New car for my dad (that I could steal)

[InuFaye]

E39 540i/6.

Fuck the rest.

[Rsully70sev]

I own two E38's.

First one is a 1997 740i my father gave me, he bought it with 25k and it now has 225k. Replaced the transmission at 150K ($5,000 IIRC) and the head gasket just blew. It's getting repaired right now, head resurfaced and everything, and the block was checked for cracks. That's running $3,000. Aside from these two things, it has not had any major problems, and if you're mechanical and can do those things yourself, cut the cost in half. Just be prepared for $150+ oil changes unless you do it yourself, and cooling issues. Both have been through several problems with the cooling systems with a price tag around $1,000.

My second one is a 2001 740il with 108,000. This has literally never had any major issues whatsoever. Aside from the $150 oil changes, it has been a very low maintenance car to be surprised. And they have been METICULOUSLY maintained their entire lives. I don't neglect anything because it just leads to something catastrophic.

Overall review, I enjoy the 740il more. It seems more "prestigious" (at least in their day, and still today) rather than sporty with the 740i's smaller wheelbase. Acceleration is quick and powerful, averages 18mpg, and they are incredibly comfortable.

Both of them are on the market actually if you are interested. I have every single recite for every single thing done, both adult driven for most of their life, and mechanically sound. The black 740i is going to be bulletproof once it's back, the motor is getting rebuilt, the transmission was purchased brand new (not a used one) the only thing I would recommend is a paint job. I already talked to Jesse and he quoted me $1,800 for body work, paint, clear, and color sanding. It would be a beast.

[smooth]

an e34.

this is my vote

[Acehye559]

+1

heres what you do. buy a clean one, slam it, 6 speed swap from e39 540i, some nice wheels, done!

Thats what we're about to do with this one: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1783151

However, OP if your interested my buddy doesnt turn down reasonable offers.

[KenC]

The only e39s worth buying are the 02 or 03 with sport and premium packages... and you're not going to find one for $5k. $10-12 more likely.

I wouldn't touch an old e38. They look sick, but if you're going to only spend five grand, get ready for one that needs attention.

If he's looking to drop $5k, e38 and e39 is not the place to plunk it down. Quit leading your dad astray and tell him to keep the Honda.

[ALYKZANDYR]

In the 150K range it could go eather way really, if you serious id look at both of them in person and read the maintenance records.

being close in price If they both run and drive well choose the one which you feel is best.

But at this price point, id keep a few $K saved up to fix issues that may pop up.

I will say that ive never seen E38s that nice that cheap, then again i dont live near a large city. the ones for that price around here are beat to shit.

Between those 2 cars if after a test drive both were equal in condition id get the Sport one mainly because i like M pars.

[Vivek]

yes you can find plenty around the 15K mark, but the ones i saw that were at the 20K mark were super clean well optioned sport models with under 70K miles on them.

Anyway your not going to get much of an E38 for 5K. it will likely be an early LWB model with with over 200K on it, and will need lots of work, it will be more trouble than its worth.

Imo, i wouldnt spend 5K on an E39 .personally i would have to spend 10K to get into an 540I/6. at that price point it will have a full service history and low miles.

you could get a 525i E39 for 5-6K but it will be auto and you'll tire o it quickly.

with newer BMWs due their complexity you really have to pay to play, if it is cheap you will have to dump loads into it, or you can pay alot upfront for a really good one.

How bad does it get in the 150k range? Looking at cars like these:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/2848597831.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/2837576539.html

[ALYKZANDYR]

Nah. A red e30 vert (what I have) would be flashier than any e38, and that's what 99% of showing off is.


So how bad are the running costs of an e38? Many have close to 200k, so someone obviously drove them that much without giving up on it (although they may very likely be selling because it's too expensive to own). Is it that much cheaper than an e39? And where do you even get a 20k e38...i've only seen a few like '01 well under 100k for maybe 15 grand...no one pays that much (20+) for a 10 year old 7 series.


An e28 is also an option, so is an e34.

yes you can find plenty around the 15K mark, but the ones i saw that were at the 20K mark were super clean well optioned sport models with under 70K miles on them.

Anyway your not going to get much of an E38 for 5K. it will likely be an early LWB model with with over 200K on it, and will need lots of work, it will be more trouble than its worth.

Imo, i wouldnt spend 5K on an E39 .personally i would have to spend 10K to get into an 540I/6. at that price point it will have a full service history and low miles.

you could get a 525i E39 for 5-6K but it will be auto and you'll tire o it quickly.

with newer BMWs due their complexity you really have to pay to play, if it is cheap you will have to dump loads into it, or you can pay alot upfront for a really good one.

[Vivek]

heres what you do. buy a clean one, slam it, 6 speed swap from e39 540i, some nice wheels, done!

Definitely the hardest part and I doubt it's well documented (who the fuck wants a manual e38 other than someone under 25??), but it would be on the eventual list.

[dnick]

baus

[Dj Buttchug]

My thoughts exactly. XECUTIV license plate ;)

heres what you do. buy a clean one, slam it, 6 speed swap from e39 540i, some nice wheels, done!

[Vivek]

the e38 is the ultimate boss car.

My thoughts exactly. XECUTIV license plate ;)

[Dj Buttchug]

the e38 is the ultimate boss car. Id go 740 for sure. the v12 750 is whack.

Also consider auto trans issues here. Most e38s being sold for dirt cheap have transmission problems due to lack of service.

[Vivek]

Sounds like someone just wants their dad to get them a more powerful car to show off at school.

To get a good e38 you need to spend 20k plus. (740i/750i with low miles)

Nah. A red e30 vert (what I have) would be flashier than any e38, and that's what 99% of showing off is.


So how bad are the running costs of an e38? Many have close to 200k, so someone obviously drove them that much without giving up on it (although they may very likely be selling because it's too expensive to own). Is it that much cheaper than an e39? And where do you even get a 20k e38...i've only seen a few like '01 well under 100k for maybe 15 grand...no one pays that much (20+) for a 10 year old 7 series.


An e28 is also an option, so is an e34.

[blackhawkimpact]

I would go with a e39. Just got my lady a e39 530i and that car is smooth, fast and comfortable to the bee's knees