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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 60 of 133

#585 of 1317 Cost by lenscap

Apr 09, 2002 (11:40 am)

For what it's worth, a few years ago I put new brakes on my 1995 ES 300, at the Lexus dealer, for about $225.
 
Since I looked at a 1995 328 before I bought the Lexus, I wanted to see what brakes would have cost on that car at the BMW dealer. It was $480.
 
This is just one example, but it does illustrate how some basic items are far more expensive on a BMW than a Lexus. Whether or not it matters is up to the individual buying the car.

#586 of 1317 Currency by wbreaux

Apr 09, 2002 (12:09 pm)

If a German company sells a car in the US for $100,000 when the exchange rate is $1.2/1Euro, it will get Euro 83,333. If the Euro weakens as it has the last couple of years such that the exchange rate is $1/1Euro, then the German company will get Euro 100,000. If the German company "thinks" in Euros it is better off as it has gotten 16,667 more Euros after the Euro weakening / $ strengthening.
 
This is a simple example of the impact of a Euro company selling products for $s. If there is some other point which is being examined, I'm not sure what it is.
 
In the examples stated in the message above, it is given that the $ went up in value against both the Euro and the Yen, however this somehow yields a benefit in one case and a detriment in the other.

#587 of 1317 wbreaux by ljflx

Apr 09, 2002 (1:00 pm)

I'm a CFO with multi-national companies so I have to deal with foreign currency all the time. It's a royal pain. In your post you've got it backwards. Foreign exchange accounting is tricky because one only tends to think in their local currency. But imagine you go to Germany to buy your car rather than the local BMW dealer. You buy from a German dealer in Euros. The car cost E$100k. A few years ago you needed $120k (US) to buy the Euros to give the dealer for the car. Today you only need about $90k(US) to buy those same Euros. That's all there is to it.
 
The reason the Japanese benefit is because their cars are priced (from Toyota) in Dollars, not in Yen. If they were priced in Yen they would suffer the same consequences.

#588 of 1317 Sales Comparisons by sysadb

Apr 09, 2002 (3:13 pm)

An earlier post listed March 02 745i sales as almost double those from March of last year. But is that double March 01 740i sales, or all 740 models? Without any further information the sales numbers would seem logical *IF* they were comparing sales of 745i models to 740i only. BMW does not have the "L" model of the 745 available yet, which adversely affects potential sales. When that model is available sales should be much stronger. In previous years sales of the 740iL far exceeded those of the 740i.
 
        However, after seeing the extra room in the rear of the 745i (vs the 740i), I think it's probable that the gap will narrow between the 745i and the L model sales, as more 745 buyers will feel that the rear room of the 745i is sufficient.

#589 of 1317 sysadb by laithy_74

Apr 09, 2002 (6:04 pm)

You are right. But the 750iL went to sale late march and about 270 were sold only. So exect sales to increase for April

#590 of 1317 by laithy_74

Apr 09, 2002 (6:05 pm)

sorry meant the 745Li, not the 750iL.

#591 of 1317 745Li Impression by jstyle

Apr 16, 2002 (3:21 pm)

I took my 2000 S500 into the dealer for service and a fix of the cup holder today and right across the street is the BMW dealer. I walked over to take another look at the 745i. I started talking to the salesman and told him I had about 3 hours until my MB was done. He showed me a new 745Li demo they have. I spent a little time with a 745i when it first came out, but he suggested I take it out for a couple of hours and drive it. After a 20min orientation I got the go ahead to take off. First a chrome piece from the A pillar to the trunk is quite striking and elegant. This isn't on the 745i. Second this car is freakin BIG. Almost Bentley size. Longer/wider and taller than my S500. It's really is a LARGE car. I really love the ride of the car. Better than my MB (sans ABC). The interior at 65mph on a bad section of my commute it is noticably quieter inside. The sound system is incredible but I've heard it before, no surprise. What I was a little surprised with was the i-drive, after getting the hang of it is easier to operate than the brief time I had before. After a couple of hours and 80 miles on the odometer I returned. Part of me thought about bringing in the S500 and walking away with a 745Li. Ah, but I still am going to wait for the next gen Audi A8 and upgraded 2003 S to make a decision.

#592 of 1317 '99 740i sport package by stacy

Apr 19, 2002 (9:51 pm)

We own this car. For those of you who want some feedback about it, it outperforms others we tested - all the competition - so we bought it new in '99. So fun, never been in more comfy seats, the il was just too boring after we drove the awesome sport package. Also got the upgraded insane stereo system - never get a car without it. However, recently a few bugs. Please help if anyone can, been to the dealer several times over this and they cannot duplicate any of these problems and say nothing is wrong.
When the car is cold (by this I mean it has not been driven for several hours) I turn on the ignition and it dies. Then it starts again and then I stop at a stop sign and it dies. This stall out happened today 3 times and freaked me. (Also have '99 Lexus - never freaked me)
Another problem, when the car has not been driven for many miles (like 3-10 miles) is that when I press the gas like after a stop light, it seems not to push the gas thru the engine and I have to press the gas again to make it go - I hope this makes sense.
Incidentally, my husband has not been super about using 92 octane, so it sometimes has been driven with 87 in it. Other than that, all maintenance has been done. However, this stalling problem only occurred since it has been using 92 exclusively for about 4 months.
Appreciate any info as both dealers indicate there is no problem with the vehicle. Thanks in advance.

#593 of 1317 by lenscap

Apr 22, 2002 (11:23 am)

Many of the photos of the 2002 745i in the brochure show the car without a sunroof. In the specs page it says a sunroof is standard, so I'm guessing the photos are of European models.
 
It's hard to believe that even in Europe the sunroof is optional.
 
Does anybody know if this is true?

#594 of 1317 99 740i Sport by dave203

Apr 22, 2002 (5:16 pm)

Stacy I have the same car but have not experienced any problems with 70K miles on the odometer. I only use super gasoline & never let the gas tank level get very low (this can clog/damage the fuel delivery system or even catalytic converters). I change the oil well before the computer calls for it and only use BMW synthetic oil. I also would perform the major service on the car (i.e. air filter, spark plugs, fluids, fuel filter etc)to make sure. The stalling definitely should not happen. A co-worker of mine also has a 99 740i Sport and it still runs/idles like new & smooth like a turbine. I would start with the cheapest areas - changing fuel filter & air filter, then perhaps reset the computer if possible on this car.
-740i Sport owner & lover
By the way I also own a 95 Lexus LS400, never a glitch as well.

Messages Page 60 of 133

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