2001 BMW 7 Series 728i SE 2.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good, but seriously flawed

Faults:

Lots!

PDC sensors (x2).

Climate control failed.

ABS control box faulty (over £2000 to repair).

Stereo amp failed (£800 to repair).

Front dampers.

Window seals rotted (poor quality rubber).

Various trim feel to pieces. Brittle plastics and bad design.

Electric windows broke.

Brittle windscreen cracked twice for no apparent reason.

Print wearing off various buttons.

General Comments:

A good looking and quite quick for its size, drives well and has good road presence. All this spoiled by substandard quality and tear-inducing repair costs, even for minor items...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd October, 2009

2001 BMW 7 Series 740iL Sport 4.4L V8 from North America

Summary:

Love it

Faults:

Only have had three issues with the car since I bought it (and one was caused by me!) It needed a new radiator around 40,000 miles, which was still covered under the warranty.

The only other issue I've had would be a ignition switch went bad (happened on my 528iA too). This caused the memory seating to forget what it was doing and my power steering wheel moved when you opened a vanity mirror... strange. Never the less, the dealer also replaced the ignition switch around 40,000 miles (still under warranty).

The last issue I had was just recently. I took the car in for a oil service and found that my rear tires had been under-inflated (run flats) and had been ruined. These were Z rated performance tires that came with the actual sport package. Had them replaced and changed to x rated, and the cars ride has improved. Only thing... $1500 price tag.

General Comments:

I love this car. It handles beautifully, it's luxurious, looks great, and is very quiet. You can occasionally hear the roar of the engine when you take off from a stop light.

The car is actually very quick for a car of its size and is a great highway cruiser. The nav system is easy to program (once you get used to it) and it's easy to follow. The voice recognition is also a nice gimmick.

I also love the DSP stereo system. It's one of the best I've ever heard in a car!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th May, 2006

2001 BMW 7 Series 728i 2.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Awesome for no money

Faults:

Thermostat is stuck open. £13 part and I can fit myself.

General Comments:

This is my second BMW 728i (E38 series). I still have the first one - frankly too good to sell.

This is the big secret in the BMW family. Assumed to be a gas guzzler, they are actually very reasonably frugal cars which will cost much, much less to own than many rattly, tinny compact cars. Even in heavy town traffic 26mpg is normal and 35mpg on an 80mph motorway tromp. This from an aristocratic super-limo the size of The Tirpitz.

Pretty indestructable too. 300K miles from an engine is the norm - they have been tested to 3M miles and still to factory spec. Bulletproof gearbox - the best in the business. Suspension needs care, but OEM parts are reasonable prices. You can get great Taiwan tyres at good prices.

The drive is all though. Swift, responsive, sports handling like a much smaller car. Makes the right noises (quietly). All the toys (if you buy the right one). Past model, but nobody notices as no-one is buying the ugly new one and BMWs age beautifully. This is a classic.

Top Tips. Buy a 728i Sports with TV/Sat Nav, dechromed and debadged. Needs to be Blue. The best. Buy at 4 years old to pick up a £47,000 car for £10,000. With full BMWSH it will be better than the day the mug who has paid for (most of) your car picked it up.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st November, 2005

11th Mar 2006, 02:59

728 is actually the best of the 7-series in terms of quality as well. The 2,8-litre engine is one of the most reliable engines that BMW ever produced. The 6 cylinder engines from BMW sound great and responds great. I must say I'm amazed by the acceleration in my 728. Really good for a car that size with only the 2,8 litre inline 6.

30th Jun 2006, 05:39

The only big problem with these BMW's is the electronic components. Sensors fail after some time. And even if they don't cost much to replace, it's still annoying when the warning light for the ASC and ABS keeps coming on and the speedometer fails. I've had some problems with that on my car. But my mechanic says it's most likely the rear wheel ABS-sensors. Another issue with these cars are the transmissions. They are maintenance free, and even if that might sound great, it isn't. There are some people who've experienced problems with them, and when they do, BMW can't fix the problem, as they won't even perform an oil service on them, due to the fact that they are "sealed for life" and not meant to have oil services. However, I've had no such problem with mine, but it is a great concern of mine, as the car have 240.000 km on the clock. The problem with BMW is that you often have to turn to other specialists to have problems fixed, as the BMW-dealers can't fix more complex problems on the cars. It's really a shame, as such an advanced car really needs first class mechanics.

2001 BMW 7 Series 735i E65/66 series 3.5 litre V8 279bhp from Netherlands

Summary:

Modern, thirsty, abstract Beamer

Faults:

Automatic parking brake malfunctioned at about 30000 km, this was replaced under warranty.

Electronic seating positioning had to be fixed at approximately 60000 km.

This was replaced under warranty.

General Comments:

I had no trouble at all with this car, except that it is a very thirsty beast. I do 8 kilometer on 1 liter of petrol unleaded fuel. And that is pretty high, compared to my previous 300SE, built in 1992 which did the same. As I expect a little more fuel efficiency in the 21st century, this is my only disappointment about this otherwise great car!

Dealership is very friendly and personnel is extremely qualified. They do not get in your car with dirty clothes, they put a plastic bag over the seats, dashboard and over the paintwork around the engine (hood)!

Very, very modern exterior and interior, which is not approved by everyone, but as you know, there is no accounting for tastes!

I just think that the Idrive system is immaculate and sound of the future. When pulling the car in Drive mode, it does not roll forward when getting your foot of the brake pedal. It just stands still, with the automatic parking brake off!!!

Just fabulous, if you have 90000 euro laying somewhere, go get a 7 series Beammer. they are excellent value.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th February, 2004