Big bang for small bucks. Bargain or trouble?
28 January 2002, 01:11 PM
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Currently doing some business with the MD of a company, who drives a 1995 BMW 730i, latest shape.
We were having a natter this morning, when he happened to mention that he had just chopped the 7 series in for a new X5, arriving on the 1st March. The dealership have given him £6000 for it, and anything over would buy the car. The car is loaded with extras, one owner, 143000 miles with full BMWSH.
I am sorely tempted.
Opinions? Is this a bargain, or one long and expensive headache?
We were having a natter this morning, when he happened to mention that he had just chopped the 7 series in for a new X5, arriving on the 1st March. The dealership have given him £6000 for it, and anything over would buy the car. The car is loaded with extras, one owner, 143000 miles with full BMWSH.
I am sorely tempted.
Opinions? Is this a bargain, or one long and expensive headache?
28 January 2002, 01:19 PM
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buy it, black out the windows and install a 1000w stereo in it and start wearing leopard skin trousers and change your name to huggy....
Sorry, just couldn't resist.. Nice cars but a bit thirsty me thinks
Sorry, just couldn't resist.. Nice cars but a bit thirsty me thinks
28 January 2002, 01:21 PM
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In my experience these cars are bad news, expensive to fix, service etc and loose a fortune when you come to sell them. Only buy it if your going to keep it forever!!
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
28 January 2002, 01:22 PM
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All I can suggest Olly is that u get the car thoroughly checked over to see what needs fixing on the car and how much it would total!
My Father has the same car but with only about 50k on the clock and it is one seriously good car. I was very impressed with how quick they accelerate as well for such a huge beast and they growl as well.
Great car but gonna cost u a fortune if anything needs repairing.
My Father has the same car but with only about 50k on the clock and it is one seriously good car. I was very impressed with how quick they accelerate as well for such a huge beast and they growl as well.
Great car but gonna cost u a fortune if anything needs repairing.
28 January 2002, 01:25 PM
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Mmmm. Nice. I know of a 95M 740i with 82K miles that just got traded in for 8K.
I've heard the 728 isn't too bad on the old juice, so the 730 can't be much different.
I wouldn't be afraid of the mileage. Get it inspected and find a good specialist.
I've heard the 728 isn't too bad on the old juice, so the 730 can't be much different.
I wouldn't be afraid of the mileage. Get it inspected and find a good specialist.
28 January 2002, 01:32 PM
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It would feel very slow compared to a Scooby, but at the same time a great relaxed drive. I have a 635csi in addtiion to my GTB and the BM is great on the motorway!
Parts prices are a joke - they are so cheap!!!!!!
I have recently replaced all the suspension on my 635, Bilstein Gas shocks all round cost £100 in total!, arms are £22, bushes £5. BMW parts aren't badly priced but places like eurocar parts are very cheap
Not a bad old cruiser - but not a back roads machine (unless you like the tail wagging on every corner)
Also very economical - my 635 can get upto 30mpg on a run (and not hanging around either)
Paul
[Edited by pnebbs - 1/28/2002 1:36:12 PM]
Parts prices are a joke - they are so cheap!!!!!!
I have recently replaced all the suspension on my 635, Bilstein Gas shocks all round cost £100 in total!, arms are £22, bushes £5. BMW parts aren't badly priced but places like eurocar parts are very cheap
Not a bad old cruiser - but not a back roads machine (unless you like the tail wagging on every corner)
Also very economical - my 635 can get upto 30mpg on a run (and not hanging around either)
Paul
[Edited by pnebbs - 1/28/2002 1:36:12 PM]
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28 January 2002, 01:41 PM
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Pnebbs
With respect m8 the 635csi is a totally different motor, all be it a very classy one. The new shape 7 series are a bomb to look after if anything goes **** up on them.
Olly, really depends if you are gonna keep the ful BMW service history going or whether you are gonna take it to an independent garage o do it yourself.
With respect m8 the 635csi is a totally different motor, all be it a very classy one. The new shape 7 series are a bomb to look after if anything goes **** up on them.
Olly, really depends if you are gonna keep the ful BMW service history going or whether you are gonna take it to an independent garage o do it yourself.
28 January 2002, 01:49 PM
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730 = V8
728 = 6
Great cars, my father in law bought one new in 95 and I drove it quite a bit, lovely but it wasnt all that quick, well it didnt feel quick but the speedo begged to differ !. He got about 24/26 driving carefully. Now has a Merc ML320 which does about 18 and isnt patch (in my opinion) on the 730. For 6k its a lot of car and a risk but I would be tempted to stick a grand minimum away in a building society just in case. It is correct that the parts are cheap and a lot of bits are available from Eurocarparts and the like but stuff that is main dealer only like electronics and trim would be mega money. try carsurvey.org for real life reviews.
Id say go for it !
728 = 6
Great cars, my father in law bought one new in 95 and I drove it quite a bit, lovely but it wasnt all that quick, well it didnt feel quick but the speedo begged to differ !. He got about 24/26 driving carefully. Now has a Merc ML320 which does about 18 and isnt patch (in my opinion) on the 730. For 6k its a lot of car and a risk but I would be tempted to stick a grand minimum away in a building society just in case. It is correct that the parts are cheap and a lot of bits are available from Eurocarparts and the like but stuff that is main dealer only like electronics and trim would be mega money. try carsurvey.org for real life reviews.
Id say go for it !
28 January 2002, 01:50 PM
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Good replies: what I want to hear.
Phoned a few mates (with us, car choice is somewhat goverened by peer pressure). Replies ranged from "get it bought" to "can I borrow it to take that barmaid out from the pub?" All that leather..
I don't keep cars very long, so short term it shouldn't lose much, if any in depreciation. Its already lost a terraced house in value.
And I had 3 years of Subaru fuel economy, so should be used to it.
Parts prices sound interesting. I take it this is NOT from your local friendly BMW dealership? Any names?
Doing nothing else but wafting along appeals. I have a 205 GTi 1.9 for the twisties.
Thanks for the replies, keep 'em coming.
Phoned a few mates (with us, car choice is somewhat goverened by peer pressure). Replies ranged from "get it bought" to "can I borrow it to take that barmaid out from the pub?" All that leather..
I don't keep cars very long, so short term it shouldn't lose much, if any in depreciation. Its already lost a terraced house in value.
And I had 3 years of Subaru fuel economy, so should be used to it.
Parts prices sound interesting. I take it this is NOT from your local friendly BMW dealership? Any names?
Doing nothing else but wafting along appeals. I have a 205 GTi 1.9 for the twisties.
Thanks for the replies, keep 'em coming.
28 January 2002, 01:54 PM
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Check that the enine doesn't suffer from the nickel plated bore wear problem (something like that).
Phone BMW with the chassis number and they'll tell you whether the enine has been replaced or whether it wasn't affected in the first place.
Can I have a drive when you get it?
Phone BMW with the chassis number and they'll tell you whether the enine has been replaced or whether it wasn't affected in the first place.
Can I have a drive when you get it?
29 January 2002, 02:32 PM
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Gonna go and have a thorough look at weekend and decide then. I'll keep you posted.
I need a fifth car like I need a hole in my head. Need to empty the garage a bit. Anyone interested of relieving me of a Golf GTi/205GTi/MX5/Capri 2.8i?
I need a fifth car like I need a hole in my head. Need to empty the garage a bit. Anyone interested of relieving me of a Golf GTi/205GTi/MX5/Capri 2.8i?
29 January 2002, 03:22 PM
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Luke:
Golf GTi 1.8 8v Mk2 1987E. 57000 miles from new. Owned by local doctor for 13 years. TOTAL VW service history (20 services done by local VAG dealer) in book with EVERY bill ever spent in a thick binder. Met jade green, totally original & mint. Now mothballed in garage. Make me an offer on ollybraithwaite@hotmail.com.
Pug 205 1.9GTi- 73000 from new, 2 lady owners before me, last owned by my best mate's wife for 5 years. FSH, bills & MOT's. Mint inside and out, drives as new. Out of all, this is the one I don't wanna sell: I sold my MY2001 to get back in a 1.9.
Golf GTi 1.8 8v Mk2 1987E. 57000 miles from new. Owned by local doctor for 13 years. TOTAL VW service history (20 services done by local VAG dealer) in book with EVERY bill ever spent in a thick binder. Met jade green, totally original & mint. Now mothballed in garage. Make me an offer on ollybraithwaite@hotmail.com.
Pug 205 1.9GTi- 73000 from new, 2 lady owners before me, last owned by my best mate's wife for 5 years. FSH, bills & MOT's. Mint inside and out, drives as new. Out of all, this is the one I don't wanna sell: I sold my MY2001 to get back in a 1.9.
29 January 2002, 09:29 PM
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Right in all seriousness, check it properly, these things cost a f*cking fortune to fix...
Air con went on a car belonging to an ex boss of mine, BMW dealer said £3400 +VAT to fix
the local specialist suggested that one of 3 parts may be required at £700-900 each plus fitting 
Surfice to say he never fixed the Aircon and traded it in. He couldn't sell it privately at all, tried for 4 months at well under CAP price. That was a 730
That said they look the bo!!ocks and are ok on fuel if driven sensibly.
Jon
Air con went on a car belonging to an ex boss of mine, BMW dealer said £3400 +VAT to fix
the local specialist suggested that one of 3 parts may be required at £700-900 each plus fitting Surfice to say he never fixed the Aircon and traded it in. He couldn't sell it privately at all, tried for 4 months at well under CAP price. That was a 730
That said they look the bo!!ocks and are ok on fuel if driven sensibly.
Jon
30 January 2002, 01:41 PM
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You're right Jon. It all appears rosy when looking and buying, usually until the cheque clears. My mum runs a 4 year old Range Rover. The bills for faliures run into thousands, including a full gearbox replacement and air conditioning system. Now the air suspension is playing up....
Out of interest, how old was his 730, and how much did he let it go for?
Out of interest, how old was his 730, and how much did he let it go for?
18 February 2002, 12:53 PM
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Well at last I have had a thorough look at it and had a test drive.
I am not buying.
Basically all seemed well. Everything that had a button was pressed and checked. All worked. The aircon blew cold, everything beeped and flashed as it should. The engine was as sweet as any nut, no oil or fluid leaks. Excellent service history, all bills etc from the supplying dealer. Couple of dings on the bodywork, but nothing that Dentmaster could fettle. No obvious signs of paint. Wheels were black with brake dust (nothing like preparing a car for inspection) but wiped clean with the finger, even inside the lattice holes. Slightly baggy drivers seat, but the leather was dirty rather than knackered. A good valet and dentmaster would have seen it as new.
All looking good, until the test drive. The car drove nicely, until you put it into a bend. The thing steered like our old Transit, with a good quarter of a turn's worth of slop. It tracked straight enough, but that was enough to put doubt in the mind.
Biggest problem was over the cattle grid at work. It aint the smoothest by any stretch, but the front suspension banged and crashed over it as if someone had removed most of the bolts. Knackered bushes? Top mounts?
Throw in the fact that the gearbox seemed reluctant to change up once cruising (no it wasn't in Sport mode) made me believe that this was one big re-mortgage waiting to happen. And this on a fairly genuine and honest machine.
So in this case, big bang for small bucks spells TROUBLE. I'll stick with the 205 thanks.
I am not buying.
Basically all seemed well. Everything that had a button was pressed and checked. All worked. The aircon blew cold, everything beeped and flashed as it should. The engine was as sweet as any nut, no oil or fluid leaks. Excellent service history, all bills etc from the supplying dealer. Couple of dings on the bodywork, but nothing that Dentmaster could fettle. No obvious signs of paint. Wheels were black with brake dust (nothing like preparing a car for inspection) but wiped clean with the finger, even inside the lattice holes. Slightly baggy drivers seat, but the leather was dirty rather than knackered. A good valet and dentmaster would have seen it as new.
All looking good, until the test drive. The car drove nicely, until you put it into a bend. The thing steered like our old Transit, with a good quarter of a turn's worth of slop. It tracked straight enough, but that was enough to put doubt in the mind.
Biggest problem was over the cattle grid at work. It aint the smoothest by any stretch, but the front suspension banged and crashed over it as if someone had removed most of the bolts. Knackered bushes? Top mounts?
Throw in the fact that the gearbox seemed reluctant to change up once cruising (no it wasn't in Sport mode) made me believe that this was one big re-mortgage waiting to happen. And this on a fairly genuine and honest machine.
So in this case, big bang for small bucks spells TROUBLE. I'll stick with the 205 thanks.
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