Potential 740iL - any advice appreciated

[MarkMetzger9494]

I have been looking for a 740il for quite some time now and recently came across this one nearby on craigslist.

http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/3985056300.html

i spoke with the owner and he has had just about everything done to the vehicle EXCEPT the timing chain/guides (heads, front suspension, etc)

i plan to go look at it this weekend. Any advice as to what I should look for? Also, thoughts on the asking price.

[bimmerfreak187]

looks clean to me

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1395817-FAQ-gt-What-To-Look-For-When-Buying-An-E38-Buyers-Guide

[MarkMetzger9494]

He did just shot me an email stating that

"I wanted to let you know that the car does have a slight oil leak. Per the BMW Store it is from a valve cover. I think I mentioned to you that I change my own oil and that it is due for an oil change. I check the oil level regularly and even with the slight leak there has been no noticeable drop in the oil level as indicated on the dipstick. I haven't had to add any oil since the last oil change late last summer."

how troubling is this revelation?

also, thoughts on the asking price?

[jaron]

Price for the K and maintenance history seems good. I'd say you'd still be able to talk him down a few hundred but overall a good price.

[Mayorchuck]

Valve cover gasket leaks are common. If you DIY, no biggie. If not, shops get upwards of $700 around here to change because of the time involved for the passenger side.

Heads??

[Syndr]

Valve cover gaskets aren't bad to change at all. It might take a few hours to do the first time, but its easy enough. Lots of DIY guides on it too. And not a bad price overall either.

The fact that the front suspension work has already been done is really nice. Every cheap e38 I've ever bought has needed major suspension work done and it's not particularly inexpensive or fun.

[franco90]

I have been looking for a 740il for quite some time now and recently came across this one nearby on craigslist.

http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/3985056300.html

i spoke with the owner and he has had just about everything done to the vehicle EXCEPT the timing chain/guides (heads, front suspension, etc)

i plan to go look at it this weekend. Any advice as to what I should look for? Also, thoughts on the asking price.

I sell you mine

[Fuel to Burn]

For my area the price is a little high for the mileage but if it's a true one-owner car (not someone flipping a one-owner car) then it's a great price.

[Fhattcatt]

Did the seller say why he was selling it? The seller may not tell you truthfully why they are selling, but sometimes you can tell by their answer if the reason might be due to a mechanical failure or a maintenance issue they don't want to mess with. With most of these you would want the timing chain and guides to be done before 150k miles. If you search on here you will find thread after thread where people will say they began finding pieces of guides in their oil when they changed it around 120k miles. I have seen many threads where people have said the parts, if you do it yourself, will run you $2000-$2500. I have seen where shops charge 27-32 hours labor if you have a shop do it. The car that I just bought a month ago the seller had the timing chain and guides done less than 4k miles ago at 116k miles - parts and labor totaled $4800. Other areas worth noting are whether the transmission has been serviced and/or has any problems- the transmission isn't known for being bulletproof. And suspension components on this heavy car are known to wear out more quickly than many other cars.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y275/harryhrowe/20130722_143040_zpscc93ddba.jpg (http://s7.photobucket.com/user/harryhrowe/media/20130722_143040_zpscc93ddba.jpg.html)

[Hueristic]

I would talk to franco.

[MarkMetzger9494]

Unfortunately Franco's car is a bit out of my budget and way out of my neck of the woods. It is tough weighing the pros and cons of buying a car sight unseen and buying one which may or may not need several grand in engine work.

[bimmerfreak187]

the seller is on bimmerboard, so im sure he is being honest

[Fhattcatt]

Any car with 150k miles where major maintenance hasn't been done... it would be a wise investment to spend the coin to get a pre purchase inspection done at a reputable shop. There are tons of threads on here about what mileage chains and guides should be done and what is the end result of a potential catastrophic failure. 150k seems optimistic for what mileage people should expect to complete chains and guides R&R. Even if a seller can honestly say that there are no currently known issues, 150k miles is 150k miles and work that fortunately hasn't needed to be done yet may need to be done really soon....

[psjr]

Normally I would say the price is a bit high for such a plain jane car, but one owner cars are often fantastic.

[franco90]

Unfortunately Franco's car is a bit out of my budget and way out of my neck of the woods. It is tough weighing the pros and cons of buying a car sight unseen and buying one which may or may not need several grand in engine work.
LOL I bet you mine does not need work I bet you my left NUT.

[GSXRliterbikz]

LOL I bet you mine does not need work I bet you my left NUT.

Isn't that the nut that got kicked in va back in may ;)

Franco's car will def be taken care of.

[franco90]

Isn't that the nut that got kicked in va back in may ;)

Franco's car will def be taken care of.
LOL you too MUCH

- - - Updated - - -

[QUOTE=GSXRliterbikz;26738703]Isn't that the nut that got kicked in va back in may ;)

http://cdn.funnie.st/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/shit_happens_part_6_640_03.jpg
Good memory LOL

[franco90]

I am selling my car to get a 750

Sent from my iPhone using BF.com

[MarkMetzger9494]

Just went and drove the e38.
it really was beautiful. Paint was like new as was the interior. Owner and his wife met me halfway (about 30 mie drive each) and were gracious and upfront. The only issue remains the unserviced timing chain. Car is due for an oil change...can this help to diagnose need for service?
Sold my daily driver Saab this morning so I'm a bit Charles's (but will borrow one from the in laws in the meantime)

[franco90]

Just went and drove the e38.
it really was beautiful. Paint was like new as was the interior. Owner and his wife met me halfway (about 30 mie drive each) and were gracious and upfront. The only issue remains the unserviced timing chain. Car is due for an oil change...can this help to diagnose need for service?
Sold my daily driver Saab this morning so I'm a bit Charles's (but will borrow one from the in laws in the meantime)

HAHA MY TIMING CHANGE HAS BEING DONE WITH IN THE LAST 36 MONTHS.
good luck buddy

[franco90]

I have been looking for a 740il for quite some time now and recently came across this one nearby on craigslist.

http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/3985056300.html

i spoke with the owner and he has had just about everything done to the vehicle EXCEPT the timing chain/guides (heads, front suspension, etc)

i plan to go look at it this weekend. Any advice as to what I should look for? Also, thoughts on the asking price.


Congrats on your Purchase from Dave