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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 38 of 133

#365 of 1317 1993 740i by todd60

Nov 18, 2001 (6:17 pm)

Hello folks,
 
I've never owned a BMW, but recently I came across one that has 120K miles that looks interesting. According to the current (second) owner, the car had its engine replaced in a factory recall at 80,000. Something about gas additives in the New England area harming the 4.0 Litre V8. Sounds like the car has been impeccably maintained - oil changed every 2500 miles, new water pump, brakes, and belts. Car is loaded - ABS, 6 Cd changer, etc. I've been looking at brand new V6s (Acura 3.2) and if the 4.0 Liter is a good engine and the BMW has a long life, I could pick up up for a fraction of the cost of a new 3.2 TL.
 
Owner is asking $14,900, but seems flexible. Kelly Bluebook has it $11,500 max. ANY THOUGHTS ON THE CAR'S RELIABILITY, MAINTENANCE COSTS, OR ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD BE AWARE OF??
 
Thanks!

#366 of 1317 todd60 by lenscap

Nov 19, 2001 (7:59 am)

Stick with the Acura. BMWs are known for high maintenance costs, and you're buying a car with 120,000 miles!
 
The gas additives harming the engine enough to warrant replacement seems fishy to me. Why would the additives harm the BMW engine and no other car's engine? Either the BMW engine was so bad it had to be replaced, or one of the owners (or both) did not properly maintain the car.
 
I think if you buy the BMW you are in for a LOT of extra maintainence costs, so factor that in. The Acura will probably cost less in the long run.

#367 of 1317 Engine Recalls by rmorin2

Nov 19, 2001 (7:26 pm)

BMW agreed to replace a lot of V8 engines several years ago due to a problem with the cylinder walls, I believe. The cause was related to the fuel quality in the US. Maintenance can be high on the 7 series cars but there is still nothing to compare with the driving pleasure of a BMW.

#368 of 1317 v8 replacement by dhanley

Nov 20, 2001 (5:19 pm)

The issue was this: in the U.S. we allow much more sulphur in our gas than in europe. BMW didn't account for this, and the sulphur damaged the block on quite a few cars. They extended the warranty, and replaced quite a fwe engines.
 
BMW will cost more to upkeep than acura, yes, but it's more like 30% more maybe, and you have to decide if it's worth it. I think it is. Good things cost more.
 
dave

#369 of 1317 V8 Replacement and new Acura Vs 93 BMW 7 by todd60

Nov 20, 2001 (8:46 pm)

Dave, Rmorin2, Lenscap
 
Thanks for your input! I am looking to hold the next car I buy for the long term, so I am leaning toward purchasing the new Acura. Just cannot afford the time (and $) of dragging what admittedly is a super driving machine (1993 7 Series) back to the dealership for costly maintenance.
 
Thanks again!

#370 of 1317 1995 740il catalytic convertors by ocmom

Nov 25, 2001 (9:10 pm)

Dealer wants $2400 to replace the catalytic convertors, of course using BMW parts. Does anyone know of an aftermarket maker for this? Great car, but beginning to cost money! Anyone in the So. Orange County CA area know a good BMW repair guy?

#371 of 1317 96 740iL by dave203

Nov 29, 2001 (5:31 pm)

I was looking to trade in my 95 LS400 for a 96 740iL, a car which I have wanted for a while mainly for its style and performance. I went to check out a beautiful midnight blue 740 iL. When I got in and turned the ignition I found all these electrical problems. The tachometer was dead/ did not work. Half the radio display would not light up. The passenger side window would not open. The engine sounded smooth/okay. I estimated the cost of repairing these "minor" problems at nearly $3000. I did not even check everything in the car. It is so sad to see how such a beautiful performace luxury car can have so many glitches & reliability problems. I changed my mind about a 740i. I love the styling & performance but I dont want to have this thing in the shop every month with $1500 repair bills. Unless you are a millionaire, do not buy this car out of warranty..it will bankrupt you Some of you owners know what I am talking about.
 No one wants to talk about it here, but many of us are aware of the "740 Lemon" syndrome. I was told that 740i's have at times been junked due to serious electrical problems, cost of repair being higher than the value of the car. This is also why 740's depreciate like a stone. I have given up and may instead pursue the M3, a more reliable performance car.

#372 of 1317 7 series vs. 5 series by rmorin2

Nov 29, 2001 (7:49 pm)

I have owned several BMWs including a 3 series convetible and a 5 series sedan. Isn't the 740 mechanically pretty similar to the 540, at least the engine and tranny? The 5 series are known to be pretty reliable. Why not the 7 series? I am considering a CPO 7 series in the next several months. If there are serious reliability problems, please current owners, speak up!! Thanks.

#373 of 1317 740i Repairs by sysadb

Nov 30, 2001 (9:31 am)

Dave203,
 
         I'm surprised that the car you looked at was offered for sale with all those problems, but I suppose there's no accounting for poor sales strategies. But I'm a little curious why you would look at a used 7-series if you really subscribe to the "740 Lemon Syndrome". I believe that BMW is spawning no more lemons than other luxury makes with these cars (with the exception of Lexus and Infiniti), but when these cars do have problems they can generate huge repair costs, as you mentioned. I think the cost of repairs to these cars is what alarms potential owners, more than the actual frequency of repairs.
         
          I have a 98 740i that I bought 16 months ago that had 13.6k miles on it, and it had been in service exactly 2 years. I now have 28k miles on the car and the factory warranty expires next July. Since I've had the car both headlights burned out (at different times) before the car reached 20k miles. One of the brake lights went out after a TSB was done to the car, and the other soon after - again, before the car reached 20k miles. No "electrical" problems since. The one serious failure I've had is the water pump failing at 23k miles.
 
           While these problems hardly qualify the car as a lemon, I feel they warrant the purchase of a (comprehensive) warranty service plan as the car nears the end of the factory warranty. Risk tolerance for potential repair bills varies among us, but personally I don't think I'd want to roll the dice with one of these without a warranty.
 
            But I purchased this car knowing that. As you mentioned, the resale dives quickly on these cars, so the initial cost of this car (factoring in a couple thousand more for the eventual extended warranty) still makes the car an attractive buy.
 
DB

#374 of 1317 ocmom & cats by dhanley

Nov 30, 2001 (10:03 am)

www.gapa.com lists the converters at $435 each. and there's two of them. I think a shop ought to be able to do it in 4 hours max. All told, you should be able to get both cats replaced for $1300. Maybe less, depending.
 
I sort-of agree that a 7-series is not the car to get for worry free motoring.
 
dave

Messages Page 38 of 133

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