+1 very nice OEM look and modern features. It's very easy to install those and HID lights if want those features @donv . The rear sunshades your car has unlike the sport one on BaT still there is very very difficult to retrofit...I've seen it done but it's not easy whatsoever unlike lights and headunit. I like that sunshade option a lot in sunny FL as I'm not a fan of the tinted window look.
Thanks! I think the sunshade will be great in Palm Springs as well. I probably won't bother with HID lights-- most of the streets there have streetlights anyway.
Just bought an X53 X5; couldn't find an E38 in the country in good condition or with the engine I want, or years (wanted 99-01, either 735 or 740). Need to wait a good 4-6 months until my ford Raptor arrives here, will then sell and import an E38 from abroad. Needed a car quickly and with difficulty of getting around now to look at cars, then the import challenge just didn't have the time. Long story short, it has the same 4.4 as in the E38...what a lovely engine it is! So much better than the stuff in modern current cars (having driven a rental VW and KIA in the past few weeks probably didn't elevate my opinion much)
Make sure you inspect the radiator + hoses. With age the control/thrust arms start to go as well. I like 4.4 more then the 4.8 as I was really disappointed in the 4.8is’s numb steering. The 4.4 was wonderful though
I just hit the 250k mile mark on the way down to Florida this past week. She's at 251 and change now. Before I left I had the following done over the fall. -New valve cover gakets -All new ignition coils -New MAF sensor (It wasn't bad but got replaced anyway) Image Unavailable, Please Login
Radiator, hoses, and power steering pump (and maybe reservoir?) were all replaced just before I got the car. Car works great, incidentally. The little red airbag light is on, which I believe is a sensor issue. Is there an easy fix for that? Other than that, it's pretty much perfect.
Thanks! Finally picked it up a few days ago. Will check the hoses and radiator and get someone to check the arms. That's funny, I was watching videos of the 4.8 and Kinda wanted that now, but reading about the numb steering that's not what I want. Having driven the X5 for a while longer now than my initial test drive, I'm just amazed at the quality of what is a 20 year old car. It's so much better than my previous Prado, which at the time of going was 3 years old and 35K kms. My X5 has 5x the mileage and 20 years old...and it feels so much better. Regarding 4.8is, I had a little look around and seems the really nice 4.8s are same money as a newer gen E70 X5m...the latter has a nicer interior IMO and a really great engine. Seems a no brainer to me then. Very happy with the 4.4 and I think it's a keeper. It's lovely to drive, makes a great noise...and will always be a nice car to have for when family visits.
Any tire suggestions for my E38 with sport wheels (but no sport package)? I'm thinking some sort of Michelin or Continental product?
Pilot Sport 4S > Continental Extremecontact Sport Both great tires. Pilot sport's quieter. Continental cheaper but can get a little louder over time. Both reasonable life
Thanks! The Continentals seem to be more available, so that's probably what I will go with, but if I can find the Pilot Sport I will do that. I have the Continentals on my Tesla Model S, seems to be a great tire.
DO NOT BUY CONTINENTAL. I put a new set on the first year I owned the car and the rear tires barely lasted 22 thousand miles. And this was with very responsible driving. I drive this car somewhat spiritedly here and there but am very easy on it 90 percent of the time. I chose them because I remember these cars being fitted with continental new from the dealer. Since then I switched to a set of decent Yokohamas and they are outstanding. I have over 35k on these now and still have plenty of tread left on the rears.
I bought the Michelin Pilot Sports, because the Continentals weren't available. I have Continentals on my Tesla Model S, and they have been fine.
I'm assuming the wheels on the Model S are not staggered? If you are running the staggered m wheels on the 7 series then you definitely do not want continental. Michelins are nice but way too pricey for what they are IMO
My Model S does not have staggered wheels. Some do, but mine does not. My E38 does have the staggered sport wheels, even though it's not a sport version.
Is your car lowered or have worn rear ball joints? My E38 had tire wear issues fixed by a rear end refresh and alignment
I'm going to have that looked at next service (which is in a few weeks). My car is not lowered, but I don't think it has had tire wear issues either.
They were an option once you get to the final years. Some owners bought them and slapped them on there.
I'm not sure if you are talking about the E38 or the Tesla. Staggered wheels were an option from day 1 on the Tesla Model S.
I just drove my E38 about 1,000 miles over two days, and what a great car! I had the front control arms and ball joints replaced before the trip, and that along with an alignment and good new tires, and now what a fantastic driver. Because of the route I took, I could cruise most of the time from 80-120, and the car is just absolutely stable and quiet at those speeds. And I averaged 23 mpg, which is really pretty good-- and gives remarkable range.
I would love to find a mint e38 750iL. With the tray tables and foot rests..thick carpet etc. That is a lot of car for the money. Set that car on a 5 spoke "M" wheels..slightly lowered.. oh boy..what a beauty..
I kind of wish mine were a 750 (it's a 740), but honestly the little V-8 is so sweet that I don't miss the 12.
I kinda still want another with some updated engine and infotainment. It is still a timeless classic look
