Trojanman750

im in the luxury car market, will be buying something in the 10-15k range in july.

sooo, my main number 1 choice is the lexus ls400.

however lately my dad has been pushing me to look at the 7 series. so i did and im starting to love the executive styling of this car. if i bought a 7 series it would most likely be 98-02.

i don't even know why im asking, because i know the answer. but what is the maintenance like on these? i know the common e36 problems, but don't really know too much about the 7s.

im also kind of interested in maybe settling on a 530 or 540i.

csmeance

bimmerfest dot com, their 7 series section. Look there. I think the main problems is the gauge cluster failure from my quick glances there. If you want something better, and have a little more to spend, look at an 2002-2003 745i, updated body style, has 1 yr warranty left by now and one of the best luxury vehicles out there. Costs aroun 20K for a good one, but with higher miles

TCM 01 CL-S

Lmao about your signature Trojanman750.

If you want a generally problem free vehicle, go for the Lexus, you can't go wrong, I've seen plenty with 200,000 miles +, still running strong.

TheMirror

Yo dude, from one East Bay slice to another, you'd likely give yourself NOTHING but a headache buying a 7-series....unless you're already a certified BMW Master Mechanic and have a wholesale line on parts. A friend of mine was just quoted a cool $5000 plus labor to replace the power seat in her '06. The E36 is donkey cart simple to repair compared to those big 7-series cars.

Not saying they're all that challenging reliability wise, but my advice is to pat your old man on the head and continue to search for the best LS400-430 you can find.

AZuser

Looks like the '02s are the worst.

TheMirror

The black circles don't lie. Caveat Emptor.

FiveLiterCheater

Ours was in the shop 39 times with less than 50k miles.

amv12

If it were up to me I'd just get a 530/540. I love it's classic styling.

Soccer_playa1579

i was really close to buying the 5 series... its a nice ride and all but shit breaks down to much in that car... go with lexus and dont look back.. i hated the cup holders in the 5 series as well lol..

Syed

a black 7 series would look really nice.

like the one in transporter, it looked really nice

Wisc Badger

+1

the e39's are classic...

I'd love an e39 M5

Wisc Badger

maybe something like this...



search

FiveLiterCheater

Heres my friends E39 M5



He has so much done to it though...its a fuckin monster.

charliemike

When I was 22 I drove a 1983 Dodge Aries.

My parents were pretty well off ... HELOCs for kid's cars FTL?

Trojanman750

yea the sensible part of me is dead set on a 99-02 lexus ls400. its probably the most trouble free car on the road.

but god damn i have always love BMW. im even thinking about maybe getting an x5. i know this is probably a bad decision though. you only live once though right??

Wisc Badger

thats what I said... and I love my e90.

lexus ls400 is NOT a bad car at all but you'll enjoy driving the BMW more, (as the Men's Warehouse guy would say)... I Guarantee it!



PS getting an X5 is stupid though... that would be more for show.

If youre serious about getting a car thats a blast to drive AND nice... get a BMW 3 or 5 series.

if you don't really care how it drives, then just get the lexus cuz it'll be reliable and less of a pain in your ass

Stapler

My dad loves his 98. 183k on original engine and tranny. He bought it with 80k and it has been anything but maintenance free, but still fairly solid.

I usually end up helping him replace bits of the front end suspension that rattle once in a while. If he had to take it to the dealer every time it threw a code or rattled though he would be broke. He saves quite a bit of money by repairing it himself.

Stapler

\

Oh, and here is a picture of when he first bought it and the family went on a road trip.

The rear passenger window regulator ate itself somewhere around the southern part of Oregon and the driver side coming back through california , I have since become quite proficient at replacing them.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

Yumcha

Sorry, I'm not talking you outta it...

Costco

Damn, that's too bad, the E38s are freaking PIMP! Especially post-facelift. Plus M-Parallels are one of my favorite wheels ever, stock or otherwise.

S14 n Tsx

ouch!! that is terrible...

Trojanman750

so the window regulators go out alot??


ehhh, its a nice fucking car, but little things breaking, especially electronic, will annoy the piss out of me.


the lexus ls400 has virtually problem free electronics, with the exception of the AC gauges in early models. plus the 99-02 get up to 28mpg on the freeway.

we shall see. i know my dad wants me to get the 7 series so he can drive his buddies out to resturants and shit with it, because he currently owns a 2 seater z3 coupe and has to borrow my moms car all the time.

dnd2984

iTrader: (6)

Get a 01 LS430
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-...QQcmdZViewItem

te3point5

the sensible part should be telling you to get a brand new civic or corolla, not an 8 year old car. Even if Japanese, still 8 years old.

JediMindTricks

+1.

AZuser

Tell him that if he wants the 7 so much to get that for himself and then give you the Z3.

GSI

My old boss had one and it was fast as hell. The supercharger whine was sweet too but you could only really hear it when he jammed on it. It has like 340 hp and 380 lb/ft torque and can be had for like $9k now.

http://www.mariettasportscar.com/VD.html?VID={DEA8544B-C57C-439D-B6C3-FAD984B6F090}

JJ92799

iTrader: (1)

If I was in the market for a nice used luxury car I would be all over that........GORGEOUS, and more reliable than a 7.

TheMirror

Wow, I hadn't realized the 1st gen XJR's had gotten that cheap. Very interesting......

That car's claim to fame of course is that Jennifer Aniston wrecked one in the middle of LA several years back.

GSI

Yep. Back in the day the XJR was compared with the M5 yet a 2000 m5 cost much more than $9k today. Check out youtube for Top Gears comparo of the two cars.

dnd2984

iTrader: (6)

I would love to get 2004 Ls430 with the sport package with the 18s

They go bewteen 26 to 30k.

SPUDMTN

If you're worried about the reliability of the 7-series, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN AWAY FROM A JAG! Jags, especially of this era, are notorious for their ridiculously low reliability ratings.

There's a reason why they've taken such a hit in depreciation (Land Rovers, as well).

GSI

Good point. My boss never had any major problems that I recall but he was pretty meticulous about the maintence. Maybe they worked the kinks out on this one. Check out the Carfax Report and it has been in the shop quite often.

http://www.carfax.com/cfm/ccc_Displa...PX1849WC847888

phile

XJR is nice. But I think there is just too much wood in their cars, and I'm a fan of wood trimming.

Crazy Bimmer

What ya need such a big car for at 22?

Get a 5series or even a GS. At least it will be comfy and sporty Hell even an A6 would be decent.

FiveLiterCheater

I'd rather maintain a 7 series than drive that ugly donkey.

If you do end up getting the 7 series, just make sure the previous owner took care of his and had it regularly maintained.

agranado

That car is pretty hot - only thing missing are projo's

JediMindTricks

that's what i'm thinking.

supraken

iTrader: (1)

+2

I think the 5 series, GS, and A6 are better choices for your age.. a '01 or '02 A6 2.7T or 540i would probably be best bet for fun/luxury

The 7 series segment seems to depreciate in price much faster and are much more expensive to maintain. I think late '98-99 7 series you can get below $8k or so, depending on mileage. A8's cost even less. Also, the styling is outdated compared to other cars of similar year, imo