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Thread: 1998 740il Project Car

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2017
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    1998 740 il

    1998 740il Project Car

    Hey Everyone!

    So I got this 740il for $500. mileage 165k The previous owner was a buddy of mine who just has way too many projects on his hands. While in my friends possession the suspension was replaced all around the car about 2 years ago and also painted this weird orange color and then shortly after the transmission failed. The transmission was then rebuilt 2 years ago and then soon after it began smoking bad so he just let it sit in his backyard without repairing it. The suspension and tranny have about 5k on them


    At the moment we have replaced the PCV valve and the car has stopped smoking


    Current issues with the car that I know of:
    A/C works intermittently - Its hot outside so i have kept it on high..it seems to blow air when it wants to
    The vehicle thumps/jerks when put in drive from reverse
    when leaving park or putting the car into park there is a loud clicking from under the car

    The exterior
    headlight is cracked
    front drivers side bumper trim is missing
    rear bumper is small crack
    front bumper is small crack
    drivers side rear view mirror missing
    Tires dry rotted

    The interior:
    Pretty much shot.. the only things in great condition are the rear seats and the rear door panels
    will need to shampoo carpet... and find out what to do with all the worn leather (front seats, armrest, etc)
    needs new pillars and head liner


    Driving:
    Deff a little sluggish hoping a tune up will clear that up
    breaks squeak and take awhile to stop the car


    Check engine light on - ABS light on - triangle with circle around it is lit


    I will be working on this car over the summer to bring it back to spec and then figure out what color scheme I will end up with

    any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance

    - - - Updated - - -

    better picture
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    99 IL/13 SXT/04 Audi A4
    Nice car and good luck fixing it


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    El Cid 1999 IL
    DUDMD Tune/DINAN CAI/19 in Style 95 Rims/Bilstein's Shocks/Eibach Lowering Springs/OEM Folding Mirrors/Custom Cupholder/Custom Wood Sunshade/Sport Steering Wheel/Euro Center Console/Leather Shifter/Rearview Camera /Luke Custom 10 in Sub Box/Cross Drilled Rotors/Rear view Camera/BMW OEM Monitors/BMW E38 Picnic Tables/Vanity Headrests/OEM Roof Rack/Strut Bar/Dinan MAF and Dinan Throttle Body and Dinan tunning /BM53 Radio upgrade /Custom Innovadrive NXG39 modify and Alpine ILX-W650 touch screen radio.

  3. #3
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    1998 740 il
    Quote Originally Posted by franco90 View Post
    Nice car and good luck fixing it


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Thanks

    do you guys recommend any specific brand of headlights?

    I am looking to upgrade to projector or HID with angel eyes?

    can anyone point me in the right direction?

    I am still looking through the forum via search feature as well

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jayaura5 View Post
    Thanks

    do you guys recommend any specific brand of headlights?

    I am looking to upgrade to projector or HID with angel eyes?

    can anyone point me in the right direction?

    I am still looking through the forum via search feature as well
    DEPO sells a set. I'd just run the standard preface headlights.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
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    Sonora, ca
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    2001 740il
    Just installed these for a friend they were good quality for the price
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/371622557453
    I would suggest to buy high grade hid's or led's, when you buy the low buck hid-led make sure to buy 2-3 for back up.


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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sundaycruzer View Post
    Just installed these for a friend they were good quality for the price
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/371622557453
    I would suggest to buy high grade hid's or led's, when you buy the low buck hid-led make sure to buy 2-3 for back up.


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    looks terrible
    you can never get away with the shiny finish on the inside

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by XAlt View Post
    looks terrible
    you can never get away with the shiny finish on the inside
    I get it the depo's are the best but for a inexpensive retro fit, they are surprising how good they looked when installed plus with the retro fit they can be installed in pre facelift cars


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  8. #8
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    1998 740 il
    where is the best place to purchase the pre face lift depo headlights with xenon upgrade for e38?

    My two front seats are worn. Is something like this the best option? or should i just take it to an upholstery shop instead?

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E39-E38-...dYGmrt&vxp=mtr

    - - - Updated - - -

    where is the best place to purchase the pre face lift depo headlights with xenon upgrade for e38?

    My two front seats are worn. Is something like this the best option? or should i just take it to an upholstery shop instead?

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E39-E38-...dYGmrt&vxp=mtr

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by XAlt View Post
    looks terrible
    you can never get away with the shiny finish on the inside
    I forgot to ask, you've seen them installed in person?


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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jayaura5 View Post
    where is the best place to purchase the pre face lift depo headlights with xenon upgrade for e38?

    My two front seats are worn. Is something like this the best option? or should i just take it to an upholstery shop instead?

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E39-E38-...dYGmrt&vxp=mtr

    - - - Updated - - -

    where is the best place to purchase the pre face lift depo headlights with xenon upgrade for e38?

    My two front seats are worn. Is something like this the best option? or should i just take it to an upholstery shop instead?

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E39-E38-...dYGmrt&vxp=mtr
    At that price I would say that's a great deal. Bummer is quality, only way to find out is to pull the trigger and see what happens. If you have or know a good upholster then it might not matter..right


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  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sundaycruzer View Post
    I forgot to ask, you've seen them installed in person?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    If I'm not mistaken, yes.


    Run across tons of E38s with aftermarket headlights on them. Plus you might as well just go with cheap (real) facelift headlights and then hack in AEs.
    Last edited by XAlt; 06-21-2017 at 10:30 PM.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by XAlt View Post
    If I'm not mistaken, yes.


    Run across tons of E38s with aftermarket headlights on them.
    I swear at night they look like an f60. I need to get pics but he works out of town.. schedules


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  13. #13
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    2001 740 i Sport
    Nice ride...my $0.02 just deal with mechanical issues then worry about angel eyes and so forth. Scan then get codes, fix. Your tires my be incorrect size or under inflated or steering angle sensor is off. Use search tool. Good luck!!

    Check engine light on - ABS light on - triangle with circle around it is lit
    [/IMG]

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2017
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    Richmond va
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    My Cars
    1998 740 il
    need replacement mirrors for 1998 e38

    the reviews for these mirrors say they will not fit e38 only e39 body style

    description says different. any input is appreciated need to order these asap

    https://www.amazon.com/Kawayee-Heate...ds=e38+mirrors

  15. #15
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    So after driving this car for about a month heres what i have found.

    Steering wheel is off center. While going straight on the highway my wheel is cocked to the right. I had the alignment done when i got the car a month ago... shouldnt they have aligned the steering as well or is this another issue?

    If i press the acceleration quickly the car hesitates.... no issues if im building up speed slowly but if i try to take off she sputters

    Cupholders are biggest peice of shit I have already spilled soda all over myself and center console lol

    Tires are extremely old/dry rotted... past couple days all tires were slowly losing air and extremely low. I purchased a set of 4 Kumho platinum tires 235/60/16 on tire rack for $260 after mail in rebate. Will be getting them installed tomorrow.

    Im looking to start from the ground up and take care of everything so I want to replace the breaks/rotors as well this week. are these adequate?

    https://www.oembimmerparts.com/BMW-B...8mybrkkitc.htm
    https://www.oembimmerparts.com/BMW-B...ybrkkitc-r.htm

  16. #16
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    are slow
    Meyle Rotors are pretty good on a budget.

    Use E39 cupholders http://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-2003-BM...9ZB4ZJ&vxp=mtr

    fits 100%

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by XAlt View Post
    Meyle Rotors are pretty good on a budget.

    Use E39 cupholders http://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-2003-BM...9ZB4ZJ&vxp=mtr

    fits 100%

    appreciate that just placed an order on those cupholders

  18. #18
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    1998 740 il
    Got the tires installed today. They found 2 out of the 5 lug nuts on the front passenger wheel to be cross threaded.

    Ordering the front rotors and breaks now will have them installed asap.

    can anyone chime in and recommend best place to purchase both driver and passenger e38 door mirror glass, I have the heated version. I only see them on ebay

  19. #19
    Join Date
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    2007 Z4 M Coupe
    Go to a pick and pull yard, there should be some around RVA.
    Current: 2007 Z4 M Coupe (blue/black)
    Previous: 2001 740iL Sport (black/black), 2000 528i Sport (black/tan), 1995 318is (black/black), 1991 318is (white/black)

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ruskii View Post
    Go to a pick and pull yard, there should be some around RVA.

    Checked a few already ... completely stripped lol

  21. #21
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    1998 740 il
    Took the tires to get installed at the closest tirerack recommended shop which ended up being a pepboys

    Picked the car up last night after close all seemed ok...

    Checked tire pressure this morning every tire had a different PSI and Pretty sure they scratched the wheel they say had the crossthreaded lugnuts. and why are these weights still on the outside of my wheels?? Are these supposed to stay on my vehicle? I put new tires on my LR3 a few months ago and didnt experience this.

    IMG_2599.jpg

    IMG_2598.jpg

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