BMW 7 E38 - good idea?

I had a 2001 740i sport. Wonderful car and fantastic highway cruiser.
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Here is my '01 IL Sport...fun in the corners & great for cruising- too bad its getting up in years and I'm ready for another sedan. The plastic drives me nuts- unfortunately I'm the chief mechanic and wifey has a 3 series...

To answer the OP I'd look for an '01 that has full screen NAV (at least in the states '00 typically half screen) and the Sport in whatever model you choose.
The intake valley is a source of leakage (antifreeze) and has likely been re-gasketed on an M62 over 75k miles...but worth a check of records.

I've done trailing arms, center steering link (annoying suspension popping noise), valve cover gaskets, radiator hoses (anticipating a failure ). Vacuum pull with dipstick removed is an indication "PCV" valve operating (I've done that too to help remedy all the oil leaks ).

There were 2 transmissions (I've read) mine is smaller of two and I change the fluid every 2 years. Drop the pan the first time to change filter and remove sludge...if someone has changed fluid at least once you may be ok...

I bought mine as I liked the body style..but had read they are a "mechanics car"...maybe the experts are right....

Lane

 

OP lives in Germany, gas is expensive. The M60 was awful in urban traffic. Around 11.5mpg.

 

Awesome, I've always loved E38s in red.

My buddy's parents had a black 740, we had a lot of fun hooning that thing.

 

I have a 1996 750iL with 34,000 km on the odo (21k miles).
Great gar. Bad mpg
12mpg on a good tollroad traffic
6mpg on Jakarta traffic

Spent quite a lot to maintain it in perfect condition.
Changed every consumables last month, including RDA slotted and dimpled brake rotors (Rotors & Drums Australia + EBC Brakes, The Big Brakes Company | Home), cool carbon brake pads (Cool Carbon Performance Brake Pads), SS braided brake lines, Alpina 20inch wheels and dual Magnaflow exhaust mufflers.
Next on the list is Mark D'Silva chip and planning to swap the final drive with 3.15:1

 

740d + 1 or go with a 730i 6sp sport package.

 

on it's best day it got that. also in smog choked cars in California are notorious for catalytic converter failures.

 

I have one of these now. Awesome car. One of the best cars ever made IMO.

 

I'm in negotiations right now via text messages for a 2001 740i Sport that I checked out in person today.

125k miles, titanium silver over grey (same exact colors as the '99 528i I've grown a little bored of after 10 yrs), clean as a whistle (well, cleaner than any whistle that's been regularly blown for 14 years has any right to be), pulls like a freight train, shifts great, everything works, no fluid leaks but needs new front control arms.

Current owner has put 15k miles on it in past year and only replaced the water pump and rear tires. No maintenance records but Autocheck report shows no accidents/floods and steady use from new (all in TX).

What would you pay?
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5k ish depending on if everything works, pixels in the obc are bad, options etc.

My current dd is the il version of same car (now my 3rd e38).
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Right on the money Pete.
It was listed for $6800, I drove it today and it felt great except for the looseness in the front.
Priced out a full Lemforder front end kit for $850; he called the "ex-BMW tech" who did the water pump for him and said he'd install it all for $300 (sounds a bit low). Then an alignment, and also needs floor mats ($150) and would do an immediate trans and brake fluid flush.
A few dead pixels but barely noticeable. The (working) 14 yr old widescreen navigation is crazy, a real blast from the past!
I know there's a guy selling modern touchscreen sat rad/nav/backup cam unit for E39s, wonder if it fits E38s.
It doesn't have heated seats (which I used all the time last winter in my minivan, but can certainly live without in TX) but not sure what other options were available. Has garage door buttons and headlight washers which I think came stock.
Folding mirrors, seat/mirror/wheel memory, cruise control, both power seats, all windows, AC, stereo (speakers crackle a bit), lights, sunroof, gauges all work fine.
Interior is virtually spotless, headliner and all pillars are fine.
Driver's seat belt retract is a bit weak.
No strange noises from power steering, didn't hear any rattling or vacuum leak sounds from engine compartment. Shocks seemed to be working ok. Brakes were strong and smooth.
Good panel gaps and all doors/trunk/hood opened and closed perfectly. Windshield rubber is a little cracked but if it's as cheap and easy to replace as the one on my 528 that's no problem. All door and window rubber is good.
2 of the M-parallels have very minor curb rash but not enough to worry about.
Tires are visually in good shape.

I texted him an offer of $5k, citing no records and ~$1500 I'd put in it right away to make safe.
He countered with $5700 as his bottom line.
I said split it at $5350.
He said he need to think about it overnight and will let me know tomorrow, which I assume means he's emailing other lowballer(s) for their final offer.

I don't want to lose it over a couple hundred bucks, but with the potentially high dollar unknowns (motor, trans, shocks) don't feel the need to splash out more than I have to.

iL rear seats are epic!!! Does yours have the fancy front seats as well?
What's your take on the 740i Sport suspension vs. the iL's non-sport?
I won't be carving up Bavarian autobahns at 100mph+ so do you think the sport suspension isn't that desirable for US (i.e. crappy Houston) roads?
The get up and go, and highway acceleration was quite nice, which is partly due to the shorter rear axle on the iSport I presume.

What happened to your other 2 E38s?

prost!
Kurt

 

Sounds on the money, hope it works out.

The sport package on the il isn't as good as the i - it doesn't get the steptronic trans,lower rear gears or the higher stall torque converter. It also gets the standard suspension, but with s-edc. I like the s-edc suspension better than the standard suspension, but not as good as the sport suspension. My car has the cold weather package so has the standard steering wheel and seats, but heated (front and rear). I don't care much about the seats, but I miss the sport steering wheel. The extra room in the back is good with two kids.

I wore the other two out basically. After they sustained some body damage they were no longer worth fixing, so when they had a mechanical issue I sold them. One with 190k,the other with 240k. I know where the sport is (sitting because the guy I sold it to lost the key), and may try to buy it back for some of the sport parts. I also have a full 6 speed setup out of a 540i I want to put in, but who knows if/when I'll have the time for that.

 

That's what I wanted to hear!
Both had their original motor and trans?
At what point did you replace the shocks, if ever?
Replacing E39 (rear) shocks is a royal PITA, luckily the ones on my E39 are (amazingly) still good at 145k, but I've recently redone the complete rear arms and front thrust arms (2nd set).

Yeah a shame they didn't at least offer 2 levels of "sport" for the iL. A M-Like limo would be incredible

I love love love the sport package on my 528 and limited my search for another E39 (540iT this time) to sport equipped ones, which are quite rare. Just such an incredible combination of comfort and control. Plus the steering wheel and sweet BBS rims. I can imagine that same suspension "magic" translates to the 7 as well as the 5.

Whoa! Funny, I belong to a facebook group of ~20 Nurburgring/BMW friends dedicated to the E39M5. I posted the E38 yesterday asking if anyone had input, and the second reply said "put a 6-speed in it!!!!"
The first reply (from the group leader, who has an M5, stock M3GT and race M3) was "Grab it!"

Make a thread for that when you get started please!

Seller hasn't got back to me yet today, but found these other two 7ers here in Houston on CL, both silver iLs with 100k that I may check out:
https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5105084571.html
** 2001 BMW 740IL **Best car on Craigslist!!

But I think all the Sport plusses outweigh those extra roomy rear seats, all else being equal. And the 2000/2001 V8s have slightly better chain guides and no nikosil of course.

 

Pete - read your previous post again, which kit are you referring to?

The full front Lemforder kit is ~$825
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-control-arm-kit-10-piece-e38-e3810piece-l

But that includes a $175 "steering center link" and $65 "steering idler arm" which may not be necessary (did you ever feel the need to replace these?)

I have all Lemforder parts on the rear of my E39 but just put Moog thrust arms on the front. They didn't look quite as refined as the Lem parts (and one of them inexplicably didn't have an allen hole in the tapered ball joint end, which made tightening up the big nyloc nut fun), so kind of regretting cheaping out over ~$100 on 2 but if I sell it soon it won't matter.

I've read that "Karlyn" parts are crap, but Meyles can be just about as good as Lemforders.

With my history of keeping BMWs I'd want to put the best suspension parts possible, and hopefully only have to have them changed out once.

Did you ever replace the radiator in any of yours? If so which one did you go for?

 

Have to respond to this. I think he was talking about another car than E38...

Yesterday it was 101F in Houston and the AC in the '01 I drove was icy and the owner hadn't even known about the "Max AC" button.

E38 (like E39) interiors have some of the highest quality materials and fitment of any car I've ever been in. Calling them "Rubbermaid" is funny

 

We have a verbal contract! 5350 + tax, title, reg and dealer fees means $6030 out the door.
Should be driving her home tomorrow PM.
Then to clean up the 528 and try to get $2500 for her....

 

Congrats on the new ride, Kurt! My friend (now alas deceased) had a 740 & it was sweet. Enjoy the new ride in good health...T

 

Thanks Tom!
Don't know when I may be up there, but if I ever make it to Dallas (or you're in Houston) would be nice to get together for a beer. The 740 is definitely a suitable car for such a road trip.
Best to you as well!
Kurt

PS here's the Ebay ad:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-7-Series-7-Series-M-Pakage-Well-Maintained-Accident-Free-/301697419312?vxp=mtr

 

It's a deal, and I'll even take the back seat in your 740. It's like a couch on wheels as I recall from my buddy Greg's whip...T

 

She definitely needs front suspension work soon but whoa.... no issues with giddy-up!
I'll pull off the front wheels and crawl underneath her this weekend to do a full exam. 4 front control arms are ~$400, add $200 if I do the steering parts as well and another $350 for shocks and mounts. Then she'll feel like new.
The AC is truly excellent, and it's fun watching the 14-year old navigation
prost!
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Nice!
T

 

Congrats on the purchase!

I don't remember the kit name, but I cheaped out. It included all of the arms and the center link and tie rods. I just replace the parts as they are needed, seem to hold up ok.

I replaced the radiator on one of them and used the 'good' brand, though I can't remember which it was at this point. To my surprise and horror, the one I pulled out was the 'good' brand as well and only 3 years old.

My current car runs straight propylene glycol,so almost no pressure in the system. Only cooling related item I've had to do on it was replace the water pump,and it was the original at 160k miles.

I did timing guides on the car that I sold with 240k miles at around 210k miles iirc. All of them had/have their original engine and trans. These are robust cars if taken care of and the shorty sporty is the best of the bunch imo, though with two kids and a dog, the room in the back seat is worth the trade off for me (dog can ride the on the floor there's so much room). They're are a couple of s62 (e39 m5) swapped cars out there that would be awesome. I've toyed with swapping for an e39 m5 but they're just too small.

 

Nice purchase. I have one the same year as yours but it's an early 2001 so it doesn't have the wide screen nav.

Couple notes:

-Oembimmerparts.com is your friend. Buy your stuff from him.

-Your front kidney grills have been replaced at some point as they should be blacked out (correspond with the Shadowline trim). A common problem is the hood buffers break so the hood won't open. People break the grills in order to get to the hood latches. This isn't necessary as you can have someone hold the hood release lever as you lift and open the hood.

Even though I just endorsed Oembimmerparts he doesn't have the grills. ECS Tuning does though. Buy a set from them.

Enjoy the car!

 

Thanks guys.

Good stuff Pete. I'd say you qualify as an E38-aholic!

Parked her in the garage over a fresh piece of cardboard last night after ~45 minute drive home (100F ambient). Just checked 24hrs later it's absolutely spotless. And yes there's oil in it
Good sign!

Gran - thanks much.
How many total miles on yours, and how many have you put on?
Any big/unusual issues?
Is your sound/nav system stock?
I'm not an audiophile but the front right speaker crackles pretty badly so they're on my short list to replace. Would be nice to have sat rad and a more modern nav but from an hour or so of searching that's not an easy or cheap swap.

I've bought from OEMbimmerparts before (also Autohausaz, Pelican Parts, FCP Euro, even Rockauto for brake rotors, pads and control arms) and know how much can be saved by shopping around on the net.

I did notice the "blingy" grills. As you can see I replaced my 528s with matte black ones about 7 years ago, but only for aesthetics.

Should the 740i Sport's be all black?
I see all kinds google imagining the car. Some have chrome around the outside and black vertical grills, some are all black matte or gloss), some have chrome verts...
Do you know which style came stock?
BMW E38 740i M62 4.4L Search SiteSearch Grille - ECS Tuning

I also need to fix the glovebox latch. Something inside it broke and it's hanging off and won't open the door. Have to lay upside down with a flashlight and set of picks and try to spring it open. New latch assemblies are over $100 but maybe I'll find a stack of 100s or a bag of white powder inside to cover the replacement cost

Here's another shot from last night, where you can see the 528's front passenger fender is a slightly difference shade of silver than the rest. Thanks to a fender bender my wife got in, and I bought a new fender off Ebay and had it painted.
The 7 is absolutely straight with amazing original paint. Other than some brittle plastics BMW really built these cars right!
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So Pete, how'd you get the "jesus bolt" out?
Massive impact wrench or 3/4" breaker bar with a 4' iron pipe?
Did you get the special tool too hold the crank pulley, or make your own?
Did you use the "proper" BMW technique to torque it back down (new bolt?): ~80ft-lb, then 60 degrees, then 30 more, then finally 30 more? or something like that....

Inquiring minds want to know