BMW 7 Series Questions

MRM · 05-12-2008, 04:30 PM

The recent threads on the 1999 to 2003 BMW 540s have been very helpful. The 5 Series is probably too small for my family of growing boys. But I have always had a fondness for the 7 Series and I've noticed that nice models around the 2000 model year seem available for about the same price as the 5 Series. Are they a good option? Are they as reliable and desirable as the 5 Series? Any years or options that are more desirable or to avoid.

There's a year 2000 740 il for sale locally with 65,000 miles for $18,500 that looks like a good deal to me. Any known defects in this era 7 Series?

onewhippedpuppy · 05-12-2008, 07:20 PM

Lots of gizmos, lots of gizmos to go wrong. They're really known for electrical gremlins, so be prepared, and buy one with everything working. Other than that, they have similar issues to the E39 like cooling systems and suspension bushings. Also, avoid the 750i, there's zero room to work in there and they cost a fortune to repair.

Danny_Ocean · 05-12-2008, 07:23 PM

A friend just paid almost $4k to have the dash (electronics) replaced on his '02 (?) 7-series. Dash is all digital...everything went blank. Not sure if this is a common issue, but that's gotta suck.

Komenda Fan · Komenda Fan's Garage

One of my coworkers has a 740il, it somehow managed to blow its engine fan apart on the highway and send the blades through the hood. Not sure how it managed that, but the damage was really neat to see....

ErVikingo · 05-13-2008, 04:09 AM

Ther's been 3 in my family with minor problems with the motors operating the vent system and the rear reclining seat mechanism (the plugs and switches fail).

Its a lot of car (especially if you get a 750iL). Dad currently drives a new 7 series and he absolutely loves it.

MRM · 05-13-2008, 04:11 AM

Aren't the 2001 and earlier models pre-IDrive? Are they still full of electrical gremlins?

onewhippedpuppy · 05-13-2008, 04:26 AM

Even the E32 (early-mid '90s) models were known for electrical issues. Each newer model got more gizmos, so more to go wrong.

If you prefer the 7 over the 5, there's nothing wrong with that. However, I seriously doubt that you can fit more people in the 7. In my E34 540, I could adjust the front seat to my liking, then sit behind it in back comfortably. I'm not small at 6 ft, and I think the E39 is bigger than the E34.

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

Study the individual year and check that all service bulletins and updates have been preformed. Great cars can drive them forever. I would stay away from 2002 through 2004 Idrive cars, 2005 on they got it together.

Rot 911 · 05-13-2008, 05:51 AM

Just got this month's issue of Bimmer magazine. The have an article on the 1977-2000 or so 6,7 and 8 seires. More details than I think anyone would ever want to know including what engines are good and what are bad. The gist of the article was that parts for them are soooo expensive that you can find most of the cars relatively cheap.

asphaltgambler · 05-13-2008, 06:46 AM

If you buy the 740 expect to spend $2500. yearly for upkeep........... average. A LOT of maintainence issues. I see a lot of our customers getting into those and I warn them. They are great cars but they WILL hurt you fellings and pocketbook when they break.

I recently had a realtor buy one and it was better than average, solidly kept up. But his NAV unit went out as well as the DME due to a short in the Thermostat (control) The final Tab was nudging 4K. I thought he was going to cry.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V

Just got this month's issue of Bimmer magazine. The have an article on the 1977-2000 or so 6,7 and 8 seires. More details than I think anyone would ever want to know including what engines are good and what are bad. The gist of the article was that parts for them are soooo expensive that you can find most of the cars relatively cheap.

I'd love to read that article. Any chance you can post a link here or scan it and upload it here?

My brother in law has an '86 735 he bought new. He's no car guy but he has it expensively detailed yearly and takes incredible care of it. I think it has about 75,000 mile on it total and I could probably get it from him for a song. Its immaculate and even though it isn't a performcne car I kinda like it for its pristine condition. Anyone know much about that era 735?

Scuba Steve · 05-13-2008, 07:01 AM

I always thought the electrical systems in those things make a 928 look like child's play. A coworker had a '98, and mostly had cooling system issues. The water pump failed, along with a fitting at the radiator. The only electrical problem I remember was a sensor with the automatic transmission going out to the tune of $1-2K.

Sarc · 05-13-2008, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I'd love to read that article. Any chance you can post a link here or scan it and upload it here?

My brother in law has an '86 735 he bought new. Anyone know much about that era 735?

Although not stocked with as many electrics as the latter versions, I think the E23s still had a complex HVAC system.

Does it look like this?

onewhippedpuppy · 05-13-2008, 07:30 AM

Really, a BMW will only be SO reliable. Personally, I'll take the odd mechanical problem over electrical ones. There's nothing more frustrating (or expensive) as trying to track down electrical gremlins.

E23s are like E28s, they can either look really good or really odd. The one above fits into the really good category.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I wouldn't even consider one without a warranty - ever.

Like Matt said, there are a lot of bells & whistles that are all difficult to keep working and expensive to keep working. Beautiful luxo cars when they're all sorted out, but having that much electrical stuff in a car inherently makes me uneasy. They can get very, very expensive very quickly.

daepp · 05-13-2008, 08:06 AM

Let's face it - all new cars have their share of electrical gremlins. They have had an exponential increase in complexity in just the last ten years - not to mention the last 20.

I think you can get great info here on PPOT, but remember it's usually anecdotal. Just keep asking about the known, standout problems, and make sure they've been dealt with before you buy, or price it right if you assume you will be HAVING to make the repair once you own it.

A little OT, but I was frightened when I read all the posts on MFI just before and after I picked up my 72. But wise old guy who worked on them for years told me that once they're set up right, they tend to function well without adjustment for a very long time. This has been my experience. But when you read a BBS like the technical one on Pelican, you are seeing the posts about people with technical problems. No one starts a post about how well they're MFI is working.

I am probably not telling you anything you don't already know, but just the same...my $.02.

onewhippedpuppy · 05-13-2008, 09:47 AM

True, but MFI isn't governed by the dark art of electricity. Valves and linkages are simple and wholesome. Electricity is the work of the devil!

daepp · 05-13-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

True, but MFI isn't governed by the dark art of electricity. Valves and linkages are simple and wholesome. Electricity is the work of the devil!

Some would certainly call MFI a dark art also, but I get your point!

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarc

Although not stocked with as many electrics as the latter versions, I think the E23s still had a complex HVAC system.

Does it look like this?

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?

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

True, but MFI isn't governed by the dark art of electricity. Valves and linkages are simple and wholesome. Electricity is the work of the devil!

And that is why I love my early '70s P-cars.

And I do love my '85 944 too (before she gets jealous), although there is enough electronics in that one to make me a little edgy at times too. . . Fortunately mid-80s technology is reasonably easy to figure out without needing a PhD in computer engineering.