Buying advise 323i vs 740i

[lazezo]

Hi all

I am now checking a 98 740i with 125k on it, it drives fine , do you guys have any recommendations, things to check on that model , things to be aware of, common problems, the only thing that I did not like was the wind sound when the inner part of the roof was open (the glass was closed) but it seemed like there was a part of a window open but when I closed the inner sliding roof it reduced the sound, also the engine did not feel smooth as I expected, I am still looking at several options I have 99 323i that is similar in condition , I like both of them , what is your recommendation guys, which one would be less in future repairs cost, both are for 6500 from a dealer is this a good price for the 740i it is 2000 less than the private party price and 5000$ less than a dealer price or that is the proper price for those cars
now,opinions guys, Thanks.

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

I bought my 99' 740 at 126,xxx miles and I still love it at 153,xxx miles Just get a PPI before buying it from a good BMW indy shop

The wind noise it probably just the Moon Roof gasket (Cheap and easy fix)

[lazezo]

Thank you, I just can not wait to pick it but I have to wait for my mechanic till tomorrow , the dealer offered a full free 3 month warranty if I pick it right now without waiting for the mechanic but i preferred to take to a mechanic.

[lazezo]

Advise on front suspension


Ok it seems that I will get the 740i 98 but I feel that it will need to replace the front shocks at lease the rare ones seems to be fine , what would be the cost of that, I mean the minimum acceptable price for the parts (front only), is there a way to test old ones , can you advise, thanks people.

[Teh Prof]

To replace two shocks, the parts will be a few hundred bucks.

The way to test is simply to push down on each front corner of the car, hard, and see how much bouncing it does. If it bounces, rather than just returns to the normal position, you need new shocks.

Front shocks are called "struts."

[lazezo]

Should I change the rare ones too, what shocks should I get and from where, is it a DIY thing, thanks.

[lazezo]

OK i got my 98 740i, I like it is very clean but I fell it very rigid on the rood not as soft as I expected for the test of the struts I pushed down No Bouncing but still i fell it very rough on road , it feels like dropping in bumps, for speed bumps it is even worse could it be something else in the suspension, thanks for the advise

[Teh Prof]

Do you mean that you feel all of the bumps more than you would in, say, a Buick?

[lazezo]

Hi
Thank you for the quick response,Yes, I know that BMW drives stiffer than American cars if this what you are referring to, but on speed bumps and in regular street dips it is just not right, if the struts has a problem this would be obvious when pushing down on it but as I told you it comes back slow and firm, thanks for the reasons and for your quick help.

[Teh Prof]

I'm sorry, but without a more detailed description than "it doesn't feel right," I can't really help you.

[lazezo]

I mean that you feel each bump and dip that you hit to the limit that makes you slow down more that what you are used to, there is no noise or clunking and on smooth highway you totally forget about it but when crossing railway tracks, speed bump it is so stiff specially on a speed bump it just drops after bump.

[Teh Prof]

Do you mean that every time you go over a bump, the suspension goes all the way down to bumpstops?

[lazezo]

I mean when you go over a bump and you have something in the trunk you will hear this thing going up and down in the trunk , for the front when you go over a dip you will feel that the tire is falling in this whole, hope this helps.

[lazezo]

OK let me put it this way, If you have a 98 740i with 125K on it with normal use , clean care not abused what do you expect to change on the suspension ? and others too.

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

thrust arms(traction struts), shocks if bad, springs if you want to lower it nows the time and draglink and tierod ends. also change the lower control arms if you got the money BTW there are kits on Ebay to do this