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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 69 of 133

#674 of 1317 New Guy Looking to Buy 1999 740iL Needs Help!! by pirh

Jul 20, 2002 (9:13 pm)

I would greatly appreciate some of your experienced opinions on what routine maintenance and anticipated repairs should be expected on a car like this. I am thinking the best way to go is through a BMW dealer and get the Certified Warranty, but perhaps it is not worth the additional costs. I am inclined to believe nothing should go wrong in the first 100K miles (that didn't show up fairly quick) on such a fine vehicle, but am looking for suggestions. As far as maintenance goes, what can I anticipate for routine stuff like oil changes, tire rotation, tire replacement, brake replacement, etc on something with new tires and 40K miles. $40K is quite a bit to plunk down on a used vehicle and I just want to be aware of the operational costs to expect. Thanks in advance for you responses. By the way...I think the 740IL is most likely the finest vehicle I have ever had the pleasure of driving!!! Dan

#675 of 1317 I'd like to know too! by maw1982

Jul 20, 2002 (9:26 pm)

I'd like to know the anticipated costs also. I am looking at a '96 750il with 41k miles. I think $28.5k is a great price but I just want to know what I am getting myself into.
 
BTW, does anyone look at this board. I have not gotten any responses to my post above. Can I hook up my digital cell phone to the hands-free guts of a 7-series BMW? Thanks

#676 of 1317 BMW 7 by linard

Jul 21, 2002 (10:47 am)

I have to admit, the new 7 is growing on me as a close friend just purchased a beautiful copper/bronze 745Li with chrome wheels, unfortunately, she has decided that one more problem and she will return it. In 1000 miles, she has had to return to the dealership 4 times for some niggling electrical issues. First, her check engine light came on and the dealership, Crevier BMW, did not know why it came on so they reset it. Then the computer said the airbags were malfunctioning and now her car says it has four completely flat tires when they are all within normal PSI specs and she has had another problem which I cannot think of now. None have been as severe as experienced in her previous car, a 99 Jaguar XJ8L which blew it's transmission (I guess maybe that's why they put the Benz S-Class transmission in all the supercharged 8-cyl Jags?) at 35,000 and was in the shop another 8 times for a faulty interior, an engine fan that wouldn't turn off after the engine shut off until the battery was dead, and many many other electrical and hardware issues. However, I cannot accept that an 87 grand car has had so many issue. I understand that while Hondas and Toyotas are much simpler, the price you pay for a Jag or Beemer should amount to better engineering etc. I have not met one person that fears a first year Honda or Toyota but a first year Beemer, Benz, etc? I wouldn't get one... But then again, our 525i is far from being a first year, and it has not been reliable either...

#677 of 1317 Maintenance Issues by force98

Jul 21, 2002 (3:38 pm)

First, I would never own a 740i/iL without a warranty--the CPO will defintely pay for itself, as the car is known to have some problems. A few of them are disappearing pixels in the instrument cluster and radiator neck failure (and don't use the cup holder, as it will only break). They are wonderful cars, but are VERY expensive to fix and maintain.
Other specifics:
Lube, oil, filter - depending on your location, dealer charges $50-$75. Keep in mind the car uses synthetic oil
Tire rotation - BMW does not recommend rotating the tires
Check to see if the car has had Sevice II. If not, this can cost upwards of $700.
For excellent info and great tips from great guys, go here: http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e38/

#678 of 1317 Problem possibilities w/ high mileage 740 by syoder

Jul 22, 2002 (3:04 am)

Hello. Considering '95 740iL with 123k miles. Tennessee car. What items/areas might be suspect at this age/mileage and therefore bear close scrutiny?
Thanks, Stan Yoder, Pittsburgh.

#679 of 1317 Considering trading a Cadillac for a BMW by auzivision

Jul 28, 2002 (1:34 pm)

I'm thinking about selling my 98 STS with 100K miles to pick up a 96 740 iL with 75K. It appears that I'll have to add $6K to $8K to make this happen. Does anyone have experience with both vehicles that could offer advise?
 
What are the pros and cons?
 
Here are some that immediately come to mind.
 
Pros: More room, more comfortable seats, better ride and handling
 
Cons: Slower acceleration, lesser quality sound system, dated IP, higher maintenance cost
 
How gracefully do these large BMWs age? The Cadillac at 100K is running strong and still feels fairly tight, easily has another 50k to 100K left of fairly reliable driving.
 
Bottom line, should I make this jump?

#680 of 1317 Re-design for 2003? I-drive? by kthor6

Jul 29, 2002 (2:44 pm)

Anyone have any good scoop on possible re-design for 2003? I've read so many i-drive horror stories that I feel like it might be best to wait until next year's model comes out. If so, has anyone heard that efforts have been made to work out the i-drive kinks for next year's model?
 
Also, if anyone has something positive to say about their use of i-drive I'd love to hear it. (I'm currently driving a rather low-tech Land Rover.) I'm not scared of technology at all, it's just that I have a toddler who can be distracting enough on her own!
 
Thanks for the input.

#681 of 1317 auzivision by dave203

Jul 29, 2002 (5:05 pm)

If you are looking to buy a 7 series, look at '99 and above 7-series with the Sport Package. I bought a '99 740i Sport. Buying a '96 is somewhat risky because they tend to have problems with the catalytic converters, radiator, instrument cluster etc...many of these bugs were worked out in '99 when the 740 achieved LEV status. The 740i Sport does 0-60mph in 6.1 sec per Road N Track, top speed limited to 155. Handling is totally flat, tight and stiff suspension. I have 80K miles and is still just as tight as new, rock solid, no glitches at all. These cars do not age like typical cars since they get a cataphoteric paint job with all kinds of corrosion protection and and ultra tight, stiff body.

#682 of 1317 2002 745i by sanj1

Aug 01, 2002 (7:02 am)

I bought new 745i about 3 months ago. The cars been back to the dealer 3 times. First time to get a software upgrade as the navigation system was in German. The dealer had the car for a weeks and in the end the problem was not solved. Then I began to have p[roblems with the i-Drive. In very hot weather the i-Drive shuts down........all you see is "BMW" on teh screen. In addition, the i-Drive won't work at time when you are in the phone or audio. I have to switch to another function before it'll work again. So, dealer kept the car again for over a week and I was told everything was fixed. Well, 3 days after I got it back the car was parked in the garage at work. You'll laugh at this one. The car sent a message to BMW response team and the message code was "the car has been in an accident and the airbags have been deployed". They got eight of these messages. They called my wife and created a panic. They also called the police with the street address of the parking garage. Obviously, there was no accident and when my wife called me I went out and checked the car. Tried to start the car.....it ran without a problem but guess what ..... the I didn't work. Two days later the car is in my garage at home and the Cops come knocking at my door at 1:00am asking if I own a BMW. Again, the BMW response got a message that the airbags had been deployed and the cops were called to respond to an accident and the address my street. Car was in my garage and when I got in it BMW response team responded using my phone asking " is anyone there....are you alright". Well, the car went back to the dealer the next day and its been almost 2 weeks and still haven't gotten it back. Worse of all it is clear that they are not telling me everything. They seem to be covering up. I think the safety issues they have built are a great idea if they work appropriately. If I was in a real accident and was hurt I would want the BMW response team to call the cops and emergency services. But right now my experience is becoming a nightmare.
 
I would like to say that the car drive great. I gave my my Porsche Boxter for the new 745i and I have to say love the way this luxury sedan handles. Also, its a beautiful car.

#683 of 1317 Electronics by drlickerman

Aug 01, 2002 (1:11 pm)

Have 745LI and love it, but agree with #657 that its difficult to see i drive screen and the same for the odometer &fuel reading etc. This comment is applicable to daytime hours.

Messages Page 69 of 133

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