thinking about buying a 7 series.. (newbie questions)

[shapiros]

Hi guys, I'm new to BMW's, so I was really glad to find this site.

I have recently found a person that is selling a 1992 750il. The car has 145,000 miles on it, and seems like it comes with all the options (Leather Seats, Sunroof, Driver Airbag, Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Seats, Power Windows). I guess my question is, with regular upkeep and care, how many miles could this car possibly rack up? Were there any problems with this car in particular? Anything I should know about this 7 series before buying it? Any words of BMW wisdom? Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate your help.

[ThatRoundHeadedKid]

V12 at 145,000 = problems and near to rebuild, but depends on how the owner took care of the car and if he already rebuilt everything.

[1988735iLBrooklyn]

GO For it man.

Bought a 1988 325I Convertible 2 years ago with a broken top. Spent $700 then its fixed. Body is good California Red a real eye catcher.
- trans is good
- replace timing belt/ water pump / fan belts all belts
- dropped it an inch and brought it to Maaco and got a supreme
- It runs and looks like a champ BMW brother

Twist
Then I bought a 1988 735iL in Jan 05. for my kids starting colleges this semester in Sept 05.

Car sounds like a diesel and there's no torque at all/ driver side window is broken. Rear right tail lights cracked/ no hazard light switch/ broken instrument panel (indicates turn signal, mileage, temperature, fasten seatbelts and all kinds of notification. No interior lights

What do you expect for $2000.00

Don't even know the mileage at that time since the instrument panel was broke. Mileage does not matter to me since its a 735iL BMW I don't know why the tag in the back says 740 i.

BUT it will never stall/ Started in cold weather/ new brakes/ new tires and most of all no dings good shape. and moon roof works.

Thats was my buying decision. No dings and it started the first time when I picked it up in Brooklyn.

Drove it home to Jersey got there kids are happy.
Now. The cost/ the test of patience and the pursue of reviving a car that in 1988 was by far ahead of its time in technology.

To make a long story short.
Replaced the following
- Battery Replaced $68
- Rear passenger Tail light assembly $224
- Cam Shaft $368
- 12 pieces of Rockers for Cam $374
- Labor $1178.00
- Control Bulb Module $274
- Instrument Panel $94
- Labor $210
- Cold Intake Air system $114.00
- Steering Front Passenger control Arm $124
- Labor $140
- Wheel Alignment Front $59
- Driver Side Regulator automatic Window $168.00
- Left Bumper Chrome $60
- Bently manual $105.00
- Hazard Light Switch $40
- BMW Emblem Front and Back $42.00
- Maaco supreme paint job $680 with three clear coat and polyhuritaine finish
- passenger Head lights $ 105
- New headlight bulbs $40
- Head lights protector $40
- OEM BMW Wiper blade assembly
Repairs $4507.00
Car purchase price $2200.00
$6507.00
Total cost of owner ship not including maintenance.

Now the car is perfect driving condition. It rides great. It's so comfortable like riding a boat sailing don't feel no bumps. It has power oh it has power.

The total mileage 141000


New issue arised.
- when driving and hits 45-50 miles an hour the car has a slight vibration I think that the trans is shifting into high gear on low speed but once more than 50 its good.

- Coolant Leaks just today.

But all in all it is a good car for $6700.00 and lots of patience.

It passed a excruciating NJ DMV vehicle test inspection.

So you should get one this cars are nicely engineered to handle any type of whether also.

Synopsis

$7000.00 1988 735IL 141000 Miles good condition is worth it.

[csieminski]

Well, shapiros, I would avoid a 750iL unless you are nuts about having a V-12. I thought about buying one before I got my 535i, and would have gladly taken a 735i or 735iL. 750iL's are so affordable for the $70-90K they used to cost that the idea is very alluring.

First of all, gas mileage is in the toilet, and with 93 oct. gas about $2.50 here in MD and higher elsewhere, I'm really glad I didn't get a 750. To its credit, the BMW V-12 itself is actually supposed to be a very strong, durable engine. If that car was well-maintained, 145K is not actually TOO bad, although I wouldn't pay more than $4,000-4,500, even if the car is in good shape.

The problem is with all the other systems and electronics in the car. In a lot of cases, there are TWO of many components (two catalytic converters, $2,500 each) where there is just one in ordinary cars. Parts will not be cheap, and I don't imagine labor will be either. 750's are supremely complex vehicles, and there is a lot that can go wrong. When it does, it's possible you may end up spending more than the car is worth to fix it.

I don't know how much you are looking to spend, but if it were me, I'd look at an '88-'92 735i/iL on a less than $5K budget. The E32 '93-'94 740's are nice but you have to make sure that the original Nikasil engine block has been replaced with an Alusil one per BMW's recall (all 1993-1995 740's and all 1994-1995 530's and 540's were affected). If I could spring $10K, I would try to get a '96+ 740i or 740iL with the newer 4.4L V-8. Those cars are much more contemporary as well.

[whatcha/got/racer]

ay i been eyeing 97 7 series wondering what info you guys could provide i heard transmission are a problem let me know. thanks

[Diamond-wulf]

I am looking at a 1989 735iL BMW with 186,000 miles and new transmission...The owner started out wanting 5,500 for it then droped it down to 5,000 and now to 4,900. The car looks good inside and out and has new tires and brakes.....What should one offer for the car?

[csieminski]

I sure don't think you should pay too much for the car, but as someone who has invested quite a bit of money into cars myself, it's good to be fair regarding what that owner has just spend on their 735.

Kelley Blue Book private party value is $3,400 good condition and $3,850 excellent condition for the car in question. If you look on Autotrader.com, you should see that most 735i's and 735iL's are selling in that range--these being mostly medium to high mileage cars in passable condition. Most of the ones listed for $5-6K plus are pristine, extremely low-mileage examples--and are probably worth the extra money.

Given that the new transmission was surely expensive and the new tires and brakes are a bonus, I would pay an extra $500-$800 for the car, perhaps. If the car is truly immaculate inside and out, maybe I'd offer $4,500. If it is average, I'd go no higher than about $4,000. And if it's got quite a bit of wear, maybe $3,500-3,800. If you get the car at an appropriate price, I'd say you both will have gotten a fair deal. As long as the engine has been properly maintained, I doubt it will be an issue until 250K, possibly even farther down the road. With a new transmission, I don't see what else MAJOR could go wrong.

[1988735iLBrooklyn]

Make sure that all display in the instrument panel works.

186 that's not bad thats 40K more than my 1988735iL

it cost me total of 7K.

Body in good shape what do you think you will spend on repairs?

Is it 5K for anticipated cost to repair other issues with the car?

[ThatRoundHeadedKid]

if you're interested in spending a few extra bucks, have a look at the E39 750s Alot better than the E32