BMW E38 740I - What is costs to own one!

[BimmerMan]

Though I would put my costs of ownership down for anyone who is doing research on running costs for a E38 740I
This would be for a 1998 740I M62 Steptronic. These repair costs are across my ownership of 2 years doing just over 12 000KM. Current mileage is around 171 000KM.

The following list EXCLUDES normal servicing costs like fuel, filters, Spark plugs etc...

I am not saying that all of these things are going to go wrong on an E38, but here are the prices just incase it does...

These prices are a mixture of genuine BMW dealer parts and OEM parts...no knock offs or Chinese replicas!

Edit: Sorry, forgot the battery that I replaced when I bought it as it would not hold a charge for longer than a week.

 

[Jandre]

I will never ever complain about my engine rebuild again.

WOW BimmerMan, that's quite a bill my man.

 

[zaleonardz]

Parking Hell... thats rough Bimmerman

 

[freerider]

:shocked:

 

[Hellas]

And I considered a E38 or E65... Well, consider that not happening any more...

 

[BimmerMan]

It is quite a lot isnt it!!! :bawling:. I have not really sat down and worked out the amounts before now...nearly fell off my chair.

Some of those items you can look around though...like tyres and brakes...I suppose they are more general running costs than repair items and should not really be included... All other items on the list had either failed or were in the process of failing...
The Headgasket repair also included the purchase of a another head (2nd hand refurbished) and reconditioning of the other one.

I made the mistake of buying this car thinking that because it was cheap, it would be cheap to run.

 

[Leon328]

Holy Bpleep Bleep :shocked:

 

[msm]

And I considered a E38 or E65... Well, consider that not happening any more...

+1

 

[plonkster]

Coolant temp sensor for only R320. A few years ago I needed to replace one of those on a Corolla. Dealer wanted R600 for it, and the Echlin part I eventually fitted was in the region of R300. Seeing as it is the cheapest part on your list, its about the only thing that is inline

But everything else seems just a tad expensive.

What bothers me most is this. There are expensive things on that list that should last the life of the car. For example, why did you have to replace the radiator twice? Even on my own car I cannot help but notice that silly things like a window washer pump that I have NEVER had to replace on any other car (yes, I had to silicon the heck out of a Jetta once but never did the pump fail) mysteriously fails on the Beemer. I cannot help but long for my boring old ex-telkom Toyota Corolla where nothing ever leaked or broke, even when it was ten years old with 215000km on the odo.

But then I remind myself that the Corolla drove like a "bok wa" (goat wagon) and at least I have the least expensive beemer series wise...

 

[msm]

I guess that's why this site is called BMW FANATICS ...

My next luxury, reliable (boring:bawling car will be a Lexus ... oops did I say that out aloud.

 

[BimmerMan]

But everything else seems just a tad expensive.

What bothers me most is this. There are expensive things on that list that should last the life of the car. For example, why did you have to replace the radiator twice?

Hey

That is exactly the point I made in another thread. Parts for the 7 Series are stupidly expensive for no reason. You really have no choice but to buy them from the dealer because no one in Gauteng and possible SA seems to carry aftermarket parts for this car. I tried EVERYWHERE and I mean EVERYWHERE to find the rear brake discs and pads for this car. No one had them so I had to get them from the dealer...

Not sure why the radiator had to be replaced twice...manufacturing defect? It ended up failing about 2 months out of the years warranty on it. Fought with Silverton to replace it and they would not...just handed me a bill for another one stating that the pressure that these cars cooling systems are at could be the culprit. I bought another one and replaced it myself.

BTW...just to add...about 80% of that repair list was done by myself and not by a garage, so no labour costs are included in 80% of those prices...

 

[freerider]

yeah, we just stupid like this.



I know that I could drive a tazz, where nothing would ever go wrong, and I would only have to service it every 100k kms or so. But... would I want to? No.

 

[Jandre]

I am gonna hijack this thread just a little, but it bothers me that most of us, has/had to do something fairly big to our cars over the last few months. We are talking gearboxes, MAF's LCAB's engine's etc etc.

Has BMW become supercars? Supercars are notorious for breaking down, moer expensive to maintain, engines does not last 200 000 + km's and you can only drive it on a clear sunny afternoon.

Just the other day I had to book my dads E90 in for a software upgrade. It's 3 years old for heavens sake.

Am I the only one who finds this remotely alarming?

 

[clutchplate]

hmm, I've always wanted an E38.. I want an E65 badly tho, I would only buy one from dealer with motorplan that, either 745i or 750i. After driving with zaleonardz the other day I really made up my mind about it. AWESOME cars.

 

[plonkster]

Heh, this will probably get my flamed, but I am actually considering a Kia for a future vehicle. The new Cerato looks pretty darn nice (thanks to the German bloke who styled it), has decent power for a 1.6, is safe, has a big boot. And here is a hint to other manufacters: It comes with the Ipod connector for friggin free. But I'm getting seriously off-topic now. Just feeling a bit like Jandre despite not having had half the costs most of the guys here have had. I suppose it is the mere possibility of this happening that gets to me... especially with a little one on the way and currently working on reduced rates because of the recession.

 

[BimmerMan]

hmm, I've always wanted an E38.. I want an E65 badly tho, I would only buy one from dealer with motorplan that, either 745i or 750i. After driving with zaleonardz the other day I really made up my mind about it. AWESOME cars.

Hey Clutchy

I will definately have another 7 Series too(Agree they are amazing cars)...maybe an E65...but it will have to come with some sort of warranty. It really ruins the whole experience when you have to worry about finding money for the repair bills...
Saying that I must get some sort of enjoyment out of it or I would have gotten rid of it a long time ago

 

[zaleonardz]

This is why we are nuts, spend hours on some internet site daily, where other people couldnt be bothered what they drive.

But each guy has his addiction, what does a regular Golf addiction (the game, not the car) cost you a year, or the sports fans that will spend major $$$$ on gear, plane tickets... and bla bla bla.

We spend it on cars...

What you should do is buy a Tazz or something, take all your cash, invest it, and never spend it on anything nice, but then.. whats the point of living, and having passions ?

LZ

 

[CheapnNasty]

Well I don't feel too bad now with my 3 :shocked:

Well if you look at it. Not bad for a luxury car.

Let's assume if the car cost R200,000 and the repairs R80k. you get a pretty damn good luxury car for R280k. A new car with 1/5th those features costs that much.

 

[Jandre]

Hey Plonkster

I am with you on the new Kia Cerato. I too will buy the wife one of these next year. And the E36? the E36 is going nowhere. She will become my toy, I have a love/ hate relationship with that car, and will always be a BMW fanatic.

I will drive my own BMW soon, but have vowed to never, ever drive one out of Motorplan again (Daily drive). Even if this means driving an entry level model.

 

[plonkster]

What you should do is buy a Tazz or something, take all your cash, invest it, and never spend it on anything nice, but then.. whats the point of living, and having passions ?

Yup. That what I keep telling myself If you're a bit of a car nut, you should spend a little money on driving something nice.