| Author | Message | ||
| Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Intermediate Member Username: Kennyh Post Number: 1242 Registered: 8-2001 |
Thanks, you have mail too. | ||
| Dr. I. M. Ibrahim (Coachi)
Member Username: Coachi Post Number: 411 Registered: 5-2002 |
Kenny, you've got mail | ||
| Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Intermediate Member Username: Kennyh Post Number: 1238 Registered: 8-2001 |
Dr., how many miles? Mind sending me some info on the car? Thanks. -Kenny [email protected] | ||
| Dr. I. M. Ibrahim (Coachi)
Member Username: Coachi Post Number: 408 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have two 750 iL, the first one my wife is driving and is a 98. We obviously liked it enough for me to buy another a 2001 750iL. For everyday driving, there are absolutely a blast. The accelerate fairly well, they stop well, they have every imaginable accessory. My wife now is switching to a Porsche cayenne..and I have not sold her car. Asking 25 Grand for a 93 Grand car five years ago, | ||
| John A (Jarends)
Member Username: Jarends Post Number: 298 Registered: 7-2001 |
Good morning, havn't been around, just thought I'd relax and go through the posts this morning. Bruce is right, I've had nothing but trouble with the 745i. I've had it a year and a half, it was one of the first ones delivered (if not the first). BMW can't make it run right. Last month it was in the shop for two weeks, (drove around a 3 series until I told them to stuff it, put me in a five for the second week). Right now, I'm trying to cool down before going back to them. * the GPS goes out at will (usually when I need it) * The engine runs rough and the trans shifts terrible * A piece of the front seat fell off * The two back speaker rattle * Wind noise from the sun roof (closed) terrible * The automatic trunk (open and close) is starting to act up * each time they mess with the computer, I have at least one setting that goes away or changes. I had written to the pres of BMW USA, his assistent told me to bring the car back to Princeton BMW. Had it for another two weeks, have no idea what they did. The rear end is too high and backing up can be a problem. I hate the shifter (once put it in neutral and got out only to have the car take off) and will run into a tree one day working the idrive. The cell phone that comes with the car is garbage. OK, I'll stop now, feel better. Jerry, want to buy a 745?, never mind wouldn't sell to a friend. I'm trying to trade it in for an Audi A8, but I'm don't know. Hi Bruce, hey buddy, I'm still alive, just kick once and awhile to let everyone know I'm not dead. Have fun at the show on Sunday. J | ||
| Paul Bianco (Paulie_b)
Member Username: Paulie_b Post Number: 837 Registered: 1-2003 |
does anyone has any info on the new 5 series BMW coming out? | ||
| adrian low (Audionut)
Member Username: Audionut Post Number: 355 Registered: 4-2003 |
Had a 750iL for 3 years. Perfectly reliable with regular maintenance. Put about 80000 miles on the car, and bought it with 30k already on it. Other than the odd light display coming on for no reason, the car was amazing. Smooth, powerful, luxurious and still fun to drive. Would do it again in a heartbeat. The depreciation makes it a superb buy. | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 911 Registered: 6-2002 |
The E38 series (740iL and 750iL, 1995-2001) are great automobiles. Perhaps one of the best BMW has ever produced. I think they are about the best looking large sedan in recent years too. Quite beautiful, esp with the optional M-par wheels. Best! Ben. | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 984 Registered: 9-2002 |
I second Jon, at the end of the day when everything else has basicly f-ed up I always can count on my 750. The E38 is very reliable esp when compard to the e32 750iL. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Intermediate Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 1026 Registered: 8-2001 |
Jerry, Don't let all the bad news sway you. The E38's (the E65's are the new ones)are very complex cars but if they are maintained well they don't pose a lot of problems. Problem is that many people don't maintain them. I owned a 1996 750il and put nearly 80,000 trouble free miles on the car. It was a great car with a great engine. Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 www.flatoutracing.net | ||
| Jerry W. (Tork1966)
Member Username: Tork1966 Post Number: 970 Registered: 7-2001 |
Sounds to me like a real crap shoot buying these things, I think I'll stay away. Thanks for the input guys!! | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 1525 Registered: 3-2001 |
My neighbor across the street bought a new 740IL back in 99 or 00. Nothing but problems... he said that if he didn't have the warranty, it would have cost him $23,000 in service bills. He got rid of it before the warranty expired. The car had less than 40K miles. I'm told they're expensive to repair when off warranty. He dumped it for an MB. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1643 Registered: 12-2001 |
We have a 2001 740i Sport and i can't say enough nice things about this car. It is well built, is not as ugly as the Banglized 7 and, while i don't know what problems these cars may suffer from, we have had nary a problem with 35k miles from new. It is suprisingly quick given its meager 288 horses (or thereabouts) and its substantial size. It is very comfortable for city driving or long hi-way stretches. The nav system is clunky to program, but works ok; everything looks and feels pretty good inside, in terms of fit and finish. Ours is black, so with the blacked-out trim, fatter rubber and wheels that come with the Sport package, it doesn't really look like a sedate sedan, but a little more aggressive than the average non-M BMW. We got ours at WW0C here in NY which also happens to be the ferrari dealer may here have sung the praises of, and the service has been first rate, as well.These cars also depreciate like rocks, so if you could find an off lease one that has not been beaten, you might get a pretty good car for the dough. | ||
| Trevor Ely (Bmwm3n528)
Junior Member Username: Bmwm3n528 Post Number: 119 Registered: 4-2003 |
jim, the 'silver wheel/knob...' is the iDrive knob, and once you get to know the car it's actually quite nice. About the styling, I can some it up as you love it, or you hate it. Drive it and come back and talk to me about the styling  About the gas mileage, it's a V8...'nuff said. The m62 is a great motor. If it were up to me though, i'd opt for the e38 over the e65, the styling is timeless, the car just looks so civilized. Go for a 99-01 Titanium silver 740i Sport. M parallels make that car gorgeous. Trevor | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 1873 Registered: 7-2002 |
My aunt has a new 745 Li and hates it. It is like the damn space shuttle in there with all the gizmos and buttons. There is some big silver wheel/knob on the console I have no idea what it is for. Then there is the styling dispute. I bought a 2000 740iL and love it. It has some gizmos and crap that are worthless, but overall the car is solid. I prefer the styling of it vs the new 745. Only problem I have had so far is a check engine light that went away after tightening the gas cap. Oh, and it gets TERRIBLE gas mileage in town, but on the highway does great. | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Intermediate Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 1581 Registered: 8-2001 |
Sounds just like Ferraris. | ||
| John Do'h (Combover)
Junior Member Username: Combover Post Number: 124 Registered: 8-2003 |
BMW's are like a box of choclates, you never know what you're gonna get I bought a 92 750 after my friend bought a '90 750. He had no problems whatsoever, but I ended in the shop a lot. BMW has this perplexing ability to produce a flawless vehicle, but have the one right behind it on the assembly line be the biggest piece of junk. Unfortunately, you won't know untl after you've bought it whether Gunter decided to put in the full 5 1/2 hours that day. | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 982 Registered: 9-2002 |
I have a 750iL..best bargin on the market right now for a reliable V12..that costs less than quivilant v8 S500s, and after "experiancing" both, is far better IMO. And they DONT have teh issues with electronics to the degree of the new E65 7 series.  | ||
| Matthew J Germane (Mjgermane)
Junior Member Username: Mjgermane Post Number: 136 Registered: 1-2003 |
I know of a lot of 745 owners that have not had any electrical problems. I also know some owners that do have electrical problems. It seems as though the newer builds of 745 are less prone for electical problems. I have driven a 745 and it was awesome. The 6-speed automatic with the 325 horse power is a perfect match for that car. Go test drive a 745 or even a 760 and let us know what you think. | ||
| Bruce Wellington (Bws88tr)
Advanced Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 2898 Registered: 4-2002 |
THE 745IL HAS NOTHING BUT ELECTRICAL, COMPUTER, NAVIGATION PROBLEMS. JOHN ARENDS, A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE AND FELLOW F-CHATTER CANT STAND THE CAR TODD GEIGER HERE FROM F-CHAT HAS A 740 IL AND LOVES IT........ | ||
| Matthew J Germane (Mjgermane)
Junior Member Username: Mjgermane Post Number: 134 Registered: 1-2003 |
Here are a few websites that will give your a lot of the information you are looking for. http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/bmw/7series/100192657/roadtests.html?tid=edmunds.n.prices.vdpawards..0.BMW* http://www.123review.com/reviews/bmw/00_bmw_740i_summary_specs.html Hope this helps | ||
| Jerry W. (Tork1966)
Member Username: Tork1966 Post Number: 968 Registered: 7-2001 |
I'm thinking of getting one of these (2000 or newer) as I love the looks of these models. Can anyone sum up briefly the difference between the different 7 series? Are they a reliable car? How bad is maintenance? Thanks, Jerry. |