1999 BMW 7 Series 740i 4.4 V8

Summary:

Best car I have owned

Faults:

Steering pump hose replaced.

New radiator.

New petrol tank (under dealer warranty).

General Comments:

I have owned some very fast cars, and since I got a little older some comfortable cars. This BMW is probably one of the few cars that can cover both bases, depending on your mood.

You will see a fair amount of bad press here about reliability issues with these cars. The bottom line is that high quality driving is not cheap. If you want insulated from any problems, get a Toyota on lease, better still... take the bus.

If however you would prefer to drive what is in my opinion one of the finest cars ever made, ring fence some maintenance cash, and buy a low mile 740i Sport.

There are some jokers on this site whinging about encountering problems costing a few hundred dollars with their 740i... with 150,000 miles! Get real guys, we don't last forever and neither do our cars.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd October, 2008

1983 BMW 7 Series 735i 3.5 litre petrol

Summary:

Luxury, performance and reliability

Faults:

Power windows have been unreliable (probably a fuse issue though).

Some rust has developed around the sunroof.

The Automatic transmission sounds a bit clunky, but that's to be expected after the punishment I have given it.

General Comments:

Who does not want a BMW?? I have driven a few models and the comfort, performance and reliability is top notch.

My 735 is only just starting to suffer from 10000 miles of absolute hell. I am talking about 130+ miles an hour, burnouts, drifting, donuts and paddock bashing!! It just keeps going!

Through my term of ownership it has become unroadworthy, but it provides me with hours of sideways fun on my farm.

This car is most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven. German cars are an investment.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st December, 2007

30th Dec 2007, 19:34

I would think your reference, though at first a "shocker" is a very good one... are you in a salt affected area?...rust at sunroof sounds odd. It's a pity in one way you are destroying the car, but at the same time your 'destructive testing' has a lot of real value.

I remember 41 years ago a friend in a beautiful Mk9 Jaguar took me to tech. and did donuts on the road in front of Sydney Tech.. in it...the trouble is that this is hard on differentials and then... well it wasn't my car, but it goes to respect for machinery. Less damage on farm dirt I guess...I'd never do it, but then... I am an engineer who respects fine machinery, its limitations and costs... and how much it costs me every week just to get by... At the same time if you own it you can do more or less what you like...yes?

Thanks for your experiences.

31st Dec 2007, 20:44

The Original Review writes

"This car is most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven. German cars are an investment." yet is proud that he has made the vehicle undrivable withing 10k. Is this interview for real?

17th Jan 2008, 05:59

Well it is very comfortable and it is a marvel of engineering. Take a normal car and trash it like an old BMW and it will brake a lot earlier than the beemer. Try it yourself if you don`t believe it, older BMWs were way built to last longer than these newer models.

2000 BMW 7 Series 728ia 2.8 6 cylinder petrol

Summary:

BMW's secret gem

Faults:

At 95000km the brake lights stopped working. Easy to fix, did it myself.

Torque converter needed replacement at 97k.

General Comments:

This is an extremely beautiful car. propably one of the best looking cars BMW has produced.

For a 2.8 liter 6, the car moves well. it handles like a gem.

Interior is extremely comfortable, spacious nd luxurious.

The car is the 728 with the M Sports body, interior and suspension package. this package makes a big difference to the cars looks. It looks absolutely stunning.

It possesses an absolutely terrific 10 speaker sound system.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd January, 2007

27th May 2010, 07:08

Hi, can you tell me if buying this series 728i second hand is good?

23rd Jan 2011, 18:41

Sorry for the very late reply. I would recommend an e38 BMW 728i to anybody, even if they are buying it second hand. They are reliable, economical and comfortable. Keep an eye out for a well cared for example and you will have many many years of hassle free motoring ahead. I still have the 728i eight years after purchasing it in 2003, and I have no plans to sell it anytime soon. It's a joy to drive, and an even bigger pleasure to own.