 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
Car Forum / BMW Cars / May 2004730i, 735i, 740i, or ?
I'm completely new to the world of BMW but when my wife asked me to trade my care for something larger I though about the 7 series. I have a brother-in-law who has been driving a 728 for longet than I care to remember, so they obviously keep going. I discissed them with the garage that services my cars, and they said: "they don't go wrong often, but will cost a fortune when they do". So, what are the differences that matter between the various models from around 1996?  SignatureSteve Swift http://www.ringers.org.uk (Personal Webpage) http://hedgehog.farn.uk.ibm.com (IBM Internal - restricted) > I'm completely new to the world of BMW but when my wife asked me to trade > my care for something larger I though about the 7 series. I have a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > So, what are the differences that matter between the various models from > around 1996? Here in the US we didn't get the 728, but offhand I would have to guess that the 728 would be the lowest cost-of-ownership E38 possible. The BMW V8 is fussy and expensive to repair, and the V12 even more so. The only downsides I can see to 728 ownership are: 1) most of them probably don't have all the lux goodies; 2) I can't imagine it's a quick car around town; 3) if you debadge it the members of this NG will burn you in effigy :) >>I'm completely new to the world of BMW but when my wife asked me to trade >>my care for something larger I though about the 7 series. I have a [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > 1) most of them probably don't have all the lux goodies; > 2) I can't imagine it's a quick car around town; Well, you can even get the 728iL Executive (whatever that last predicate might mean), which does 0 to 60 in 9.5 seconds. That's not very fast, in the eyes of the average BMW owner, but it is faster than most "other", "normal" cars you find around town, especially of the same size. Not sure about the lux goodies though, but one model I saw only lacked satnav and parking sensor (it was a 1997 model). leather, heated seats, OBC, stuff like that was available. Granted, it can't hold a candle to a 740 or even a 735, while a 750 owner will just dismiss a 728 as a wannabe. But the bottom rung in the 7 series models' hierarchy must be the 725TDS model. Now, *that* I don't understand. The admittedly lavish 7 series and a frugal diesel engine together just seem so incongruous... > 3) if you debadge it the members of this NG will burn > you in effigy :) > > I'm completely new to the world of BMW but when my wife asked me to trade > my care for something larger I though about the 7 series. I have a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > So, what are the differences that matter between the various models from > around 1996? For a few years before 1996, the 4.4 liter engine had a potential problem with corrosion of the cylinder walls. After that, it seems to have been much better. My '97 540i was built in late summer 1996 and it still runs very well at 193000 miles. Mark Folsom <SNIP> > For a few years before 1996, the 4.4 liter engine had a potential > problem with corrosion of the cylinder walls. After that, it seems > to have been much better. My '97 540i was built in late summer 1996 > and it still runs very well at 193000 miles. > > Mark Folsom Actually, AFAIK, the 740 (E38) came with two different engins (changes around 1996). The earlier models came with a 4.0 engine (which were prone to the effect you mention, called the Nakasil issue - Nakasil being the coating applied to the cylinder walls which did not react well to high sulpher fuels). The later models of the E38 came with the 4.4 liter engine (and again, AFAIK) none of which have the Nakasil coating. This might not be 100% accurate but I think it's pretty much right. When you come to look at a car spin it into a main dealer and get them to do a compression check, shouldnt take long or cost much. Nick. > <SNIP> > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > Nick. Justy in case you were wanting to research this further e.g via google just note that it is actually nikasil (not nakasil) - jeremy ['97 BMW 523i SE Touring] > I'm completely new to the world of BMW but when my wife asked me to trade > my care for something larger I though about the 7 series. I have a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > So, what are the differences that matter between the various models from > around 1996? Depending on where you are, the 728i would be the best ownership proposition, but ensure that an early car (1996-1998) does not have bore wear that affected six-pot BMWs in Northern Europe (mainly England and Scotland, although as Brits haven't generally learned other languages it obviously didn't happen anywhere else because they didn't read about it :)). It's not a quick car, but mechanically more reliable, economical and much cheaper to run than any V8. Only the electronics, generally shared amongst all cars in the range, will give you headaches you can't avoid :). Go to www.e38.org for all your 7 questions and www.bimmerboard.com! > I'm completely new to the world of BMW but when my wife asked me to trade > my care for something larger I though about the 7 series. I have a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > So, what are the differences that matter between the various models from > around 1996? Thank you all for your helpful remarks and links. I'm glad I asked around because I was offered a 728 by a local independant BMW dealer. The owner has been driving it for several months, so it has nothing but trivial faults, which they will fix. It would come with a warranty, but it might also come with the problem that affected early 728's, and that I don't want. I'm not fussed about the lack of performance... anytime I need a crick in my neck I can take a spin in my Mercedes 560SEC. I saved that for last in case I got ostracised here. :-) SignatureSteve Swift http://www.ringers.org.uk (Personal Webpage) http://hedgehog.farn.uk.ibm.com (IBM Internal - restricted) > I'm not fussed about the lack of performance... anytime I need a crick in > my neck I can take a spin in my Mercedes 560SEC. > > I saved that for last in case I got ostracised here. :-) No flame for owning the wimpy Merc, but did you know it is spelled "ostracized"? ;-) -Fred W only if you are from the states > > I'm not fussed about the lack of performance... anytime I need a crick in > > my neck I can take a spin in my Mercedes 560SEC. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > -Fred W > only if you are from the states > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > No flame for owning the wimpy Merc, but did you know it is spelled > > "ostracized"? I'm as loyal a bimmerhead as the next, but by what criteria can a 560SEC be considered "wimpy"? -Russ. > I'm as loyal a bimmerhead as the next, but by what criteria can a 560SEC be > considered "wimpy"? Certainly not by its heft! SignatureIgnasi. '90 325is (using SPAM trap e-mail address) >I'm as loyal a bimmerhead as the next, but by what criteria can a 560SEC be >considered "wimpy"? US spec smogged motor? :-) SignatureUsenet special: on cases of any filters for BMW: http://u.bmwz.org http://www.mbz.org | Mailing lists: http://lists.mbz.org 633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | Orkut:RS79 Classifieds: http://ads.mbz.org 2 X 280SE 350SLC | Watches list: http://watches.list.mbz.org > US spec smogged motor? :-) In the UK, I have neither that nor the need to spell ostracised with a "z" :-) Thanks, chaps! SignatureSteve Swift http://www.ringers.org.uk (Personal Webpage) http://hedgehog.farn.uk.ibm.com (IBM Internal - restricted) > In the UK, I have neither that nor the need to spell ostracised with > a "z" :-) Just you wait until Dubya gets bored of making sandcastles - he'll be sailing up the Thames next having declared a war on incorrect English! ;-) SignatureScott Where are we going and why am I in this handbasket? > I'm as loyal a bimmerhead as the next, but by what criteria can a 560SEC be > considered "wimpy"? It's obviously not and was said tongue in cheek... Doesn't show well in type-face. ;-) -Fred > > No flame for owning the wimpy Merc, but did you know it is spelled > > "ostracized"? > only if you are from the states Ah, you are correct... my pseudo-flame has gone up in flames... Oh well. -Fred |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2009 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.