Should I buy this 750iL?

[Swordsman]

I have been wanting (o.k., lusting after) a BMW 750iL for several years and may now have one almost within my grasp.

I recently took a new job where I will not longer be putting 35,000 miles/year on my car. More like 7,000 miles/year. With this in mind, it would be OK with me to have a car with relatively high mileage on it - much more than I would have though acceptable in the past.

I have a line on a 2000 750iL with 101K miles on it. They are asking $20K, will probably take no less than $18.5 or $19K for it.

The key is that this is a one-owner car and was sold and serviced continuously by the same dealership that is selling it now. The previous owner traded it in when it hit 100 miles and bought a 760Li.

I know these cars have high maintenance costs, but I would hope to be able to get at least a few months out of it before I have to spend any more money on it.

What do you think?
1. Should I buy the car?
2. What should I watch out for/ask the dealer?
3. Is this a good price under the circumstances?

Thanks!

Swordsman
2000 750iL Wannabe

[palmerosa]

That price doesn't seem bad. FYI there is a 2000 750 on ebay with 83,000 that has a buy it now price of $21,500.

[Jfstu]

1. Yes
2. Search this forum and check ou the "sticky" at the top
3. Absolutely

[Swordsman]

Thanks for the tip on the one on eBay. I love the photos of the car, but the Carfax report does not fill me with confidence. 4 owners in ~85K miles, a repossession, etc., versus the other one which had just one owner and was bought and serviced at the same BMW dealership from day 1.

Am I being too nervous about the history on a high-end car like this?

Swordsman
750iL Wannabe

[crewdog843]

High mileage is not a good indicator of anything but tire wear.

Many engines are measured by the number of hours on them. I would rather have a car with 100,000 miles at 80 miles per hour than the same car at 40 miles per hour (twice as fast for half as long).

Buy the car, and enjoy it. Peruse the threads regarding the 750s and take note of common problems...have a mech check for those problems, and fix any found. Maintain lubricants, and treat with respect.

Vermont is not the most forgiving of climes for pristine body condition, however.

Any chance of purchasing an extended warranty?

jk

[Swordsman]

I checked into extended warranties already. It looks like no reputable company will offer one on a car that is already over 100K miles, which this car is.

I could get a "real" extended warranty if it had under 75K miles. Between 75K and 100K miles the best I can find is a powertrain-only warranty that has strict limits to the total liability. (I would pay $1400 for the warranty, which would cover only up to $3200 in total engine repairs, $2200 in total transmission repairs, etc.

Sadly, I think that a 750iL with under 100K miles may be outside my price range. At least one in good condition?

Swordsman
750iL Wannabe

[Reed Hunt]

Am I being too nervous about the history on a high-end car like this?

Swordsman
750iL Wannabe

No, you're not.

Since it's a one owner, one dealer car, there should be complete records available, which you need to track down.

Has the radiator/cooling system been replaced, when were the brakes last done, how are the tires, was the oil changed regularly, was a Service 2 done on time, etc?

Request the service history and let us know.

[DaveClement]

If well maintained, it could be in really good shape. They are designed to be driven at high speeds all day. Unless I really step on it, I never need to get much higher than 2000 RPM. 60 MPH is right around 1,500 RPM and 80 MPH is is only doing 2000 RPM. That is really easy work for an engine and if driven conservatively it is a pretty pampered life.

On the other hand, a car that is driven hard and maintained poorly could be a very expensive maintenance nightmare. I tend to think that 740s are abused a lot more than 750s.

Pesonally, I've had very good luck with both of my 750iLs.

[tasty740Sport]

Just went through the same search. I highly recommend the sport version. I pd 21K for mine with 65,000 miles. Set some money aside up front for radiator work. They all suck. Plastic, plastic, plastic. I had my local BMW dealer perform the 90,000 mile service as it now has 80,000. I was sold on the 7 series, but the Sport made my day. I choose the 740 as it was more than enough power and cheaper to maintain. Nothing wrong a v12. Mine is a monster on the highway as it is. Be patient as buying the wrong one of these will cost you dearly. Just my .02

[SR740il]

I checked into extended warranties already. It looks like no reputable company will offer one on a car that is already over 100K miles, which this car is.

I could get a "real" extended warranty if it had under 75K miles. Between 75K and 100K miles the best I can find is a powertrain-only warranty that has strict limits to the total liability. (I would pay $1400 for the warranty, which would cover only up to $3200 in total engine repairs, $2200 in total transmission repairs, etc.

Sadly, I think that a 750iL with under 100K miles may be outside my price range. At least one in good condition?

Swordsman
750iL Wannabe

Burlington is your closest BMW service center, right? Or is there something over the river in New Hampshire closer? Keep this in mind when looking in to your new(used) vehicle.(You don't want an hour plus to get your car worked on) Indi will be able to help you with many items...but at some point you will probably need a dealer.

Good luck and don't stop dreaming...

[Swordsman]

OK, I've got the low-down on the service for the car. I asked for the service records themselves (instead of just all the codes), but they said that it was over 100 pages and were balking at printing it all out.

They are, however, e-mailing me the codes.

In the meantime, I was told:
- engine was worked on at 30K due to broken head bolt
- transmission rebuilt at 70K
- radiator replaced once
- oil changes every 7K with syntethic oil
- lifetime synthetic in transmission
- brand new tires
- new front brakes (Brembo)
- all lights and markers updated to 2001 standards

I'll post the codes as soon as I get them. I'd appreciate help in translating them.

Unless these guys are putting me on, this was owned by (get this) the assistant service manager at the BMW dealership. I was previously told it was a one-owner car and that the owner originally leased it, then purchased it, then traded it in on a new 760Li.

If true, I have no doubt it was kept up well. I do wonder how the assistant service manager at a car dealership affords $100K+ cars every 5 years. Maybe I'm in the wrong line of work.

Thanks!

Swordsman
750iL Wannabe

[palmerosa]

Swordsman, Buy It!!!!!!!!

[Swordsman]

Here are the service codes from BMW for this 750iL. Would someone far more knowledgable than me mind taking a look at them and translating anything I should know?

Thanks!

Swordsman
750iL Wannabe


Vehicle Information
VIN: WBAGJ0345Y DD73906
Model Code: 0076 GJ03
Model Desc: 750iL
Engineering Series: E38
Motor Type: M73
Color Code: 317 (Orient Blue Metallic)
Trim Code: O8OY (OYSTER BEIGE/NAVY BLUE)
Production Date: 1999/10

Customer Name:
Customer Address

UNITED STATES


BMW Assist Expiration Date: / /
TCU ESN: 0
Retail Dealer: 86716
Retail Date: 11/19/1999
Wholesale Dealer: 86716
Wholesale Date: 11/15/1999

NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY

No Coverage As Of: 11/19/2003
Expiration Miles: 50,000

Comments:




FULL MAINTENANCE 0050000
No Coverage As Of: 11/19/2003
Expiration Miles: 50,000


Vehicle Options
Code Description Code Description
0403 glass moonroof 0261 rear side impact airbags
0936 750IL HAND HELD HANDSET 0769 100% OPTIONS
0205 Automatic transmission 0780 18" alloy wheels
0358 infrared windshield 0096 FIRST AID / FLOOR MATS


Repair History
RO # Claim Repair Date Entry Date Mileage Dealer Service Code Location
282191 16566 11/03/2005 11/22/2005 100,551 86716 62141112CR 01
74206 12715 07/16/2005 08/16/2005 3,422 86716 51163313CR 01
268678 09427 05/06/2005 05/19/2005 2,905 86716 5116331300 01
256242 02472 11/13/2004 11/25/2004 11,465 86716 1362071500 01
230699 89453 11/07/2003 12/02/2003 67,341 86716 24002466CR 01
213411 71337 02/08/2003 02/11/2003 55,540 86716 65770602SA 01
200466 65189 07/18/2002 07/19/2002 46,765 86716 1711004800
6317051200 01
197136 63727 05/31/2002 06/03/2002 44,135 86716 6317051200 01
193749 62395 04/16/2002 04/24/2002 41,729 86716 3221033900
34117777MP
34210077MP
85990091MP 01
185909 58551 12/05/2001 12/07/2001 35,469 86716 34000077MP 01
175858 53668 07/10/2001 07/18/2001 28,060 86716 61610077MP
85990092MP 01
169690 52152 05/04/2001 05/25/2001 24,589 86716 1111074800
1242103700 01
165754 49466 02/06/2001 02/12/2001 21,392 86716 1115034800
7211081300 01
158546 46527 10/12/2000 10/16/2000 15,564 86716 0061450100 01
46526 0012430100
46525 0012420100
46524 85990089MP
153002 44261 08/01/2000 08/04/2000 11,744 86716 3121002500 01
150438 42835 06/08/2000 06/15/2000 9,284 86716 0061420100 01
145746 40691 03/22/2000 03/28/2000 5,104 86716 5121076500
6113088000 01
142106 39107 01/18/2000 01/20/2000 2,243 86716 84110402AZ 01
140417 38365 12/20/1999 12/21/1999 1,149 86716 5116312900 01


Open Campaign Information


NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS

[DaveClement]

I do wonder how the assistant service manager at a car dealership affords $100K+ cars every 5 years. Maybe I'm in the wrong line of work.

BMW service is not cheap. I'm sure that the service manager gets his cut. It may be a $100K car when it is new, but when it is turned in off lease or as a trade in he probably gets first pick and a pretty sweet deal.

This may not apply to a car this new, but with repair costs for BMWs as high as they are, there are a lot of BMW mechanics driving BMWs. All it takes is one too many repairs and an owner (or spouse) that says "I've put too much into that car already and I'm not spending any more." The mechanic makes an offer and gets it cheap, puts in his own labor and gets a great deal on parts.

[RIboater]

Here ya go with the code translations....

http://www.tmk.com/transient/bmw-defect-codes.txt

[Swordsman]

So I translated the service codes into English, below. Can anyone tell me what this service history implies regarding the likely reliability of this 750iL?

For example, it had transmission work at 67K. It had a new radiator at 47K. It just recently had the instrument cluster fixed.


Repair Date Translation
11/3/2005 Instrument cluster indicator lamps / warning lamps / background lighting Permanent failure
7/16/2005 Drink holder, front. Broken.
5/6/2005 Drink holder, front. Broken.
11/13/2004 Mass air flow sensor. Permanent malfunction.
11/7/2003 Automatic transmission, power transmission forward. No effect.
2/8/2003 Airbag control unit / safety and information module SIM / safety and gateway module SGM Software error
7/18/2002 Radiator including module carrier. Leaking.
Fog light (halogen lamp bulb). Permanent failure.
5/31/2002 Fog light (halogen lamp bulb). Permanent failure.
4/16/2002 Centre track rod. Unpleasant noises.
Front brake caliper.
Rear disk brakes.
Not listed.
12/5/2001 Not listed. Probably front brakes/axel.
7/10/2001 Not listed. Probably wiper arm.
Not listed.
5/4/2001 Crankcase, oil side. Leaking.
Battery lead B+ (engine compartment) Loose
2/6/2001 Valve for crankcase venting. Leaking.
Catch tongue stopper for front seat belt. Broken.
10/12/2000 Replacing system battery
Replacing drive belt and alternator
Increasing idle speed
Not listed.
8/1/2000 Wheel bearing. Rough running.
6/8/2000 Replacing brake light switch
3/22/2000 Door stop, front. Does not lock into position.
Fuse short circuit
1/18/2000 Keypad handset/mobile phone malfunction
12/20/1999 Hinged tray, front centre armrest. Sticking/jammed.

[DaveClement]

Most of the stuff looks pretty normal. If the transmission is going to fail, better that it failed and was already replaced. The radiator, that's a given. It is probably due for another one before long. They generally last around 60K miles. The instrument clusters also fail due to bad pixels. That's another one that it is better to have fixed.

[samsly]

At this point you shouldn't worry much about it, just buy the ride, you will be happy you did... especially since you won't be driving it much! 7k a year?? thats a blessing! Wish my job was so close.. I probably drive 7k a month.. LOL

[Swordsman]

OK, so I've put an offer on the car and it has been accepted! Whoo hoo!

The financing is lined up and the dealer says he'll fix anything the inspector finds, because he's confident there won't be anything. I'll have the inspector's report by noon. That's the last piece.

If all goes well, I'll be flying out to Chicago early tomorrow morning to pick up my 750iL!

One more question though, the dealer is offering a "new car warranty" for 12 months, 12K miles, for $3K. This seems a bit steep, but I'm actually giving it some consideration. If the work must be done at a BMW dealer, it is a no-go, since the closest dealer is 85 miles away. (There is a local indi shop a short walk from my new job.)

Can anyone advise me on the warranty side? I also have quotes for other aftermarket warranties, some of which claim to cover pretty much anything for 24 months, 24K miles, but at a cost of $4500. I also have seen a powertrain-only warranty for only $1000.

Thanks for all your great advice!

Swordsman
(Soon no longer a) 750iL Wannabe

[flatr8ter]

NO
The V-12 is a maintenance nightmare. Buying one with 100k is begging for trouble.
If you buy it, you will agree within the first month.