Although I know most of you guys will probably gag :) I decided to post some pics of the new addition. So far its been mostly happy times with the occasional frustrating ones. Car has two main issues right now which we agreed with my dealer to get worked out through him once I find out how much it will cost to fix. At startup she blows a puff of white smoke, which I believe is probably valve guide seals or some such thing, and there is a little tap at idle, though recently I heard another friends 4.4L X5 and it sounds the same. Other than that, my nav system froze today, the driver door panel is not fitted to the chrome strip at the top very well anymore (I think it was pried off too hard to add the tint), and is with every other large car ive driven past 50k miles, the suspension is just about shot (front wheels give a resounding "thud" when going over bumps). Why it is that all of these big cars suffer from so many problems is beyond me, I never hear of guys with 3 series BMWs, CTS's and Focuses having so many problems.

Anyway here she is:
http://home.satx.rr.com/inebaysite/740back01.JPG
http://home.satx.rr.com/inebaysite/740front01.JPG
http://home.satx.rr.com/inebaysite/740side01.JPG

That is a nice car Ian, although not my color. When you bought it did you have a friend start it while you checked out the pipe for smoke? I suppose who would think of it with a newer vehicle.

How many miles on it?

I'm sure it's better than my Aunts 1991 735 i. They have had some suspension issues and every once in a while something in the front suspension/steering has to be tightened up. Servicing is certainly not cheap for it either! There were some electronics they had to fix in the trunk I believe, but otherwise it's driven at well above the national speed limit on the highway and never missed a beat. They have the "thud" also, and it takes bumps a little harsh compared to an American luxury car.

Does it come with the remote control that James Bond had, so you can lounge in the back seat and freak out people at the drive through? :p

That is a nice car Ian, although not my color. When you bought it did you have a friend start it while you checked out the pipe for smoke? I suppose who would think of it with a newer vehicle.

How many miles on it?

I'm sure it's better than my Aunts 1991 735 i. They have had some suspension issues and every once in a while something in the front suspension/steering has to be tightened up. Servicing is certainly not cheap for it either! There were some electronics they had to fix in the trunk I believe, but otherwise it's driven at well above the national speed limit on the highway and never missed a beat.

Well no, actually he told me about it before I went to Kansas to pick it up. The guy I deal with is real honest, and I liked the car so much, that after my long trip, I decided to roll the dice per'se and pick it up anyway since he agreed to get everything fixed up as necessary. The car has 77k on it (Ive put about 1100 miles on it so far, including the return trip) so its not out of the question for some stuff to be worn out. The previous owner had custom wheels, so I think he probably really taxed the suspension with that.

I wouldn't want to think about how much BMW might charge for servicing on the suspension! Does it have air ride, etc? Get an estimate.

I honestly don't think I would ever want a Nav system. I wouldn't have use for it unless I planned to travel across country. I'd rather have a good CD/Cass system in place.

Yeah great looking car!!!! I always liked those and me and my dad wanted to get a used one before we got the STS. I did a little research and they fall apart and can cost thousands. I read one story where the guys repair bill was 40k and took 3 months to fix. Its a high end BMW thats why it falls apart(NO OFFENSE) I don't mean to bash you. :hide: It is all those high output performance parts!

It's a beutiful car and I would no mind to have one :coolgleam

I bet that interior is awesome get us some pics of that!

great color!!!!

Yeah great looking car!!!! I always liked those and me and my dad wanted to get a used one before we got the STS. I did a little research and they fall apart and can cost thousands. I read one story where the guys repair bill was 40k and took 3 months to fix. Its a high end BMW thats why it falls apart(NO OFFENSE) I don't mean to bash you. :hide: It is all those high output performance parts!

It's a beutiful car and I would no mind to have one :coolgleam

I bet that interior is awesome get us some pics of that!

great color!!!!

No offense taken Majax, thank you for the compliments too. I absolutely agree, these things are a total nightmare if you get a bad one. Im hoping that after an initial investment, ill get it in as best of shape as can be expected, and then only set aside about 1000.00 a year for maintenance as needed. My 3 series was such a tremendously reliable and trouble free car, Im hoping this will somewhat carry on that trend. It is one of my favorite modern cars of all time, so Im willing to give it as much as I can within reason. I really think its worth the trouble.

As my dear old Dad would say... " More sh!t to break "

I would say that car is worth plunkin $1,000 into a year(if needed).

I would say that car is worth plunkin $1,000 into a year(if needed).

Hehe, well I hope it turns out better than that. I will definitely take some interior pictures here soon. I have one, but the dealer took it, and its pretty bad.

http://home.satx.rr.com/inebaysite/IMGA0021.JPG

I like the wheel and the wood is great and glossy. Is that nav screen about 4 in?

I like the wheel and the wood is great and glossy. Is that nav screen about 4 in?

Hmm... No its probably closer to six. But the REALLY nice Nav screen was on the 01 model (across the line). It was a widescreen unit that folded down to reveal the tape transport, and was transflective so it looked really good in the sunlight, although Ive never NOT been able to see this one.

Ahh, the last gen 7 series. Its already a classic, especially since BMW f-ed up the current one (stylistically and qualitywise).

Despite not being a GM product, that's a beautiful car. Just remember, they were designed for wealthy people with large maintenance budgets. $3000 a year is probably a more realistic figure.

haha, love those 7's..........................

For the 3 yrs we have owned our 3 you come to realize as a BMW owner that you just have to put of with the annoyances these so called "great" cars exude............Bosche isnt the best at electrical systems either but hey what can I say, its more reliebale then a benz.............congradualtions......ill post pics of the 3 with the caddy later.

.............congradualtions......ill post pics of the 3 with the caddy later.

Sweet, and Thanks!

nice man, this is the only BMW i ever liked. Enjoy!!!

Dang... that is sweeeet. The 740iL like yours and the 750iL Protection are actually kind of like a dream car to me. Just awesome. I like the color too.. its either that, or Titanium silver. :coolgleam

Our Catera needs to go in for a brake job soon and we're fearing the price it'll take being that its a German car as well.



Btw. Is your's the sport version or did he (original owner) just put those wheels on from a sport?


Thats a nice car you have there :yup:

Dang... that is sweeeet. The 740iL like yours and the 750iL Protection are actually kind of like a dream car to me. Just awesome. I like the color too.. its either that, or Titanium silver. :coolgleam

Our Catera needs to go in for a brake job soon and we're fearing the price it'll take being that its a German car as well.



Btw. Is your's the sport version or did he (original owner) just put those wheels on from a sport?


Thats a nice car you have there :yup:

Thank you guys! I appreciate all the comments.

To answer your Q. Jeffery, the original owner had some custom rims he didnt want to leave on it, so my dealer actually put these on for me before he sold it to me.

Since I really want a V, I had a wild haired idea. Im gonna throw this one up for sale here locally and see how she does. I got a great deal so If I can sell it and lease a V before I move, or after I move, Ill probably do that. I love the car, but I think this is my chance to break even on what I owe and finally get that V Ive been wanting for so long. Ill keep you guys posted.

Nice, russian-mafia car, always liked these... Too bad many beemers tend to give trouble after about 60k or so.

very nice rig , always been a huge fan of the 5 and 7 series till that bangle guy got ahold of them , the trunk lids he puts on reminds me of Rosie O Donnels arse

very nice rig , always been a huge fan of the 5 and 7 series till that bangle guy got ahold of them , the trunk lids he puts on reminds me of Rosie O Donnels arse

LMAO!!! YES!! :p

Make sure its not your front stabilizer links and bushings making your clunk noise before you drop big coin on front struts. One day I WILL own a BMW 850CSi.

Make sure its not your front stabilizer links and bushings making your clunk noise before you drop big coin on front struts. One day I WILL own a BMW 850CSi.

I just dropped her off at the stealership tonight, well see what they say about the suspension noise. If they bring up struts Ill ask them to check that out first. Thanks!

One of the counslers at school is looking for either a 740Il Sport or a X5 4.6is.....too of the nicest BMWs in the last 5 years.

One of the counslers at school is looking for either a 740Il Sport or a X5 4.6is.....too of the nicest BMWs in the last 5 years.

I would say go for the 4.6is X5, that is a special BMW that will probably hold good value for along time, and its hella fast. The only thing that might affect it is the fact that now they further increased displacement to 4.8.

What years did BMW offer the 4.6? I know the current offers 3.0, 4.4 and 4.8. Just curious?

I thought the early X5's were a bit problematic. Did the 4.6 have anything to do with this?

02' to 04'. It wasnt part of the early issues as far as I can remember. I think by 02 they had most of the issues ironed out. Personally, I think GM should go for the SRX-V next, rather than XLR-V. With the success of the ML55 AMG, and the 4.6is, an SRX-V would certainly be a hit, even with the LS6.

I saw it before you all did.....

I really like the styling, in fact so much I wouldnt care how much they are to replace. But ive heard the E38 is one of BMWs worse 7s... The old 7s seem to hold up pretty good.. I really like it, but later when your paying a lot for repairs, youll wished you bought an Infiniti Q45... :)

BTW, $1000 for maintenance and minor repairs is nothing..... I easliy spend that on my Q45.

I saw it before you all did.....

I really like the styling, in fact so much I wouldnt care how much they are to replace. But ive heard the E38 is one of BMWs worse 7s... The old 7s seem to hold up pretty good.. I really like it, but later when your paying a lot for repairs, youll wished you bought an Infiniti Q45... :)

BTW, $1000 for maintenance and minor repairs is nothing..... I easliy spend that on my Q45.

Well, Im hoping to get most of the issues knocked out at the beginning. If it becomes a troublesome vehicle I probably wont put up with it for too long, but I got the 1000.00 a year estimate from a guy who owns an 88' 750. I figure if hes spending that every year (or less) on a V12 with a hydraulic rear suspension, I might be able to pull that off with this one, but youre right, it could be alot more. It just depends I guess, I do see these at the dealership service aisle quite frequently, but I see the 745 quite often too. In Wichita there was a 745 or 760 (not sure anymore) that was sitting in the back with the whole engine taken out, presumably being replaced... yikes!

BUt you should still be under warranty, correct...

Become friends with the service manager and a few techs... One little tidbit that I learned is to tip the tech or service writer.. Warranty work is the stuff techs hate the most since its the low dollar stuff. If you want your stuff done right, do little things for them. Show them your someone different and appreciates good work... Donuts or just something like that..... Ask to talk to the techs and request the same ones...

Also, its good to go in the beginning of the month, since they have warranty budgets, and your most likely to tap well into that at the beginning...

Take in mind that the aprts for the 750 are very cheap... i checked, and you dont have to get BMW OEM for everything... Many of the parts are cheaper than stuff for my Q45...

Realmcenter... Suspension status estimate so far by the dealer... Control Arm bushings!! hehe, I thought so. Shes still getting looked at for the other stuff.