BMW 7 Series Questions

[onewhippedpuppy]

Yes, I'm seriously considering going backwards for my next car. Everything that breaks is either a "convenience" system, or a system to monitor a more important system. Ever notice that important stuff doesn't break anymore, just the sensors to monitor the important stuff? Now with computers + electrical stuff, satan has us fully in his grasp. My wife's Cadillac SRX has had so many odd one-off issues that I've quit paying them any mind. I find myself lusting after E28 and E34 M5s.

[m21sniper]

I'm ok with the gizmo's until you hit the late nineties, when i stopped turning wrenches. The new stuff is mostly all greek to me now.

I hated that field. It's a good thing i didn't waste all my GI Bill money learning a field i ended up detesting.

Whoops.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

SARC, Yes, it looks very much like that. Is this one a Euro version or something? I notice it doesn't seem to have the protruding impact bumpers, those wheels look to be 16's? and it has that rear wing too.

My brother-in-law's is a 735i in light metallic blue in absolutely perfect original condition with the factory optional chrome 15" wheels. As much as his car is incredibly clean and original, I'd swap out the 15's for 16's or 17's. Some type of nicer BMW factory wheel like the ones in this photo. Also, even though I told him to have his shocks checked because I felt it rode too mushy, his wrench told him they were in great shape. Personally I'd stiffen that thing up a bunch. Too much body roll and a feeling of wallowing even for sedate street driving. Funny that you mention the HVAC because I think that is the one area he has had problems with. Do you own this gray one? It is very impressive and I agree with Matt. Some of them look a bit stodgy/piggy and some like this one just look great. Any website with many pictures of the E23's or a link?

Dan,
No it's not mine. I'm still holding out for an E28 5 series or E24 6 series to replace my E30 daily driver. This one is Euro 745 (turbocharged) with Alpina 16" rims. Always like the 7 series when they're nicely setup like this one.

Here's a link to this specfic car with more pictures:
http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/bmw/bmw_7_series_e23/8777344-2.html

Another nicely setup 745:
http://www.mcsmk8.com/745/745.htm

[onewhippedpuppy]

The 745 is a super cool car, euro only and imported by individuals in small numbers. Turbo 3.5, called the 745 because BMW figured it had the power of a 4.5L motor.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

The 745 is a super cool car, euro only and imported by individuals in small numbers. Turbo 3.5, called the 745 because BMW figured it had the power of a 4.5L motor.

Aha! This tells me you could (maybe) duplicate the 745 using the 735 as astarting point? Not legally here in California maybe but for uh..."off road purposes only?"

Going to your link Sarc. What about duplicating the tucked in bumpers? Just drill the 735 shocks the way the 944NA guys do or more to it than that? Transitional metal, etc?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Dan, 3.5L M30 turbos are pretty popular. There's a number of aftermarket kits. You can also get the 745 exhaust manifold and turbo, they seem to be reasonably easy to find. I think the real 745 might have had a lower CR and some other tweaks.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Matt,
I'm gonna check in with my brother in law. He's move to northern CA but I have a standing, "don't sell your car without giving me a shot first" order with him. Still, I worry he thinks I'm not serious and may trade it in for a pittance on a whim.

Any info on duplicating those Euro bumpers? Parts available from BMW or is it even an extensive mod to do it yourself? It looks so much better than the big clunky U.S. versions.

[Sarc]

Dan, I'm not up on E23s too much but I know for the E28 it's somewhat of an involved process. I imagine a random search on bimmerforums or even the E28board mye28.com might help since a lot of the E28 guys are also into E23s.

Good luck!

[3.2 CAB]

I have a 750iL, and it has all the bells and whistles. It still has some that I have not yet even tried to use. The body style on the E32, 3/1990 V12, Sterling Silver out, Indigo Bison leather interior and the real wood trim panels is very distinctive and elegant body trim, inside and out. Mine has about 105,000 actual mileage, and the massive V12 engine and 4spd automatic transmission just run out, as smooth as a sewing machine, but it can transform into a beast of a power plant, like a sewing machine on meth, a true beast that will surprise many, because how well it performs. You can see mid range triple digits, and still feel like you are just cruising along 70-80mph. The creature comfort levels are a big, big plus. If you happen to have one of the "good ones" the engines, transmissions, and the rest of the are not anything to be afraid of, just the normal service and up-keep. It is true that you will need some specialized tools for your BMW, but that is not any real difference when comparing it to the Porsche 911 cars. Special tools are needed for the Porsche as well. To top if off, with all of the creature comforts you can just about think of, and even though it does have a lot of muscle under the hood, and will run till it scares the crap out of you, it is still is very capable of a mid range to an excellent higher range, in the 20+MPG. I believe that, this now second owner car has found a place to live out its life. If I were to have to sum up the BMW 750iL V12 in just one word, the word would have to be AWESOME!! Good luck on your hunt for a keeper!! Tony

[chapo]

Just bought a black on black 1998 740 il from my mechanic. 180 k, new radiator , hoses, water pump, timing chains, ramps, etc, power steering hoses and pump,18" rims, new Falken tires, everything works, including the power shades, updated grill, tail lights and lower valances to 20001 look. new battery, all electrical displays, cd changer, nav system, etc work. Sunroof. All new suspension bushings and tie rod ends. $5000. Friend of my Porsche mech who restored it for his daughter who didn't want it. I drove it and it was great! Will post progress with it, love it now. For 5k I was looking at Jettas, A4s, Volvo wagons, etc. all of witch have similar problems, ( elec. auto trans) to the BMW. What the hell, we already fix a Jetta all the time!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Dan, I don't specifically know, but I know it can be done. As Sarc said, many of the E28 guys do it. My opinion, it's a must, as it makes the car go from clunky to sporty.

Patrick, you made a good buy. Lots of stuff replaced, so you know you don't have to replace it again for a while. Everything works, so there's no playing "catch up" on deferred repairs. I'd rather have a BMW like that than a low mileage one that hasn't had anything done. Like a Porsche, condition/maintenance/repairs is so much more important than mileage.

[Mike Bonkalski]

From my experience with E30 Euro bumper conversions, the rear is straight forward but the front will most likely require a euro-specific front valance. It really comes down to finding all of the right parts and bolting it together.

Part numbers for all of the pieces required can be found at realoem.com.

[trj911]

I've had BMW's continuously since '85 including 138k miles on a 733i and 145k miles on a 740iL and I rarely had a large repair bill. I would say my average yearly maint. after the warranty was up was around 1,500. I can't think of an expensive fix with the exception of a clutch in my current car. My mechanic says the most expensive ones to maintain are the v12 versions. That is one reason they can be bought cheap. My buddy bought an '07 760L for $132k and with 9k miles on the car, the dealer is offering him $62k as trade in value.

[RANDY P]

On the bumper mods- most guys drill out the bumper shocks and let the oil leak out, then push the bumper in.

A full euro conversion would likely require new fenders.

[Randy V]

My '98 740iL.

Awesome.

[chapo]

Here is the 5K 740il we just bought, see above post for info, should have checked about the premium full and synthetic oil first, oh well

[MRM]

Dudes! Those are seriously fine looking automobiles. After researching a bit and looking around, I think I am in the market for a 2001-ish 740il. What is the difference between the 740 and 750 besides the engine size? Is the extra cost worth it?

[Sarc]

Dan,
Came across this pic of a 7er that might give you some motiviation towards your future project.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Nice, but a bit too much chrome for me. I would have gone with body color door handles and shadowlined the window trim and hood trim. Sweet car though.

[Sarc]

I hear you. I think the culprit are the rims (and the clear front markers)--although I'm a fan of Style 5s, if it was my car I would have elected for 17s rather than what appears to be 18s on this car.
I'm not sure I've seen an E23 with shadowline trim, although I know E32s look great with it.