I thought it had passed...this moment of insanity? 1999 750il

[westaussie323i]

Hello Guys

I thought that the car was sold but now it is back for sale and tempting with seductive bodywork and a V12....am I crazy?
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My gut tells me what the hell just do it and add it to the E46 330ci 'Vert, 2 Baurs and an X3 (nice but so boring so it has to go)
How many of you guys own one and does your heart rule the head? There were very few of these cars sold here and is owned by a BMW enthusiast who has many cars
How do you see the value of these going in future?

[Majestic7]

It sounds like your heart wants a V12 E38 so get it. Yeah I think we all follow our hearts to these cars and we enjoy it because we have them. BMW enthusiast owner is a big plus, does he have service records? Has the gearbox oil been changed and how rusty is the underbody are the two most important mechanical considerations I've learned in hindsight.

I would still have a pre purchase inspection done by a German car specialist or at least any mechanic availavle. The V12 seems more reliable than the V8 and very little fuel economy difference really.

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I don't know about future prices, particularly in Australia but I can tell you the E38 has a timeless look. It will still look good many years hence.

[westaussie323i]

He has full service records up to 125K km and up until 180k he has done his own servicing. It has had all shock replaced with genuine and full cooling system etc. He seems pretty OCD even down to making sure he only swapped to oem widescreen head unit
He hasnt done trans himself but it would be first thing I would do. Yes inspection will be done but other side of Australia so need to trust the inspection.

[Majestic7]

Full cooling system being replaced is a big bonus for sure. Don't have to worry about that then, and shocks are a bonus. I do all my own work since I bought my 740 four years ago but still keep all the receipts from the parts, so hopefully he kept those, can't see why he wouldn't. I think you can trust an inspection, even if done remotely. If he tries to talk you out of having an inspection done than something is odd. Just choose the shop yourself online and have them email you or call you with everything they find.

Only reason I mention the transmission is on the E38s BMW sadly said never to change the fluid (part of a marketing stunt to eliminate the image of a "high maintenance BMW") even though ZF, who make the transmission, said fluid and filter needs changed every 30-40k miles (can't remember exactly which). So the original and 2nd owners never changed the ATF and once they get into the high mileage range like over 160,000 miles (257k km) they tend to fail. That's what happened to me 3 months into ownership and many others. I'm not telling you that to scare you, just inform you that since yours was probably never changed and it's still at low-ish miles I would make it your 1st priority. Only other thing I wish I had done is realize how rusty my car's underbody is since it makes control arm replacements harder if you plan on DIY. Not sure if they use road salt in Australia like they do here. Have them send you pictures of it from the inspection maybe. Overall the E38 is a great car to DIY since there are so many DIYs on E38.org and on here. You won't regret buying it.

[Aitch]

Love my 750iL. I don't have a stable of other current cars, so I can't compare to your situation, but yeah, there's something special about them.

[kakashi]

Hit the button!. Got my 01 750il (100K miles) last year and it been all love. All heart no head at all lol. Its been a car I've wanted since I was a valet back in 1999. I have many cars and bikes but this is only my second BMW. For me the value doesn't rest in the cost of the car just as long as its a well maintained example that still performs as designed. Its a joy to drive everyday even though I run it back to back with my e60 M. I swapped the diff to a 3.15 and it seems to wake up the V12 a bit but thats not necessary. I feel that the E38 is still the best looking 7 series ever and I dont see that changing anytime soon. V12 over the V8. Well I've never driven a V8 7.
I did end up replacing the water hoses a few weeks ago after one of them suddenly started spraying but it looks like you'll have it taken care of already. Im also gearing up for a front suspension overhaul and belt/pulley swap (but thats all typical stuff).
A good 750 is not easy to find in my opinion and they seem to hold value at this point in their lives. I got lucky with the one I found but it was 2000+ miles away.

[ECSTuning]

A v12 powered BMW is one of the worst decisions that I will always support. When they are running right there is no better motor, when they have issues.... they get costly quick if you don't DIY.

I vote pull the trigger!

-James

[westaussie323i]

Hey guys thanks for the replies....good to see that I am not the only one with the illness! I had a 1999 735il that even went around the race track and I loved it E46 E39 E38 best looking of the modern crop of BMW just can't get excited about the new stuff mind you there maybe a 645/50ci in my future. I love my two Baurs also and much cheaper than chasing women. I did the trans in the 735il and learnt a lesson about the fluid, it might be right spec but using anything other than ZF Life Fluid doesn't work.
I have used an Aussie brand Penrite in the X3 and it was all good but from what they tell me its very hard to get the right additives for some of the ZF fluids. I run Penrite Synthetic in my modern cars and has good reputation over here.
The only mod I would make would be a set of 18-19" rims with a nice dish. the designers really nailed that era of cars

I love your reply James...and if we all wanted total reliability we would buy Toyota and book in for a frontal lobotomy, a cardigan and nerd pack for our shirt pocket :-) I bought a bunch of gear from ECS for the M5 and will continue to do business with your company

Now all I need is a buyer for the X3 as I live in a resort with 2 car spaces

[chrisn7]

What are you waiting for - just get it! I had a 740 before, but the V12 is better. Although it fills the engine bay, its easier to work on than you might think if you move a few components out of the way. Can't say I've had issues with the cooling system, though I did replace the waterpump , which was just showing a little play, together with one hose which is only accessible during the strip down. Assuming its got SLS and EDC in Oz, having had those replaced is a big £££plus, as the only place doing re furbs on these is in Poland which would be costly for you no doubt.

Like you its a battle finding room for the 7, the E46 330Ci vert and the 5GT daily.. oh the sickness!

[kakashi]

Hey guys thanks for the replies....good to see that I am not the only one with the illness! I had a 1999 735il that even went around the race track and I loved it E46 E39 E38 best looking of the modern crop of BMW just can't get excited about the new stuff mind you there maybe a 645/50ci in my future. I love my two Baurs also and much cheaper than chasing women. I did the trans in the 735il and learnt a lesson about the fluid, it might be right spec but using anything other than ZF Life Fluid doesn't work.
I have used an Aussie brand Penrite in the X3 and it was all good but from what they tell me its very hard to get the right additives for some of the ZF fluids. I run Penrite Synthetic in my modern cars and has good reputation over here.
The only mod I would make would be a set of 18-19" rims with a nice dish. the designers really nailed that era of cars

I love your reply James...and if we all wanted total reliability we would buy Toyota and book in for a frontal lobotomy, a cardigan and nerd pack for our shirt pocket :-) I bought a bunch of gear from ECS for the M5 and will continue to do business with your company

Now all I need is a buyer for the X3 as I live in a resort with 2 car spaces

Yes! A nice dish is a must... I threw on a staggered set of old school Rondell 58's and it seems like she got a facelift. Nothing else needed. Well maybe drop it an inch or so.

[westaussie323i]

UPDATE confusion

I have someone coming to look at the X3 today but a 1996 750il popped up in my home city as opposed to other side of the country for $7K asking price. It was a private import from Japan in 2007 and has 152k km on the clock and the seller has said that radio doesnt tune Aussie stations (who cares) its had a new radiator, A/C not very cold, ABS DSC lights on and an intermittent misfire. A/C maybe blocked cabin filters? Suggestions as to what the other faults caused by?
The car is 260km away so want to go prepared. I would negotiate hard perhaps around $5k or less so my question is also...this car versus the 1999 with 187k km owned by an enthusiast with service history up until 125k km then serviced by him since then and I think by the time a pay for a thorough PPI and freight it will cost me around $12-13K (havent tried hard negotiation yet)

Your learned opinions much appreciated

[asianvenom]

I have both face lifted 740il and 750il, both with 3.15 differential swap, both are my 100 miles a day commute (can't drive both at the same time obviously), bother are ~200k miles. 740 with m60 manifold and dudmd tune. All I can say is the 750 is still much more powerful and a blast to drive compare to the v8. Both gets 19mpg. Reliability have been about the same, except that chain tensioner on the v8 is always in the back of my mind.

[chrisn7]

The price differential of 5k+ is not likely to change much if you were to haggle on both cars, so this amount would be available within your higher budget to spend on the cheaper car. There are competent enthusiasts, and those who think they are competent...

It will all depend on how good you perceive the cheaper car to be and whether more work is required after driving it. A/C may just need a service

Don't know about US, but in UK, insurance can be more difficult with private imports as opposed to official imports.