How reliable is the E38? [Archive] - Bimmerforums

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alit11

11-25-2012, 06:45 AM

I want to buy a e38 and I'd like to get opinions from owners so please help

GSXRliterbikz

11-25-2012, 07:22 AM

Here is all the info you need. And just search through the threads. You'll get an ides real quick.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=310

BobsBimmer

11-25-2012, 08:00 AM

The e38's that I have owned never left me stranded, but they love to be pampered...

TAM 11M

11-25-2012, 08:01 AM

they are as reliable as any car, depending on how you take care of it and how much money you have to spend on repairs, but its more than that, its love you have for the car, especially when you do the work yourself.. nothing better than becoming one with your car

sneakysneaky

11-25-2012, 09:15 AM

I would not recommend this car for reliability. If you need that get a honda or yota.
I literally drive my car for a day, something fails...the car sits a week or so waiting for parts, i replace or fix the problem....drive it another day, and BAM something else fails.....she sits for another week waithing for parts, I replace parts...drive for a day and then the cycle starts over! I don't think a vehicle with just over 100k miles should have so many issues. They are probably fine if purchased new and in their early life.

ricostewart

11-25-2012, 09:23 AM

A slush fund would help you greatly...but it's not that bad.

voodoomelon

11-25-2012, 10:13 AM

Engine/transmission wise they are exceptionally reliable and should never leave you stranded. Its everything else that's attached to them that's the problem. :D

At this stage of their lives, its mostly wear and tear. If you can't turn a spanner and/or dont have deep pockets, look elsewhere would be my advice.

Qsilver7

11-25-2012, 11:21 AM

I want to buy a e38 and I'd like to get opinions from owners so please help

Have you taken advantage of reading thru the thread at the very top of the e38 forum page titled "E38 common problems & fixes"? If not, you have the opportunity to see a collection of things forum members have already written about e38 ownership...including a couple of buyers guides like this one: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=19156303&postcount=2

The best thing to do is start with a great used e38...BMWs are more known for durability than reliability. There is a certain amount of maintenance that is required that stems from them originally being a $60K+ vehicle...that aspect of ownership never changes. Maintenance & upkeep remains that of a $60k+ vehicle although entrance into the ownership's "club" has dropped.

As others already mentioned...the ability to DIY and shop using online & aftermarket vendors (as well as some competitive BMW dealerships) keeps the cost of ownership down. Learning as much as possible about BMW's engines and systems also helps...if you see a BMW PDF posted...download it, read thru it, and save it for future reference.

Don't forget to search for info...these cars have been out of production since 7/2001 (11+ years) so there are very few questions that have not already been asked multiple times over. Sometimes there are "specific" search terms/words to use...so if you get in a bind...feel free to ask for direction/help...but don't be lazy and assume that others will do the searching for you. :)

Good luck in your search...and some of the best money you can spend is on a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) once you find an e38 that lights your fire. The $100 bucks or so for a PPI done by a qualified independent BMW shop...or take it to your local BMW dealership and ask for an inspection. You may also be able to get them to pull up the car's service history which will give you an idea of what has been done to the car while it was under warranty or if it was ever worked on by any BMW dealership in the country.

Don't be surprised if you get a PPI that shows thousands of dollars worth of work needed...this list will give you an idea of what to expect BEFORE things happen. You can also see if some maintenance/upkeep things need to be done right a way...or if it something that can be put off (and saved up for) for future work...and/or what you may be able to do yourself to save some money.

BMWs are rarely considered "reliable"...but are usually considered "durable". Reliability connotes that you can neglect maintenance & upkeep and the car will still reward you with getting you from point A to B. This is not common BMW ownership experience...you must maintain them (oil/fluids/plugs/alignments/etc) not ignoring warning lights and strange noises etc hoping that they will go away (they won't). If you do stay on top of maintenance & upkeep..you will then understand their durability...and be rewarded with an 11 to 17 year old car that can still turn heads and give a very satisfying pride of ownership.

redpicker

11-25-2012, 11:25 AM

The E38 is a Performance Luxury Sedan. Performance comes first, and high performance means high maintenance. These cars require a lot of maintenance. You can either pay a mechanic or DIY, but you can't skimp on the maintenance, or you will not keep the vehicle running.

Luxury means "costs a lot". Everything for the car costs a lot. So, the parts wear out fast because they are high performance parts, and they are expensive to replace. Buying cheap replacement parts is a losing strategy, since they don't last. Often, they are bad right out of the box. I have heard of others where the new (cheap) parts didn't last a month. This is not hyperbole, it is true.

These cars are selling for less than 5% of their original purchase price. That's a nickel on the dollar. Why do you think they are so low in price?

Reliable? If you take care of it, it can be very reliable. If you don't take care of it, and take care of it in the manner it expects, you won't be able to keep it running.

rp

olinjohnston

11-25-2012, 12:02 PM

Forgive me, but the E38 is an OLD car. Like any vehicle 10-18 years old, it will need a thing or two replaced here and there....and there won't be a way to predict it. They aren't getting any newer either. As I said once on the 8-Series forum, it's like filling a bucket with a hole in the bottom of it: You can replace worn out/failed items, but without a healthy budget, you will not stay ahead of its needs. These cars were and always will be expensive to own. I love BMWs, but I hardly recommend them to people because I believe that they require an owner who has the time, interest, and technical skill to endure/enjoy their quirks.

I also hate when people try to compare the "reliability" of an old and very intricate European luxury car to any Japanese economy car. It's like saying that a Rolex or a Patek Phillipe is not as good of a watch as a G-Shock from Wal-Mart, simply because it requires less frequent and expensive repairs/service.

preludofwrath

11-25-2012, 12:32 PM

I've had an e38 in my family, and it has been incredibly reliable...

sigtwenty

11-25-2012, 01:14 PM

I dont for say pamper mine. I drive it daily. Hasnt given me any oroblems that prevent me from driving it. Now, my main problems are my leaking new radiator, and my tail lights. Other than that its been a good daily driver.

shanecarmaster1

11-25-2012, 01:33 PM

They are extremely reliable, as voodoomelon said, it's everything attached that breaks or wears. A poor condition e38 might have a lot of dash lights on, beat up inside and out, rattle, clunk, shimmy, etc. but I bet it still runs and drives.

pizzaman09

11-25-2012, 02:23 PM

The only thing in the 11 years that has left my e38s stranded and needing towed have all related to the cooling system. Leaks are the demise of these fantastic cars. 3 times my family had the e38 towed because it had leaks that really prevented it from running. Two of those times were a complete loss of coolant for which the car overheated, the other one coolant leaked and destroyed all of the connections to the spark plugs.

Otherwise the e38 is a rather reliable car, they are a joy to drive and very addictive. If you are questioning getting one due to reliability, don't. What ever issues it has, it will make up for in smiles and performance. :)

Randy V

11-25-2012, 02:45 PM

How reliable is the e38?

Reliability is inversely proportional to age of the car - decreasing exponentially.

:alright

GSXRliterbikz

11-25-2012, 03:00 PM

Reliability is inversely proportional to age of the car - decreasing exponentially.

:alright

I feel smarter after reading this :cool

007008

11-25-2012, 03:33 PM

I feel smarter after reading this :cool

I feel more broke than I was before. I'll feel even worse after I purchase the remaining $600 dollars in parts to do the timing chains.

GSXRliterbikz

11-25-2012, 03:36 PM

I feel more broke than I was before. I'll feel even worse after I purchase the remaining $600 dollars in parts to do the timing chains.

Yea, that job will hit ya hard. I spent 1200 on it, and didnt replace everything I wanted to.

alit11

11-25-2012, 05:36 PM

Thanks guys that was Realy helpfull , personally i don't care about costs of repairs or service or how many mpgs it can do but you have to ask these questions before you make a decision , the e 38 have something that no other BMW have rather than speed and performance and that is a character .

BobsBimmer

11-25-2012, 05:56 PM

I feel more broke than I was before. I'll feel even worse after I purchase the remaining $600 dollars in parts to do the timing chains.

Let me know if or when you need my timing tools. I spent around the $1200.00 mark as well.

sigtwenty

11-25-2012, 07:30 PM

M I C H A E L

11-25-2012, 07:55 PM

you got that right sig. As much headaches and frustrations and things failing on these cars can be I can say without a doubt that these cars truly are special though. They always reward you back. Its bmw love.

Randy V

11-26-2012, 02:56 PM

Thanks guys that was Realy helpfull , personally i don't care about costs of repairs or service or how many mpgs it can do...

You will start to care after you're in for a few grand.

Come back to this thread in a year or so and see how you feel then.

:alright

sigtwenty

11-26-2012, 02:58 PM

You will start to care after you're in for a few grand.

Come back to this thread in a year or so and see how you feel then.

:alright

As a year long owner and $2500 or so invested I love it. I got another one. In contrast, $4500 invested including car cost is one year of my wifes impala car payments.

NickZee

11-26-2012, 04:35 PM

Reliability means having the confidence to take a car on a long trip without worrying whether it will make it back. The e38 fails this test because I it tendency to bust it's cooling system.

GSXRliterbikz

11-26-2012, 04:41 PM

Reliability means having the confidence to take a car on a long trip without worrying whether it will make it back. The e38 fails this test because I it tendency to bust it's cooling system.

For some. I've taken my 7 on 3 2k+ mile road trips this year. I run waterless coolant that has no pressure. No pressure means no bursting cooling system.

Sent from my iPhone using BF.com

MrCi

11-26-2012, 04:59 PM

If its maintained well, its decent. Don't buy a cheap unmainted one. You will pay for it.

sigtwenty

11-26-2012, 05:10 PM

M I C H A E L

11-26-2012, 05:27 PM

For some. I've taken my 7 on 3 2k+ mile road trips this year. I run waterless coolant that has no pressure. No pressure means no bursting cooling system.

Sent from my iPhone using BF.com

so i can run pure concentrate coolant too?

psjr

11-26-2012, 05:41 PM

so i can run pure concentrate coolant too?

That's not quite what waterless coolant means...

M I C H A E L

11-26-2012, 05:46 PM

it would help if someone told me!

hodja

11-26-2012, 11:52 PM

Michael:

Evans Waterless Coolant.

Bavauto $34.95/gal.

http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

Rog

it would help if someone told me!

dafi740

11-27-2012, 12:39 PM

Extremely reliable....just preventive maintenance is essential... and it will keep going..
never let me down in 3 years..... and always feels like driving it for the 1st time...mind you , most of our E38's have been breathed upon a bit :) hence the extra enjoyment.

Airbrush It

11-27-2012, 12:41 PM

GSXRliterbikz

11-27-2012, 01:32 PM

Does the waterless coolant just not get hot enough to boil and create pressure?
I'm very interested to know more about it.. I'm going to do some reading.. If you can tell me what your average operating temp is with that stuff, that would be great..

It has a higher boil point. Their website says the engine can run a little hotter, but I still run normal temps. According to the cluster test it runs between 104 and 109 in the summer, idling.

Sent from my iPhone using BF.com

Mayura

02-23-2022, 10:21 AM

I can also vouch for the E38s reliability. The car has been tremendously reliable. I have had zero problems so far in my L7.
Most of these unreliability issues ARE MYTHS.
If you think the BMW E38 is junk, then you may as well say that all luxury cars are junk!
Obviously, if you don't maintain a car then it is going to need lots and lots of repairs! That's true of any car though!