e38 buying advice

[sunnyr83]

Hi guys.
Im looking to get a 7 series e38 just need some advice on what to look out for when buying one. I have been on the 7 series forum and asked the same questions but got nothing back from people on there apart from them complimenting their own cars and saying go for the 4 litre v8, waste of time!
Im looking to get a 728i, iv read that these cars aint cheap if something goes wrong with it like suspension, electrics. I dont no anybody who owns one so anything will help.
(still a e30 fan just need something practical for the family)

[madaboutthe30]

From what I remember from a meet about a year ago, a zone member could spadge on here user to own one....and hes always a well of information, you may want to drop him a pm

Im really tempted by these cars aswell, but as you said, they are expensive when they go wrong

[Cloggy Saint]

I should imagine they're fairly expensive when they're not going wrong too!

[sunnyr83]

Cheers buddy.

[goldysingh]

Hi mate

I have a 728i sport
things to look out for are...

Squeeking suspension from the back

Growling vanos unit, front end of the engine - should be able to hear it from the inside of the too

Shimmy at 50-60 mph - brake at 50ish mph and to see if the car steering system shimmy's, can be quite costly to fix, usually the fron control arm bushes are worn but could need a complete suspension overhaul

other than that just make sure that all of the electrics inside the car work, most of the units have thier own control modules and reaplacing then the modules will need to be coded to the car.

Am also selling my 728i if you are interested
some pics in the link below

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=161248

[darkchild]

Don't buy one with a leaking petrol tank as the 728i has a unique one which is big $ new.

They're nice cars and the best looking 7 IMO but I'd rather have an E32. The problem with E38s are they're now £1500 old smokers but still have the running costs of a £40000 car. At least E32s are DIY friendly.

[fingerman]

Just over 3 weeks ago I bought a 1998 728 pre-facelift, picked it up for just over £1300 which (I think) is a lot of car for the money

The main issue (as above!) with mine is that I've got the shimmy at around 55mph and under braking, so slowly and as cheap as poss replacing the bits

Done a few bits to it so look out for.... fixed the broken pixels on the instrument cluster which required a new ribbon and some quite intricate work (£30) Electric seat switches fixed, new wiper blades, cleaned (but will replace) the 2 air/pollan filters attached to the bonnet, new air filter, atf fluid has same issues as most BM's - fit new jubilees! Fitted new wiper blades, fixed windscreen jet washes as the filter was blocked up!

Anyway, I love the road presence, the nice 7 series touches like the interior lights, my suspension is good and smooth, the beige leather with electric seats, the cruise control, full closure and open, the smooth M52, and it does go well !

To work on they're not that bad and still easy enough - at least the bonnet opens the right way and Google is your friend !

I went from a 525tds E34 to this and do miss the economy but still get 550 miles from the tank, altho it's a big un at 85 litres and hurts a bit when filling up !

You should be able to pick one up for just over 1k, the 728 is meant to be the cheapest to run (hence why I've got one) - I'd say go for it

[goldysingh]

Just over 3 weeks ago I bought a 1998 728 pre-facelift, picked it up for just over £1300 which (I think) is a lot of car for the money

The main issue (as above!) with mine is that I've got the shimmy at around 55mph and under braking, so slowly and as cheap as poss replacing the bits

Done a few bits to it so look out for.... fixed the broken pixels on the instrument cluster which required a new ribbon and some quite intricate work (£30) Electric seat switches fixed, new wiper blades, cleaned (but will replace) the 2 air/pollan filters attached to the bonnet, new air filter, atf fluid has same issues as most BM's - fit new jubilees! Fitted new wiper blades, fixed windscreen jet washes as the filter was blocked up!

Anyway, I love the road presence, the nice 7 series touches like the interior lights, my suspension is good and smooth, the beige leather with electric seats, the cruise control, full closure and open, the smooth M52, and it does go well !

To work on they're not that bad and still easy enough - at least the bonnet opens the right way and Google is your friend !

I went from a 525tds E34 to this and do miss the economy but still get 550 miles from the tank, altho it's a big un at 85 litres and hurts a bit when filling up !

You should be able to pick one up for just over 1k, the 728 is meant to be the cheapest to run (hence why I've got one) - I'd say go for it

if you have the m52 engine, you can upgrade the inlet manilfold to increase engine power..

do a google search..i was going to do this to mine but i have the m52tu engine and there are no manifold mods that i know of

[fingerman]

Cool thanks - pretty sure mines just the M52

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showth ... p?t=318750

[Andyboy]

This is the only 7 Series forum worth a damn:

http://the7seriesregister.co.uk/forums/ ... hp?act=idx

They were a lovely car new but you could be into a lot of expense.

Leaking metal fuel tanks (why were they not plastic like an E36?)

Cooling systems. They love to blow a radiator and the V8's run at a high pressure. The weak spot on the V8 cooling system is the hose coming from the back of the heads to the heater matrix. That needs changing as a matter of urgency. It's not if it blows, it's when....

Plus a lot of other stuff - air con condensers holed, water pumps on 728i's etc etc.

[Faz2kool]

Hi Pal

E38's are the best. Ive got a 735i sport and have had it for 2 years now. I know its not the same as a 728 but the comfort and reliability is great. These cars are not ones that breakdown often. If anything was to go wrong, check this site out:

http://www.e38.org

Everything is easy to repair/replace.

I replaced my small Satnav screen for the widescreen satnav using the simple instructions on this site. Had a full engine service II from Quarry Motors (BMW Experts) for £350ish.

Am also selling my 728i if you are interested

Goldysingh: How much are you selling yours for? Ive bought a set of 20" rims now and the lip.

[goldysingh]

Hi Pal

E38's are the best. Ive got a 735i sport and have had it for 2 years now. I know its not the same as a 728 but the comfort and reliability is great. These cars are not ones that breakdown often. If anything was to go wrong, check this site out:

http://www.e38.org

Everything is easy to repair/replace.

I replaced my small Satnav screen for the widescreen satnav using the simple instructions on this site. Had a full engine service II from Quarry Motors (BMW Experts) for £350ish.

Am also selling my 728i if you are interested

Goldysingh: How much are you selling yours for? Ive bought a set of 20" rims now and the lip.

Pm sent

[sunnyr83]

Guys thanks for all the advice,goldysinghs e38 is proper nice!
100% getting a 7 series.
Will let you no how i get on. thanks again.

[fingerman]

Please do and pics please

[sunnyr83]

If a car (e38) has just passed its m.o.t, is that a good sign that the suspension is in good nick? How much of the suspension do the m.o.t'ers look at?
Whats the best way/what to look for to check the suspension is ok (apart from listening for dodgy sounds).

[fingerman]

Depends who the tester is - mine passed in Feb - no issues but the front end shimmy at 50-60 is bad and under braking

The seller never metioned any of that

[swindler]

Took a 740i with lpg from 90-140,000 miles. Got back what I paid for it, can't argue BUT

+1 on the fuel tank (set me back £1100), get one that has had it done, and 55mph wheel wobble eats tyres and is £££ to put right, which you should before the whole front end goes out of line. Otherwise brilliant.