YACT: Does a 1998 BMW 740il with 140k miles = maintenance nightmare?
- Thread starter tnitsuj
- Start date
Price and availablity of parts is the problem, but it's probably as easy to work on as any other car.
Nebor
Lifer
- Jun 24, 2003
- 29,582
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That is absolutely not true. That engine will run until at least 300,000 miles if properly maintained before requiring a rebuild. Probably more than that.
The problem you're going to run into with a 7-series is that all those gizmos they throw in there don't age well. They start doing wacky stuff, and BMW struggles to keep up with the new gizmos, much less the old aging ones. You'll be looking at some expensive repairs if you want to keep everything working like new. But as far as reliable transportation? Treat the car right and it will run until you're tired of driving it.
Any European car is going to be a maintenance nightmare though. That's part of the experience of the car. It just makes you closer to your car.
A 1998 7-series though... That car just oozes class and prestige. It's also got plenty of power on tap, enough to knock down most ricers, and probably even some mustang GTs. Last I knew the 4.4L v8 7-series threw down respectable sub-6 second 0-60 times, and absolutely fly on the highway.
It won't be my daily driver as I have a nice reliable Honda for that...but paying a bunch of money to replace annoying electrical problems also doesn't sound like fun.
Dillemas...
Dillemas...
Don Vito Corleone
Elite
- Feb 10, 2000
- 30,029
- 67
- 91
Seriously, I would never buy this unless I could afford the occasional multi-thousand-dollar expense, and if that were true I'd get something less complex and costly to repair anyway. If you're looking for a fun second car, I would consider something sporty, rather than a 7-series, which is a beautiful car but hardly a jaunty weekend speedster.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,544
- 924
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Hell yes. You'd be nuts to buy that car.
My Mom-In-Law had a 1998 740i and she got rid of it with less than 50k on it because she kept having problems with it. Power steering pump=$2500. I talked to our BMW mechanic about that particular car and asked him if it would be a good car and he said no way. They are maint. nightmares and have some major problems. This is from a guy who only works on German cars and is the one the local BMW place calls when they have trouble fixing/diagnosing a car.
My Mom-In-Law had a 1998 740i and she got rid of it with less than 50k on it because she kept having problems with it. Power steering pump=$2500. I talked to our BMW mechanic about that particular car and asked him if it would be a good car and he said no way. They are maint. nightmares and have some major problems. This is from a guy who only works on German cars and is the one the local BMW place calls when they have trouble fixing/diagnosing a car.
halik
Lifer
- Oct 10, 2000
- 25,696
- 1
- 0
how much is it?
bmws tend to last a decent amount of time, especially taken in account the demographic that buys those cars. My mom bought a 97 c-class benz with 100K miles and the car is absolutely mint. The previous owner (1) was a 65 year old lady and the car has a full maintenance history from the benz dealer
bmws tend to last a decent amount of time, especially taken in account the demographic that buys those cars. My mom bought a 97 c-class benz with 100K miles and the car is absolutely mint. The previous owner (1) was a 65 year old lady and the car has a full maintenance history from the benz dealer
I guess you and I will never see eye to eye on this, because that sounds so stupid. I never got attached to my old POS Ford Probe. And let me tell you, everything that could've died, did actually die on that thing. Am I fond of all the repairs? Hm... No. Now, these days, the Probe is gone, and I could certainly afford something much nicer than my 2000 Prelude, but I don't think I'd be any more fond of my car if I had to take my "baby" to the dealer for something every month. But then again, I've never had a "classy" car.
The engine should be fine its all the other stuff that starts breaking.
My 95 325 w/100K miles seems to have a new problem every week.
This past week, I've had the ABS go bad and no heat. Before that, my wiper broke, before that radiator, ball joints, brakes, AC, water pump, etc.
I must have put in at least $5K into the car in the past 3 years.
My 95 325 w/100K miles seems to have a new problem every week.
This past week, I've had the ABS go bad and no heat. Before that, my wiper broke, before that radiator, ball joints, brakes, AC, water pump, etc.
I must have put in at least $5K into the car in the past 3 years.
The Mechanics will last a good LONG time....its the electronics you should worry about. (Radio/ seats/ dashboard computer....etc.)
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,544
- 924
- 126
Wait until you replace shocks/struts. There's another $1500 easy.
I had a '94 with 120k miles. Glad I got rid of that money pit.
I know. I remember you told me. I don't even want to go that far. Just last me 6 more months until the new cars come out! There's nothing interest out there right now.
Seriously though. Some of the things BMW does is so stupid. Take the wiper for example. I can see that the bolt holding the arm to the motor rusted allowing the arm to come off. Its something I could fix really easily but you know what? I can't get to it. Its underneath the windshield and the only way to reach it is to pull out all the engine crap in front of it which is impossible for a novice like me. It ended up costing me $150 to replace a 25c bolt.
I had an old 5-series and that baby put a hole in my wallet. I can't begin to imagine how much it'll cost to maintain a 7-series. I've had mechanics tell me they're charging me more JUST because it's a BMW and not because of their labor or its parts. Get one with less mileage if you can ...
logic and reason are competing with the desire to buy a big black shiny car when I get back to the states
Logic and reason will be met with Anger and Fury when you start shelling out money for stupid things like lights.
Expect to pay $300 for a headlight when they go because they are HID. I have lights go all the time on my car. Right now I have a dead fog light and license plate light. Fortunately, they aren't top priority to replace like a headlight.
Yeah....different situation as far as mileage but an idiot ex-friend of mine bought an early 90s 325 about 3 yrs ago with damned near 300,000 miles on it. The engine was fine but all the other stuff is what breaks and it was in the shop every other week. Run. Fast.
Pros: Really cool looking, fast, comfortable care
Cons: Will nickel and dime me to death with expensive electrical/maintenance items
Cons: Will nickel and dime me to death with expensive electrical/maintenance items
halik
Lifer
- Oct 10, 2000
- 25,696
- 1
- 0
you can pick up a xenon ballast for bmw for under 100 bucks... xenon bulbs (d2s im guessing) are even cheaper. It's not like you have to replace the whole thing when one of those fail. Foglights and plate light will cost you under 10 bucks in autozone .... and now you dont need an imported german engineer to install one
<-drives an a4 quattro with 100k
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