E38 - Facts findings

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535i

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I felt in love with the E38 - years ago .... maybe now is the right time, to explore the possibilities in getting one ... Anyone, willing to share the opinion.input on the subject matter ...Some of my findings - might be wrong ok ..E38 - 728 pre '97 - single vanos - circa Rm110KE38 - 728 post '99 - double banos - circa RM190K upE38 - 730 pre '97 - V8 engine - Nikasil problem ?? Below 100KE38 - 740 pre '97 - V8 engine - Nikasil problem ?? Below 100KWhat about 735 ?? Was told that for the 730 and 740. it's running on self-levelling suspension .. 16K !!! .. Quick fix is to change to BILSTEIN sport laaa ..19" rims, quad ekjos, slam + BILSTEIN ... hmmmmm ... :yes!:
 
Long Wheel Base Models as in IL have self levelling and the 16K replacement cost (which will happen at some point or other). I wont reccommend changing it to Non Self Levelling so if you dont want to dump 16K into suspension i suggest u look for a short wheel base model as in 728I,

735il is a V8 but very rare! Less than 10 in Malaysia

730il E38 is also a V8 but thats only for 1994 and 1995 manufacture. From 1996 on the 730 was replaced by the 735.

On another note, if youre expecting similar maintenance costs of a 5 series think again, dont fall for the "mechanics" advise aka...sikit lebih saja!!!

Trust me mate, its a hell of a lot more than a 3 or 5 or 6.

Just to give you an idea - power steering hose costs 1250 each and must be changed at 80K intervals if you want to avoid major issues while parking should it blow and they are about 10 different hoses that need to be changed along with it....i spent close to 6K in hoses alone. Transmission Fluid - even though its supposedly lifetime...think close to 800. Brake Pads close to 500. Radiator..almost 1800
Door handle - 900, alternator 2000, water pump 680 and the lists goes on....

If you really want a seven, get the 728. 740s are expensive to maintain, difficult to source for parts (friend's 740 had to wait 3 weeks for simple radiator)....gearbox on 740...costs 40K and any remanufactured (in malaysia) aint worth lookin at!

My suggestion after owning a 750 and a 740....get a 728 and supercharge it if you really need more power.
 
Originally posted by Zackary1@Oct 11 2005, 01:37 AM
Long Wheel Base Models as in IL have self levelling and the 16K replacement cost (which will happen at some point or other). I wont reccommend changing it to Non Self Levelling so if you dont want to dump 16K into suspension i suggest u look for a short wheel base model as in 728I,

735il is a V8 but very rare! Less than 10 in Malaysia

730il E38 is also a V8 but thats only for 1994 and 1995 manufacture. From 1996 on the 730 was replaced by the 735.

On another note, if youre expecting similar maintenance costs of a 5 series think again, dont fall for the "mechanics" advise aka...sikit lebih saja!!!

Trust me mate, its a hell of a lot more than a 3 or 5 or 6.

Just to give you an idea - power steering hose costs 1250 each and must be changed at 80K intervals if you want to avoid major issues while parking should it blow and they are about 10 different hoses that need to be changed along with it....i spent close to 6K in hoses alone. Transmission Fluid - even though its supposedly lifetime...think close to 800. Brake Pads close to 500. Radiator..almost 1800
Door handle - 900, alternator 2000, water pump 680 and the lists goes on....

If you really want a seven, get the 728. 740s are expensive to maintain, difficult to source for parts (friend's 740 had to wait 3 weeks for simple radiator)....gearbox on 740...costs 40K and any remanufactured (in malaysia) aint worth lookin at!

My suggestion after owning a 750 and a 740....get a 728 and supercharge it if you really need more power.

This is a very good insight !!! thanks !!!!

I am not too worried about maintenance or fuel consumption.
And yes, I know that the brakes wears off quite fast ...
 
Originally posted by 535i@Oct 11 2005, 03:05 PM
I am not too worried about maintenance or fuel consumption.
And yes, I know that the brakes wears off quite fast ...
Of courselah, got someone to take the tab....

So which model you have your heart on? :D
 
Originally posted by c-square@Oct 11 2005, 02:09 AM
wah, 535i.... company taking care of maintenance-ar? Macam itu, boleh-lah

sikit-sikit aje .... :yes:
 
OK set. Bro we go shopping when I come back. Have my eyes set on the 728 as well. ;)

Fell in love with the E38 after watching The Transporter and how Clive Owen handled the car in the Mini movies. Saw a black one with Quad exhaust in S'pore and that was the last straw...beh tahan already.

But better get 1998/1999 model to be safe.
 
Hmm tested 2.8 double banos .. beh tahan ....

But price hor .. can get E46 330 yr 2000 worr ....
 
Yeah the e38 with some big rims will look good, with bodykit it will be awesome. The 728 will have relatively lower maintenance compared to its V8 brethrens but will still be significantly higher than the E39. I know because I saw the bills incurred by one of the directors!! :ph34r: :ph34r:
 
To hell with maintenance, a V8 is a must! Get a late model 4.4 V8, when the slush box goes, source of a manual from a 545i (M)!
 
728iL for me.I'll throw the Self level Suspension !

I did some so call "small R&D" on E38 suspension system and it look almost same as E32.
I ask some of common problem / repair with E38 and they almost the same as E32's , as they share very close design.

As for engine you should look for 2.8 version 6 inline.

As for electronic , not yet to do small R&D. but hey it doesn't stop car from cruise !

It's my target when all the owner of E38 give-up their car and I pick up so call scarp metal E38,old car, not worthy ............... as what I got with E32.
 
Originally posted by Iqlima@Oct 11 2005, 05:26 AM
728iL for me.I'll throw the Self level Suspension !

I did some so call "small R&D" on E38 suspension system and it look almost same as E32.
I ask some of common problem / repair with E38 and they almost the same as E32's , as they share very close design.

As for engine you should look for 2.8 version 6 inline.

As for electronic , not yet to do small R&D. but hey it doesn't stop car from cruise !

It's my target when all the owner of E38 give-up their car and I pick up so call scarp metal E38,old car, not worthy ............... as what I got with E32.

Same as E32 ... that means some E34 parts can go in ... :D

maybe changing M52 to manual trans will be nice ...
But I found that the auto box for m52 is pretty robust ..
200kmh with kick down .. hmmmm ... :nyehehe:
 
sweet car to own....its better to go v12 5.4 with individual coils....

but when engine kong...die standing....rm15k for engine kosong!...

i'll go for the 728 tho!...

looking at one now.....

thinkin either e38 728(big nice---like me) or the e36 325 coupe..

both same price range tho!
 
uncle has a 97 728i..has spent in excess of 50k over 4 years on maintainence alone..there's always some sort of sensor going.
gearbox gave way thanks to bmw life time fluid - balls!
but its sure is a a very very nice ride!
 
Originally posted by feisaldzul@Oct 11 2005, 10:49 PM
u wanna make it into something like this? :nyehehe:

229314_10.jpg

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mean mean looking mafia boos car.. hehhehe
 
i heard someone callin me!


kekekeke

yeah man...mean!...mean!

the mparallel's are awesome on e38!
 
Originally posted by mafia@Oct 11 2005, 08:06 PM
looking at one now.....

thinkin either e38 728(big nice---like me) or the e36 325 coupe..

both same price range tho!
mafia, you shud go for the 7-silli....
 
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