E38 740iL

[hennared323i]

My neighbor picked this up last weekend:



It is a 4l V8 (M60) with 130k on it.

At the moment the engine has a bit of a missfire although no lights are showing on the dash and it has not thrown up any fault codes yet.

He has offered it to me at a very attractive price but I'm not sure.

Does anyone know of any 7 specific websites or have any knowledge of the common faults with these?

Thanks in advance

[Blitz]

It would have to be very cheap because E38's are plenty for good ones for next to nothing.

The 7 series register is one website.

[hennared323i]

Well he's talking around a bag for it

I'll try the 7 series register - cheers

[Phatz]

Always liked these and my mate has a lovely 735i in Calypso Red with M-paralells. I would say have it for around a grand, but then again I'm not sure what the score is around nikasil issues with these engines.

[Blitz]

Always liked these and my mate has a lovely 735i in Calypso Red with M-paralells. I would say have it for around a grand, but then again I'm not sure what the score is around nikasil issues with these engines.

The M60 suffered from nikasil, but they have either been replaced, or have not been affected. You could check compression on the cylinders to find out.

[Ollie_bwoii]

That is really rather nice. Spadge on here runs an E38, may be worth asking him about one.

[Andyboy]

A grand is about twice what it's worth. An old 4 litre 740i with Council tints and a missfire is 500 quid.
With an E38 = assume it's f*cked and price accordingly. Might be a cam sensor or coil pack, but could just as easily be an exhaust valve or lack of compression, neither of which would show up on diagnostics.

[essexe30]

it could be any number of things causing the mis-fire from camshaft sensors which there are 4 or ignition coils x8, spark plugs, injectors, dme c/u, vanos, and numerous other things

[Jon_Bmw]

4 cam sensors?

[B7]

Nicosil???? Walk away.

[pacerpete]

I bought a taxed and tested very tidy 750il with a TV etc and running on all 12 pots for £500. You may be lucky and fix this turd for £20 ,but surely the previous owner would have if it was that simple ? Looking at the nasty tints I assume it was owned by a deluded penniless council type who thought he was an executive, if this was the case the car will be rubbish and the engine scrap.
Another once proud chariot destined for the peoples republic !

[hennared323i]

Actually the previous owner was quite a nice old chap who had owned the car for a number of years - deluded he may be, pennyless he is not as the replacement for this is a new 745.

He brought it in to my neighbour (self employed motor tech) to see if the misfire could be cured and when told that the diagnosis could be long and costly he decided that he didn't need the hassle and accepted an offer from said neighbour.

I shall advise my neighbour to shift on the brand new wheels and tyres (he also has the originals) and send the remains to the land of fireworks.

Interestingly enough (or not if you couldn't give a toss) it costs roughly 5% of a luxury cars new value each year to maintain even if depreciation and market forces have reduced the value from £55,000 to £500

Cheers chaps.

[pacerpete]

Actually the previous owner was quite a nice old chap who had owned the car for a number of years - deluded he may be, pennyless he is not as the replacement for this is a new 745.

He brought it in to my neighbour (self employed motor tech) to see if the misfire could be cured and when told that the diagnosis could be long and costly he decided that he didn't need the hassle and accepted an offer from said neighbour.

I shall advise my neighbour to shift on the brand new wheels and tyres (he also has the originals) and send the remains to the land of fireworks.

Interestingly enough (or not if you couldn't give a toss) it costs roughly 5% of a luxury cars new value each year to maintain even if depreciation and market forces have reduced the value from £55,000 to £500

Cheers chaps.

The previous victim can't be that caked, a 'new' 745 has not been available for quite a few years


If your mechanic neighbour is half clever ? I assume he has gone through the basics ? Often a fresh set of plugs to replace the oily originals can get one of these turds back on song long enough to serve it
The point I am trying to make is an early e38 with an engine problem is only for the brave and needs to be bought at scrap value.

[hennared323i]

New Schmoo - He is buying a new 7 series.

As ever Pete you make yourself crystal

[Faz2kool]

Have a look on ere for any useful information

http://www.e38.org/

[hennared323i]

Have a look on ere for any useful information

http://www.e38.org/

Cheers Faz