BMW e38 740i First Drive. Is it any good? Buying a used BMW 7-series at auction. (e38 ep.2) 

It’s always a great feeling. Sometimes good, sometimes not so. This is the reason I do it. Journey into the unknown. Thanks for watching. Ed

They just don’t make them like this anymore. Ed

That’s good to know. Mine is a pre facelift but the engine is the same. Ed

Hi Dan. Yes I understand, but my dad had a V8 and this one just blew me away. I'll take the 'hit' on consumption for now but my 'daily' has over 500hp and will average 35mpg so I'm a bit spoilt for choice. Ed

I’ve a low mileage 01 sport 740i for 8 years now and on a run will do close to 30mpg … not sure if the later vanos ones are lighter on fuel but fuel consumption has never been bad. I’ve had an e39 520i, so 2.2L lump and it wouldn’t do much more than 30mpg tbh! Go figure 🤯..

I had 4 750il's in past 20yrs including a Brand New 97' withvits 1st Nav Erich was very rare backnin tge day. The Body Style was perfect...and interior layout even More perfect. Of course 750's had Wall to wall stitched leather covering everything except the Switchgear. And the Glorious V12. Since then, I've had Everything that's out there with All the Twin Turbos but nothing comes close to the visceral sensation and Tank like Rigidity of the E38. I wish they'd build a New One just for me. I'd pay anything!

Thanks John. No recent content on it but it needs an alternator (or regulator). Just need the time to get it sorted. Ed

Forgot to say… mine cost a lot to fix a leaky fuel tank! E38s are notorious for leaking fuel tanks so I wonder the condition of yours ?

Us too!

Thanks. That’s the plan. 😁

Mine as well. Ed

Thanks Mike. More to come.

And I bet you hardly ever meet another one on the road? Ed

@@Back_Road_Hero only seen one on m6 lakes area

Thanks John.

Hey! I’m looking to get one on lpg too. How is the reliability?

@@Dani.Burger We had no problems with our LPG conversion which was installed by Polish mechanics here in the UK. This was over 13 years ago though. Before deciding to convert to LPG, best make sure there are enough LPG filling stations local to you, otherwise you’ll find yourself driving around using petrol more often than you’d like! Btw, we no longer have an LPG car because we moved to a different location and there’s no LPG supplier anywhere nearby. Good luck!

@@AyrDrivingLessons thank you for the response, luckely there are enough lpg stations in the Netherlands. I was just a bit worried about the reliability. Did you get a “valve safer kit” with the lpg conversion?

Yes, you are lucky. I recall seeing an LPG tank in the boot of Mercedes taxi back in the 70s when I first arrived at Schipol Airport and the driver explained all the benefits to me. Sadly, the UK Government has never really promoted LPG as a suitable half price alternative, environmentally friendly fuel. The cynic in me believes that they prefer to extract the maximum revenue possible from the poor British motorists due to the very high fuel duties levied from petrol and diesel. As for your question, I’ve never heard of that “valve safer kit” you mentioned. Sorry!

oh you need a new battery forgot to tell you eurocar parts sell a good one made by bosch you cant go wrong .

Just changed it with a Varta. 👍 Start issue was immobiliser key code pickup module (I hope)

Thanks. To be honest I only had that figure in my head. It’s still lots. 😁👍 Ed

@@Back_Road_Hero , the e38 is a excellent car, my 95 740i is one of the best cars I have owned.

@@Back_Road_Hero Fun fact, E32 had 92/102 L while the E23 came standard with a 100L haha. But by today standard they are huge, the G11/G12 has I think only 70? I have an E32, the E38 looks great! It was the first BMW with radar cruise too (01 only and extremely rare). Second overall behind W220

No leaks. That’s what really surprised me. However in the service history there’s rocker cover gaskets been done so it’s leaked in the past. Very common problem but fairly easy job to do. Ed

AR Perez does a guide for replacing them on the M62 engine. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mZTdglERc10.html

@@Back_Road_Hero thanks. Mine are already replaced. The leak is coming from the upper and lower timing chain cover. The upper is not to bad to replace but the lower one is a big job. May as well do the guides and chain at the same time. +40 hours and about 750$ of parts.

It was the first one I’ve bought specifically for the channel. Not a ‘typical’ RU-vid car as I’m not interested in the ‘cheapest’ in the country but one of the the ‘best’. That being said I’m treating like it’s being brought into the collection and given the full treatment. If I can get enough content out of it then it will obviously stay but there will be a time that I might consider moving it on. Ed

@@Back_Road_Hero Ed Warren is working on a few projects next time you are home :))

There’s a whole playlist on this from the auction onwards. 😁 ru-vid.com/group/PLve1KFO6iVwsFG6dQsdHgkJ33O1bgKDXo

I’m pretty new at this Dan. How could I make my content better? Ed