Hi Folks
Recently had a thread asking for advice on best Jags as was looking for one but instead have bought 98 BMW 740i and have to say at this stage the BMW beats the Jag hands down (my opnion).
It holds the road much better and is considerably quicker than either the 3.2 Jag or the 4.0. It handles very well for a big motor and I'm hoping it will prove to relaible.
Not the best on fuel but that is a sacrifice.
Full BMW history 84,000 private owner last 5 years.
So anyone got one any problems?
PS can someone tell me what all the E numbers are IE E34 etc>>
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the e numbers are the model designations, lets you tell which generation 3/5/7 series it is. E34/E39 are 5's I think.
So far as I know the cooling system is the thing to watch on bmw's. I have seen several badly overheated ones.
On the 7 I think the rear shocks are a weak point ?
I agree though, I think the 7 is a better car than the jag.
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I can never remember which E matches to which model - i know the line up for the 3 series is E21, E30 then E36 but after that i get lost
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have to say at this stage the BMW beats the Jag hands down (my opnion).
But it doesn't have a silver cat, mascot on the bonnet!
VB
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E-number refers to the chassis series; M-number refers to the motor series. Yours is an E38.
I have had one of those (although mine was the 6-cyl., rather than the 8-cyl). To be honest I didn't 'warm' to it and I didn't think the ride and handling were terribly good (although handling would be better than the Jag you mentioned).
Fortunately you have the 'good' engine and it should be reliable, if rather heavy on fuel. Autobox is a bit of a weak spot on these and is £££££ to fix. Get the fluid changed out if it has been more than 20k miles since it was done.
Other weak spots on mine were leaky boot (water getting in around back lights) and suspension wear. By the time mine had reached 99k (when it was 'exterminated' by the BMW dealer) the front suspension was showing need for some new parts - lower control arm joints and bushes etc., also the steering had some wear in it. Mind you, its a heavy car so this is not unexpected.
I had a lot of electrical gremlins on mine - fortunately I have the right background to fix them but it would have cost £££ at the dealer to diagnose. Heat/air con went faulty; various random faults reported by the check-control system. Perhaps the most frustrating was a slow battery drain (would flatten battery after two days) which, after many hours of tedious diagnosis, I eventually traced to the random operation of the system that controls the wiper-blade pressure (this may be an option). Rather than replace the ECU I just pulled the relay and managed without!
Anyway, after it expired (due to overheating) I bought a pristine low-mileage Nissan QX for an absolute bargain price. It doesn't ride or handle quite a well as the BMW and is a bit slower too - but it is incredibly quiet, easy to drive and has been 100% reliable and costs very little to run. I really like it. Not only that, but no-one knows what it is!
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Aw well thanks I think..
The history of repair did indeed see some suspension work done about a year ago, hope it doesn't have too many problems. The car drives very nicley and there are no rattles or squeaks that always bother me in cars.
If I do have problems perhaps I'll look you up.
What year and engine was yours by the way.
Its nice that you can buy a £50.000 car for a tenth of the price now.
I agree about the QX nice cars, honda ledgens that type of thing.
Tell you what though, for a big car it's might quick.
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Aw well thanks I think.. The history of repair did indeed see some suspension work done about a year ago, hope it doesn't have too many problems. The car drives very nicley and there are no rattles or squeaks that always bother me in cars. If I do have problems perhaps I'll look you up. What year and engine was yours by the way. Its nice that you can buy a £50.000 car for a tenth of the price now. I agree about the QX nice cars, honda ledgens that type of thing. Tell you what though, for a big car it's might quick.
Mine was also '98 with 6-cyl. 2.8 I had it from nearly new (when still under warranty). Yours would be a lot quicker than mine.
Mine didn't have rattles and the trim was nice - but they are heavy cars and the running gear takes a bit of a pounding so if you are covering high mileage expect to get through the odd set of shocks, discs, bushes etc.
My advice (unless you are competent at vehicle repairs) would be to find someone good and reliable to service/repair the car - especially someone who knows about the electronics. Stay away from BMW dealers at all costs. When a 700-series rolls onto the forecourt the service manager starts to think about his monthly bonus. They will skin you alive..
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Some more recent E Numbers ....
3 Series:
E30 - '80s
E36 - '90's
E46 - from '00 or so
E50? - latest
5 Series:
E34 - mid '80s to '96
E39 - '96 - '03
E60 - current model
7 Series:
E32 - mid '80s to '94
E38 - '94 - '01(?)
E?? - current 7
I'm sure there is website with all these details but can I remember it?!
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It doesn't cover the 7 series but this covers pretty much the rest of the range.
www.bmwcarclubgb.co.uk/sections/mpwr/MP2004/carspe...m
I'll have an E30 M3 Evo3 please!
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'Outgoing' 3 Series is E46. The new 3 Series is E90, and the Touring version when it arrives will be E91.
Oz (as was)
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