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I'm currently on the look out for a semi-interesting family car due to the wife expecting our first child. Being a fan of preposterous wafty VIP barges (but having never owned anything bigger than an E36 saloon) I keep being drawn to early-mid 2000's 7 series BMW's as they can be had from as little as £4k these days. I've seen a particular 745i with all the bits on 60k miles with full history which I like the look of a lot. So, am I mad for even contemplating one of these? Anyone have experience with them? Are they reliable enough or will it financially ruin me? Is there ANYTHING you can do yourself as a driveway mechanic on them or will my local BMW dealership love me? Thanks in advance
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1984 AE86 Sprinter Trueno GT Apex 1992 Eunos Roadster V Special 1988 Suzuki GSXR 750 Slingshot 1980 Honda CB750F 2004 Toyota CROWN Royal Saloon
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Can't offer any help on potential problems but I do like the E65.
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Have a look at the ones Hoovies garage bought on YouTube... I think they all ended up at the scrap yard 🤦🏼♂️😂
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Paul
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,903
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Have a look at the ones Hoovies garage bought on YouTube... I think they all ended up at the scrap yard 🤦🏼♂️😂 Poor Hoovie...guy's had 3 7series by my reckoning, all junk. Although to be fair he always buys the 'cheapest running xxxx' he can find, so it's expected (and entertaining) when they grenade before his very eyes.
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,883
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Have a look at the ones Hoovies garage bought on YouTube... I think they all ended up at the scrap yard 🤦🏼♂️😂 Poor Hoovie...guy's had 3 7series by my reckoning, all junk. Although to be fair he always buys the 'cheapest running xxxx' he can find, so it's expected (and entertaining) when they grenade before his very eyes. Just watched his videos and to be fair the first silver 745i was actually ok and only needed a few minor jobs- he just sold it before it had chance to go really wrong 😂
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1984 AE86 Sprinter Trueno GT Apex 1992 Eunos Roadster V Special 1988 Suzuki GSXR 750 Slingshot 1980 Honda CB750F 2004 Toyota CROWN Royal Saloon
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Stiff
Posted a lot
'kin 'ell
Posts: 3,005
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Personally, I'd be looking at the S-Class range of similar vintage. Lots and lots of toys on those things and as I've mentioned before on here, mine had 270/280K on the clock and it drove faultless. I'd have another in a heartbeat if I was looking for a cheap luxo barge.
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mht
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 123
Club RR Member Number: 185
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IIRC the facelift 2005 was slightly better from a electric gremlins point of view, based on a friend that owned both. I've always liked the look of them and actually prefer the non-facelift. There was a film that came out around 2007 that had a black one on aftermarket wheels - I remember at the time thinking that it looked ace and it's always stuck with me. Personally, I'd be looking at the S-Class range of similar vintage. Lots and lots of toys on those things and as I've mentioned before on here, mine had 270/280K on the clock and it drove faultless. I'd have another in a heartbeat if I was looking for a cheap luxo barge. I had a 2004 for two years, they were always pretty good. Facelift has a refreshed interior (2002 52 plate onwards with the crystal headlights). Only issue that plagued them at the time were torque convertors. Also the front drains block with leaves and make the passenger carpet soggy if not kept clear.
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Mark
1977 MG B 1992 Lexus LS400 1998 VW Golf VR6 1999 BMW 740i
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mht
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 123
Club RR Member Number: 185
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Found the film!
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Mark
1977 MG B 1992 Lexus LS400 1998 VW Golf VR6 1999 BMW 740i
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,191
Club RR Member Number: 170
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They do have their issues, but so do many cars of that vintage. W220 Mercs are not immune either.
I think alot of the issues stem from these being available for lemonade money but ran on a lemonade budget ; the costs have got cheaper in some respects but not all.
As for what I do know about these?
-The iDrive can go wrong, but it isn't the end of the world. Years ago, it did cost £1k to get it done. In pre-Brexit times 6 months ago, I managed send my dad's unit off to Romania to be repaired for £220 ; I think UK Vendors charge £350, with them apparently using this Romanian chap. Even if duty is applied, it may still be £300 to have it done.
-Gearboxes can go iffy on them, but then again, they are not as iffy as the 5 speed ZFs.
-I'll have to check about the supension. If it's like the E61, they're not as bad as some would have you make out. Sure, the air springs may be pricey, but they are miles easier to deal with over coil springs and the compressors of death.
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They are a pig to work on, and the electrics and the engine and the gearbox are all known weak points.
However they do offer a superb array of features.
My only suggestion (other than avoid) would be to get a diesel and avoid the petrols, especially any with LPG.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,191
Club RR Member Number: 170
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I'd agree with the above, but bear this in mind.
Not too long ago, folks said to avoid the P38s like the plague. They would ruin your life.
Now, they're said to be OK, and a decent one is now £6k.
My point? It's no different to went cambelts came about in the 80s.
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eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
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Whenever I start the think about wafty barges I find myself being drawn to these.
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XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
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longman
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 506
Club RR Member Number: 3
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A mate of mine bought a low mile 645 , valve stem seals were shot and it smoked like a train , dealer took it back after a fight ,spendy job to fix. He then got a 630 which was fine , now has an XKR as they are now relatively cheap..
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Paul 98 500 SL 86 911 Carrera/sold 23 Octavia Phev
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Whenever I start the think about wafty barges I find myself being drawn to these. I'd have one of those tomorrow if they weren't in the stupid tax bracket.
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eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
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xbl fair point, well made.
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XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
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Roach
Part of things
Posts: 717
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I bought a CL500 recently.. cheap as chips at 2.2k. Stuck a set of wheels on it and lowered it.
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And I’d recommend avoiding a diesel at all costs and aim for a petrol. My 750i (2005) was absolutely great. Monaco blue (IIRC) with a lovely light grey interior.
Went well, got 30 MPG, beautiful to drive, as many toys as you could poss of need.
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I'm not wrong, you just don't agree with me. There's a difference!
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,883
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Jan 10, 2021 15:16:56 GMT
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,191
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Jan 10, 2021 23:52:37 GMT
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I have felt the need to scratch the V12 itch, and I really do like the the interiors of these E6x cars. I semi-regret not buying my dad's 535d when that came up. I'm going to pretend I never saw this!
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