Comments: 1-15, 16-19
The water pump quit working, car overheated and the radiator burst. Replaced pump, thermostat, rad and hoses.
All imaginable electric gremlins, I've fixed most so far.
Cruise control keeps disengaging at random times.
The cardane axle support bearing broke down. Had it replaced and the cardane rebalanced.
The muffler fastener rusted through and broke. No other rust on the galvanized body of the car though. :-)
I've done a lot of repairs that were more or less considered maintenance and are to be expected in a car of this age/kilometres such as brakes, shocks, engine wearing parts. Everything costs like they're made of solid gold.
Transmission blew up and lost reverse when I was stuck in snow and nudging the car front and back to get it loose.
This car is the most luxurious, comfortable and powerful car that I have ever driven, leave alone owned, although I've been a car enthusiast all my life. It handles like a sports car and accelerates like a dragster while still having ample space for 5 grownups and luggage. All goodies you can think of and then some.
You can drive 500km without stopping if you want to and feel completely fresh afterwards. The car doesn't wear you out at all.
No speed feels like anything, tried the top speed of about 260km/h which was the only time I've felt worried in this car... Even then I was just worried that I might hit a moose in the dark night...
The combination of LSD and ASC+T is VERY good in winter driving. It skids only for about 15-20cm sideways so that you realize you're slipping and then just stops skidding.
The car is really economical considering that it IS a 2000kg car with a 5-litre V-12. The engine produces a whopping 350Nm from the stall speed on so you seldom really need to push it.
But nevertheless these cars apparently weren't designed to last over 10 years, the car keeps breaking up at least once-twice a month. Even though none of the problems have left me on the side of the road, the astronomical cost of parts make it very difficult even for a DIY enthusiast to cope with the costs. I would have a lot better use for my time and especially for my money.
I've spent 5000 euros this year in parts while trying to fix the car at a faster pace than it breaks up and yet it's currently at the tranny shop. As a comparison my wife's 20 year old e30 beater has required just a 25 euro water pump in the same time.
I'm fed up, I'm selling it and buying a brand new Honda or something. It's too bad because I have nothing but good to say about other BMW models and I do really love this one also - despite the problems and the unbearable cost of keeping it.
The smoothest, most powerful car on the road. It blows any new BMW, Porsche off the road and its 10 years old. Th upkeep is worth the feel and luxury. Simply cannot be replaced at any cost.
My cruise control does the same thing. It just cuts out at the weirdest times, I just stopped using it. Have you found a fix for your problem with yours?
Its nice to find people who enjoy their BMW. I'm tired of finding these sites where people just complain about them. Calling them money pits and are not a nice car. I think as soon as these people trade there Beamer off for a cheaper built economy car to save gas money, they will be wanting their Beamer back!
The cruise control can be triggered to go off if you go over a bump, the inertia of the brake pedal causes it to dip a little and the sensor switch designed to knock off the cruise control when you touch the brake pedal comes into operation.
I never bothered to look at the switch to see if it is adjustable, but that might be worth looking at.
It only happened to me a couple of times.
I've owned 730's and 750's.
The V12 engine is fabulous and performance brilliant, but really, even a 730 is quite adequate.
The expense of maintaining these cars is too high for me now, and I'll go for a Mercury Grand Marquis next time.
And drive a little more sedately.
I am glad to finally find a site where more than one person loves the BMW 750 IL. I recently purchased a 1991 and love it. It is by far a true luxury car. I took it to a BMW mechanic to go over and let me know what needed to be done if anything, mainly looking for major repairs. With 123,000 miles on it, it needed a power steering hose, fuel filter, transmission fluid, a new muffler,2 new tires. The cost for these repairs was less than the 4 tires and shocks on my GM dually truck. When you consider the fact that most American vehicles have many more problems when they reach 100,000 + miles, I think that the BMW is a good investment. Every vehicle after 10+ years and 100,000 miles will need some old parts replaced, I am pleased that my mechanic told me that even though I may need to replace the items listed above, the engine and transmission were strong. I forgot to add new brake discs and pads as the ones on it were the original.
The other thing you forgot to mention is that large German cars, especially twelve cylinder ones, have horrible resale value so are great used car bargains assuming you can pay for the (frequent) premium gas and high repair/maintenance bills.
But when I was a member of the BMWCCA I remember reading lots of letters from owners like you who continually stated the vehicle was actually cheaper to maintain than more common newer sedans.
And personally I think the second generation 7 series, like the one you have, is the most beautiful of the lot and still attractive today. Plus, you don't need a PhD in mechanical engineering to figure out how to adjust the seat or change the radio station.
Have fun!
I thought buying a car needing premium fuel would break me, but I was wrong. The 20cent difference is not that bad. I drive in Southern California in the LA stop and go traffic and still get decent gas mileage. When I cruise up PCH at 60mph its even better. If I hit over 80 the car uses a little more gas.
Having owned many cars that required premium fuel, I just looked at it this way - all the extra money I was spending wasn't really adding up to anything significant, such as a nice dinner.
The only thing I hated, and still do, is that gas stations tend to cheat their premium buyers by making the premium gas even more expensive than it should be. There really should only be a 10 cent difference between grades, but I have seen as high as 50 cents difference at gas stations looking to scam their customers.
The bottom line is,
The BMW 750i is two tonnes of luxury car. You can pick one up for 1/10 on the price of a new Ford Focus, but it won't cost you as much to live with. You see, at this stage an 89' BMW 750 with 120k has done all its depreciation. Therefore in a year, provided you keep it maintained, will still fetch the same price. Your 1 year old focus will have lost 2-3 grand (say £2500) and you will have spent £1200 in fuel which comes to £3700. Where as your 5.0 BMW will cost you £2400 in fuel and, on a bad year, £1000 of that in running costs which comes to £3400. So which would you rather have? A new Focus, that is only special till the next new Reg comes along, is reliable yet unexciting and who's only high point must be that it aids converse with the mother-in-law, because she has one.
Or a car with a De-tuned version of the Mclaren F1 engine, that will leave any boy-racer choking in a cloud of blue tyre smoke, peering through a windscreen smattered with peelings of tyre rubber, at a 7 series squat on its haunches, barking through the gears -round a distant corner with 5 passengers laughing hysterically at the poor boy-racer's demise?
Its your call.
The E32 really is one of the best cars BMW ever produced. The only thing to worry about when buying used is the maintenance history, especially on the V12 engines, they are much more complicated than the R6 to service and parts are also much costlier for them. An old and neglected car can be a nightmare and make you hate a brand just because you bought a lemon.
If you own or intend to buy one I advise you to search on the internet for service manuals and many more tips on different BMW forums, there are many good ones.
You guys should all throw your 750 in the junk yard, and buy a 740, same power and aceleration, better interior and much smoother ride.
I couldn't disagree more. Throw out the 750...pfft!!! The 740 is a beautiful auto. I've nothing bad to say about it, but the 750, (as most bimmers)
is a rolling work of timeless, technical art. Art doesn't become obsolete. In my opinion its the best looking four door ever made. I just got my first 7 series last week. An 89' 750il with 101k, spotless, and at only $2500.. The best value I have ever seen! I'm so pumped about all the upgrade options! I've yet to really push it, but the power I have tapped into is awesome.
The interior is so well laid out, and intuitive, that you really don't need to think about the controls, you can just reach out, and they're right where you expected them to be. All that and a mpg average of 22.7. I couldn't ask for more. I love it!
I might have them bury me in this car when I die.
I got a 1990 bmw 7 series, but I don't kno whr the play button is at for the cassette.
I have a 1990 750il and the drivers side rear air pump for the shock is making a whining noise. Does anyone know why or how to fix this problem? By the way I love this car problems or not.
I was blessed enough to find a 1990 750iL in great working condition, all I have spent on this beast is routine maintenance. I bought it for only $350.00. The performance on this ride far surpasses any auto I have previously owned. The smoothness of the V12 is unmatched. The interior needed new wood trim, but, instead of absorbing that cost I found a fabric store that just so happened to have a full yard of gator skin and after a little time with a razor blade and some 3M adhesive spray, I have pimped my ride. I was able to find a really good mechanic who saves me money where he can. He happened to have a 1990 750iL at his shop that he was parting out and he gave me first shot at the goods. Sure there are things that go wrong with this car as with anything else that is man made, but, I'll take this kind of performance anyday. I have friends that have brand new vehicles that they are having serious issues with so, I'll stick with the superb performance of my 1990 750iL. No car payment, lots of room, style and it's still a head turner. Now as soon as I can purchase the Brembo big brake kit and the tri-flo exhaust system I know you"ll know I'm coming.
I love my 1990 750il. Question: I bought a new battery. I installed the battery and all the electronics work, but the car will not start. (1) While turning ignition key, engine does not start or even make a sound. (2) The hazards flash and the factory alarm light blinks with out the alarm sounding. Any ideas to start the car?