E38 or E39 more comfort and spacious for family?

[zooq]

Hello everyone!I'm a newbie and currently not an owner of BMW.However as I lurks around this forum and to make my story short....Tak Bole Tahan!So seriously thinking about getting one next week.As the title suggest I've narrowed it down to E39 and E38.Now I'm a family man with wife,a maid,and two children age 3 and 2.As I'm going to let go of my MPV for a BMW,which of these cars gives more space for my family when we travel?Of course none of these cars can provide the same space as an MPV but I'm just head over heels with a Bimmer.The standard things that I brought along in my ride would be 02 small size strollers,01 medium size soft bag,02 small size backpack and a basket of baby items.Bear with me guys..I know it sounds silly but I think I'm starting my mid life crisis early.So plz sifus,abang abang and towkeh do advice me ya.Main point here is Space and Comfort.By the way I'm looking at 523i 1997 or 728i 1997.Thank you.ps:I've tried searching for boot size comparison on both cars but no luck.By the way the kids are not using any child seat.

 

[mizhan]

one is a 5 series, the other a 7.. go figure

 

[Eggie86]

E38 anytime!! Like Mizhan bro once said, the E38 is gonna drop in value even more this year... High time to get our hands one of the best 7s ever!

Been seeing E38s more often lately. Just today, seen 2 already on my way to work near Jalan Templer PJ.. :top:

 

[king82]

quite a lot put on sale on the star classifieds too...
but then...7 series maintenance slightly higher than 5 series...anyone purchasing a 7 series should also consider this wor...

 

[fabianyee]

quite a lot put on sale on the star classifieds too...
but then...7 series maintenance slightly higher than 5 series...anyone purchasing a 7 series should also consider this wor...

slightly higher is an understatement..
It used to be half mil when new but now can be had for 1/10 the price... And if everyone wants to buy one.. Best to go for the V8s and at least a 735i. The earlier 740i are cheaper though..

 

[king82]

haha...i didn't know how much, but i remember someone mentioning that even the absorbers cost a fortune...therefore, i put 'slightly higher"...hehe

 

[Eggie86]

slightly higher is an understatement..
It used to be half mil when new but now can be had for 1/10 the price... And if everyone wants to buy one.. Best to go for the V8s and at least a 735i. The earlier 740i are cheaper though..

I wonder whether I can relive my fantasies of being James Bond... Minus the suaveness, and the remote controlled 750iL... Hmm...

 

[Maxu]

Definitely go for the E38. Space and ride experience is 2nd to none
Maintenance is not as high/costly as you might think - and certainly being part of this club and getting to know the sifu's here will help immensely
I would personally recommend the 728i - you may think its underpowered for such a large car but you will be surprised as it possesses enough grunt for your everyday needs and yet its reasonable to maintain vs the V8's. The inline 6 that it uses is pretty reliable/bullet proof and is also used in the E36 328i and E39 528i, so there are many spare parts available and most BMW specialist will be very familiar with the engine...you just need to make sure that it hasn't overheated in the past as the cooling system is the weak point.

 

[zooq]

Yes I couldn't agree more.My heart is leaning more towards E38.Thanks guys.

 

[Vincent Hor]

My advise, be very careful when getting a second hand BMW be it 3's, 5's or 7's Many forummers & members have found out the hard way.

E38 anytime!! Like Mizhan bro once said, the E38 is gonna drop in value even more this year... High time to get our hands one of the best 7s ever!

Been seeing E38s more often lately. Just today, seen 2 already on my way to work near Jalan Templer PJ.. :top:

 

[AAM]

Bro,

Go 4 7.....I agree with fabianyee

 

[m.azharm5]

yes go for 7 best for family car .

 

[bmwky]

My advise, be very careful when getting a second hand BMW be it 3's, 5's or 7's Many forummers & members have found out the hard way.

This taikor advice should be heeded. Make sure you are buying with the right information on the car. Dun buy ikut hati aje, coz these BMW's are not "BUY and drive" cars. You gotta know how to take care of it. (this is where joining this club comes in handy There is a reason why many of these cars are being sold off at considerable discounts. My advice is stick to your MPV first and hang around to learn more on the bimmer you fancy b4 embarking on a purchase. Your family's safety and security depends on it. cheers.

 

[funfer_fahrer]

The E38 is nice. Boot space is humongous. The width of the car is equivalent to two kancils side by side ( I know this because my wife drove a Kancil back in 1998 before we got married). How's the spare parts availability for this car? If easy to get, then it is definitely a good buy. I would say skip the 728. Go for at least 730 onwards.

 

[initialM]

Never drive or ride in an E38 but I bet it more spacious & comfort. BMW doesn't make 3, 5 & 7 series for no reason. But 7 series is not for everyday car at least for me. Thats why initially plan 3 series weekdays, 5 series for weekends & 7 series for long distance. Saw an E38 740 last week & cant stop thinking of it. Only if our rdtax is not based on engine displacement. Geezz. Good luck in yr search.

 

[initialM]

skip the 728. Go for at least 730 onwards.

I was told 728 is more torquey than 730. If wanna V8 go at least 735:top:

 

[ssmann]

Hi,

The verdict is out, E38 it is. I wish you the best! There are a number out there and if you look hard enough, you'll find one. I would however avoid buying one from a dealer. Here are some thoughts after having just bought my first E38 about 3 months now: -

1. Maintainence cost ain't exactly cheap, but not all that expensive either. Get someone reliable and who knows an E38 to maintain your car. Will pay off in the end

2. The drive is next to nothing I have driven before...and this coming from a 14 year old car!!!

3. You really may not be able to obtain a low cost loan on the car if it is more than 12 years old....so save up cash

4. I would generally agree that it is not an everyday car. It is a cruiser and when you need speed it has it. I was on my way from Damansara toll booth to Setia Alam toll booth. This E240 came right behind me on the fast lane and tailgated, this was at 120km/h. So I pulled over a let him go. I dropped my gear into S mode.....rest is history....man it shot to 180km/h so quick....i caught up. But dont do this all the time la....love and treat your E38 gently and it will love you back. Once a while, you need to get nasty, to keep em wanting more ; )

My 2 cents worth....

 

[zooq]

(I was told 728 is more torquey than 730.)
Can some sifu explain or justify this statement plz.
Anyway went around damansara,old klang road and ampang area today and managed to look at 3 728i.The one that I'm keen on was a 97 728i CBU gold (is it gold?) with beige interior and everything works.There's another guy(japanese)testing the car with me and to make story short he puts down downpayment for the car before me..there goes my dream car..he he.Aiyo guys sell URS la to me..Plzzzz

 

[andrewk]

(I was told 728 is more torquey than 730.)
Can some sifu explain or justify this statement plz.
Anyway went around damansara,old klang road and ampang area today and managed to look at 3 728i.The one that I'm keen on was a 97 728i CBU gold (is it gold?) with beige interior and everything works.There's another guy(japanese)testing the car with me and to make story short he puts down downpayment for the car before me..there goes my dream car..he he.Aiyo guys sell URS la to me..Plzzzz

How much was it going for?

 

[Slide]

i too have been looking for an e38, and of course i would want to get a v8, but after talking to a couple of BMW mechanics, their advice is to go for a 728i slower, but a more dependable engine.