2001 BMW 740iL

lightman1

Picking up a 2001 740iL tomorrow. Got a fair deal on it and the car is minty!
Do any of you knuckleheads have any insight into problems that I should look for? Mechanical, electrical etc? I know a few folks who have had the 7 series cars and so far nobody has said a bad word about them. I'll post some pics and gloat a little tomorrow. :biggrin:

VR3

http://repairpal.com/bmw-740il-2001

VR3

Dude after reading that I would run, fast from that car

RuSsMaN

Cool badge, rubbish car. Run, the other direction. You don't even want to think about getting a uboat like that.

lightman1

:eek:Oh trust me, Trey...I am aware that BMW stands for Break My Wallet. But the really cool part is that Lindas son is a BMW factory certified tech! I cook steaks, he fixes car!
The car has already had its 60000 mile service run through and all the paper work matches. It has 88500 on it now.
We'll see if the tires fly off of it when we pick it up.

lightman1

Just a thought. Do they make a gun rack that fits in the back window of that thing??

RuSsMaN

As long as you have an inside track, maybe you'll get a good one. I'll pray for your BMW tonight.

dorokusai

I love the series but haven't heard much great news about it historically. By 2001 a lot of the major problems that plagued this series were worked out but keep in mind that maint. and repair costs are higher than what you may expect.

The newer body style is more my flavor, M series and after the iDrive system was ironed out. I would run it by a BMW dealer and pay to have a serious once over performed on it by the service dept. but that's your call. Factory maint. is a serious plus when it comes to any vehicle of this caliber, so that's a real plus.

lightman1

RuSsMaN wrote: »

As long as you have an inside track, maybe you'll get a good one. I'll pray for your BMW tonight.

Thanks Russ:biggrin:
The car has been checked and double checked. I have seen folks buy a Beemer and never had the thing serviced and then cast a pox on it when it pooped the bed at 50k miles.
"Oil change? You have to change the oil?! But...But...It's a BMW!!! I thought they change the oil and filter automatically while you sleep!!!":rolleyes:

schwarcw

Good luck! I hope it works out for you.

lightman1

dorokusai wrote: »

I love the series but haven't heard much great news about it historically. By 2001 a lot of the major problems that plagued this series were worked out but keep in mind that maint. and repair costs are higher than what you may expect.

The newer body style is more my flavor, M series and after the iDrive system was ironed out. I would run it by a BMW dealer and pay to have a serious once over performed on it by the service dept. but that's your call. Factory maint. is a serious plus when it comes to any vehicle of this caliber, so that's a real plus.

Hip to that Mark.. The Bangle 7's are nice no doubt, but to me it looks like they got a little lazy in the design department when they got to the rear deck and tail portion of the car. and again..Lindas son is a BMW tech. I have steaks..He has wrenches.

timlitton

I bought a 2001 325ci brand new 10 yrs ago. It was great while it was under warranty - as BMW's at the time came with $0 maintenance for the first 50K miles. It was actually pretty good up until the last couple of years when every time I walked into the dealership I walked out $1000 poorer. Finally the cost overcame the sheer joy of driving it.

But when I got a new car in September of 2010, guess what it was? A 2011 335i X drive coupe. Absolutely amazing car. As are all BMW's - if you're on warranty or are a glutton for financial punishment.

schwarcw

I always thought the 300 Series was a good car to lease. Not too expensive, pretty maintence free for a three year lease. These are expensive cars to do maintenance. Especially when it out of your own pocket.

swegyptian

I bought a 2001 E39 a few months ago, with 64,000 miles. The car needed tires and brakes, along with a full cooling system overhaul. I bought all my parts online, and had a BMW tech do the work on the side. I finally got the last bit sorted out, and including the tires, I have spent over $4,000 to get it back to normal. I only paid around $800 in labor, the bulk was in parts. I couldn't believe the amount of stuff that a car with 64k on the clock needed.

Sherardp

I have a newer 7 series and man what a great car. So far the only problem I had was replacing the Alternator. Electrical problems seem to haunt the 7 series the most. Other than that, they run well. My 7 is pretty darn fast, when I'm on the expressway I''ll punch it just to experience the V8. Quite the thrill, but yes parts are a nightmare. If you get in trouble, check out Bimmerfest.

Edit: Oh and congrats man, nice car btw.

nadams

I would take those reviews with a grain of salt... especially stuff like this -

"I just got bought this POS car (2001 BMW 740il). I have owned a older mercedes before (300E), and it was very reliable. Just typical oil changes and brakes, radiator flush, brake flush (all as cheap to do as any other car, the mercedes was a dream really.Had 175K on it, and sold it.
Well, I decided I might want a BMW, and went and saw this car. Of course, it is drop dead gorgeous, and I took a little test-drive, It all SEEMED fine. I paid the guy a pretty cheap price, so I thought I got a good deal. WELL, today I took it to the BMW Dealer for a oil change, about an hour later they call me over, Sir, your tie-rods,bushings,ball-joints are shot. Also, you have leaks ALL around the engine. Also, your drain plug is stripped and will need a new pan and plug, gaskets of course. I said, how much to fix it all? How about $4850.00...!!!!!!!!! I said F**K you, I will just re-sell it to the next sucker. I am so pissed, I am just letting it sit in the parking lot, until my title comes in the mail. Of course this doesnt even include the bald tires I need to buy, or the cosmetic trim stuff thats missing around the car. I just want to ram this thing into a tree. I wished I would of read these reviews. I did read some, but they all complained about the sh&%tty navagation, which it is, and the cheap drink - holders that break (and mine are too). It is a Black widow, She has the looks, but when she gets u in her web, she will eat you alive.!! Hate BMW's now forever.!! RUN AWAY from this deadly beast.!! "

Err, yeah - guess you should've had a mechanic look at it before you bought it... Like ANY used car.

bigaudiofanatic

I worked on one for three weeks installing a audio system. Drive it around FAST :permission from owner" never had any problems.

sucks2beme

Welcome to cars from Europe. Look good, expensive to maintain.
And the same people call US cars "unreliable".
BMW mechanics make a very good living. My next door
neighbors son works there. As long as you know what to expect
and have a deep enough wallet, go for it.

vlam

I don't have a 7s but do have the smaller version of this bimmer.

I got my 2000 540i 3 1/2 years ago and here is my experience so far. I am the 3rd owner from this off lease vehicle with 90K miles on odometer (got it at 65K miles). They are expensive to maitain if you don't do work yourself or have a cheap mechanics.

So far, my experience has been positive since I am a car guy so I do the work myself.

Things I had to do with the 3 1/2 years ownership.

1. Oil change (pretty cheap if you do it yourself but it does use 8qts of oil)
2. Wheel bearings (front one went on me at about 80K miles)
3. Control arm bushing (not expensive part but PITA to change). I elected to replace the whole arm.
3. Brakes --> will be changing in the next few weeks (first time since I got the car)
4. Tires - 1 set of continental (about $600)

Biggest complain.. the dead pixels on the dash.

I get all my parts from Pelican Parts.

Good luck but realize that you have to pay to play and with the current gas prices..I don't drive mine as often.

billbillw

Congrats, the e38 7-series is one of the most iconic BMWs and one of my favorites along with the E39 5-series. Join Bimmerforums. Lots of insight over there.
Also, http://www.e38.org/ is good resource.

The cars are great if you stay ahead of the problems. They really are some of the best cars BMW has ever made, but they require lots of maintenance. Actually, instead of maintenance, it should be thought of as planned replacement for many of the parts. With a BMW Tech doing favors for you, it shouldn't be a problem keeping things going.

bigaudiofanatic

vlam wrote: »

I don't have a 7s but do have the smaller version of this bimmer.

I got my 2000 540i 3 1/2 years ago and here is my experience so far. I am the 3rd owner from this off lease vehicle with 90K miles on odometer (got it at 65K miles). They are expensive to maitain if you don't do work yourself or have a cheap mechanics.

So far, my experience has been positive since I am a car guy so I do the work myself.

Things I had to do with the 3 1/2 years ownership.

1. Oil change (pretty cheap if you do it yourself but it does use 8qts of oil)
2. Wheel bearings (front one went on me at about 80K miles)
3. Control arm bushing (not expensive part but PITA to change). I elected to replace the whole arm.
3. Brakes --> will be changing in the next few weeks (first time since I got the car)
4. Tires - 1 set of continental (about $600)

Biggest complain.. the dead pixels on the dash.

I get all my parts from Pelican Parts.

Good luck but realize that you have to pay to play and with the current gas prices..I don't drive mine as often.

Let me know if you want to upgrade you audio system.

amulford

Just keep up with the maintenance and it will treat you right. Understand, though that means more than change the oil. Your service intervals should be about every 30,000, don't exceed 45,000 or it will wind up being rather costly.

At 60, 000, they checked the ball joints and probably the valve clearances. You should be due for a complete brake flush, probably wheel bearings, valve and timing adjustments, etc., on your next time around. Change out the brakes then, and very carefully check out the ball joints.

Do yourself a favor and purchase a maintenance manual for it. It will help out immensely, you'll know what to look for, know tolerances and recommended replacement intervals. Plan on getting some specialized tools, you're going to need them.

If you can keep up with that, that car will last your for a long time and be a pleasure to drive. The attention to detail and tolerances are tight, so you have to keep up with it.

That thing is designed to run the Autobahn @ 150+ MPH and you still walk away from a wreck.

vlam

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

Let me know if you want to upgrade you audio system.

Upgrade an audio system for an almost 12 years old car? Thanks but I am too old for that sort of stuff. Been there, done that. At a stage of my life where a car is point A to B with a little fun..not music thumping down the road.

exalted512

Yes, because upgrading an audio system means 'music thumping down the road'...

I expect more on audio forum, guess I shouldn't.

Besides the fact that a 12 year old car thats still on the road is in more more need of an upgraded audio system than a 2011 car.
-Cody

Jstas

exalted512 wrote: »

Yes, because upgrading an audio system means 'music thumping down the road'...

I expect more on audio forum, guess I shouldn't.

Besides the fact that a 12 year old car thats still on the road is in more more need of an upgraded audio system than a 2011 car.
-Cody

Dude, you've seen baf's installs on here. If you didn't know him and looked at those pictures and other shill threads he's had, you'd think that's what he's all about as well.

xj4094dg

Congrats on a great car. If you did not have a tech in the family I would definitely pass. But, you do have one so go for it!

I was in the car service business in another life (cadillac, gmc, buick) and having an inexpensive tech makes all the difference in keeping you wheels running.

Use www.car-part.com for parts. Used parts helped me through lean times with an old Jaguar (if I did not have a Master tech available for $40.00/hr I would have sold it). Some people don't like used parts but when you think about it, ALL parts become used the day a vehicle is driven off the showroom floor. You can also save on new parts if your tech gets any employee discount.

Any pics? Good luck!

AudioGenics

I am familiar with the 740I (L is the longer wheelbase)
It is a nice vehicle.

suggest join your local chapter of the BMW Car Club BMWCCA
www.bmwcca.org

as a club member you are able to get discounts and lots of information

Good Luck !

lightman1

Black Beauty is in the stable with a clean bill of health.....:biggrin:
Stay tuned.:cool:

lightman1

AudioGenics wrote: »

I am familiar with the 740I (L is the longer wheelbase)
It is a nice vehicle.

suggest join your local chapter of the BMW Car Club BMWCCA
www.bmwcca.org

as a club member you are able to get discounts and lots of information

Good Luck !

Got my subscription to Roundel Magazine already.:cool: Couple of my buds race 3 series track cars and own a few 2002's.
now where's my wallet? There it is..........damn....it's empty!:mad:

exalted512

Jstas wrote: »

Dude, you've seen baf's installs on here. If you didn't know him and looked at those pictures and other shill threads he's had, you'd think that's what he's all about as well.

I'm not 100% sure if you're being sarcastic...but if you're not...

His BMW thread:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97760

He was installing a Focal 3-way system and (2) IDQ 12s. When I worked at the stereo shop, we wouldn't install anything less than 600 watts, and preferred 750-1000 in a BMW because the things are so damn solid, you can't hear it otherwise.

We put a 400 watt amp on in a 5 series one time and had to remove it because you literally couldn't hear it over the factory sub. So I don't call a pair of IDQ's and a focal 3-way system, both known for their sound quality, in a BMW 'thumping down the road'. It would be equivalent to a 600 watt system in any 'normal' car. Which can get loud, but not 'obnoxiously' loud. If you want obnoxiously loud, I have a RF T4k1 in the closet I'll sale you

If you were being sarcastic...I guess I need to get my meter adjusted
-Cody

ESavinon

lightman1 wrote: »

Got my subscription to Roundel Magazine already.:cool: Couple of my buds race 3 series track cars and own a few 2002's.
now where's my wallet? There it is..........damn....it's empty!:mad:

I guess you just filled it with premium gas. :biggrin: