Thoughts on a 89 750il

sasquatch · 12-30-2004, 01:48 PM

Hello,
Avid member of the Porsche side of these web boards but I am looking for a new daily driver as my Porsches are garage queens.

Just drove a 1989 750il at a local used car lot. Not perfect condition, but pretty decent. I have a few questions.

I am familiar with German mantainence levels as I own two Porsches and a Passat (that I will be trading in).

1. How is the 750il (V-12

) for day to day reliability? 147k on the clock, runs and drives nice and smooth.

2. Cruise control and the computer display next to the radio are inop. Simple fixes or big money?

3. Anybody drive theirs in the snow? I live in Idaho and this would be a daily driver.

4. Fuel mileage? I have no idea why I asked that, it is a V12, but just wondering.

5. At 147k on the clock, is it a time bomb or typical german and will run forever with good mantainence?

6. Is there a FAQ somewhere on the v12's in particular?

Thank you all for your time.

Jay Jobes

trj911 · trj911's Garage

Why a 750 over a 740? I have heard the mantainence on the v12's are $$$. The computer brain runs at least $400 to replace but I have no idea about cruise control costs. My guess is they were both too expensive to fix or the PO would have done it. The 750s are over engineered cars and they might need a lot of expensive mantainence. The motor itself is good but all the stuff that goes with it is now 15+ years old and will need repairs. The 750s have not held their value and are relatively inexpensive cars to buy compared to a 535 or a 735. If I was buying one, it would have to check out perfect on a PPI and even then I would have to expect repairs bills because of the age of the car.

sasquatch · 01-01-2005, 06:17 AM

Tom, thanks for the reply. I ended up buying it anyway. I have owned Porsches for years (still own two) and I do all my own work. I am quite familiar on how much service older German cars require. But usually, once I get them up to par, they are pretty decent.

The V 12 just had that exotic lure... So smooth and powerfull...

As an update. I fixed the on board computer display with a light bulb replacement. I am getting ready to go through a major service and replace all the fluids with synthetcs, bleed the brake fluid all out and flush the radiator. So far, no leaks noted and the care is running smoother and smoother each time I drive it.

Got to replace that factory radio though...

trj911 · trj911's Garage

You will love the size and power of the car. I hope it is a good one!

sasquatch · 01-02-2005, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by trj911
You will love the size and power of the car. I hope it is a good one!

Me too!

I am already in love. Looks like I have some of the worn front end bushings spoken about on various 7 series web sites. To be expected on a car of this age. Will rebuild the front end this week.

Todays project is to change the oil, transmission fluid and rear diff fluid all with good synthetics. I will change the brake fluid as well while I am in there.

Jay