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BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier

1317 messages,  Last post on Sep 16, 2012 at 11:07 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 7 Series

Messages Page 117 of 133

#1155 of 1317 need some input by sure

Aug 22, 2005 (11:19 am)

I am looking at buying my business partners used 2002 745li.
It has 19 inch wheels and just about every option on it.
I have heard there are some problems with the early models of this vehical and wonder if anyone has any input.
I must admit I am an american car guy currently drive an escalade and a 2000 chrysler 300M.
I am looking to replace the chrysler but want to know how well the bmw will be in the winter and also about these flaws in the software.
looking from input from anyone good or bad.
I have been driving it for a week and like it.
It has 25,000 miles on it and is very clean.
He wants $43,000 for it.
Thanks

#1156 of 1317 Cost and Best Place for 95 740i Oil Change by 95beamer

Aug 28, 2005 (6:17 am)

I am looking to buy a 1995 740i this week. What can I expect to pay for an oil change and where? What are the acceptable oil change intervals?

#1157 of 1317 1995 95K 740i for $6,500? by 95beamer

Aug 28, 2005 (9:09 am)

I am looking at the above and it is in very good condition. I know the owner and they have had all maintenance done at the dealer. Even had the engine rebuilt by BMW at $65K as a result o fthose common engine problems. I usually don't buy older cars but thios woudl not be my ony car but I woudl expect to put $15K a year on it. How much will it cost me to maintain? Any ideas

#1158 of 1317 Re: 1995 95K 740i for $6,500? [95beamer] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 28, 2005 (9:23 am)

Replying to: 95beamer (Aug 28, 2005 9:09 am)
If you do really thorough maintenance, you should figure $100/150 a month to take care of routine maintenance and the usual expendables. This of course will be an average, some months nothing, some months $600. I would however, have this vehicle checked stem to stern by a knowledgable technician.
 
Asking price is about correct retail, no bargain but fair enough for a nice car.

#1159 of 1317 fuel octane by lobdell

Sep 06, 2005 (9:07 am)

I have a 2001 740il with the performance package. Over the labor day weekend with the gas shortage, I had to make a trip and could only buy 87 octane gas. It seemed to do OK, but I drove it very easy. Does this engine have a knock sensor that retards the timing if it senses preignition? If the timing automatically adjusts to fuel octane, is it possible that you could get better gas mileage with the high octane fuels?
 
Thanks for any comments.

#1160 of 1317 Comment and a Question 740il by xr7conv

Sep 19, 2005 (7:56 pm)

I have have always wanted a 740il and since a wreck a couple of weeks ago totaled my car I had decided to go after one. I am not wealthy and have a limited budget for car purchases. Since the wreck safety has become my NUMBER ONE concern in the next car I get. I totaled a 2001 Bonneville - it did a good job protecting me in the wreck and I am alive because of air bags - this from the doctor.
 
Anyway, I have found a 1996 740il with 133,000 miles for $9,850. This looks to be a great car. It is with the second owner who is in college and has gone to Germany for a year of school. His Dad is selling it to get him money for a car he has bought over there.
 
Car looks great and all things seem to work. The displays on the radio do not read correctly and he had replaced it once from an ebay purchase. I plan on taking it to a BMW shop for a detailed inspection. But what I read here makes me want to run away from it and all BMW 740's. Can a car that is really "great" as multiple people have said really cost so much to maintain. Is it really engineered so badly that it takes a specially trained BMW Tech to fix it. There are some really complicated cars out there that excellent mechanics are working on. How can something that is supposed to be so good and so well 'engineered' suck as bad as some of the posts say?
 
Anyway, I will ask what others have asked. Should I steer clear and forget BMW or not? I am one who maintains my cars. I also understand that this costs money as detailed by others. But if a simple brake job is $500 or more then I have questions?
 
Thanks in advance.

#1161 of 1317 Re: Comment and a Question 740il [xr7conv] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 20, 2005 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: xr7conv (Sep 19, 2005 7:56 pm)
Your question doesn't really have a simple answer, but I'll try.
 
I think with a high miles used 740 it's like this -- if it's running well and all you are doing is routine maintenance, then all is right with the world. But if something semi-serious goes wrong, EVERYTHING you fix is going to be somewhat expensive compared to a Toyota. You'll never get a 4-wheel brake job on this car for $500. More like $1,000--$1,200 (this presumes rotors)
 
As for complexity, a competent and well-trained indy shop should be able to handle a 1996 model, no problem, at least most things, but again, if one has to go deep into computer gadgetry, you may have to go to the dealer---which of course is scary ground for the used car newbie.
 
I have an equally expensive car to maintain and sometimes it hurts---you have to really really love the car to put up with the occasional big fat bill. If the idea of $150/$200 a month just in maintainence and repairs doesn't work for you, then you won't be happy with the car I don't think. But if you can handle that, with good luck that's the worst you'll face, averaged out over a few years. Most basic parts aren't too expensive...figure shocks at $100 apiece, brake pads at $60 per axle, rotors at $100 apiece, mufflers maybe $300, ignition wires $200 a set, 02 sensor $120, water pump $125. As you can see it's not a Honda Civic, but it's not a Ferrari or Porsche either. These are, of course, NOT dealer prices.
 
Also I think the asking price is too high.... $8,200 - $8,500 should be more than enough for this car, if it looks great and checks out needing nothing of any consequence. Personally, I'd be more comfortable nearer $7,000, just in case.

#1162 of 1317 Re: Comment and a Question 740il [xr7conv] by sunnboye

Sep 22, 2005 (1:21 pm)

Replying to: xr7conv (Sep 19, 2005 7:56 pm)
I picked up a 1997 740iL with 133,000 miles last month for $9500. The only issue I had was a non-mechanical one-'the hood would not open!' Otherwise the car runs as if it only had 50,000 miles (without problems). This has the upgraded 18" BMW sport rims with Michelin Pilots, car is amazing...and I don't even like BMW's.
Bought it because my wife fell in luv with the interior, the leg room is amazing, it's almost like sitting in a Limo!
Now she does not want to drive it because of the cars' size! She thinks it's way to big and powerful to handle.

#1163 of 1317 Re: Comment and a Question 740il [Mr_Shiftright] by sunnboye

Sep 22, 2005 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 20, 2005 1:57 pm)
U figure if your driving a 740iL, a car that handles like a sport car, 4.4L V8-powerful fast acceleration with the look and feel your getting, for a fraction of what the car sold for new, spending alittle would not hurt.

#1164 of 1317 Re: Comment and a Question 740il [sunnboye] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 22, 2005 (5:25 pm)

Replying to: sunnboye (Sep 22, 2005 1:26 pm)
Absolutely right! A car like this NEEDS to have some money spent on it. What I always try to tell people who want used 7 series cars is
 
a) if $150-$200 a month is a burden to you, don't buy the car and try to "play the odds" that you will be the person who spends the least per month.
 
b) have the car checked out top to bottom very very carefully. You can never come out right with an abused and neglected 7 series car.
 
Think of the 740 as a big checking account. If the previous owner wrote checks (that is, drove the car) and didn't make deposits (did all the maintenance), YOU are going to be the one going bankrupt, not him.

Messages Page 117 of 133

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