just bought 740il 1998

[jacquesrober]

I just bought a 740il 1998. Nicest car I ever drove.
I still own a MB 300E 1988. Second nicest.
My wife always wants to use the BMW and I get to use the second nicest.
Any ideas on how to reverse that situation ?
Jacques

[jay76silver]

sell your mb 300e and nice bmw for your wife

[TheScientist]

Try a 5-series, just as great, or Acura TL or RL, just as great too.

[jcarey]

I have made a few mods to my 98 Jet Black 740iL, "Bettie". You can read what I have done to her on my Car Domain web pages. I did not get around to posting the project I recently completed which was to rebuild my headlights into Xenon HIDs using parts from a apir of passenger '01 headlights.

Oh yeah I also blacked out the chrome trim on the windows using Trimbrite blackout tape. Looks perfect from 3feet away but up close you can see a few tape lines. Replacing the trim with the shadowline (black) version fo these trims costs hundreds of dollars, but the tape was $6.00 a roll. I bought two and I only used one!

Enjoy your car, I love mine...
regards,

[taylorchen]

I got a 98 740IL through a dealer from auction. This car was leased and it was third time in the auction, so the condition was not that good. It did not pass smog check, and catalytic converter was replaced with a cheap one, gas mileage is 14-15, any suggestion?

[jcarey]

Originally Posted by taylorchen

I got a 98 740IL through a dealer from auction. This car was leased and it was third time in the auction, so the condition was not that good. It did not pass smog check, and catalytic converter was replaced with a cheap one, gas mileage is 14-15, any suggestion?

If the Cats are shot, then it won't pass the smog inspection that's one thing. I'd also have the engine serviced with new spark plugs and make sure that there are no other issues like :
Bad Crankcase Ventilation Diaphragm, place the palm of your hand over the Oil filler opening and feel if there is a sucking when the engine is running, if there is, this seal is shot and needs to be replaced.
Oil leaks around the park plug area near injectors, replace the valve cover seals
Air hose cracks or disconnects in the intake side, replace or reconnect and get a new air filter
Air Mass Sensor wire is not coated with gum or corosion, if it is clean it up
Make sure all vacuum hoses and other connections under the hood are in good condition.
If you do these things, I would be pretty sure you can pass inspection unless you have a blown cylinder in the engine.