Buying e38 728

[sbalasundram]

Hi guys, Just would like to enquire a few details on e38 728 model. I didn't notice (strings of mail)any detail description or cost on 728 except for 740i which look very scary.......1.Anyway overall how is the cost of maintaining the 728i?2. Are the part too expensive?3. Hw is the reliability?4. Does it have major gearbox issue?Pls share with me other concers as well since I'm really interested in getting the e38 probably the 97 model or 96, single vanosRgds,bsuresh

 

[forge]

The engine is the same as the E36 328, single vanos and only consideration is the amount you save on your fuel bill and road tax and THATS IT. All the engines are pretty reliable and about the only thing you change with the engines pre 300,000 km is oil and oil filters. The running costs of the E38 is a completely different matter and is the same whether you have a 728i, 735, 740 or 750. Parts are expensive and conservatively you can expect to spend 10-15 K running costs on it. Brake discs go every 40- 50,000 km. Pads go very quickly (~25,000 km for fronts) given its such a big and heavy car. Then there are the assorted mounting, couplings etc . Have a look at http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/e38/ . Lots of US owners there sharing info and the general consensus is that they spend anywhere from USD 5-15K a year running the car.

If you were alarmed on the running costs of a 740i, sorry to say that apart from the road tax savings, the mechanical running cost of a 728i would be about the same.

Personally speaking, i think the 2.8l engine is underpowered pulling a car of that weight around. I've driven a few and they're pretty sluggish - you certainly aren't going to go anywhere quickly with them - and that kinds of defeats the purpose of having a BMW , doesn't it ?

 

[Slide]

Hey there forge,

Thanks for the info, i too would like a 740, but 10 - 15 running it sounds a bit steep. How much is an inspection 1 going to run me? Normal oil change?
Maybe you could just share the prices for a few bits... front brake pads etc.
Any info would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[MelBMW]

Whoops sorry didn't know you guys were so topic sensitive ( E23- E38) so I deleted my post as to not offend anyone.

 

[E28driver]

Isn't this thread on the E38?

 

[nsbone]

I most likely would own one, may be sometimes next year. I wish, price will drop to around RM40K-50K around this time next year... I remembered it was tagged at around 180K last year, and around 90K-ish this year.. mmm.. hope it'll come true.. In fact, i saw few e32 (1988 era) advertisements, now selling around 11K-15K..

 

[bmwsideways]

Originally posted by nsbone@Apr 29 2006, 08:14 PM
I most likely would own one, may be sometimes next year. I wish, price will drop to around RM40K-50K around this time next year... I remembered it was tagged at around 180K last year, and around 90K-ish this year.. mmm.. hope it'll come true.. In fact, i saw few e32 (1988 era) advertisements, now selling around 11K-15K..

that is because all the E32 is mine and i want to get rid of it fast...

 

[nsbone]

Prove me wrong next yer and go sideways... he he, there were few with RM120K last year too btw...

 

[bmwsideways]

Originally posted by nsbone@Apr 29 2006, 08:54 PM
Prove me wrong next yer and go sideways... he he

No sweat bro...

If drop to that price I and you will make a group buy

But really pity to those who have cars (especially me :cry: ) that their car suddenly drop...

Kancil and Saga at 100... (can buy for wreck or donation) :lol: B)

 

[nsbone]

Well, there're 2 e32 at below RM20K, even market rate is at Rm25K (like you said) in the star last week, but now only one if you go to www.thestar.com.my classified: BMW 730I(A), 87/89. tip-top cond. , a/c, sunroof, electric seat, CD player, nice no. RM12900. 18/4/2006, another one was advertised at RM11K, which i did test but didn't buy. Yeah, it's relative to condition etc, but the fact that some are selling at that prices, means market is really going down... mainly due to new models are realeased in short time these days...

Also people are buying newer model cars nowadays, and say, if you compare people are buying a new Isware at say around RM30K, versus 1988 e34 12V for below RM30K. Unfortunately, 2nd hand cars like Kancil, Saga, etc have their own market segment and there are buyers willing to pay, don't think it will go down to few hundreds (like in Mat Salleh countries).... unlike THE BEH EMH DABLIU... give me opportunity but have to wait for the right time... after all rich guys used them up... look at Peugoet 405 price today, quite cheap... or some 1993ish Volvo 940 GL, which is quite a good 4 potter 2.3L...

For E38.... it's has always been my dream car... For those eyeing on 740i, why not convert to 100% NGV... you'll get 1/2 priced roadtax... but get ready to tow if ran out of gas... or No NGV if outside KL..., or after certified, put back the petrol for stand by..... errrrr NGV is only 0.68 per liter...

But 728i is fine, as i hear some 750i'ers don't go faster, because most of them are law abiding citizens...

 

[bmwsideways]

Originally posted by nsbone@Apr 29 2006, 10:11 PM
Well, there're 2 e32 at below RM20K, even market rate is at Rm25K (like you said) in the star last week, but now only one if you go to www.thestar.com.my classified: BMW 730I(A), 87/89. tip-top cond. , a/c, sunroof, electric seat, CD player, nice no. RM12900. 18/4/2006, another one was advertised at RM11K, which i did test but didn't buy. Yeah, it's relative to condition etc, but the fact that some are selling at that prices, means market is really going down... mainly due to new models are realeased in short time these days...

Also people are buying newer model cars nowadays, and say, if you compare people are buying a new Isware at say around RM30K, versus 1988 e34 12V for below RM30K. Unfortunately, 2nd hand cars like Kancil, Saga, etc have their own market segment and there are buyers willing to pay, don't think it will go down to few hundreds (like in Mat Salleh countries).... unlike THE BEH EMH DABLIU... give me opportunity but have to wait for the right time... after all rich guys used them up... look at Peugoet 405 price today, quite cheap... or some 1993ish Volvo 940 GL, which is quite a good 4 potter 2.3L...

For E38.... it's has always been my dream car... For those eyeing on 740i, why not convert to 100% NGV... you'll get 1/2 priced roadtax... but get ready to tow if ran out of gas... or No NGV if outside KL..., or after certified, put back the petrol for stand by..... errrrr NGV is only 0.68 per liter...

Haha, i dont think NGV is a good way of saving

If you want to buy the car, make sure you can afford and maintain the maintainance. If not, dont buy. When hard times come and you dont expect, you will know.

 

[nsbone]

You are right!

Unfortunately, there's no 718i or 716i, so 740iL is not the option, even roadtax is killing (which u could get away with NGV approved conversion)...

he he... 728i ler... i still earn old salary, but my car is using new petrol price... Imagine rich buggers in early 90's driving 730i, and they are not hit with petrol price at about Rm1-1.20... we are in the wrong timezone ke?

i guess today, I can't afford to run the engine if i ran petrol in 740i, but i could with NGV... RM 0.68.

Maintaining it..., well that another question, i could afford it, i believe...

So i'd say if i drive 740i with NGV, i will get savings from heffty roadtax, and peace of mind filling up, except too difficult to get NGV stations.. maintenance, i believe i could tackle it...
e38 740i NGV testimony on savings..

Some interesting fact about big BMW running NGV in UK website:

http://www.go-lpg.co.uk/BMW_740.html
BMW on NGV....

So "Buying an e38 728" is "BUY BUY"... wah, like stock market analyst pulak...

PS: although i have seen 725i e23 on M30 engine once.. as well as e34 518i..

 

[azfaz]

Originally posted by nsbone@Apr 29 2006, 10:11 PM
For E38.... it's has always been my dream car... For those eyeing on 740i, why not convert to 100% NGV... you'll get 1/2 priced roadtax... but get ready to tow if ran out of gas... or No NGV if outside KL..., or after certified, put back the petrol for stand by..... errrrr NGV is only 0.68 per liter...

You will not get 50% road tax deduction.That is only for running 100% NGV and so far we don't have any engine yet here build to run 100% on NGV (base on my talk to NGV installer last time when I was looking at Range Rover 4.6HSE)

So, gomen will only give 25% reduction

Those NGV are running on bi-fuel. You will have switch to choose between and petrol.

Latest NGV kit I think around RM6000.....(with NGV injectors)

Normal kit around 3-4K.

Btw, here is 1 of the contractor doing NGV

http://www.nicecarcare.com/

 

[nsbone]

Originally posted by azfaz@Apr 29 2006, 10:36 AM

You will not get 50% road tax deduction.That is only for running 100% NGV and so far we don't have any engine yet here build to run 100% on NGV (base on my talk to NGV installer last time when I was looking at Range Rover 4.6HSE)

So, gomen will only give 25% reduction

Those NGV are running on bi-fuel. You will have switch to choose between and petrol.

Latest NGV kit I think around RM6000.....(with NGV injectors)

Normal kit around 3-4K.

Btw, here is 1 of the contractor doing NGV

http://www.nicecarcare.com/

A friend just converted his 1999 S280 to 100% NGV...

Price is depending on type and sophistication of Fuel system and no of cylinders: 4 cyl, 6 cyl, 8 cyl, 12cyl etc... and if it's a carb, "dumb" fuel injection, FI with many sensors- oxigen sensor, knock sensor and what not...

 

[Iqlima]

Maintaning E38 : maintain is subjective to me ,some people like it to be back to showroom condition and some people like it "just move".Part BMW always at expensive side unless you lucky .

In Motor trader : E38 below 100k , fact one 95 tag around 68k I guess, again it 740 .

I really like to find fact of this NGV roadtax reduction price !

Now my dream of E38 come a bit faster ........

 

[bmwsideways]

Originally posted by Iqlima@Apr 30 2006, 08:35 AM
Maintaning E38 : maintain is subjective to me ,some people like it to be back to showroom condition and some people like it "just move".Part BMW always at expensive side unless you lucky .

In Motor trader : E38 below 100k , fact one 95 tag around 68k I guess, again it 740 .

I really like to find fact of this NGV roadtax reduction price !

Now my dream of E38 come a bit faster ........

Its the same with Mercedes S420 fate

Now you can buy a Mercedes S420 at abt 40K compare to S280 at RM90K++ B)

 

[Iqlima]

Originally posted by sbalasundram@Jan 19 2006, 02:26 AM
Hi guys,

Just would like to enquire a few details on e38 728 model. I didn't notice (strings of mail)any detail description or cost on 728 except for 740i which look very scary.......

1.Anyway overall how is the cost of maintaining the 728i?

2. Are the part too expensive?

3. Hw is the reliability?

4. Does it have major gearbox issue?


Pls share with me other concers as well since I'm really interested in getting the e38 probably the 97 model or 96, single vanos


Rgds,
bsuresh

for you sir

http://www.e38.org/

Greets