E38 BMW - Still Acceptable? (and where have they all gone?)

rare · 6 Dec 2008 at 17:08

I like them still, think they look better than the early E65 which just looks all wrong and fussy. Would love a nice 740 sport with black carpets and cream leather on a 2001 plate....

paradigm · 6 Dec 2008 at 19:01

Jez said:
Which is why you are not the target market for a new one, and why they have the image they now do

Says the guy who looks out of place in an S-Class.

At least I don't take myself too seriously.

Jez · 6 Dec 2008 at 19:09

paradigm said:
Says the guy who looks out of place in an S-Class.

At least I don't take myself too seriously.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/joke !!

There was some truth in what i said, though, drifting a 7-series indeed

paradigm · 6 Dec 2008 at 19:11

Evidently my sarcasm was also misunderstood

Jez · 6 Dec 2008 at 19:14

I guess so

<3 ridiculous looking mercs

mattpc · 6 Dec 2008 at 19:26

I do like the 7 series of this era a lot tbh. I would prefer an S class but I think I'd have to spend more money to get the same thing although who knows in the current market? Both are very acceptable prestige cars.

Clarkey · 6 Dec 2008 at 19:59

LMAO

Phil W · 6 Dec 2008 at 20:21

... looks great apart from the V12 badges!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-750-iL-V1...3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:7|39:1|240:1318

...overpriced but still, lovely looking car

/edit - another nice one, if a little "drug dealer"

paradigm · 6 Dec 2008 at 20:25

The V12 badges are standard though. I like them

SaBBz · 6 Dec 2008 at 20:27

I'm very tempted by a nice 740i as I don't do many miles at all and those I do are usually on the motorway.

paradigm · 6 Dec 2008 at 20:33

http://pistonheads.com/sales/809725.htm

advert said:
Here we have my muchloved facelift model BMW 728i badged up as a 735i

Why

If you are going to go to the trouble of re-badging (which makes you a moron anyway), why the 735i :confused:

ianh · 6 Dec 2008 at 21:37

I used to drift my Skyline lots but the 740 is such a wallowy barge (and an Auto) I can only get it sideways slightly and TBH it's terrifying uncontrolled (and I've got an airfield to play on).

R420LA6X2/4MNA - The fuel tank replacement was about £800!

Sone · 6 Dec 2008 at 23:23

paradigm said:
http://pistonheads.com/sales/809725.htm

Why

If you are going to go to the trouble of re-badging (which makes you a moron anyway), why the 735i

in transporter 1 its supposed to be a 735i*, only reason i can think

*i believe it is actually a 750i

Scania · 7 Dec 2008 at 01:31

ianh said:
R420LA6X2/4MNA - The fuel tank replacement was about £800!

Glad I got rid of it now!

- Ta.

Scania · 7 Dec 2008 at 01:32

Sone said:
in transporter 1 its supposed to be a 735i*, only reason i can think

*i believe it is actually a 750i

One of iirc only 4 manual e38 750i's produced by BMW. - (Why the called it a 735i in the film? , Lord knows.)

Jez · 7 Dec 2008 at 14:23

mattpc said:
I do like the 7 series of this era a lot tbh. I would prefer an S class but I think I'd have to spend more money to get the same thing although who knows in the current market? Both are very acceptable prestige cars.

The S-class you'd be comparing it with price wise would be a W140. Superb cars but perhaps just TOO dated now?

ThriceNightly · 7 Dec 2008 at 16:35

these look quite tempting for the money

some questions

which engine size should i go for - looking at approx 10 year old model

how much to tax one of these?

and approx mpg?

paradigm · 7 Dec 2008 at 16:50

ThriceNightly said:
how much to tax one of these?

and approx mpg?

If you have to ask, then these might not be the ideal car for you. They may be "cheap", but they still have the running costs of a car worth an absolute fortune.

Jez · 7 Dec 2008 at 16:56

paradigm said:
If you have to ask, then these might not be the ideal car for you. They may be "cheap", but they still have the running costs of a car worth an absolute fortune.

I'd be interested in a break down for the big BMW's to see how much cheaper they are than the equivalent Merc. I bet they arnt actually too bad in comparison. Sadly i don't think we have any V8/V12 E38 owners here do we?

To the question, tax is £185pa because they are pre 2001. Economy would stand at around 15mpg urban/25mpg motorway/22-23mpg combined for the V8 models, i would be fairly confident in predicting. Thats what my S-class does, these are the same kind of weight, the engine is approximately the same size in the 740i, and they are both fed through 5-speed autobox's.

Kitchster_uk · 7 Dec 2008 at 16:58

I have the 728 and to be honest I'm happy with it. I get c.28 to the gallon with a 60 mile round trip commute of mixed driving, but got over 32mpg on the motorway on a 150 mile run. The 735/740 will be less economical, I'd be looking around the 24mpg combined and probably 18-20 around town. The basic level of kit is impressive anyway but the bigger engines come with even more.

I like the tiptronic box, very smooth and easy to use. The seats are sooooo comfy and you just happily waft along, barely noticing the peasants around you