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BMW 7-Series Maintenance and Repair

831 messages,  Last post on Feb 17, 2013 at 11:00 AM

You are in the BMW 7-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 7 Series, Electrical, Engine, Sedan

Messages Page 24 of 84

#226 of 831 Purchasing 2000 740 IL by matt47

May 11, 2005 (7:44 pm)

I have had 3 BMW's. 93 5 series, 94 7 series, and a 97 5 series. Both 5 cars were excellent with no major mechanical. The 94 7 had a lot of problems.
 
I have been wanting to get back into the 7 (less mechanical problems of course than the 94 I had) and found a 2000 740IL with 55,000 miles for 21,500. I am buying it from a guy who owns a limo company and sells a handful of cars at his shop. Once I write him the check can I take it back within a few days if the car is in bad shape (I live in NC)? I plan on taking it to the local dealership and having them check it out. Is there anything I need to tell the dealer to do to give it a good bumper to bumper look so I can determine if I bought someone elses nightmare? Or can any mechanic take a look and tell me if anything will need to be repaired. I dont mind repairs down the road...I am just trying to avoid any in the next 6-12 months.
 
And from your overall experience is the 2000 740 IL the right 7 to get into or should I just break down and buy my wife the 2002 X5 and stay in my 97 5?
 
Thanks for any suggestions or help...and I am new to this service to.

#227 of 831 Re: 02' 745i A/C Problem [Mr_Shiftright] by sadone

May 12, 2005 (4:37 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 10, 2005 9:11 am)
Thanks you for your response. The vehicle is still under factory warranty and will be until 2008. BMW extended the warranty to 6 years on the 02 & 03 7 series. I just want my car. It is embarrassing to have a car like this with no A/C. Still no word from BMW of NA. LLC. They must not care either. I Should have bought another Lexus. They are more on track with customer relations. I keep you informed.

#228 of 831 Re: Purchasing 2000 740 IL [matt47] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 12, 2005 (9:44 am)

Replying to: matt47 (May 11, 2005 7:44 pm)
" Once I write him the check can I take it back within a few days if the car is in bad shape (I live in NC)? "
 
Not without prior written agreement, no. A deal's a deal unless you can prove he defrauded you or misrepresented the car in a serious and measurable way, neither of which is all that easy to do. It's difficult to unwind a car deal. You can always check with an attorney if you want to draw up some kind of agreement about returning the car. But it sounds like a lot of work. There's an easier way.
 
What you need to do is have the car thoroughly checked before you buy it, and then based on what is found, negotiate a price that will compensate you for forthcoming repairs that might have been noted on the inspection----or reject the car if there are red flags.

#229 of 831 Re: Purchasing 2000 740 IL [Mr_Shiftright] by matt47

May 12, 2005 (8:28 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 12, 2005 9:44 am)
Thank you for the response. I will take your suggestion and use it.
 
What is the best way to have the car checked? Are the online services good to use like carfax has a service for $99 they send a mechanic over to take a look or is there another method or service you are aware of?
 
Thanks again.

#230 of 831 Re: 02' 745i A/C Problem [sadone] by jndorit

May 14, 2005 (9:52 pm)

Replying to: sadone (May 09, 2005 9:23 pm)
I have a 2003 745i and while the A/C works, nothing else does. The engine failed at 6000 miles, the steering failed and had to be re-manufactured which took over 60 days, the electronics/computer has never worked - Nav system fails, premium radio speakers/stations won't work; gas sensors failed so can't tell how much gas in car etc etc. Forget about dealing with BMW USA - they have a deaf ear to any problems. I had to sue them and although they are trying to settle, they are very petty and small minded about every nickel and don't "get it" that when they sell a failed product they should have even an ounce of integrity . . . just a waste of time to talk to them. Time is better spent talking to your new lemon car lawyer . . . BTW, chief mechanics at two different BMW dealers have told me flat out that the 745 was brought to market too soon and that the car's computer system is simply not capable of handling the tasks it was designed to perform - that has been my experience - worst car I ever had.

#231 of 831 750 A/C Right Side Blows Warm. by joeo4

May 14, 2005 (11:57 pm)

I have a 1990 750il. When running the A/C, the driver side is good but the passenger side blows hot air. The guy I bought it from just had this problem repaired. They replaced the A/C control panel. This cost him $542. It worked fine when I bought it less than 30 days ago. Any suggestions?

#232 of 831 Knocking Sound at Front End by stumped2

May 15, 2005 (6:58 am)

My '98 740il makes a "knocking" sound at the front end when the car is warm and is moving. No noise when the vehicle is stopped. I posted questions here last year and was recommended to have mechanic look at control arm bushings. I've been told they look fine. Another recommendation was to look at front suspension: shocks and struts. If that is the problem, what is an approximate cost to repair? Also, 20-Amp fuse is blowing. I replace it and it blows almost immediately. This fuse controls interior lights and sunroof. Not a disaster to be without, but certainly features I'd like to have working. Mechanic did a quick look for short circuits in the interior lights, but he couldn't find anything wrong. Said it would require more time to investigate. I've got 95k miles.

#233 of 831 Re: Engine Problem - 98 740i [Mr_Shiftright]Engine problem by writeman

May 15, 2005 (8:55 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 28, 2005 10:36 am)
I recently had a 1991 735 iL with 98,000 miles on it.
 
I loved, loved this car -- it in great shape, looked great and had a great feel to it.
 
It stopped once unexpectedly on the road and the dealer said the cable connecting engine to computer got disconnected. About 3 months later, after also replacing the alternator, the car stopped on the road again while driving, this time resulting in a wreck and the car was totaled -- luckily every one was safe.
 
Is this something that just happens to this model of BMW -- would it be safe to buy another one?

#234 of 831 Re: 02' 745i A/C Problem [sadone] by smoder

May 15, 2005 (8:36 pm)

Replying to: sadone (May 09, 2005 9:23 pm)
I feel your pain. Just traded a 02 745 with 38K miles. Purchased it used with 20K drove it a year. In that time: (1) Airbag warning failure (2) Navigation system never worked well (3) Air conditioner blew warm air on driver side (4) Right Window broke (5) Rear trunk would not open properly (6) Radio Presets not working properly (7) Transmission felt strange at idle-lurched forward (8) Air seats not working correctly (9) Chime for keys would stay on for 5 minutes some times. This was all within 11 months. Loved the look and the drive, traded it in on a Lexus GS300. Had buyers remorse until while at the dealer the right door would not close and I couldn't remove the 6 cd's from the player-never had a problem before. BMW can provide all the bumper to bumper warranties they want since If the car breaks you have to deal with the crummy service-try getting a loaner car. No regrets and really enjoy the Lexus.

#235 of 831 Re: 02' 745i A/C Problem [jndorit] by sadone

May 15, 2005 (11:31 pm)

Replying to: jndorit (May 14, 2005 9:52 pm)
Thanks for your responce. It is terrible how such a high end automobile can give us so much trouble. I spoke to a BMW rep and was told with the customer loyalty program I can be credited a big $1500 towards the purchase of a new car. Wow, I almosted jumped on it! just joking. I do not see me purchasing another BMW. I am going back to Lexus. I learn from my mistakes.and you are right, it is the worst car I ever had too. Not to mention the most expensive. Shame on you BMW, you should be embarrased.

Messages Page 24 of 84

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