Faults:

Fuel pump at 107000.

Right front control arm 110000.

Numerous tail lights burnouts.

General Comments:

Make sure you have a good mechanic familiar with this car, and you should be okay, but be prepared to pay the price.

Absolutely effortless highway cruising and decent fuel economy considering the power you have under foot. Of course it's an autobahn car.

Expensive to drive around town, re: fuel.

Solid build quality throughout, engineering is top-notch.

Incredible interior comfort and room.

This is a true machine - the real thing. Very strong.

Faults:

Upper control arms - very common.

Struts.

Tie rods.

Lower control arms.

Tires.

3 transmission filter at a $100 dollars a piece.

Window regulator passenger.

CD changer used on eBay.

Lots of tail light bulbs.

Fog lights.

Rims, factory set, old ones were bent.

General Comments:

The BMW 4 liter V-8 is a great engine. I have had no problems with the engine at all.

Everything is falling apart. I know the car is 14 years old, but I have had older BMWs with more miles and a lot less problems. The quality is just not what you would expect in a 100k car; I adjusted for inflation as the car was 75k in 1995.

This is my seventh BMW and by far my least favorite very high maintenance. I'm tired of dumping money into it.

The stereo is the worst in this car. It sounds very good with DSP, but if you want to put an aftermarket stereo in, you will have to remove the entire sound system, and if you need to repair the factory system, get your money out. When I mean is the entire system; that's the speakers, the amp, the radio, the cassette deck, the CD changer and so on.

I will be going back to a 1989-1995 525i; the best mid size car BMW built.

Faults:

Power steering hose (common).

Oxygen sensor (common).

Intake manifold gasket (common for mileage).

General Comments:

Excellent ride quality. Safety, performance and comfort are tops in the 7-series. Even a 1995 740i (well taken care of mind you--but not perfect), provides a better ride and driving experience than most every other car I have owned. Maintenance can be a bit higher than

Lexus, Infiniti or Acura, but the ride of a 4000 lb German luxury sedan with almost 300 horsepower that lives for long rides on the interstate is worth it. Seats are very comfortable and lots of other comfort features. Add 18" wheels/tires and the car is more aggressive with regards to performance. Would buy again.

Faults:

Minor electrical problems with the central locking, but once repaired by the Main Dealer no more problems.

General Comments:

This must be one of the most comfortable cars on the road. It is very fast even though it is heavy.

150+ MPH is smooth and quiet with no effort (in Germany).

It is by far the most comfortable car that I have driven in 40 years.

Faults:

Right rear window motor went bad, but only because my kid abused it.

Left tie rod end needed replaced.

Brake and tail lights are a bit fussy.

General Comments:

This is the greatest car I have ever owned. Anyone who is not buying a 3 or 4 year old 740iL that some rich guy has taken the depreciation on, instead of shelling out 28K to 30K for a Toyota or a Honda... ought to have his head examined.

This car has cabin room galore. My 6ft 3in. 285lb. buddy loves to stretch out in the back seat. Plenty of room for a foursome, and clubs and luggage.

Faults:

Rubber bonding strip around O/S top windshield edge popped up. Slightly lumpy at idle; cured at interim service.

General Comments:

The best and most comfortable car I've owned. Huge power, surprisingly nimble and very quiet - bar a satisfying V8 yowl near the red line. Only thing it's lacking is the more recent (4.4 litre) lump, gas discharge lamps and steptronic 'box.

Faults:

Engine rattles occasionally.

Seat trim fell off.

General Comments:

Very happy with the car. Luxurious and fast.