BMW E38 735i with moar picshurs 14/12/13

[Giraffe]

Wouldn't normally do something like this, especially as it wont be a progress thread as such, but why not eh, it's something different.

Picked this up on Saturday, 83k, full history, new brakes, good tyres, a couple of loose bits of trim, a small chip on the door and some of the pixels from the display have gone, but IMO nothing serious because it drove like an absolute DREAM. Ideally would have gone for a 740i, but would have required much more money to be spent to get something of a similar standard, especially as this car is immaculate other than the previous mentioned. Anyway, a few pics, I'll get some more in due course of the other angles of the car, probably at the weekend.

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o516/DJL1987/7_zps3bb99728.jpg

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o516/DJL1987/71_zpsb12f0b36.jpg

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o516/DJL1987/72_zpsae1d7cb1.jpg

Worlds worst pictures, I know, but with it parked up against the wall, that's the only angle you can get! I'll get some of under the bonnet and the front at the weekend. Only plans are to take off all of the badges, a decision made easy given the shitty V8 badges, and I MAY look for some wheels, although the massive tyres and 16" alloys do make for a nice ride, so not sure if I want to compromise that.

Enjoy. Comments and suggestions welcome obviously.

[Oli-VTR]

Wheels look tiny compared to size of the barge! Always like this shape BMW

[LSOfreak]

i like these. Would look better with the bigger multispokes these come on

[Giraffe]

I agree actually. I may consider changing the alloys but I am also saving for a deposit. Just worried about ruining the ride quality mainly though. Probably not the best person to talk to about ride quality though eh? ;)

[LSOfreak]

haha ride quality is the least of my worries!

although in my old e93 i did notice it to be surprisingly harsh for a big car :S

[jasonmayall]

Lovely barge dude... When you getting the stainless on it? ;)

[Giraffe]

Lovely barge dude... When you getting the stainless on it? ;)

Hahaha! Here I am arguing against 17" alloys and you're asking where the stainless is!

I'll see what my mind says after 6 months... at the moment the silence is nice, but it really would be a shame not to have it make some noise I suppose

[D4MJT]

awesome. I keep looking at E38's myself, I've always fancied a dark one on 18" M Parallel's.

How's the fuel tank on it?

There's a guide on the Range Rover forums about repairing the pixel display in the dash, the early L322's till 05 had E39/E38 electrickery.

If I were you I'd be tempted to ditch the clear indicators and rear lights, and go amber, I think they look tidy against silver coloured cars and you'd probably get some money back flogging those. *cough* backbox delete *cough*

What colour's the interior?

moar picszzzzz

[Giraffe]

awesome. I keep looking at E38's myself, I've always fancied a dark one on 18" M Parallel's.

How's the fuel tank on it?

There's a guide on the Range Rover forums about repairing the pixel display in the dash, the early L322's till 05 had E39/E38 electrickery.

If I were you I'd be tempted to ditch the clear indicators and rear lights, and go amber, I think they look tidy against silver coloured cars and you'd probably get some money back flogging those. *cough* backbox delete *cough*

What colour's the interior?

moar picszzzzz

When you say how is the fuel tank, you mean the condition of it or the size of it? I do intend to get the pixels sorted at some point, so I'll have a look cheers!
Interior is black, I will get more pictures soon but I leave for work in the dark and come home in the dark!
I'd not even thought about the colour of the lights either... Obviously have an eye for detail that I don't!

[D4MJT]

When you say how is the fuel tank, you mean the condition of it or the size of it? I do intend to get the pixels sorted at some point, so I'll have a look cheers!
Interior is black, I will get more pictures soon but I leave for work in the dark and come home in the dark!
I'd not even thought about the colour of the lights either... Obviously have an eye for detail that I don't!

IIRC the E38 was the only BMW produced at that time with a steel fuel tank and they corrode, commonly splitting at the seams basically. It's not the end of the world in terms that sometimes the leak is higher up, so you can effectively get round it for a while by not filling the tank, and a quite a few by now will have had them changed as well.

Downside is that if / when it does need doing, I think a tank is something ridiculous like £900, and it sits above the rear axle so that needs to be dropped. A few places do resin repairs etc which work for varying periods of time, but are obviously a lot cheaper than a new tank.

I think that's the only "issue" with them I think, apart from that they appear to be pretty bulletproof.

I want one :(

IIRC 95% ish of the time, the clock unit / display will be fine, but there's a ribbon cable that connects to it and the contacts dry out over time and crack. New ribbon sorts it.

[Giraffe]

I was praying that you wanted to know the size of the tank... Had no idea that tanks were a common fault, never come across it! I've not dared brim it yet, so I've got that to come... Remember the first time I brimmed my E30, petrol, EVERYWHERE.

Just get yourself one, would go nicely considering your car history. They aren't THAT expensive, I got this for £1,750, which I didn't think was too bad given condition/mileage.

[D4MJT]

*trundles off to PH Classified*

I think next year I'll need some sort of bargey daily affair like.

There's a lot to be said for wafting about in automatic comfort.

I don't know whether your's will have them or not, as they were option'd I think, but the comfort seats are absolutely phenomenal. They were used in early L322 Rangies as well, adjust 14 ways or something daft like that, top half of the seat back is adjustable independently to the bottom, adjustable bolsters, head restraints etc.


mmmmmmmmmmm

[Giraffe]

Don't think it does, as far as I've found out it just goes backwards, forwards, up, down and has tilt and headrest height adjustment. I also don't know if it's just me, but it feels like the seat adjusts if I accelerate or go over bumps and stuff. Might be just me though!

Was a bit gutted about the seats if I'm perfectly honest, they aren't the most comfortable and the lumbar support feels too firm and bulky, and unless you have the seat right back, the arm rest is too far back! Also, the rest on the door is a bit far away to reach the steering wheel from as well. But, if you drive properly and sit properly, it's pretty comfy.

Don't suppose you know if you can retro fit these comfort seats and even heated seats?

[D4MJT]

Comfort seats are also heated, and can be retrofitted. I think they're pricey mind you.

Normal seats:

http://www.shauhin.com/img_share/e39seats/IMG_2727.JPG

Comfort seats:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/BMW-SPORT-SEATS-SEAT-E38-E39-540i-740i-740iL-530i-750iL-528i-525i-18-WAY-COMFORT-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/$(KGrHqV,!nsE8VF,VM4sBPUYL8VF!w~~60_35.JPG

[Giraffe]

Time to scour the bay... You know you're getting old when the one mod you want to do most is change the seats to make it more comfortable like.

EDIT: Holy fuck they're expensive.

[Manu]

Yeeees, german comfy seats are expensive. not your 106 half leathers anymore :P




IIRC 95% ish of the time, the clock unit / display will be fine, but there's a ribbon cable that connects to it and the contacts dry out over time and crack. New ribbon sorts it.

Correct, ribbon contacts tend to age badly, crack and/or corrode.

[D4MJT]

Time to scour the bay... You know you're getting old when the one mod you want to do most is change the seats to make it more comfortable like.

EDIT: Holy fuck they're expensive.

Does it help if I tell you they're completely worth it and probably the most comfortable seats I've sat in to date?

[matt_vtr_15a]

Looks very tidy that Dave!!

[Giraffe]

Yeeees, german comfy seats are expensive. not your 106 half leathers anymore :P




Correct, ribbon contacts tend to age badly, crack and/or corrode.

Haha I was never enough of a bender to actually bother changing the seats in my Saxo, it never would have made up for the rest of the rattles, bangs and general shit interior!

Does it help if I tell you they're completely worth it and probably the most comfortable seats I've sat in to date?

No. It makes it worse. Fuck you! I need to buy a house, I can't be buying expensive seats... FUCK.

Looks very tidy that Dave!!

Cheers Matt, by far the tidiest car I've ever had! This is what you have to look forward to when you mature like me haha. Engine bay is spotless (IMO) as well as the interior, although the leather is a little worn... Which also makes me want to splurge on some comfort seats with heated leather for fucks sake!

[D4MJT]

You could sit in the heated warm 14 way adjustable luxury of a nice set of comfort seats while you counted out your house pennies man.

Or just stop being a dick and buy somewhere with a bedroom less. It'll be cheaper in the long run, no room for extra children!

[Giraffe]

You could sit in the heated warm 14 way adjustable luxury of a nice set of comfort seats while you counted out your house pennies man.

Or just stop being a dick and buy somewhere with a bedroom less. It'll be cheaper in the long run, no room for extra children!

Have you seen house prices in Teesside? They can't get cheaper! To be fair, another couple of months and my deposit is done again, I'm just waiting for my brother to get his half. So after January, I'll save up for some seats. If I end up bankrupt, I'll be so mad with you.

[D4MJT]

Have you seen house prices in Teesside? They can't get cheaper! To be fair, another couple of months and my deposit is done again, I'm just waiting for my brother to get his half. So after January, I'll save up for some seats. If I end up bankrupt, I'll be so mad with you.

You'll be comfortable though. So comfortable.

[D4MJT]

godamnit dave.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-BMW-740I-AUTO-BLUE-/181277465886?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a34fa9d1e

[Giraffe]

Haha! Don't ask why, ask why not? It is Christmas, buy yourself a decent present mate, no other fucker will!

[LSOfreak]

that blue one looks awesome.

So cheap for such a car!

[D4MJT]

that blue one looks awesome.

So cheap for such a car!

And that my friend, is the perilous tip of the iceberg where man maths starts.

Before you know it you've bought the car, and spent a grand having it 'tidied up' because you got it cheap anyway...

Then, as it's looking so good, and they're pretty rare nowadays anyway... the OEM upgrades start.

A couple of grand later you've got probably the tidiest E38 on the road, stacked with options, that's still only worth £2k to the right buyer lol.

Not that I've done this you understand...

[Giraffe]

And that my friend, is the perilous tip of the iceberg where man maths starts.

Before you know it you've bought the car, and spent a grand having it 'tidied up' because you got it cheap anyway...

Then, as it's looking so good, and they're pretty rare nowadays anyway... the OEM upgrades start.

A couple of grand later you've got probably the tidiest E38 on the road, stacked with options, that's still only worth £2k to the right buyer lol.

Not that I've done this you understand...

I'm an accountant and this sort of mathematics and logic has my seal of approval. Complete financial sense. Trust me.

[dan_dan_the_saxo_man]

Nice car, my dad has a 1999 728i m sport and i love it, with the full rear blinds too, put alpina badges on too seeing as you cant really tell the differnce.

[D4MJT]

put alpina badges on too seeing as you cant really tell the differnce.

Are you Stevie Wonder lol?

[PJN]

Love these things, always wanted one after Bond hooned one about in Tomorrow Never Dies haha!

[Giraffe]

Picture update as promised! Today will involve getting the Volvo in the last picture sorted out, reading up on the best way to debadge and maybe a trip to a welders to see about a back box delete... (FUCK YOU D4MJT :( )

Engine bay, cos people seem to get moist over it... Personally don't care for it.
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o516/DJL1987/74_zps212d8e0c.jpg

Boot space, gets me moist.
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o516/DJL1987/75_zps53f86880.jpg

The front... Looks fed up.
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o516/DJL1987/73_zpsb8062dc2.jpg

The interior and the ovloV. Nice place to be.
http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o516/DJL1987/76_zpsd4f9b6aa.jpg

In other news, £96.50 to fill from the light. Ouch.

[matt_vtr_15a]

I like it, looks comfortable, safe and indeed a nice place to be. Looks very well kept to!

I do like the engine bays, for the simple fact there tidy and uncluttered.. saves a job!

What do you mean by sorting the volvo?

Are you looking into the back box delete for moar roar?

[Giraffe]

I like it, looks comfortable, safe and indeed a nice place to be. Looks very well kept to!

I do like the engine bays, for the simple fact there tidy and uncluttered.. saves a job!

What do you mean by sorting the volvo?

Are you looking into the back box delete for moar roar?


Washed and cleaned, emptying my things out, putting it up for sale! £600 for some lucky bastard because it is an incredible car!

Moar roar indeed... Put my foot down yesterday on the way to the petrol station and the engine noise was incredible. Probably a stupid idea but never mind!

[matt_vtr_15a]

Washed and cleaned, emptying my things out, putting it up for sale! £600 for some lucky bastard because it is an incredible car!

Moar roar indeed... Put my foot down yesterday on the way to the petrol station and the engine noise was incredible. Probably a stupid idea but never mind!

Shame when a lot of car can go for soo cheap, jnless your the buyer of course.

Sounds like a great idea to me, the moar roar the better.

[Giraffe]

Shame when a lot of car can go for soo cheap, jnless your the buyer of course.

Sounds like a great idea to me, the moar roar the better.

Aye, my Dad wants to see if he can use it as an extra wedding car though... Would be funny, pulling up at a church with a V8 roar...

As for the Volvo, it is a shame really but it is Christmas so people are probably a bit skint, wouldn't expect it to go for much more on something like ebay etc and the little extra I might get probably wouldn't make much of a difference so would rather just get it shifted!

[D4MJT]

Looks comfy!


If only there was some sort of OEM upgrade path to make it even more comfortable....

[Giraffe]

Looks comfy!


If only there was some sort of OEM upgrade path to make it even more comfortable....

Fuck off man hahaha. Death of my bank balance!

[MuZiZZle]

BMW Wanker

[Giraffe]

BMW Wanker

For the second time

[Manu]

It has been established that bmw drivers are cocks, here is the proof:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw7D9cDQqHo


Shame when a lot of car can go for soo cheap, jnless your the buyer of course.

They depreciate like mad purely because people are put off by the servicing costs. Then not everyone is a mechanic, my neighbour always panics when something breaks down on his beemer.

It's actually pretty cool to score a lot of car for dirt cheap, as long as you can service it yourself. The funny bit is, they're often cheaper to insure than saxos.

[Giraffe]

He's on about the Volvo Manu

[rey]

You've made me look at E38's now...

Damn my commute haha

[Giraffe]

Well if it helps, my fuel gauge says 3/4 full, my odometer says 60 miles... I am PRAYING it isn't accurate!

[D4MJT]

Does your drive smell of petrol?

:cool:

[Giraffe]

Does your drive smell of petrol?

:cool:

Like it fits on my drive...

No though, I brimmed it and stood waiting with a grimace but nothing happened as far as I can tell! No petrol smell around the car, but I have done many short runs.

Decided it needs m parallels as well, so will be saving. Probably means if I am going the "oem+" route (I think?) then it will probably need comfort seats, but that is longgggg term, if the fuel economy doesn't kill me.

[rey]

Well if it helps, my fuel gauge says 3/4 full, my odometer says 60 miles... I am PRAYING it isn't accurate!

That helps, a little bit haha!

Might start keeping an eye on 730D's

[Giraffe]

That helps, a little bit haha!

Might start keeping an eye on 730D's

Would be an incredible purchase, one I will definitely consider in the future when I have a house and some savings etc. Reasonably priced as well!

[rey]

I was seriously thinking about one before I got the Vulva..

Really wish I'd just bitten the bullet and done it haha would've much preferred to be rocking round in a 7 series over the shite40 :(

[D4MJT]

Like it fits on my drive...

No though, I brimmed it and stood waiting with a grimace but nothing happened as far as I can tell! No petrol smell around the car, but I have done many short runs.

Decided it needs m parallels as well, so will be saving. Probably means if I am going the "oem+" route (I think?) then it will probably need comfort seats, but that is longgggg term, if the fuel economy doesn't kill me.

For range comparison, I have the 4.4 M62 V8 lump in one of the Range Rover's at work and with the aerodynamics of a house, permanent 4wd and me behind the wheel it'll still average 16mpg round the doors, and around 19-20 on a run.

A tank is around £135 and usually you'll see between 360-440 miles from that.

[Manu]

He's on about the Volvo Manu


Aaah my bad, glws

Well if it helps, my fuel gauge says 3/4 full, my odometer says 60 miles... I am PRAYING it isn't accurate!

heavy right foot recently? You should be getting about 25-30 mpg ish on mixed driving, it drops severely around 15 in town

[Jamie]

Looks tidy enough I loved it in the James bond film.

Wouldn't fancy the running costs though lol!

[Giraffe]

Aaah my bad, glws



heavy right foot recently? You should be getting about 25-30 mpg ish on mixed driving, it drops severely around 15 in town

No, no heavy right foot as such. I've given a couple of brief stamps on the accelerator for maybe a couple of seconds, just to give my brothers an idea of speed, but other than I drive like a granny! I have only done short runs though so I guess that must be it. Will get a better idea over the course of a full tank I hope.

Looks tidy enough I loved it in the James bond film.

Wouldn't fancy the running costs though lol!

"Tidy enough" haha. Guess that's the biggest compliment ever based on your standards. It's the cleanest thing I've ever seen!

[Jamie]

No, no heavy right foot as such. I've given a couple of brief stamps on the accelerator for maybe a couple of seconds, just to give my brothers an idea of speed, but other than I drive like a granny! I have only done short runs though so I guess that must be it. Will get a better idea over the course of a full tank I hope.



"Tidy enough" haha. Guess that's the biggest compliment ever based on your standards. It's the cleanest thing I've ever seen!

Sorry I didn't aim to sound c-unitish! Wish I never put it like that now. I loved the 7 series in James Bond! It does look tidy, I still wouldn't fancy the running costs though :)

(My standards, lol if you saw the state of my car right now after some cross country blasts you'd laugh)

I bet you could make that V8 Rawwwwwwwwr with a nice stainless system!

[Giraffe]

Matt, as you seem to be the only one consistently interested in the car and trying to make me spend my money, I need you to look at the interior and tell me the logistics and likely cost of putting a dvd player and screen in the front where the radio etc is, and tv's in the back!

EDIT: No stainless either Jamie, too expensive for now! Want to upgrade stuff before I take any leaps like that! Will consider the back box delete as it's relatively inexpensive though.

[stevo67]

Nice car a mate had one,but sold it due to running costs fuel etc.

[D4MJT]

Matt, as you seem to be the only one consistently interested in the car and trying to make me spend my money, I need you to look at the interior and tell me the logistics and likely cost of putting a dvd player and screen in the front where the radio etc is, and tv's in the back!

EDIT: No stainless either Jamie, too expensive for now! Want to upgrade stuff before I take any leaps like that! Will consider the back box delete as it's relatively inexpensive though.

oooooh. Errr, as it happens I think I've got some stuff at home on that, I'll have a butchers later chap

[jasonmayall]

This is crying for an LPG conversion :)

[Giraffe]

This is crying for an LPG conversion :)

Crying for something... Struggled to start last night and this morning, the rear suspension appears to be creaking and if you rev it in neutral there is a nice vibration/wobbly feeling.

Should be a good way to spend some money though...

[Manu]

new fuel filter/engine mounts/suspension time then.

[D4MJT]

Crying for something... Struggled to start last night and this morning, the rear suspension appears to be creaking and if you rev it in neutral there is a nice vibration/wobbly feeling.

Should be a good way to spend some money though...

Mostly, don't be revving it in neutral, you'll end up burning the clutch packs out even though it isn't in gear, over 3k isn't healthy for it.

Without being too morbid, there's a fair chance the vibration wobbly is the torque converter, whats the mileage on it?

Rear suspension if it's anything like the E39 they have a ball joint setup that doesn't look like a ball joint, it's in a tube under the rear hub, and they dry out and creak badly. Do it on the Range Rovers as well. I'll grab some pics, you'll be able to establish quickly if it's this as you can aim some WD40 at it, do that a few times over a couple of days and it'll work it's way in and lubricate the joint, and it'll quieten down. Around £200 tops at a decent indy, they use a special tool to pull the ball joint out, although there's guides on the net that show you how to make one.

Struggling to start could easily just be the battery, it's reet cold up here currently, and the cold weather kills batteries quickly, there's a lot of elecy giblets on it. Also the battery is colossal, find a ECP battery discount code lol

ETA:

This is the sound that properly fucked and dried out joints make:

E39 BMW 540i suspension squeak - YouTube

And they are used in the E38, guide on replacement here:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=e39+rosebush&sm=3

[D4MJT]

Edit - Merged to one post.

[Giraffe]

Will have a look tonight, no point at work as I have no sound!

The guy I bought the car from said the battery was on it's way out like, so might replace it. Also, once when it started, it started running very lumpy and said something like STOP ENGINE OIL PRESS or something...

As for the rev, didn't have to take it over 2k, can feel the vibration immediately, and I've only done it twice for a blip each time!

As for mileage, a shade under 84k. I'm going to do a full service soon anyway as I've got a trip to heathrow and back. Good idea to change the gearbox oil as well?

[D4MJT]

Will have a look tonight, no point at work as I have no sound!

The guy I bought the car from said the battery was on it's way out like, so might replace it. Also, once when it started, it started running very lumpy and said something like STOP ENGINE OIL PRESS or something...

As for the rev, didn't have to take it over 2k, can feel the vibration immediately, and I've only done it twice for a blip each time!

As for mileage, a shade under 84k. I'm going to do a full service soon anyway as I've got a trip to heathrow and back. Good idea to change the gearbox oil as well?

Based on that, the first thing I'd do is change the battery. There's every chance that doing so will solve all of those issues.

They do strange, strange things when the battery isn't really healthy. My E39 missed like anything, and flagged up traction control ABS warnings and all kinds, and the Range Rover used to tell you the Air Suspension was inactive etc and all kinds of other wallet ruining faults.

Both completely cured with new batteries.

The boxes are 'supposed' to be sealed for life, but they can benefit from a fluid and filter change. I'd get an indy with a ramp to do that, iirc you have to refill the box with the engine running bizarrely, and the fill hole is on the side of the gearbox so you'd be under the running car with it on axle stands. If the vibration is more noticable when you're driving, then do a search on the rubber donut in the propshaft assembly, that causes vibration.

[Giraffe]

As far as I can tell, it runs fine whilst driving, no vibration or anything... I only noticed last night when I did it by accident, forgot I was in neutral at the lights like an idiot.

Luckily for me, there is a pretty decent BMW guy just down the road from work, think I'll pop over and have a word with him on my lunch.

Cheers Matt!