CLpower

Hey Guys,

I've been looking at 2010+ 750Li's and came across a family member getting rid of their 2008 for a price I can't really pass up.

Not exactly what i'm looking for but one of those I can't walk away from deals.


Car has roughly 100K on it, what do I need to know, and worry about? I know it has a bushing up front that needs replacing, not sure what it is. Also has some cosmetic things on the inside (rear deck is faded, but I'll tint the windows and fix that).

ttribe

Any chance you can take it to a dealership to have the service department give it a once-over? That's an expensive car to fix, so it might be a good idea to have someone inspect it.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

why is the family member getting rid of it?

Nabooly

Make sure you check maintenance records and be sure that all routine stuff has been taken care of. I have no idea what common problematic issues the model has but do some research to avoid any near future repair bills.

That said if the family member is completely transparent with you and it's a good deal, I'd go for it. There's nothing like driving a 7 series

CLpower

bought an S85 Performance + Tesla


This was his 8th 7-series, time for something new and different.

charliemike

I would take it to a good dealer and pay someone to crawl up that car's ass with a microscope like the tech was Liam Neeson, his daughter's life depended on it, and finding problems was how he used his particular set of skills to get her back.

CLpower

Have all records and know maintenance was taken care of regularly.

Was a CPO car.

Let's put it this way, I'll be paying a couple grand for the car.....making me think it's a no brainer to grab and if something goes wrong I just flip it.

charliemike

I was sitting there thinking, "What the hell is a S85 Performance and why would he buy one AND a Tesla?"

I'm not a smart man sometimes.

myron

iTrader: (4)

you'd be paying a couple grand for a 7 series? Why wouldn't you take it

savage

If you can have a tech give it a once over that would be great. Give the brakes a once over too. Replacing those can be expensive just from the parts alone.

Sounds like he's taken good care of it and you are getting a great deal, so it definitely doesn't seem as risky. Good luck!

Bdog

Looking on Autotrader a 2008 750Li goes from $16,000 to $45,000 (with a lot in the low $20's) and the factor seems to be the miles. These cars drop quickly the higher the miles. As they are heavy electronically controlled vehicles, with every imaginably electronic device and power option, there's always the chance things will go bad and cost a fortune to fix. Good luck!

honda_nut

My uncle has a 2007 750li that I've driven a few times. I honestly didn't like driving it much though; preferred his X5 over it but that's just my opinion. The car has had issues with the power closing trunk and brakes from what I know. The repairs cost over a grand to fix. If you are really getting the car for a few grand, I'd get it, use it for some time, and flip it.

CLpower

cause they aren't worth a whole lot, and wanted to know what I may be walking into.

Curious3GTL

I know BMW actually extended the warranty on the 2002-2005 745's because they're so bad. Those all have a 6 year / 100k warranty.

I think they fixed a lot of the issues for the 06-08, but don't expect anything super reliable.

Crazy Bimmer

At least its the facelift version. Go for it.

CLpower

It's not though

Crazy Bimmer

Yuck.

dallison

For a couple grand 2-4k, why not? Anything more than that could be a hassle. As you know, there are too many motors to break and bmw has such great reliability with their electronics.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Isn't the VANOS system in that car due for a service soon at that mileage? Drive it until service is due and flip it for a few grand?

honda_nut

2008 is the facelifted, more importantly butt-lifted version
2009 was the full model change

mattg

If you can get it for dirt cheap and they're is nothing apparently wrong with it why not? If you were on a budget and needed something bulletproof reliable I would say hell no.

Mr. Maker

iTrader: (4)

I drive an 04 745Li. Love it. If anything, buy it and flip.

1StGenCL

At first I was going to say no but for say, under 10, hell yes!

On a side note, I see a ton of big body BMWs, MB's, Audi's, etc in the projects by Richmond and think, how the eff do they afford the maintenance, isn't it pricey? Then again, I just saw a 7 puffing smoke out the tail pipe so maybe they can't afford it but they 'ballin.'

Aman

Go for it.

But if I sold someone my car for dirt cheap because he's a relative/friend and he turned around and flipped it, I wouldn't be too happy.

honda_nut

Yeah, I see the same around here in Stockton. Most of them are putting out blue smoke from the exhaust. They must have serious issues.

te3point5

buy it for a few grand, sell it immediately private party, take the proceeds, and get what you really want.

ez12a

yeah, but i'd suggest doing it a little more appropriately by driving it until something crazy breaks or is just about to, then sell it.

looked up the smoking issues, could be valve stem seals. At a shop it would cost about $2k is what i'm reading.

csmeance

2009+ has tons of turbo/injector problems! Avoid them unless you pick up an extended warranty. 740's have been trouble free!

The 2008 750 will have a few major problems that can be fixed but at a substantial cost!

Transmission
Issues with shifting rough, drivetrain malfunctions, etc.
To avoid these issues you'll need to do the following:
1. Replace transmission pan and filter (start to leak after every 50K)
2. Replace "sealing sleeve" in the transmission
3. Replace Bridge Seal in Transmission
4. Replace GUIBO joint
5. New fluid (fluid is expensive, most use castrol multimport or Redline D4/D6)

I had to get a new trans in my 760 bc the trans shredded itself. 745 & 750's use the same trans all the way until 2013 models on the 750 and 740.

Engine:
1. Valve Stem Seal Failure (some happen at 40K, others at 100K) All German Auto makes a kit to repair for under 3K.
2. Coolant leaks - Weep hole leak (few thousand to fix) AGA has a kit for fixing under 3K, coolant hoses, coolant tank cracking, thermostat, and tons of leaks.

Electrical-
1. Audio system can crap out from either the fiber optic head unit (ASK module) or the Logic 7 amplifier (at least 1K to replace). I've been through 3 ASK modules and 2 AMP's so far in 105K miles on my 760.

2. NO start condition due to failure of IVM module, B-pillar module or due to defective battery (BMW's very touchy when it comes to the battery, esp the E65/66) YOu will need to have the battery programmed to the car when it is time to replace.


If you can pick it up with an extended warranty I would def. go for it. There are a lot of surprises than can break the bank on a 7-series. I have 105K on mine and it's currently at the dealer due to a coolant leak from the alternator (water cooled alternators on these cars). In all honesty, I'd pick up used 2012 535 and be much happier with one for the price compared to all the headaches and problems with the 7-series. Current F01/02 owners are going through a lot of trouble with BMW to keep their cars running decently well.

If you want to do more reading on the 2008 7-series (E65/66), I suggest bimmerfest as they are the largest community for the 7-series. You'll find me on there as well!

MR1

csmeance would you do it again?

csmeance

Owning the 760 for the last 100K has def. been an experience. There have been multiple times where I said I could not believe what I was putting up with, and there were times that I couldn't even shake the smile off my face.

Owning a 760, M-Car, Ferrari, etc is like dating a Victoria's Secret Model addicted to Meth. When she's high she'll do things you could only dream of, but when she's low she'll be your worst nightmare.

My worst nightmare was having the trans overheat in traffic, start slamming into first gear and then slammed into park at 10MPH shredding the transmission over 100 miles away from a BMW dealership that would even touch my car for repairs.

If I had to repeat it again I would. Would I own a 7-series out of warranty, not really. The experiences with a 760 were incredible, and a 750 offers pretty much the same experience only if it's optioned with all the performance stuff or a B7. Did it cost more to own than any other car I've owned, yes. Was it the wisest financial decision, no. But then again, cars are some of the worst investments around!

Follow your heart, your emotions and your thoughts when buying a car. There's a reason why folks keep on coming back to BMW despite the true stories of repairs breaking wallets, being stupid, etc. As I said above, I'd suggest a 2012+ 535i and get a BMS tune on it. You'll experience acceleration that'll make you smile so wide you can put a banana in sideways.

Majofo

Couple grand for 2008 750.. hells yeah. I'd have an ad for it up on CL and cars already.

Majofo

Awesome post btw CS! My mom has had a couple of 740s. Very good car when it's not problematic. The techs at her local dealership ran up a 15k bill on her by throwing parts to stop an oil leak. I chewed their asses apart. They even broke the hydraulic modulator that controls the steering and charged her to fix it. If you buy a BMW, own it in warranty and get out. As csmeance illustrated, it can be very expensive to maintain.

CLpower

Thanks CS, great post. This is exactly what I was looking for!

carz0159

Go get it! My uncle loved his old 199x 735. It did have a few problems with the electronics, airbags didnt deploy when he had a head on collision.

Crazy Bimmer

pics?

CLpower

it's a silver 2008 750 with one unmatched wheel.

not much to take a picture of. Think i'm gonna grab it this week.

CLpower

Well it's in the driveway, just got the windows tinted today

Aman

Congrats!

carz0159

congrats. i would love some pics.

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

+1



Always loved the 750i!

How is it to drive? I'm sure the refinement and steering feels luxurious .... but how about that powah?