740 Purchase Help

[aghosha]

used

Hi, I am a newbie on any german car forum. Currently I am planning to buy an
1999/2000 740i/il with around 60000 miles on it. I just started looking for the car.
Can anybody suggest me for any specific thing I should be looking on the car.

1999 models are little less ( pricewise ). So should I be looking with less milage for 1999 model or more milage for 2000 model.

Do you have any serious reliability issues on these car?

I am in NJ, so I also want to know how the car behaves in snow/slit condition.
My wife wanted to go for an Audi A8 due to the weather in northeast but I successfully changed her mind.

Anty feedback is greatly appreciated.

[308gt4]

Originally posted by aghosha@Mar 24 2005, 03:00 PM
used

* Hi, I am a newbie on any german car forum. Currently I am planning to buy an
1999/2000 740i/il with around 60000 miles on it. I just started looking for the car.
Can anybody suggest me for any specific thing I should be looking on the car.

1999 models are little less ( pricewise ). So should I be looking with less milage for 1999 model or more milage for 2000 model.

Do you have any serious reliability issues on these car?

I am in NJ, so I also want to know how the car behaves in snow/slit condition.
My wife wanted to go for an Audi A8 due to the weather in northeast but I successfully changed her mind.

Anty feedback is greatly appreciated.

[snapback]317763[/snapback]

I had a 1999, 740IL purchased with 35.000 miles on it. Sold it at 70,000 miles, no problems. The only reason I sold it beacuse it was Orient Blue. I like my cars klean, on this dark color it was impossible. Now I have a 2001 model, in silver with 56,000 miles on it, no problem. The closest dealership is 50 miles away and I could not stand for extra visits. The oil needs change at about every 15,000 miles, so I am not a frequent visitor.

These cars are reliable, but I would not get one unless I know the owner/car or the car is certified and all service records are available for review. This time I will keep mine for much longer.
I live in Ohio and driving in a snow no problem. It has traction control, which helps. For more fun, turn it off.
My previous car had Michelin Energy tires so is the current one.These tires are superior to the Continental.
I prefer the IL to I, it has better seats,more room and some extra items.
Are buying private or through a dealer?

[got_hp?]

i just bought my 2000 740IL last week.......loaded options with 59k on it, still has 2 months of CPO warranty left from previous owner. i couldnt be happier, the car is great.

these pages helped me

7 series specific
http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/22364

general buying, but good info
http://www.directautogroupllc.com/buying.html

also......in case theres no service record in the glove box, i found the previous owners name and which BMW dealer he purchased the car from.......i called up the svc department and they checked the VIN and told me what services had been done.