Worth buying a 750iL with a build date before 6/97?

[377Z]

Toying with getting a 750iL, would like the option of getting a tune. Not that an extra 20HP or whatever will make or break the car in my eyes, but I like the reports of better driveability and responsiveness. I prefer the facelift cars but not so much that I couldn't own a pre facelift copy.

I had a short sport and did a decent amount of work to it and am familiar with most E38 quirks, I loved the car but felt the M62TU was more trouble then it was worth. Considering giving a V12 a

Whether I even get a tune or not, I would think if the DME has been cracked it might be easier to support even just from a maintenance standpoint?

opinions? Or did I just answer my own question.

[samsonevickis]

Well I have an 11/95 750iL, no tune, I had an E32 V12 and its easier to service than that, but I believe there are tunes you can get. The 850 had the same engine and trans so there are chips for them.

I don't see why the Wokke chip wouldn't work.

[377Z]

Thanks, didn't know about that.

I just learned DSC is pretty much only on facelift cars, yet another feature that sways me towards the later cars. But trying to keep options open as the pool of serviceable cars isnt huge, even accounting for the whole model run.

[XAlt]

Easiest to service, no-dual battery setup, muh unrestricted cats, and I personally love the glass-lenses. The Transporter and James Bond drove preface so that's what I remember the E38 as. In the E32 V12 that I got to drive for a while, I had zero complaints in terms of control but then again it had an LSD.

Good luck with the R, I'm banging myself on the head with a charge pipe right now.

[psjr]

Thanks, didn't know about that.

I just learned DSC is pretty much only on facelift cars, yet another feature that sways me towards the later cars. But trying to keep options open as the pool of serviceable cars isnt huge, even accounting for the whole model run.

All E38 750s have DSC.
DSC was not put on the 740 until 98 model year.

[377Z]

I'm not certain I'm buying yet. While I finally gave up on the third car needing to be a convertible, I was stuck on an '03-05 S55, S600, or a CL version. But although slower, E38 V12's are a better value than the MB's and I'm not racing. The short sport was plenty powerful in town; a dog on the highway, but I hear the M73 is much better. Loved everything else about the E38. Eventually I'll drive a 750.

The DSC is more a preference than need; I never had traction control intervene much less the stability contol on the short sport, but I rarely had bad weather during its time with me. I tend to push it a little more in cars that have it, and even though a 750 is more of a cruiser it would be a nice cusion to have. But not shopping quite yet, still spitballing. I will give pre facelifts a look if I decide to proceed, was just interested in other perspectives, and I appreciate you taking the time to add yours, thank you.

you on swedespeed xalt? That site is a good resource. So far so good with the latest R, I just installed the IPD sways, redid the LCA's, replaced the subframe with one with delrin mounts, and refreshed every engine mount. Thinking about turning the 4C struts into coilovers so I can keep stock ride height but tailor the springrates to a firmness of my liking while retaining the function. But progress is slow, lots of life getting in the way.

[XAlt]

Besides tunes and all, you'll miss out on step but that can be retrofitted.

Yea I'm on Swedespeed to look at RVAE's thread, just fixed an awkward PCV clog, and now I'm replacing 14 y/o coils.

[377Z]

whats step?

Edit: guessing steptronic

[377Z]

All E38 750s have DSC.
DSC was not put on the 740 until 98 model year.

Thank you, I almost missed that. So to clarify all E38 750's have stability control in addition to traction control?

[pumpedTSI]

I'm actually going back to my 00 750 as my daily from my 04 S55 AMG........the Mercedes has to go.....waaay too many issues. I get it all sorted and another pops up every other week and I do my own wrenching and have overdone the preventative on this thing. I love the car, the looks, the ride and the HP but my 750 has NEVER let me down....The S55 has 2 flatbed AAA trips so far and Ive only had it less than 2 yrs....the E38 is mega quiet inside compared to the AMG....

[377Z]

I'm actually going back to my 00 750 as my daily from my 04 S55 AMG........the Mercedes has to go.....waaay too many issues. I get it all sorted and another pops up every other week and I do my own wrenching and have overdone the preventative on this thing. I love the car, the looks, the ride and the HP but my 750 has NEVER let me down....The S55 has 2 flatbed AAA trips so far and Ive only had it less than 2 yrs....the E38 is mega quiet inside compared to the AMG....

Thank you--good info, I was just commenting to a buddy that I'm not sure the extra speed is worth the $10k premium, especially if it comes with more headaches. Any goodwill goes fast if a car strands me, though ironically of all that the bolded part is what put another nail in the AMG coffin.

Based on supply, I may just have to go look at whatever is available. I know of one beautiful facelift 750iL sport very nearby, but I don't think the gentleman wants to part with it...

[XAlt]

The older W140 literally had 100s of lbs of sound proofing in it. You can't hear anything inside a 600SEL.

Then again this is the same era Mercedes that managed to spend millions on downgrading a reliable and high performance V12 designed by engineers to a dog with less cams.

[377Z]

To me, seeing the 140 succeed the beautiful 126 was like, well, the bangle succeeding the E38: A crime. They might be objectively better in some ways but I can't look at them, and could never own one.

My fave MB's were 126's, and I like the 220 too. Euro 116's are alright too. Too bad there was never a 126 6.9....

I like E32's and E38's, but just like the 126 might be too primitive, not sure I can do an E32. I seem to keep coming back to the E38. That da mn short sport just had to get under my skin... I just don't want to deal with the V8 issues though.

[XAlt]

E32/8 M60 Shorty 40. Has goodies like keyless, but it's still a dated car compared to the 750.

Muh options

[MrCi]

I'd avoid between 9/97 and 3/98, tbh.

Getting pieces for the DSC3 system is a bitch.

[377Z]

What came before, and are parts easier to source? There is one available with a build date of I think 4/97.

[clivesay]

I love my '96 750il. I don't care what all you big meanies say about it!!

[GMCPaul]

I love my '96 750il. I don't care what all you big meanies say about it!!

I'll take 95-98 any day over 99-01. Never had a trans fail safe Ever with a 95-98, nor brake module problems with them being inside the car behind glove box. 99-01 though seem to throw trans fail safe so easily, and brake module failure from heat under the hood is guaranteed eventually. I'd trade either my 2000 or 2001 any day for the same mileage 95-98 750iL. The 99-01 just seem to finicky and with heated cats that's a real battery hog they ear batteries quicker. My preference is the 1995 trouble free, I never use Navigation so not needed and I prefer the rear gearing found in the 95

[377Z]

Thank you for the input--owner perspectives from people who own (or owned) both is invaluable to me.

I suppose I should be less concerned with tuning, since my plans would be limited to mostly factory upgrades like shadowline trim (depending on paint color), wheels if the 750iL in question does not come with M-Pars, very slight drop, repop Alpina lip & with the lowers painted bodycolor, maybe sport wheel, maybe sport seats, etc. Otherwise, maintain, drive, and enjoy.

We have NAV in one of the Volvos, and honestly I can't be bothered with non-touch screen stuff nowadays. I have never seen a car for sale that has anything but the 4:3 and I don't see myself using that; but I hate kludges so without a stock looking modern solution I'd just leave whats there.

What are the usual suspects for trans fail safe with the 5HP30? I was under the impression they don't have the input drum issues like the 5H24's, but am not sure as I only had a 5HP24.

[XAlt]

Usually it's the battery/alt going nuts, water, connectors, selector switch, DSC related or actual failure. The 30 technically has all the issues of the 24, but in practice they're much stronger, change your fluid.

E38s eat batteries, facelift 750s make them mincemeat.

[377Z]

There is what *looks* like a super clean black/black '01 750iL on CL for $3500, that says it triggers failsafe. It has 155K on it though, which is a bit much to start out on for what will be a keeper. If it were local (I'm in IN currently) I might go there with a voltmeter (or better yet bug a guy that lives 10 min from me that has INPA, to see if I could have him come check it out with me). I return to Chicagoland regularly, if its still around next time I might consider looking at it. But there are a couple lower mile ones out there that I'd look at first.

I am a believer in ATF changes, I am one of the few that does (in fact I have pics of how I changed the ATF in my prior R, an '07 S60R GT, on swedespeed), have changed it most recently in our XC90 through the trans cooler connections, using a 5 gal bucket I 'graduated' myself in quart increments. I actually bought the short sport with a bad input drum and rebuilt in my yard, but not something I want to do again without a lift and proper trans jack, plus I bet the 30 is heavier and it looks like the V12 exhaust would be even harder to get around. Either way I'd try to get one before its broken, and keep the fluid fresh and possibly do the main pressure regulator update kit pre-emptively (though not sure that exists for the 30--I never checked).

[XAlt]

Yea, it's fun to pump it out and refill 04 has a dipstick luckily. I love not having to deal with a filter either.

The 30's pan is huge, the exhaust wraps around it.

[377Z]

Well, I would put in an aux or inline filter. I did a magnefine in the '07 R, though I think next time I will do a full size spin on using a remote mount engine oil filter kit. XC90 has none, not sure where to actually mount it. Though I do still have a second magnefine...

Wonder if there would be room on a 750iL, though perhaps arguably superfluous since the pickup is a filter. The presence of a drain plug is refreshing, coming from many cars that didn't, makes changing the filter much less unpleasant.

[GMCPaul]

What are the usual suspects for trans fail safe with the 5HP30? I was under the impression they don't have the input drum issues like the 5H24's, but am not sure as I only had a 5HP24.

Any dip in voltage at all trans-fail-safe appears. Our 95, 97, & 98 NEVER 1 trans fail safe EVER. The 2000 & 2001 and they seem to be regular occurrence's for minor low voltage & at times it seems it's just a glitch that causes it. Both the pre-facelift & facelifts use the same transmission but the modules & electrical system are different. In my opinion BMW failed when they changed the modules & programming on the 750iL facelifts.
Our 95, 97, & 98's can be left sitting for a year or more no battery tender they fire right up. leave a facelift sitting 30 days without a battery tender and you can be sure it'll need a assist to battery to start. Facelift electrical Sucks IMO! Oh and in regards to eating batteries expect to replace the top battery every 12-24 months on facelift 750's on 95-98 we easily go 5-6 years on a battery.
Paul

[Aitch]

Funny someone counseled me that facelifts would have less electrical glitches before I bought mine. For the dual battery and e-cats alone I'm happy I got a 98.

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