DJWLDW

Ok I need some thoughts on this car. The only reason I am even asking here is because lots of the folks on this form have had 7 series BMW's. I have never had one so I bring nothing to the table in answering my Son's question regarding this car. He is looking at it for a back up. He has always loved BMW's why I don't know. If you could give me just some thoughts. It has a couple of finish issues but nothing that is that big of a problem. He is a police officer and can not always drive his police car. His wife has a 2015 Ford Flex

http://charlottesville.craigslist.or...204200219.html

Thanks

Dennis

roadfrog

I have no experience with the older 7 Series cars, but do have a lot with the 2002-up models, which as you probably have gathered, are HORRENDOUS. Do they drive nice? Yes....WHEN they are able to be driven and not laid up at a garage or dealer. Go to Bimmerfest (BMW forum) and do some research. It'll open your eyes.

dlbuckls10

That BMW is 20 years old and it will be a money pit. I once owned a BMW 7 series along with all the headaches (stayed in the shop) that came with it. Older BMWs looks and drives awesome and stops there. A 20 years old Lexus would be more reliable and low maintenance. Each to their own. Lexus the pursuit of perfection.

R Z

Never owned a BMW. But I can tell you this. There are several of my neighbors with them. I always laugh when we walk the dog and they have loaner cars in the drive. The cars are always in the shop. That's all I got.

DJWLDW

Ya know that is what I have tried to tell the boy. What's a father going to do.

Thanks Guys

Dennis

Gbp

Perhaps it's just the cars' 500 mile scheduled maintenance interval.

roadfrog

Throw in 100 mile UNSCHEDULED maintenance intervals, and you get the idea what owning a BMW is like.

DJWLDW

Roadfrog

I sent my son that Bimmerfest link and advised him to do a little research on his own. Thanks for the link.

Dennis

roadfrog

Hopefully it'll save him.

Unfortunately the intoxicating lure of those vehicles will still sucker you in. Like a sex-starved supermodel with a 500 dollar-a-day drug habit.

Devh

BMWs are nice driving cars. There is no reason why your son shouldn't get one as long as he can get a comprehensive warranty and roadside service.

SW17LS

My father in law had a 97 740iL that he bought used, this was some years ago when it was newer. Nice car, but it always had something wrong with it, and it was very expensive to maintain. He replaced it with a new Hyundai Sonata shortly before he passed away.

roadfrog

A Beemer that old will be hard to get a warranty for. I know that 7 series Beemers up here in Canada are impossible to get warranties for, even newer ones.

Devh

Very true that a warranty company would not want to hand out a policy for an older car. They make their money in the sweet spot where owners have the least amount of problems.

roadfrog

LOL. Like our LS460's...........................

CarGuy89

I would totally get one with low miles and in mint condition...IF I had excess cash/garage space. I totally get the appeal of the E38 7 series, it was one of my favorite luxury cars growing up as a kid along with the W140 S class. If your son is around my age (mid twenties) then I can totally see why he would be interested. I still take a glance when I catch one going down the road lol. That said, refer back to my first line, which is if and only if you had excess cash/room and could care less about spending a few thousand a yr to keep them running in top form.