New Guy, '98 740iL

[David325e]

How's it going guys? Just picked up an E38 today to be my DD. Currently have an '86 F250 and an '87 Colony Park. But I need a turn-key daily for class, the gf, taking clients to houses, etc etc.

Looked at a plethora of 7's here locally, they were my dream car when I had e34's. Now that hood-rats have moved onto to newer generations, clean 7's are getting pretty cheap at local dealers.

I looked at 1doz today, but most were beat to hell. I found some blunts in the armrest cubby of a 750 haha. There was one I would have preferred instead of this. 2001, 740il, sport package, blue over dove. But it had a wreck reported in 2007. Walking up I could tell the hood was a different color, and about the same time my mother said "Well this back door is rusted."

This one actually turned out top of the pack when all was said and done. Purchased new at the BMW dealer about 5 minutes from me. Serviced there every August, serviced every March at BMW Sarasota. Traded in when it was 7yrs and 1 day old haha. Thank God for snowbirds.

Owned from '05-'10 by the same person. Traded back to the same dealer and bought 3 days later. Repossessed by that same dealer 1/09/12. Dealer I got it from purchased it in a lot of 10 on 1/12/12.

He drove this car while his AMG was being built/delivered. So the car has receipts for trans flush, Michelins, dealer service and detail from a local pro in the last month. Other than that it has a complete service record from the dealerships. Serviced every 6mos by the dealer until 2012, coolant flushed and the system doctored 4x, 2 sets of tires, small recalls, yadda yadda. 185k miles.

Unfortunately, I'm not taking delivery until Monday. Dealer has a service team with weekends off. So monday it'll have the brake fluid flushed, a detail, and new state inspection. Overall I'm pleased for $4k.

Everything functions in it. No dead pixels, AC was cold, all the glass works. I don't think it has heated seats. No NAV, just the MID display and 6 disc in trunk. I think I have a 12 disc in a spare closet at the beach house to swap in. I'll probably leave the stock stereo in place, and just use an in-line FM modulator for ipod hookup. At least until I rebuild the v8 in the station wagon I'll be using this as a commuter car, so not many projects.

I only took this picture today, phone battery and daylight were waining by the time I finished shopping. I'll go by and get some more tomorrow. Just wanted to introduce myself and start rowing through the faq's around here.

http://www.easyrideautosales.net/480_270_csupload_47265005.png?u=1315482765

[TheLadiesMan]

Welcome! :wave

[M I C H A E L]

welcome to the madness :wave may the bmw bug eat your pockets!!!!!! :P

[BobsBimmer]

Welcome here!!

[David325e]

Oh man, been there, done that since I was 13 Michael.

I've got some goodies in my possession that will work, light vht'd tails, 12 disc, motors for rear recline and headrests, possibly rear heated seat elements, and a bucket of zymol products.

So far I think it needs a leather treatment, cabin filter (or possibly resistor?) and a looooooong drive. Had an 8 hour trip coming up next weekend.

I've been over in the Ford truck world for a couple years, haven't followed the market. This was about $1500 less than comparable cars I saw. What do y'all think of the price?

[TheLadiesMan]

4K seems spot on with amount of care the car has gone through. 185K is nothing.

[David325e]

Yep, I'm excited to own an M62. The last E34 I had was an M60. Working on it made me cry but it was amazing compared to the M20 and M50 cars I had.

This car was sold in February '98, so I'm guessing late 97 build and a non vanos M62? Man I need to get my hands on and into this car before I go nuts.

And mileage is just a number when you own good tools haha. Youngest BMW I had was 168k. The M20 from my 89 525i is in a 2002 now. Nearly 600k on the original block, heads, and auto.

And yea, this is the least sketchy purchase of the 30-40 cars I've owned. Complete records, 6mo warranty, the rear foot rests are in the trunk wrapped up in plastic.

[M I C H A E L]

Yep, I'm excited to own an M62. The last E34 I had was an M60. Working on it made me cry but it was amazing compared to the M20 and M50 cars I had.

This car was sold in February '98, so I'm guessing late 97 build and a non vanos M62? Man I need to get my hands on and into this car before I go nuts.
yes, M62B44 is non vanos, 99-01 is M62TU with vanos, So you shouldn't have to worry about timing chain guide issues..


And mileage is just a number when you own good tools haha. Youngest BMW I had was 168k. The M20 from my 89 525i is in a 2002 now. Nearly 600k on the original block, heads, and auto.
WOW thats amazing, I hope to get that many on my 7 series, cant wait til the 300k mark on her!

[Mayorchuck]

Welcome here. Non vanos, yes.

[kooljess]

Welcome and beautical car you got there.

[IcemanBHE]

Welcome to the forum. :)

[kouks]

Welcome aboard. You own my exact car. Production 2/98. Although you purchased one in better condition. Arctic Silver? Mine was a lease fleet vehicle. I had to replace the M62 and rebuild the timing chains.

[wastedincome]

Welcome to our madness David. Its great to see you back around as its been awhile ;)

[David325e]

Yea Kouks, I'm quite pleased with the maintenance history on this car. I'll be the first owner who hasn't taken it to the dealer and filleted their wallet for everything including washes haha. Even the brake pads, coolant hoses, and wiper blades have factory PN's on them. Mark is familiar with the condition of most of the vehicles I've brought home haha.

I guess it's an old person thing, but seems like they compulsively replaced their wiper blades and tires. Literally every 6-12mos like my mother does.


Good to be back, Mark. Over in the Benz world no one is talkative. And seems like things are going well for you? See you've upgraded to the shogun car hah. I was reading the owners manual last night and making :( faces at the options I don't think I have.

I saw your thread about letting the wife drive. Tell me about it! Mom and the gf were shopping with me. Sitting in the car with the AC running while I checked things outside. I heard the window crack and a little voice say "we're cold :stickoutt" Positions 1-3 are already assigned for the seat. I say by the end of football road trip season I'll have 3 e38's to take care of.

[mattwa]

Welcome

[purplecty]

The way i see it is if it made it to 185k and looks that good, it was well cared for... Nice pickup, great price too...

[David325e]

Got a call today. They were draining the brakes and had her up on the lift. Went by to see it, she's clean underneath. No visible leak damage, still has paint/metal visible on some of the replaced suspensions components.


I got to take it on a ~1 mile test drive once it came down off the lift :devillook. Felt like I was driving a car for the first time all over again. One thing- the car seems to be oddly optioned, at least to me. Has lumbar and shoulder support, but I don't think the front seats are heated. But, there is a ski bag pass-thru. Who knows. I'll probably sleep in this car the first few nights, so I'll make a comprehensive list then.

Grabbed a couple more teaser shots. She needs a roundel for the front right wheel, wiper blades, and the fluid nozzles cleaned. Drove through a sprinkler and the water on the paint and glass beaded right up.

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/David325e/98%20740il/IMG_1032.jpg

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/David325e/98%20740il/IMG_2051.jpg

[David325e]

Brought the car home yesterday evening. All I can say is :eek::devillook:stickoutt

Already put a couple hundred miles on it and hit an indicated 120mph.

Everything works well, the ash tray on the left rear door needs a latch, and the glove box latch needs typical repairs. Still getting used to the DSP and tuning my preset eq's. I have one that's perfect for the music I listen to, but the talk radio still has an echo. Might just live with it.

Went to the DMV this morning. I was able to get "DAVE38" plates. Also removed both cabin filters. New ones are in the mail, I added a pic of them. The air was still blowing weak after taking them out, then all of the sudden it doubled in power. I guess there was dirt blockage somewhere that I disturbed. It still won't rustle your shirt or hair on high. So I'll pull the blower and resistor and test them. And vacuum the ducts. But still, it's cold enough that 4 adults were comfortable heading about 2hrs one way.

The car has all of it's original paperwork with it. Unfortunately there's no service records. From background checks and confirming part numbers I can confirm that the major and problem parts have all been replaced with BMW parts. Car is pretty low optioned. Oh well, I'll either add to it, or give this one to my mother and buy a high line :devillook.

Here's what the lot sticker lists as not standard equipment: PDC, Powered rear shade, rear side airbags, and Premium sound/DSP.

From what I see the following need repair: back left ash tray, airflow, glove box latch, and the back right quarter shade does not retract.


http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/David325e/98%20740il/IMG_8505.jpg

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/David325e/98%20740il/IMG_3305.jpg

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/David325e/98%20740il/IMG_7489.jpg

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/David325e/98%20740il/IMG_3629.jpg

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/David325e/98%20740il/IMG_4586.jpg

[Mayorchuck]

Be sure to check the cabin filters up under the dash. They will often cause flow issues.

[Grantnz]

Welcome to the forum. You have a nice car there.

The dealers that did the services may be able to give you a printout of their record of it.

[zaherr]

Brought the car home yesterday evening. All I can say is :eek::devillook:stickoutt

Already put a couple hundred miles on it and hit an indicated 120mph.

Everything works well, the ash tray on the left rear door needs a latch, and the glove box latch needs typical repairs. Still getting used to the DSP and tuning my preset eq's. I have one that's perfect for the music I listen to, but the talk radio still has an echo. Might just live with it.

Went to the DMV this morning. I was able to get "DAVE38" plates. Also removed both cabin filters. New ones are in the mail, I added a pic of them. The air was still blowing weak after taking them out, then all of the sudden it doubled in power. I guess there was dirt blockage somewhere that I disturbed. It still won't rustle your shirt or hair on high. So I'll pull the blower and resistor and test them. And vacuum the ducts. But still, it's cold enough that 4 adults were comfortable heading about 2hrs one way.

The car has all of it's original paperwork with it. Unfortunately there's no service records. From background checks and confirming part numbers I can confirm that the major and problem parts have all been replaced with BMW parts. Car is pretty low optioned. Oh well, I'll either add to it, or give this one to my mother and buy a high line :devillook.

Here's what the lot sticker lists as not standard equipment: PDC, Powered rear shade, rear side airbags, and Premium sound/DSP.

From what I see the following need repair: back left ash tray, airflow, glove box latch, and the back right quarter shade does not retract.



if iam buying another E38 the first thing i will look at is the timing chain everything else is it easy to fix

[wastedincome]

Looking good David. I'm not a fan of the color but she looks clean ;) I have a 4:3 screen set up if your ever looking to convert. The e38's are such a highway queen that never give up, lol. Its SO strange jumping between the e30,e34&e38. I've put more miles on the e38 compared to time owned then the others

[David325e]

Looking good David. I'm not a fan of the color but she looks clean ;) I have a 4:3 screen set up if your ever looking to convert. The e38's are such a highway queen that never give up, lol. Its SO strange jumping between the e30,e34&e38. I've put more miles on the e38 compared to time owned then the others

The color is growing on me. Doesn't show dirt like my white and black cars have, and doesn't get hot either. Plus in general I love the car so much. If it ever needs paint I will be going with one of the bright, medium blues.

You should drive an M20 e34 and an M60 e34 back to back. Like going from my '86 work truck to the e38. And I'd love to explore that highline!


if iam buying another E38 the first thing i will look at is the timing chain everything else is it easy to fix

From what I've seen my M62 is NV and has an air cooled alternator? Certainly hope both are true.


Welcome to the forum. You have a nice car there.

The dealers that did the services may be able to give you a printout of their record of it.

Many thanks. I'd forgotten that over the years. It would be nice to have.

Be sure to check the cabin filters up under the dash. They will often cause flow issues.

Thanks for the tip! I kept searching cabin air filters and so results like recirculation filters were blocked. Based on what I've seen/felt that's probably my issue.

Just got in for the night. During this most recent drive the Service Engine Soon light came on. Word :(. The service lights moved from yellow to red today, but I've yet to see where they actuate the light.

I pulled 21.6mpg on 93oct. today with almost all errand running and around town driving, so I'm a bit skeptical of a vac leak or O2 sensor. Temp never spiked, and seemed to rise and fall as usual. I'll have the codes read after class tomorrow.