopping list :bawling:
I am INTENDING A PURCHASE of MY FIRST 740i E38......PLEASE ADVISE :
1. Headlamp Left lens cracked
2. Front windshield cracked
3. Radio making Gzzzzzzk noise - no sound / reception
4. Suspension front slight knock noise over bump surface when reverse
5. Rear screen net wont lower completely
Otherwise it drives really really well/
Should I buy this car at a good price?
Should I be weary of the air susupension
Should I be weary of the ZF g-box?
Should I be weary of the Engine Management?
Thanks for the previous posted shopping list :bawling:
I am INTENDING A PURCHASE of MY FIRST 740i E38......PLEASE ADVISE :
1. Headlamp Left lens cracked
2. Front windshield cracked
3. Radio making Gzzzzzzk noise - no sound / reception
4. Suspension front slight knock noise over bump surface when reverse
5. Rear screen net wont lower completely
Otherwise it drives really really well/
Should I buy this car at a good price?
Should I be weary of the air susupension
Should I be weary of the ZF g-box?
Should I be weary of the Engine Management?
zaleonardz
Well-known member
E38...
Thats kinda asking how long is a piece of string... There is no definative answer...
Should you buy it at a good price, well that depends on the car.
The M62 motor in that car is one of the finests V8's in my view, but if both heads are warped, and the gearbox has been covered in duct tape... well then... no.
Engine management is perfect as long as it does not get wet,
ZF Gearboxes (that should be the ZF 5HP24 i think) are problematic, but if the box is fine, and you give it a good service + valve body, it should be good... its a strong box
Air suspension (sure its not hydraulic ?) I would stay clear off, not many in scrap yards, so finding spares could be expensive.
Thats kinda asking how long is a piece of string... There is no definative answer...
Should you buy it at a good price, well that depends on the car.
The M62 motor in that car is one of the finests V8's in my view, but if both heads are warped, and the gearbox has been covered in duct tape... well then... no.
Engine management is perfect as long as it does not get wet,
ZF Gearboxes (that should be the ZF 5HP24 i think) are problematic, but if the box is fine, and you give it a good service + valve body, it should be good... its a strong box
Air suspension (sure its not hydraulic ?) I would stay clear off, not many in scrap yards, so finding spares could be expensive.
clutchplate
///Member
I'd rather take the one with the 5HP30 (auto box) not steptronic (5HP24) ... the 5HP30 is MUCCCHHH STRONGER !
Cyberaction
New member
I was shocked to see what you have spent on your 740i. BUT I think you gave it away when you stated that you picked it up cheap - this means that you bought a supercar (the 740i is a supercar) with problems. I drive a '98 750iL, I've had it for three years now and what an absolutely fantastic vehicle! A far better supercar than any 740i. I bought it with 128 500km on the clock, and its now done 145 000km. Here's what I have spent on it (I'm not including normal W&T items like oil changes, spark plugs, etc.):
Replaced leaking heater pipe 480-00
Replaced small suspension parts at back 749-00
That's it!
I need to replace a hydrolic pipe now and give the starter an overhaul, which I estimate will cost me around R3 500. Not bad for three years of travelling in the greatest luxury, not to mention the performance of this car!
The problem with most owners of the E38's is that they simply fail to maintain them. Any car has to be maintained, and if you cut corners, in the end it will get to you! I always let the AA check out any car that I want to buy beforehand, it costs about R1 000 but its worth it. If you had it done before you bought this dud of a 740i, it would have saved you thousands. I change the oil filter, engine oil and spark plugs on my car every 5 000km (air filters, gearbox and diff oil every 10 000km) and although it costs me a bit extra, in the long term I score a lot. My Beemer is one of the cheapest cars to maintain that I've ever had; in fact its costing me basically the same as a 525i I had a couple of years ago. Unfortunately I have to sell my 750 now, but I'll state it without reservation: its the greatest car I ever drove!
Replaced leaking heater pipe 480-00
Replaced small suspension parts at back 749-00
That's it!
I need to replace a hydrolic pipe now and give the starter an overhaul, which I estimate will cost me around R3 500. Not bad for three years of travelling in the greatest luxury, not to mention the performance of this car!
The problem with most owners of the E38's is that they simply fail to maintain them. Any car has to be maintained, and if you cut corners, in the end it will get to you! I always let the AA check out any car that I want to buy beforehand, it costs about R1 000 but its worth it. If you had it done before you bought this dud of a 740i, it would have saved you thousands. I change the oil filter, engine oil and spark plugs on my car every 5 000km (air filters, gearbox and diff oil every 10 000km) and although it costs me a bit extra, in the long term I score a lot. My Beemer is one of the cheapest cars to maintain that I've ever had; in fact its costing me basically the same as a 525i I had a couple of years ago. Unfortunately I have to sell my 750 now, but I'll state it without reservation: its the greatest car I ever drove!
