7 Series advise, big mileage ?

[Gulliver911]

Looking for a luxo barge for wife and baby, I examined several option and
am now keen on looking at a 7 series.

I am looking at a new body, but well depreciated, a 2003 car or so. Most for sale
are ex company car with big mileage, but they are a snatch for not too much cash.

My goal is then to keep it for years until it disintegrate.

Any advise or wisdom here from the BMW entushiasts ?

How reliable are those cars with big mileage ?

I am thinking of the 745i, any other advise as to which engine to go for ?

[agent006]

Depends on your idea of big mileage. I'd be happy buying a big BMW with 150k on it. Also depends how much mileage you will do in it.

[baz1985]

Bear in the mind the E65 is laden with electric gremlins which are difficult and costly to rectify. Mechanically it'll be fine imo. And the BMW warranty is circa £2kpa if under 100k.

[dcb]

Gulliver911 said:

How reliable are those cars with big mileage ?

They do seem reliable. There are lots of toys to go wrong,
but 200K miles seems entirely likely.

Gulliver911 said:

I am thinking of the 745i, any other advise as to which engine to go for ?

Unless you are best mates with the taxman, get the smallest
engine you can.

Even the smallest engine will be good for 120 mph cruise, so
unless you have an exceptionally heavy right foot, you should
be fine.

I have heard good things about the 730 diesel.

[derin100]

dcb,

Am I missing something?...What's the taxman got to do with buying a big, high mileage, second-hand BMW for your wife and children?

Please don't tell me I could have been claiming some dosh all of these years!?

[E38]

I have no idea. Tax is only a few tens of pounds more than the 730i (if any exist).

745i is the perfect choice. Still prefer my E38, but new ones arnt bad.

[Gulliver911]

Thanks all for your response, reassured about the longevity of teh car, but yes, electrics do age badly in most cars that is true..

Planning to do no more than 10,000 miles per year with it.

Am keener on teh 745 than diesel or 3 liter engine to be honest....

[church]

Would highly recommend a 745, I had an '02' 745i and sold it with 79k on the clock for £19k 6 months ago, only problem's were a dodgy gear selector stalk which was replaced under warranty and the drivers air-bag warning light which would come on every so often but nothing was ever diagnosed as faulty so guess it was a gremlin. Awesome car IMHO and perfect blend of limo and fast saloon. If possible get one with the "concours" servicing pack as it covers servicing + many consumables (basically everything except tyres) and saves a packet. Mine lasted until 75,000 but I think the 735 was only until 60,000 (I may be wrong??) Mileage wise the drive train felt bombproof so should do 250k easy, just pray the electrics don't go wrong ont the way!

[off_again]

Dont worry about the engines though. All BMW v8s are actually quite economical and better than equivalent engines from Merc and Audi. I doubt that you will find much in it between the 730i and the bigger 735 and 745 engines. Although the bigger engines are naturally more powerful and more thirsty, but with equal weight and easier access to power you dont have to rev them so hard and performance is more accessible...... actually the bigger v8s are suprisingly economical....

But if you can afford it the 730d is a good compromise....