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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 132

#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.

#1165 of 1317 1998 BMW 740iL Rattling Noise by transporter2

Oct 20, 2005 (9:09 pm)

Hello Everyone,
 
I don't know too much about cars, but I know that something is wrong when the clicking sound and now rattling sound, is disturbing the once quiet ride. It has been getting worse over the past few months and I am wondering if that is a common problem (one of the components in my car is wearing out) or my car is loose on the bottom?
 
The sound seems as if it coming from under the driver's side door and I am wondering if that is a common problem for aging 98 740s.
 
Thank You

#1166 of 1317 should I buy? by brawnydawg

Oct 30, 2005 (5:00 am)

Have the opportunity to urchase a 97 w/ 130,000 miles. Brand new engine and just about evething under he hood was replaced. Digital reouts have missing lights on the radio part but, odometer part is OK. Needs fog light. Interior is 95% clean. Third owner. owner wants $10,500. Drives great?? Nice car, would just be a toy. Would drive only about 5000 miles per year? What do you think!?

#1167 of 1317 Re: should I buy? [brawnydawg] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 30, 2005 (11:02 am)

Replying to: brawnydawg (Oct 30, 2005 5:00 am)
This is a duplicate post but I'll give my two cents again here.
 
Pass. Too high a price, too many miles, bad history. You can buy a nice one for that without all the miles and all the history of disasters. Run, don't walk from this car.

#1168 of 1317 Comfort Access by idrivelover

Oct 30, 2005 (1:59 pm)

What are the buttons called which are located on the Comfort Access transmitter?

#1169 of 1317 Cost estimate for a Level II Inspection? by lavelle1

Nov 03, 2005 (6:50 am)

I have a 1995 740i with 208,000 miles. Bought it in Feb. 2002 w/132,000 from original owner who is a family friend and did a great job of maintaining it. My average cost of repairs per month is around $215. The car had a new engine put in around 50,000 miles.
 
Here's my question: How many miles should I expect to get out of this car? Also, I have been getting it serviced at a BMW shop but am wondering if I should look for an alternative maintenance shop to save money?
 
Last thing .... how much would you expect to pay for a Level II Inspection?

Messages Page 117 of 132

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