euan

I think that's the case - I don't know if a V8 is more expensive to fix if it goes wrong. Probably not, although it will be more likely to have luxury optional extra goodies that can be temperamental I imagine.

Specman has a oldish 7 series IIRC - he may know more about the pros and cons of big engined beemers.

Beardie

Most tempramental car I ever owned was a 520.
Bloody expensive to run and fix. If I were in the market for a motorway cruiser at the moment, I'd opt for a Rover 75 derivative TBH.

Gentoo

I know the 7's can be very iffy with the electronics i.e. if they go its time to get a gallon of petrol, a box of matches and an alibi.

I was thinking the V8 would be a bit more reliable as bigger (non v12's) engines normally are.

As for the rover there are plenty of good deals but build quality can be shocking and residuals are pish (Thats the official motor trade term)

Beardie

Problem with my 520 was all the engine ancillaries that feed the ECU.
eg: idle air control valve -

euan

Iain - you're not suggesting Stuart buy a Rover 75 surely?

He's not at the pipe and slippers stage yet

(Mind you, if you need to pull burdz, I suppose you use your Porsche )

Gentoo

I agree about the cost of parts, my bro got a 525 with a cracked block for

Gentoo

Gentoo

specman

Hi Gentoo,

If it helps I have had my E38 7 series for five years now and bought it at 44k on the clock. It now has 103k on the clock. New engine due to nikasil issue week before I bought it ( convinced it was changed just to create some workshop revenue as most of these fall into this category).
It runs sweet as a nut. Will never part with this one. When did you lats here that about a car?

You cant beat a BMW straight six for smoothness. About to get my second 7 series straight six. The 4.4 litre engines can be quite reliable although I do know of a few who have had some nasty issues. One guy in Inverness is having a terrible time right now.

One thing I can be truly sure about though is that the 7's aint iffy on the electronics. I have one sales rep come to me who is on his second (2000 reg) and both have gone through the 100k mark effortlessly.
Some of the earlier ones had poor track rod ends and centre arms but this has been rectified with improvements in the design.

Right now you can get a seriously loaded 728 for sweeties. I would be more than willing to guide you on them! Kind of an E38 junkie here!!

The secret to a good BMW is a good garage to look after it. And what I pay Grassicks BMW means it jus tisnt worth going independent. Jus twaiting for them to transfer the plates over for my 2004 7 series.

specman

Biggest issue with the V8 engine is the expansion tank - especially in the States as it is cheapo crappo and splits at the most inoportune moment.

Biggest electronic failure on my seven series was loss of RDS on the radio.
Satnav, TV, etc all work fine.
And Ebay can be handy for upgrades!