Test drove an E38 LWB today...

"Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD" (300korbust) 12/18/2015 at 17:26 • Filed to: None

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...and one scan later revealed the crank positioning was way too advanced (if that sounds right), the catalytic converter was on its way out, and my dad and I discovered the oil was too full and too black. I’ve never been so relieved to return a car back to a dealership after a test drive.

dogisbadob > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 12/18/2015 at 17:35

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yeah, E38’s are terrible cars. Timeless design on the outside, dreadful mechanically.

Get an LS400 instead :)

Sam > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 12/18/2015 at 17:43

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The number one rule of buying an old BMW - buy it from either the original owner or an enthusiast second owner. Never, ever buy one from anywhere else.

Swayze Train GTi > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 12/18/2015 at 17:46

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I’ve wanted one of these ever since my Dad had one in the early 00s. Ours was decently reliable (lasted to 260k) but my Mom always wanted him to sell it whenever a repair bill came across her desk. And ours was the more reliable 4.4L V8, even pre-VANOS, if memory serves.

Go on your local Craigslist right now and compare them to 5s and 3s of the e38 vintage. The 7 is almost always cheaper or the same price, and that should tell you all you really need to know about that.

duurtlang > dogisbadob 12/18/2015 at 17:46

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Well, the BMW can’t be blamed for being overfilled with oil... too long ago. A catalytic converter being on the way out in a car that age is forgivable as well. No idea about crank positioning.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > dogisbadob 12/18/2015 at 17:54

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I was thinking an Acura Legend. Any better?

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Sam 12/18/2015 at 17:55

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Got it. Thank you for that advice. If anything, I’m going to start looking for a Legend GS. Are those any better?

dogisbadob > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 12/18/2015 at 18:25

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The Legend is good, too, great car, and the Legend/RL does have a longitudinal engine. You can’t go wrong with either. But the LS400 is RWD V8, while the RL is FWD V6. The RL is a good car, but the LS is more of a direct competitor to the 7-series and S-class, whereas the Legend/RL is more of an A8/Seville

The LS400 has Bilstein shocks available for it. The RL can use the Koni shocks for the Legend

StudyStudyStudy > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 12/18/2015 at 18:32

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I think Legends look great, we have had one in the family since new for the last 19 years. I will say that it does have a nasty habit of leaking oil over time, something to do with the oil pan gasket or something. They make a very nice sound, feel plenty quick, but they are quite large.

Sam > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 12/18/2015 at 18:34

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No idea. They look nice though, and they’re from the era when the Japanese were over-engineering everything to compete with the Germans. So they’re probably pretty good.l

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > dogisbadob 12/18/2015 at 19:09

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I mostly want a nice luxury car, so I don’t have to compete with a 7 series. Also, for winter months, FWD is quite nice to have.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > StudyStudyStudy 12/18/2015 at 19:11

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My Honda now is dealing with oil pan gasket issue, so it won’t be too bad, in my opinion. Also, I have driven several large cars and I am somewhat used to big size. I’ll look into the Legends. Thank you!

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Swayze Train GTi 12/18/2015 at 19:12

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And no wonder. I’ve never been so turned off from a car before. I’ll probably stick to a Japanese luxury car.

designzio > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 12/18/2015 at 19:38

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Buy a LS460L without air suspension

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > designzio 12/18/2015 at 19:46

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I’ll look into it. I might get an Acura Legend... who knows at this point.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Sam 12/18/2015 at 19:55

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I did the second option. The second owner got the oil changed every 3000 km “So it doesn’t get too dirty”.

I’m glad he kept such good care of it.

dogisbadob > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 12/18/2015 at 20:48

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Both are good options, but I do like Toyota better than Honda, I’ll admit. But there’s certainly nothing wrong with the RL.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > dogisbadob 12/18/2015 at 21:21

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I just don't like how the RL looks.

Darkshoe (With Straight 6) > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 12/18/2015 at 21:38

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It all depends on the previous owner(s). What I’ve seen though is that lower-level cars (3er) are owned by young guys who like to race and drive fast. Sure, that’s fun but it’s hell on the machine. Higher-level cars (7er) are owned by more gentle people who usually have the money to keep them running right. My experiences have been: 1987 Volvo, owned by an old man, the most reliable car I’ve ever owned. 1990 735i, owned by a middle-aged guy, sat for a year, left me stranded twice in two years (crank position sensor, master cylinder). 1994 318i, owned by a 20-something, thing was hell. Easily the most costly vehicle I’ve ever owned, half the things were seized or stripped, nothing fit right, the clutch was on the way out, awful, awful, awful. 1998 740iL, owned by middle-aged mechanic, only had it a few months, CEL came on for the thermostat to get replaced (which is unforeseeable).

dogisbadob > Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD 12/18/2015 at 21:48

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Fair enough, but you do get a newer car, and possibly a better price too. The RL has a cabin air filter; the Legend does not. Of course the Legend is still a great car, classic 90s Honda reliability and luxury and prestige.

My first choice would still be a 96+ LS400 though.

One question I forgot to ask, what’s your budget?

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > dogisbadob 12/18/2015 at 23:21

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Well, it was $3,500, but I just bought some Christmas gifts. So, if anything, my budget is whatever happens next year.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Darkshoe (With Straight 6) 12/18/2015 at 23:23

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Maybe I will be in the market for another 7er in the future. As of right now, nothing is in the market and I’m saving for next year. At this point, to improve my driving skill, I might get something RWD and manual.