Looking at buying a 1997 750iL

[captjeff]

hello ,

just sold my awesome 1998 740 il [purchased from a one owner]. daughter is in college so it had to go. well I've recovered and have my mind set on a 750 il.

this car is in near perfect condition[garaged,taken care of etc..] anything I should look at specificly regarding the 750? I know the pixels,rear shades,iggy switch,

but really regarding the engine,would like some suggestions or warning signs.[he wants $5900 140 k miles]

thanks and you guys really are a great help.

capt jeff

beemers owned- 1600,2002,320ie,x-5,740il.

[85k100rt]

With that many miles, bottom end and pistons s/b fine assuming oil changes done regularly with good oil. Exhaust valve guides will probably be worn oblong. Check oil consumption/signs for exhaust smoke after idling for a while and examine the exhaust pipes for oil residue. Intake manifold gaskets are a bit problematic, particularly if they haven't been changed recently. Banjo bolts (under the valve covers) used for the oil sprayers that supply oil to the cams and followers have a habit of coming loose and interrupting the supply of oil to the cams (bad news when that happens). The engine uses VCV valves which can cause uneven running and significant oil consumption via the intakes. Easy and inexpensive fix if you experience a failure of one or both of these valves. Ask the current owner if the car has ever been overheated. If so, the bottom of the cylinders can take on an oblong shape which means new block required. The vehicle has two fuel pumps and two fuel filters. The mileage indicates that both pumps should have been already replaced. Ask the current owner. Most of us find these cars very expensive to keep in excellent running order, particularly if you don't do most of the maintenance yourself. $5900 would be considered very high for this model due to the ongoing maintenance expense, particularly here in the US. My advice, have this engine carefully checked for compression and good vacuum indications. If I were considering this purchase, first thing I'd do (assuming it hasn't been done) is do a valve job which will take care of the guides, valve seals, banjo bolts, and intake gaskets. Most everything else can be considered normal maintenance. Good Luck, I'm sure you will really enjoy driving the 750. I'm also sure you'll get a lot more replies to your post, so keep watching.

[shogun]

1997 750 is E38, so I will move the thread to the E38 forum from E32 forum.

[xboss]

My 1997 750 is awesome. It has 155k miles on it and purrs like a kitten. I dont think you have too much to worry about if it's running smoothly.

[BOBS750il]

That's a steal! You should go for it. I've got 212000 on my 97 750 right now. Purrs like a kitten. The M73 is actually known for very little problems. However tune ups will cost dearly if yours hasn't had one. If it's running well and drives nice then IMO you found a stellar deal.

[M I C H A E L]

With that many miles, bottom end and pistons s/b fine assuming oil changes done regularly with good oil. Exhaust valve guides will probably be worn oblong. Check oil consumption/signs for exhaust smoke after idling for a while and examine the exhaust pipes for oil residue. Intake manifold gaskets are a bit problematic, particularly if they haven't been changed recently. Banjo bolts (under the valve covers) used for the oil sprayers that supply oil to the cams and followers have a habit of coming loose and interrupting the supply of oil to the cams (bad news when that happens). The engine uses VCV valves which can cause uneven running and significant oil consumption via the intakes. Easy and inexpensive fix if you experience a failure of one or both of these valves. Ask the current owner if the car has ever been overheated. If so, the bottom of the cylinders can take on an oblong shape which means new block required. The vehicle has two fuel pumps and two fuel filters. The mileage indicates that both pumps should have been already replaced. Ask the current owner. Most of us find these cars very expensive to keep in excellent running order, particularly if you don't do most of the maintenance yourself. $5900 would be considered very high for this model due to the ongoing maintenance expense, particularly here in the US. My advice, have this engine carefully checked for compression and good vacuum indications. If I were considering this purchase, first thing I'd do (assuming it hasn't been done) is do a valve job which will take care of the guides, valve seals, banjo bolts, and intake gaskets. Most everything else can be considered normal maintenance. Good Luck, I'm sure you will really enjoy driving the 750. I'm also sure you'll get a lot more replies to your post, so keep watching.

They don't suffer timing chain failure

[captjeff]

ok thanks

- - - Updated - - -

had my mechanic check the 750....leaking tranny,worn tires,mucky residue in the oil fill/cap leaks arouns steering pump..etc.. he said wait for a nicer one..i agree. it was cosmetically nice inside and out but the car looked like it wasn't taken care of under the hood.
thanks for all the replies and if you know of a decent 750 let me know. California would be preferred but what the hell,i fly anywhere and drive her back.

thanks again,

jeff

[M I C H A E L]

ok thanks

- - - Updated - - -

had my mechanic check the 750....leaking tranny,worn tires,mucky residue in the oil fill/cap leaks arouns steering pump..etc.. he said wait for a nicer one..i agree. it was cosmetically nice inside and out but the car looked like it wasn't taken care of under the hood.
thanks for all the replies and if you know of a decent 750 let me know. California would be preferred but what the hell,i fly anywhere and drive her back.

thanks again,

jeff




it's an old car, there's gonna be some stuff that need replaced, if a little tranny leak and worn tires are steering you away, then maybe a bmw isn't for you.. and should find something less expensive to maintain. these cars will leak oil like crazy.

[bimmerfreak187]

^ your drunk lol i would wait for a nicer one to

[M I C H A E L]

mucky residue in the oil? blown headgasket?

- - - Updated - - -


^ your drunk lol i would wait for a nicer one to

no im not drunk, not sure what he means by mucky residue in the oil fill

[DUDMD]

All m73s I have seen have that ugly gunk when you open the filler cap.

[psjr]

All m73s I have seen have that ugly gunk when you open the filler cap.

+1

[BOBS750il]

The mechanic told you to pass so he can scoop it up. Lol!
Very minor repairs IMO. If the exterior and interior are good then you are doing pretty good since that's where your most expensive repairs are from my experience. If it runs and drives well then you have a great car unless your looking for perfection which is going to be hard to find since most owners keep those ones. I bought my 750 with many more problems than the one your looking at and I LOVE my car

[BOBS750il]

All m73s I have seen have that ugly gunk when you open the filler cap.
+1 again

[psjr]

The mechanic told you to pass so he can scoop it up. Lol!
Very minor repairs IMO. If the exterior and interior are good then you are doing pretty good since that's where your most expensive repairs are from my experience. If it runs and drives well then you have a great car unless your looking for perfection which is going to be hard to find since most owners keep those ones. I bought my 750 with many more problems than the one your looking at and I LOVE my car

I agree, IMO when buying a 750 the most important thing is a clean interior.
Good condition replacement interior parts are very difficult and expensive to source.
Mechanical parts can be bought brand new and shiny anywhere relatively cheaply, and body parts are easy enough to come by since most are shared with other E38s.