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In Reply to: Re: Cheap; until you buy it posted by sean on December 31, 2000 at 09:09:30:
I have traveled all the way over from the e28 and e30 boards, to WARN you that the 7 is a LOSER. It is the UN-FUN Bimmer. You will spend millions on this car. NOT because of the engine. The 3.3/3.5 straight six is fine, and used in the e28 as well.
Why do these cars depreciate so much in value? An 85 325e that sold for $20,000 new has twice the resale value of an 85 735i that sold for $45,000. WHY? Because the little e30 is a BETTER CAR.
Still tempted? You would own a "luxury" car that won't have AC, won't stop short of a yacht, will handle poorly, isn't particularly powerful, and looks very dated. Fact is, there is too much body hanging over such a short wheelbase. The car's weight is too much for the suspension and brakes given. Even with a 5 spd, NO FUN.
It is the electrical stuff, the gadgets, that suck and break. Especially that horrible climate control system. BMW tried to go Cadillac, allowing you to "dial in" the desired temperature, and it just doesn't work. Sure, they have the luxury thing down now, but the first generation 7's were a mess!!!
Look, no offense to you guys on this board, but if you want luxury, get a MBZ 300E. It is more luxurious, has a splendid straight six, is quieter and outhandles a 7. And everything WORKS.
BMWs are about handling and taking the winding road home. The 7 is a whale. Maybe the worst car BMW ever marketed was the L7. What a STINKER.
I owned an 83 733i, and it was the worst BMW, and the worst car, I ever owned. I am happy with my current 325ic (for fun), 535i (daily driver) and MBZ 300E (wife's wheels).
I have owned BMW's dating back to a 79 528i, a GREAT car. Seeing those low 733i prices, I figured WHAT A DEAL, gotta get me one of those. I got a pristine beauty, under 100,000 miles, perfect paint, clean body, looked stunning. BIG MISTAKE.
It was not just a single isolated "lemon", either. My brother in law had the same AC problems with his. The climate control is a universal problem with these cars, as this board shows.
Run as fast as you can to the e28 board, and pick up a nice late 8o's 535i. The best performance sedan of the 80's without a doubt. You won't be sorry.
Imight buy someday.
I agree - e23 is not the BMW to have.
Good day - your question about the 7 series cars caught my eye. I geuss I have lucked out on my purchase of a 735i (1985) with over 358,000 km's and running strong. The previous owner spent over 10,000 updating the front suspension, interior blower motor, and other maintenance items on the car. The HVAC is your biggest headache with these cars and is the main reason people offload or get rid of their cruisers. If you are lucky enough to find a well-maintained 735 (I wouldn't recommend the 733), pay no more than (for prices up here in Toronto, CAN) $2500 - 4000 CAN, for 1985-87 yrs. 1988 7 series and beyond can be a real handfull when you get into the excessive computer-controlled management and self-levelling rear suspension. In the extreme, a 1988 750iL would be about the worst car you could buy. My 85 has minimal gadgets has been fairly easy to work on, has huge 4-wheel disc brakes, automatic (most people recommend over the 5-speed), and a great ride. I don't disagree with the "invader" in that the 535 (1980's) would be a good buy - I'm looking for one myself. The main thing is finding a cruiser that has been well-maintained over the years. It depends on what kind of cruiser you're looking for, your car-experience, and your budget....good luck.
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