E38 Replacement advice

[Nobleprofessor]

I have driven an E38 for the last 11 years (95, 00, 01, 99). My current daily driver is 99 740iL with 145K miles. I decided I wanted to try an E39 and I have always wanted a wagon. So, I bought a 2002 525i Wagon. It was cheap and relatively low miles 114K. I gave it a chance and drove it for 3 weeks. I even took it on a 600 mile trip. It performed fine. It has needed more repairs than I expected (may be more like delayed maintenance). In fact, it has been more expensive than my E38. I had to bring it back to the shop for something and decided to drive my E38 again.

Oh boy that was a mistake. I LOVE MY E38. Everything about it fits me better, feels better, etc. I don't think I can go back to an E39. So, here is my question. E38s are getting SO hard to find. I found a couple of them advertised with 50K miles and they want $20K for them. Unless I am willing to shell out $4-5000 when my timing chain guides eventually go, I am going to have to find another e38 that has had TCG done or I'm going to have to go to a different car.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has struggled with this. Is there a good replacement for the E38 that feels and performs as well or close? Are the much newer 5 series a decent replacement? (The E39 is TOO SMALL for me) I would love a much newer 7 series, but I don't think I can afford it. Any suggestions or advice is welcome.

[clarkitect]

Struggling with the same thing. Newer BMW’s by and large are junk. Would consider an F10 740i, steering clear of the V8 issues. Or just keep on keeping on with these sweet sweet old school Bimmers. Doing the math it seems to favor keeping them going. Plus you can’t be tracked or hacked...

[Nobleprofessor]

Struggling with the same thing. Newer BMW’s by and large are junk. Would consider an F10 740i, steering clear of the V8 issues. Or just keep on keeping on with these sweet sweet old school Bimmers. Doing the math it seems to favor keeping them going. Plus you can’t be tracked or hacked...

You probably mean F01. F10 is a 5 series. That is exactly what my Mechanic said. He is new to me because I moved out of state. We haven't developed trust yet. He said the N54 and N55 engines are great. So, he said the same thing, avoid the v8.

[georgebest]

You probably mean F01. F10 is a 5 series. That is exactly what my Mechanic said. He is new to me because I moved out of state. We haven't developed trust yet. He said the N54 and N55 engines are great. So, he said the same thing, avoid the v8.

Agreed, just Google the issues with the N63 & N63TU engines. Maybe the N63TU2 will work eventually but who would take the risk.

[COSteve]

The N55 seems to be showing decent reliability but a mechanic that likes N54 raises some eyebrows.

[aom7]

Same issue here. I had an F01 750i, drove it for 4 years, I was going to replace my E38 with that. In the end, I sold the F01 and kept my E38. I think that says a lot about that car.

The main issue now is maintenance and repairs. It's a tough call to put in 4-5k on car that maybe books for 6k and there's always the issue of when you get one thing fixed, something else likes to break! My E38 is no longer my DD, I'm now putting about 2k miles a year on it. It was a good time, I've had it for 9 years, but after pouring over 25k into it, I think I'm ready for other adventures.

[clarkitect]

Oops yep F01....

[clivesay]

I have the pre-facelift 750 and I am very happy. You can always retrofit some facelift goodies if you like. No chain guides to worry about and I don't think the mpg on the highway is much different than at all from the m62.

[Staszek]

Im in the same boat. I cant find anything that I like right now. I am actually waiting for the new Porsche Taycan to try electric. Almost bought an E39 M5 the other day as a hold over.

That being said if I do find something I like I may be selling my Sport Short with TCG done 10k ago and a full suspension refresh 2k ago

[acspecialists]

Before I found my E60 M5 I was looking for an Alpina B7. The whole drivetrain is beefed up. The big difference is the last of the E's are supercharged and the first of the F's are twin turbo. There is one in vancouver, wa for just over 10K. I think it is and 07'. The F01 sport looks pretty tasty as well. As for the class action on the engine it has been settled and revolved mostly around oil consumption. I think it is worth a shot.

As far as maintenance you can't escape it unless you buy new and have a warranty. My S82 could blow up at any moment but it is a 500hp V10. My E38 is torn down for chain guides and vanos right now. There is no escaping maintenance. And on one final note, nothing drives like an E38. I'm going to take the M5 to the track and see if I like it but for now it is not half the car the E38 is on the street.

[Nobleprofessor]

I have the pre-facelift 750 and I am very happy. You can always retrofit some facelift goodies if you like. No chain guides to worry about and I don't think the mpg on the highway is much different than at all from the m62.

I was thinking about the 750. I was always scared of the V12. But, maybe I shouldn't be. It just two straight six. At least it doesn't have TCG issues.

[georgebest]

I was thinking about the 750. I was always scared of the V12. But, maybe I shouldn't be. It just two straight six. At least it doesn't have TCG issues.

Two DMEs freaked me out, rather went with 740

[AJe31]

My neighbor totaled mine a year ago (iL sport)...I put it on the street to make room for my boys e31- I think I had it 10 yrs...it was getting long in the tooth for long road trips..lost a coil in Yellowstone and began to carry spares with code reader- wife was not too happy!

My son is 6'4" so cabin size & sleeping in the back seat was key criteria...I bought a W221 (S550) 13.6 in the quarter mile and 385hp with similar handling to the e38- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced...S-Class_(W221). It is the ugliest car I've owned- however very enjoyable for long roadtrips with 100 more horses than the e38.
Mechanics I know had same comments about new generation N63 etc- it was tough to find a replacement. Wifey got a GS350 F to replace her e46...a bit small for me..but nice around town.

Ajs Dad

[Staszek]

My neighbor totaled mine a year ago (iL sport)...I put it on the street to make room for my boys e31- I think I had it 10 yrs...it was getting long in the tooth for long road trips..lost a coil in Yellowstone and began to carry spares with code reader- wife was not too happy!

My son is 6'4" so cabin size & sleeping in the back seat was key criteria...I bought a W221 (S550) 13.6 in the quarter mile and 385hp with similar handling to the e38- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merced...S-Class_(W221). It is the ugliest car I've owned- however very enjoyable for long roadtrips with 100 more horses than the e38.
Mechanics I know had same comments about new generation N63 etc- it was tough to find a replacement. Wifey got a GS350 F to replace her e46...a bit small for me..but nice around town.

Ajs Dad

I dont mind the W221, the later ones dont look half bad, and they are tanks. E38 is by far a better looking car, but I would rock a 221.

[asianvenom]

I was thinking about the 750. I was always scared of the V12. But, maybe I shouldn't be. It just two straight six. At least it doesn't have TCG issues.

I owned an 01 740il, and then pick up an 00 750il. 750il is alot more reliable alot torque, I did pull the manifold and replace the valve, and intake gasket along with spark plugs and that was the only things that need to be replace, and it will last anouther 200k with a worry.

If you think 740 are hard to come by, a face lifted 750 is almost impossible to come by. I daily my 750 100 miles a day and getting 21mpg on a V12, that's hard to beat, oh yeah and it's currently at 216k and ripping it without a worry because cooling system and all maintence are done recently, I can really see it run for another 100k without doing much except oil change if the tranny don't give out.

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[Sundaycruzer]

Before I found my E60 M5 I was looking for an Alpina B7. The whole drivetrain is beefed up. The big difference is the last of the E's are supercharged and the first of the F's are twin turbo. There is one in vancouver, wa for just over 10K. I think it is and 07'. The F01 sport looks pretty tasty as well. As for the class action on the engine it has been settled and revolved mostly around oil consumption. I think it is worth a shot.

As far as maintenance you can't escape it unless you buy new and have a warranty. My S82 could blow up at any moment but it is a 500hp V10. My E38 is torn down for chain guides and vanos right now. There is no escaping maintenance. And on one final note, nothing drives like an E38. I'm going to take the M5 to the track and see if I like it but for now it is not half the car the E38 is on the street.

Hard to beat the noise the s85 makes. I miss the room of my il though.

[Sundaycruzer]

Why not just fix what you have? There’s enough support to rebuild anything that’s wrong. I’ve had 2 e38’s last one I sold with 285k runs drive looks like a new car, dew to proper maintenance. Only reason to trash one is frame damage or rust. Only reason I sold mine was the other nine cars/trucks I own. Keep wifey happy-ish. Lol

[asianvenom]

Why not just fix what you have? There’s enough support to rebuild anything that’s wrong. I’ve had 2 e38’s last one I sold with 285k runs drive looks like a new car, dew to proper maintenance. Only reason to trash one is frame damage or rust. Only reason I sold mine was the other nine cars/trucks I own. Keep wifey happy-ish. Lol

Jesus...9? LoL

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[racer2086]

I think you're looking at this wrong. Maintenance is inevitable with these. You've had the car for some time now and daily it (so it is reliable enough). You're using the car as a daily and (I'm assuming) you have no desire to get rid of it. That's key, because as everyone knows, these don't sell for much with higher mileage, so you fix them to keep them and drive them.

You're concerned about the TCGs understandably, but only have 145k on the car. They could blow up tomorrow or go for another 50k. Drive the car and don't worry about it. When they go bad, just pay to have it fixed if you can't do it yourself. $4-5k for a car that drives like the E38 isn't bad, especially if you're using it for daily use. And you'd be putting that into your car that you've spent all your money on thus far to keep it maintained. If you start with another car, you're going to be in for many thousands of other dollars in maintenance that you had already done on your current car.

I started driving mine at 150k and put time and money into it getting it perfect, including the guides I did myself preventatively at 195k. It drove great until 237k when my transmission went. It wasn't much of a decision: I was getting the transmission fixed. I've put too much into the car and even though it has 237k it drives better than 90% of the cars on the road. So to me $4-5k for a car like the E38 as a daily is reasonable. A new car is way more than that, and likely wouldn't be as enjoyable anyway.

Just don't spend the money to fix it if you're going to sell it. That is a total losing proposition. (Oh, and if you do look for other cars, I liked the feel of the E60. It is the only other larger BMW I would consider in place of the E38.)

[georgebest]

I think you're looking at this wrong. Maintenance is inevitable with these. You've had the car for some time now and daily it (so it is reliable enough). You're using the car as a daily and (I'm assuming) you have no desire to get rid of it. That's key, because as everyone knows, these don't sell for much with higher mileage, so you fix them to keep them and drive them.

You're concerned about the TCGs understandably, but only have 145k on the car. They could blow up tomorrow or go for another 50k. Drive the car and don't worry about it. When they go bad, just pay to have it fixed if you can't do it yourself. $4-5k for a car that drives like the E38 isn't bad, especially if you're using it for daily use. And you'd be putting that into your car that you've spent all your money on thus far to keep it maintained. If you start with another car, you're going to be in for many thousands of other dollars in maintenance that you had already done on your current car.

I started driving mine at 150k and put time and money into it getting it perfect, including the guides I did myself preventatively at 195k. It drove great until 237k when my transmission went. It wasn't much of a decision: I was getting the transmission fixed. I've put too much into the car and even though it has 237k it drives better than 90% of the cars on the road. So to me $4-5k for a car like the E38 as a daily is reasonable. A new car is way more than that, and likely wouldn't be as enjoyable anyway.

Just don't spend the money to fix it if you're going to sell it. That is a total losing proposition. (Oh, and if you do look for other cars, I liked the feel of the E60. It is the only other larger BMW I would consider in place of the E38.)

I agree with everything what you said.. with the exception of the E60. I had both E39 and E60, E39 was just a better car overall. E60 felt cheap, like BMW tried to maximize profit and used the cheapest materials possible. That's why I went with the E38 eventually, it has the same luxury feeling as the E39 but with more space.

[racer2086]

^interesting. I didn't think it felt that cheap... the newer ones definitely do to me. I really loved the sport auto with paddles, the twin turbo 535, and the dynamic drive. Car drove like a beast. E38 couldn't compare in the handling department. But you NEED the dynamic drive suspension.

[georgebest]

^interesting. I didn't think it felt that cheap... the newer ones definitely do to me. I really loved the sport auto with paddles, the twin turbo 535, and the dynamic drive. Car drove like a beast. E38 couldn't compare in the handling department. But you NEED the dynamic drive suspension.

Maybe just me then. E39 interior feels more luxurious, I have had two of those, loved both. Then bought an E60 and it was a disappointment, maybe I'm too picky on interior. Handling and engine was fine though.

[Sundaycruzer]

Jesus...9? LoL

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I might have a problem. Lol

[Staszek]

Maybe just me then. E39 interior feels more luxurious, I have had two of those, loved both. Then bought an E60 and it was a disappointment, maybe I'm too picky on interior. Handling and engine was fine though.

I will agree with you here, I passed on E60's many times due to the subpar interior, both in feel and overall design. The E39 and F10 interior are both better.

[Trasportador]

We're at the point where most indys will do TCG's for $1500 in labour. I was talking to Edwin last year(he sold his E38, bought a 6 hole F01) and he advised that the F01 was better than the e38 in every way(granted, he bought a well optioned F01). With a conservative tune, the F01 will get about 400 hp at the crank. WP is not that hard to change, I have all the software needed to diag the car, so I myself am considering the change. The problem I'm having is after staring at F01's for a year, I've not seen one that rustles my jimmies. I look at my E38 like i do my first girlfriend(she was hot as heck). I don't get that feeling when I look at an F01, this bothers me.