2001 BMW 7 Series 728i review from UK and Ireland

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

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.