BMW 728i

[Mr.Nobody]

I’m looking to buy a BMW 728i as a project car. I’ve always liked the design. Would any members be able to give me some advice on problem areas and where best to source parts.

[danb79]

Mr.Nobody said:

I’m looking to buy a BMW 728i as a project car. I’ve always liked the design. Would any members be able to give me some advice on problem areas and where best to source parts.

Rust, rust and rust... Check sills, jacking points, rear arches and underneath as best as you can. They're the main places; around the boot lid too (the edges)

Suspension & brakes are easy enough to source and replace; if you find one and test drive it; if there's any shimmy to the car; the rear suspension needs replacing (the arms, the ball joints and bushes fail etc); same with the front (but you'll feel that through the steering wheel and when braking)

Engine is bullet proof; the M52 is a superb engine but still needs to be looked after (cooling system is the weak point, but again easily overhauled for not silly money - Febi/Mahle/Meyle/Behr parts etc) - you'll find all you need via www.c3bmw.co.uk or BMWmotormec

Check that the ZF5 runs through all the gears smoothly too as well as reverse (it should drop into reverse without much of a hesitation and then pull steadily); they respond to a full fluid and filter service

The fuel tanks are an issue on these also; so ensure that it isn't leaking or isn't rusted through etc; expensive to replace!

I loved my E38 728i; my very first BMW back in 2010 and had it for about 18 months... A superb waft bus




That was mine, Aspensilber Metallic. I'd done a full suspension overhaul and ended up fitting BC coilovers as they were cheaper than springs/shocks and the rest of the parts. It still drove superbly, smoothly and quietly but handled so much better

[Mr.Nobody]

The one I’m looked at has apparently had the fuel tank replaced as well as other items. It’s got some rust around the boot lid and some on the side

[danb79]

Mr.Nobody said:

The one I’m looked at has apparently had the fuel tank replaced as well as other items. It’s got some rust around the boot lid and some on the side

Just replied on Ken's thread where you've asked - probably best to keep it on here so it doesn't derail his thread

As said; door looks sortable, sills need the covers off to see the full extent of what's going on underneath; a decent bodyshop will soon tell you what's what. Personally it wouldn't worry me as they all go like that and I have a pal that owns a respected body shop. But appreciate not everyone is in that position

The fuel tank being replaced is good news!

Any more pics of the car; what's the spec & mileage and what's the SH like?

[Mr.Nobody]

danb79 said:

Just replied on Ken's thread where you've asked - probably best to keep it on here so it doesn't derail his thread

As said; door looks sortable, sills need the covers off to see the full extent of what's going on underneath; a decent bodyshop will soon tell you what's what. Personally it wouldn't worry me as they all go like that and I have a pal that owns a respected body shop. But appreciate not everyone is in that position

The fuel tank being replaced is good news!

Any more pics of the car; what's the spec & mileage and what's the SH like?

I’m not too worried about it. As I’ll probably take it to a Bodyshop anyway to get it checked out. It’s a 2001 plate with 141k 4 owners with one owing it for 20 years before selling it on. Then in the last 4 years it’s had 3 owners.

History is very good with it the advisory’s mainly being brake pads, tyres and it’s had the fuel tank replaced, ABS sensors and some suspension work.

[danb79]

Mr.Nobody said:

I’m not too worried about it. As I’ll probably take it to a Bodyshop anyway to get it checked out. It’s a 2001 plate with 141k 4 owners with one owing it for 20 years before selling it on. Then in the last 4 years it’s had 3 owners.

History is very good with it the advisory’s mainly being brake pads, tyres and it’s had the fuel tank replaced, ABS sensors and some suspension work.

Sounds fine to me; give it a good test drive, run the box through all the gears in D, S and manual; test the brakes well and all should be good...

[The Conflated Outlier]

So, E38:

2001 is the M52TU which is very good. A new water pump and aux belt is a good plan if no record of replacement. £50 in bits and 2 hours tops. A new viscous fan coupling is a very good idea.

Make sure the AC works. It doesn't? It may need gas, but likely a condenser which like the E39 is a cow of a job. Fans seize up.

The ABS/ASC/DSC lights on on anything after 1998 is rarely 'just a sensor m8'. It's going to be the ABS control module which is ££££. Easy to fit though.

Front coil springs break for fun, ripping the sidewall out of the tyre. Rusty old springs want binning and an Eibach spring kit is a good plan.

Rust: Like the E39, early ones were good but they became a lot more rot prone after 1998/9. Not quite as awful as the E39 for sill rot but.....

These things need a ramp inspection before buying. Rusty gearbox oil cooler pipes, brake pipes, sump gasket etc etc.

[Mr.Nobody]

Some photos

Edited by Mr.Nobody on Saturday 14th December 10:54

Edited by Mr.Nobody on Saturday 14th December 14:25