Faults:

New front discs and pads (big deal!)

Front shocks (220'000 miles)

Passenger front window doesn't always work.

Both front calipers have stuck and needed freeing off.

Front track control arms.

General Comments:

Buying a 15 year old BMW with 204'000 miles isn't always the best move. But he's now done 248'500 miles and I've had it since July 2004. It hasn't broken down YET, but you know it's going to one day - with this mileage it has to!

Original engine, clutch, gearbox and diff, rear shocks. Only replaced the front shocks because of an annoying knocking sound which turned out to be the top mount. The (original) 220'000 mile shocks have been kept because they're still okay. Car does have a detailed service record and it had a new water pump and rad not long before I bought it.

Of course it's had minor problems, but what a shame BMW or Merc don't build them like this anymore - strong, mechanically simple cars that can do almost 250'000 miles without going horribly wrong.

Faults:

Small radiator leak, easy fix. Teflon tape and some wrenches.

Steering box failure, very costly! And what a pain to replace, but replaced it myself.

Water pump failure, not too hard to replace. just takes a couple hours.

Tie rod ends, inner and outer. Caused a shake from 50 mph and up. easy fix.

General Comments:

The BMW 750 il is in my opinion the smoothest sleeper on the road.

This is one car that can get you moving as fast as you want, and do it all while you are wrapped in leather.

My wife hates the car because of how much time the car requires in keeping up with. But I think that I would spend the time into what ever I drove.

I have owned three 7 series BMW's, and I can't see why anyone would want to own anything else. These cars are fast, easy to upgrade to get it to go faster, ride like a dream. But click it into sport mode, and it will take any corner you throw at it. All this while you have four adult friends going for the ride with you.

I have upgrade to a set of 19 by 8 wheels in front, and 19 by 9.5 in the back. With some sticky z rated rubber. Big chrome wheels look so nice. Car handles better with wider tires, you only notice this when you push it to the edge.

I have rebuild the motor, not out of it really needing it, more for my piece of mind. It was quite fun. All aluminum motor is now sleeved, to assure longer life, and it will handle any upgrade I throw at it.

Installed by a local speed shop is a pair of turbos, large inter-cooler, and some cold air intakes. Custom built injectors. 3 inch duel exhaust ending with some single chamber chrome race mufflers, 4 inch tips.

You might wonder how I did the duel exhaust seeming the stock gas tank takes up 3/4 of the space under the back of the car. A good friend built me a custom fuel cell. Which takes a bit to install, but looks very clean once done. It does throw off your read outs miles to empty, but its not much of a loss.

5,000 watt stereo system, 4 15's in the trunk. There is no better car in the world to throw money at. The cars just keep getting better and better.

Have you driven a Bimmer lately?