I've driven examples of the last three generations of BMW 7, and find the 1988-1994 models as my favorite, but the 1995-2001 models come in a tight second. A great generation of BMW 7, with more room and a higher level of amenities than the previous generation, but less technobloat than the 2002+ models. I assume that you are aware of the M60 Nikasil block issue which is guiding your declared year preference.

If you were content with W140 S320 power levels, you'll be giddy the first time you mash the accelerator into the velour carpeting of a 740.

Normally I'm not a fan of BMW's However







































Need I say more?

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Here's a fun little clip on the 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo5cZhfsP2Y

I've got a 740i Sport. It's been a good car over the last 4 years and it now has 140k miles and looks like 40k miles. Zero rust.

The only electronic issue I've ever had is the alarm going off by itself, trying to resolve that issue now. Has all the pixels, stereo is great, windows/seats work great etc.

Drips some oil around the pan gasket, but otherwise uses no oil. It needs some front end work, center link and thrust arms.

A few years back I put in a new upper rad hose (cooling sys checked out ok) and power steering hoses, oh yeah and new brake pads. That's it!

People say they are huge $$ maint pigs, meh, notsomuch.

It's always a pleasure to drive after motoring that huge pig of an S600, the 7'er handles like a car half it's size.

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

I heard that too. Electrical and computer problems galore, depixilating dash displays, when the numbers go away, make it not a car for the faint hearted, especially the V12 750il


The poetry reads,





No matter how hard,
I sweat and toil,
I still can't afford,
a 740il



But,,,,,

But,,,,,



There is nothing in a modern big sedan, as sexy looking, sensual looking, with the shapes and curves, lithe and graceful looking, and as beautifully styled as the short wheelbase 740i


A garnet red '99-01 740ia "Sport" is far and away the most gorgeous looking modern big beast that I ever dreamt of.


With the Sport package they handle pretty well, are very affordable to buy, and fairly quick and balanced.

They make the W140 Mercedes look like a WW II Panzer Mk VI Tiger tank by comparison

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

The ones with the Sport Package are killer.....

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Sharing my partner's 2012 Forte 5dr SX til I find my next 123 or 126..
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Do I miss being a service advisor ???

I have one-a 98 740IL with 73K miles. I mainly use it for long trips down the West Coast mainly down 101 and 1 but very occasionally down 5. The car is fantastic for this purpose. I have gotten consistent upper 20s driving 70-80mph.

I will list some potential issues below but I strongly advise that you visit http://www.bimmerboard.com

The e38 page and the e38.org page there are simply fantastic with DIY fixes for common problems.

OK, the list:
1. The radiator is prone to failure because of its plastic frame construction. A good rule of thumb is to replace it every 60-75K along with the overflow bottle. You also could do as I did and get a Zionsville all metal replacement radiator which would also elimanate the fan clutch issue which can cause fan blades to come off an do damage to the hood.

2. Do not believe the "lifetime fluid" bull that BMW puts out about the transmission and differential. They both should be changed at 50K or less if you want to keep the car.

3. There is a very frequent failure of what is referred to as the OSV but which is actually an oil recovery device which has a rubber bladder that fails over time. This results in a variety of problems the most damaging of which can be oil getting into the exhaust stream and destroying the cats. The OE cats are about $1300 each although there are cheaper ones on the market-of unknown durability.

4. The thrust arms on the front end wear and can produce a shimmy at about 45mph+. The rear ball joints are expensive if you have a shop do them.

5. Tire wear on the rears can be extreme. Most users of Michelin Pilot Sport AS report about 15K as the max due to wear on the rear tires on the middle of the tread. I have not had those tires but avoided them when I added 18 M Sport staggered wheels -which look much better than the standard 16 inch Basaket weaves.

6. There is much variety in the engines over the various model years. They kept getting better over the years up to 2001 but BMW always listed the same 282HP.

7. Another thing that fails is the Camshaft Postition Sensor but they are not that expensive and the replacement is a 5 minute procedure.

8. The dash digital display can lose pixels but if you read that site carefully you will find a means to get a heavy discount on both parts and labor to replace it.

I love mine and keep finding new mods and even new features that I did not know about from several trips through the owners manual. And, because of gas prices, the prices for these cars have collapsed even though they get pretty damn good mileage. And do not spurn the IL completely, I have gotten nothing but good reactions from my occasional backseat riders. Also bear in mind that only the short models in the US can possibly have the Steptronic transmissions as an option. But do not jump to the conclusion that they short models get better mileage. they have a taller differential for quick acceleration and tend to get worse mileage because of it.

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87 300D 265Kmi
Factory rebuilt crate 603.96x engine at 200K

Couldn't resist..........57K miles on the clock.........brought it back from FL this weekend

A few issues that the POS dealer should have attended to.........belts and what sounds like a tensioner bearing.........and a very rich cold idle.........but, it sure does drive like a bank vault with massive power.

Fuel economy was 22 mpg doing 79 mph with a/c nonstop for 456 miles
Fuel economy was 23.1 mpg doing 79 mph without a/c for 419 miles.
Fuel economy was 23.3 mpg doing 65-70 mph with a few lights for 333 miles.

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Beautiful car. Love the color combination.

What year is it and how did you find it?

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

IMHO those are the last good looking BMW's they built.


Back in high school my friend had a 1993 735IL, that was a fantastic machine. British racing green on a tan interior and M wheels, damn it was nice. The I6 screamed and pulled like crazy. My SDL feels like a dump truck compared to it.

Next time your around bring it by, I'd love to see it. Maybe I'll defect and get one of those or an XJR next.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Yep, I fell for those colors as well. It's a '98 and was on e-bay with a BIN of $11,988. No auction. I got him down to $11.1. I'd have been very pleased if the damn thing didn't already have issues. Apparently, "no known mechanical problems" works if you're blind..........

My machinist knows the dealer up near Hartford, so I might bring it there and have him go through it. I'm sure I won't appreciate the $1500. bill, however.............

Whats the problem? CE light on?

Does it have a serp belt, or a bunch of them? Not really familer with those cars.


Used car dealers always play dumb.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I found the ebay auction.

What issues does it have?

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

It's got a very rough cold idle........won't idle without some rpm's.
A bearing.........tensioner or water pump........is on the way out.
Two serp belts.........both are toast.

And, I'll bet that it has an out of round front tire. The vehicle is so heavy that it masks the response fairly well, but..........I can feel it if I look for it.