J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Now I am finally able to spend a few quid on a car I have decided I dont really want to spend all that much, I was thinking about a new Focus ST, nice but will depreciate massively or a diesel to save a few quid on fuel, again it will depreciate so I was thinking why not go for a wild card, my Saab is ok but hasnt got aircon hence why I want to change so I though, why not look at some big old barges like Audi A8's, 7 Series and Lexus LS's, I appreciate fuel consumption will be horrendous but then its pretty crap on a Focus ST.

So, would four grands worth of 740 be folly or a nice way to travel 36 miles a day, assuming it will use two gallons of fuel whilst it does it, or are they even worse than 18 mpg ? would the electrics give up with in 15 minutes of getting it home rendering it scrap ?

Any experiences ?

brickboy

I've heard the V8 7-series are trouble engine-wise but the 728 is very solid.

I remember Steve Cropley of autocar had one on long-term, and said it was the most unlikely economy vehicle he'd every owned, it used to give 30mpg regularly.

Longjing

I had an old Jag XJR (6 rather v8) for a good three years... lovely car, very comfortable and pretty swift too, especially at speed.

There are lots of independent Jag workshops and dealers, so I found it was possible to run it relatively cheaply. The last service/MOT was around £300, but you always have the possibility of copping a big one, since parts are fundamentally not cheap on big flash cars.

I'd always wanted an XJ, and the x300/x308 is the last good looking one (imo) so it was more tempting than a big bimmer or something.

Fuel was shocking though. 14 around town, 20 on a run. Can't say I ever really drove it gently.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

The 728 does kind of appeal as I have heard its not too thirsty, but are they embarrassingly slow ?

wilfthree

Would recommend an old Audi A8. Provided its had the transmission fluid changed and cambelts done they'll easily rack up 200k plus plus miles.

Mine was 3.7 V8 40V Quattro Sport. An absolute fantastic motor really comfy decent turn of pace and much better stereo and toys and build quality than my current M3 all for v little cash.

Cant speak highly enough

Oh returned 27mpg in range of driving mostly urban. My M3 struggles to 22 mpg for the same journeys.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

My Saab is currently doing 29 so not much different !

POC

I have had a 1997 730i in the past, loved it, serious comfort. I would have another.

Personaly I would lean toward the Audi A8, 4.2 v8 quattro I nearly bought one last year but managed to hold myself back. I've owned a 1998 (newer shape) A6 2.8 Quattro and that was a stunning car, have you looked at these?

deano

oh bollox. I thought this was going to a great thread about farting....

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Yeah I like the A8, will take a look, spotted a mint 33k 728i for 5 grand, long gone !

NotoriousREV

I've just bought an old wafter to replace the boredom of my diesel. I plumped for a 1991 Toyota Soarer 4.0 GT Limited off ebay for £1500. I'm picking it up tomorrow

The Zohan

eBay.co.uk: SHOWROOM!! S REG BMW 740I AUTO, 13 SERVICE STAMPS!! (item 320114311642 end time 17-May-07 20:28:57 BST)

courtesy of Gary (Guttman Pug) on another thread in here, gets you thinking, 4.0l V8 BMW lots of history and under 2.5k.

BrettC

Saab with aircon then mate would be my recommendation....no doubt I will be slated for it though.

9000 / 93 aero with aircon??

[my 9k aero with stage 1 maptun tune used to get 30+ mpg and closing in on 300bhp!. Kicking myself for selling it now]

Dracoro

it's a 4.4 V8. From 96ish they used a 4.4v8. The 4.0 740s (and 730 v8) were the engines that had probs with nikasil. the 4.4s are fine.

sti-04!!

I thought ebay links werent allowed but yet a mod can flout the law eh ??

CraigH

What about an E39 540? Almost as cheap, quicker, more fun, just as refined.

Ramshank

Going for one of the German marques will have you cursing in the reliability and parts price factor.

The V8 lump in the 740, especially if it is an earlier model may well come with the infamous Nikasil problems with the bores, which ultimately end up in an engine swap being needed.

I'd pass a vote for the Soarer also (because I have one), £4K would buy a very nice example of either a V8 or twin turbo model where you almost have XK8 looks but with Toyota reliability.

The Zohan

Oh dear, If you must be a pedant then the car was already sold so hardly advertising is it

POC

Saw this on MLR

Mitsubishi Lancer Register Forum - Audi A8 4.2 Quattro..For Sale

Dracoro

Please see my post, only up the page a little bit.

The 4.4 is fine, no nikasil issue. the 4.0 (up to N reg) had the nikasil problems. However, many have been replaced anyway and if it's still going after 12 years, chances are it'll be fine (anyway, just check the history.). The 4.0 was used in the 5 series as well. The 3.0 v8 also had the nikasil problem. the 2.8, 3.5 and 4.4 are all ok.

The thing to check with big cars is suspension, there's a lot of it, it wears out due to weight of the cars and isn't cheap to sort but you can make savings (do NOT go to main dealers for a start!)