BMW...the ultimate P.O.S.?

[Mr. BILL]

I have a real desire to own a 7 series BMW. I like the way they look and drive. To my eye, they're just a sexier car than an S or E class.

All that being said, I have gotten serious abut three of these cars only to be disappointed to find th engine is bad. From 1993-1996, every 540 and 740 sold in the U.S. has the potential for the engine to loose compression because gasoline here has too much sulfur in it. I don't know how many cars that is, but what a shame. there are literally thousands of time bombs out there. In fairness, not all of them go bad, but it's a game of Russian roulette.

BMW had a voluntary replacement campain for origional and longtime owners. However, the rest of us potential "victims" are left in the cold, (or on the side of the road). A new engine runs about $8K.

It's hard for me to imagine that a high line company that prides itself on quality is allowing this to happen.

O.K., I feel a little better

[hitch02]

I came very close on an E34 BMW, and yes, this was one of the factors that swayed me away, but ultimately it came down to the cost of the car. There is some useful information about this issue athttp://www.koalamotorsport.com/tech/misc/v8shortblock.htm, although I have to admit, I don't see how this issue is substantially different from the head problems on the 3.5 diesels or the timing chain issues on the 2.5's. MB has essentially been just as forthcoming in those cases as BMW in the case of the M60 engines, certainly no better.

Just my $0.02.

-Reed
'84 300D/T

[suginami]

I think MB has effectively proven that they are just as bad as BMW in ignoring problems.

Reference the dreaded M104 engine wiring harness problem from 93-95.

Reference the leaking head gaskets on M103 and M104 engines.

Also, don't forget the dreaded "rod-bender" 3.5 liter turbodiesel used in the 1990-1995 W126 and W140 bodied S-class. Don't those have a similar lifespan to a BMW 4.0 liter V-8?

And Reed, if you want an E34 Bimmer, get one with the proven 3.5 liter powerplant, SOHC version with is found in the 535i (plenty exciting with 208 hp) and then there's the DOHC version. Ah yes, the DOHC 3.5 liter with 320 hp. Found in an E34 variant know as the //M5.

-Sam

[hitch02]

BTDT -

I used to drive a 533i with the BMW "Big-Six" exclusively, until repair and refurbishment costs just got the better of me. (lesson learned - DO NOT overheat an aluminum-head BMW engine).. I decided it just wasn't worth a new head. That's actually when I bought the diesel. Always had better reliability with MBs, and it is a far better commuter.

I miss it on the twisties, though, with the 5-speed, tuned suspension and 16" rims, that car was a BLAST on the back roads.

I've worked on M5s before, E28s and E34s, and the E34 M5s are downright civilized cars, btu if you think your MB is expensive when it breaks...... Especially the later (import) 3.8 liter motors.. Ahh, sweet power.

That said, I'll stick to my paid-for 300D for now.

-Reed

Bill,


Which 7 series are you referring to? New or old?

I test drove the E65 (745i) and look the power output, but I
could not get over the rear deck design.

[DALE DORIA]

My brother-in-law is the VP at a local BMW dealership......I have a definite "in" on any type of car.....except the Z8....My signature says it all !

[Ashman]

I was going to buy a 1995 540I when looking at cars.

After driving them, I liked how the benz drove the most.

Even over newer bmw's and other ebnzes, the coupe was just me.

I love the 7 series, my dad's business partner has a 2001 model. before that, a 1998 model, before that a 1995 model and before that a 1994 model (the older style to the new one).

My dad's business partner is justa BMW person. The last time she got a 2001, it was between that and a S class. She just likes the BMW better.

The do drive great, and I would definately drive one if ti was given to me, but if buying a car, I'll go benz every time.

Alon

[suginami]

I've driven BMW's and Benzes, and I'm also a Benz man. It just feels like me.

But BMW's are great cars and they have their own character. In fact, it's the same with Volvo's.

It's like the difference between a Chevy man, a Ford man, and a Mopar man. To each his own.

I'll never criticize someone for prefering a Volvo or a BMW over a Mercedes.

I drove a brand new Camry last week in Florida, and was very excited to try it out. What a barge! Floated like a whale. Very quiet 4 cylinder engine, but thrashy at high rpm's and didn't go anywhere. Power steering over assisted, brakes were mushy and not linear. They are the Buick's of our time. Perfect for the over 65 geriatric crowd.

I can't believe how much I've changed in the year I've owned the Mercedes. I can't imagine owning anything else.

The 750il is for me. I love the look as much or more then the 600sel or s600

[Mr. BILL]

Chicagland,

I'm talking about '94-96 740's. They are all time bombs unless the engine has been changed. As far as comparing this to any Mercedes fiasco's, the 350 Diesel is close, but not as many cars and when they realized it was bad, they pulled it. BMW knew these blocks were bad and continued putting them in cars for four years.

[Holson Adi]

The E32 7-Series is an awesome car too. However, I do prefer the W126.

The W140 and the E38 would be a tough one.
Especially the S600 and the 750iL. The S600 is such an elegant and gracious car. The 750iL is so handsome, sleek, and VERY nice inside. Tough choice....can't say.

The W220 is definitely the winner over this new one though..

I think BMW's stepped on the gas hard in the past couple of years though.
The M5 is definitely a winner, and so is the M3 (or the 3-series in general). I would definitely pick 'em over the current E-Class and C-Class cars respectively.
BMW interiors are definitely much better than they were in the past. (No offence to classic BMW owners) I love MB's, but most of the newer ones just don't inspire me anymore. (Except the S/CL/SL)

I second that

[Ali Al-Chalabi]

The M5 and M3 are awesome cars.

The e46 3 series is one of the best looking cars ever produced.

The 7 series USED to be a good car.

I just had an opportunity to ride in a 1985 BMW 735i that was in nice condition for a daily driver. Let's see, my thoughts about this car were:
-Leather seats in good condition, not as supple as the seats in a W126.
-Plus for rear headrests. Minus for them being hard and uncomfortable.
-The 3.5 liter engine hauling around nearly 2 tons of car could use a better final drive ratio (too high!). My 380SE feels noticeably more urgent. When I floor my car at 45 mph, I get a snappy double downshift and kickdown to the 4000 rpm range that is a nice kick in the butt. The 735i just didn't feel as torquey in the same situation.
-Interior design is laughably 70s.
-Exterior design smacks of the 70s, too, doesn't look timeless like the W126.
-4 speed automatic felt too smooth, not as positive as an MB auto's sharp shifts. What is this, a German Buick?
-And, a W126 has less body roll and feels more composed in corners (comparing my car to this car). Both cars are in good condition, not beat out at all. And my shocks aren't exactly new, either.
Final thoughts were that this "thing" is an overweight parody of what a BMW is (only other Bimmer experience being E30 325iX, E34 525iA, and E28 535iS....all much sharper feeling and sportier).

-Sam