Question: BMW

"El Rivinado" (joeman856)
08/19/2015 at 19:04 • Filed to: None

I know BMW are worshipped on an almost cult-based level on Oppo, but what’s Oppo’s opinion of this?

It’s the E32 BMW 7-Series. Personally, I like it a lot, not as much as something like an M1, i8, 8 series, or E24 6-series. But, I think it’s a very handsome clean design that I really do like, even for an American luxury fanboy like myself. It almost seems like nobody talks about it or mention it when talking Bimmers, so I want to get some opinions and thoughts on it.

DISCUSSION (22)

My citroen won't start > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 19:09

Gorgeous car, but the E38 steals the 7 series thunder. I truly nice car, I think this is car everyone loves.

TheHondaBro > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 19:12

Hnnng. That’s my opinion.

AM > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 19:12

I think it’s pretty nice. Not so much that it’s not appreciated here but the E38 gets the spotlight when it comes to the 7 series. It's a little more polished if that makes sense. I mean just look at it

Kinja'd!!!

Steve in Manhattan > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 19:13

A lot of these need head gaskets and rings - lots of people leasing them didn’t bother to change the oil because it was so expensive. My brother-in-law had one, and after a top-end rebuild it was pretty reliable. I think they’ve got north of 250K on it now. My niece drove it to high school.

El Rivinado > TheHondaBro
08/19/2015 at 19:13

Hnnng, is right my friend.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 19:13

Nice car, just not desired. 7s never are. I really like the e32 styling. But keep in mind, they have the latest and greatest tech and accoutrements for their time, so repairs on these things are also the most expensive. Add in the fact that 7s are also the least common and you have one pricy luxury car.

RallyWrench > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 19:16

Very good cars. The 750 is difficult to work on and was too complex for its time, but the 735 and 740 are very solid. Early 740s has problems with the Nikasil cylinder linings due to US gas, but the E32 in general is comfortable, well built, and reliable if properly cared for. You could even get the 735 with a manual!

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 19:16

A very nice car, but just a bit too big to toss around. Other than being bigger than a similar vintage 5-series, I’m not sure what the 7-series brings to the game. Perhaps if you frequently carry adults in the back the extra room might be worth it.

El Rivinado > My citroen won't start
08/19/2015 at 19:17

That’s always been my feeling too, it just got overshadowed by it’s younger brother to a ridiculous degree. Which is a real shame in my opinion, not that I dislike the E38, but this is like the Foreigner to the E38's The Who, if you catch my drift.

El Rivinado > AM
08/19/2015 at 19:18

I won't deny the E38 it's due, it's a very nice car. But those rims you got in the picture are hideous.

El Rivinado > Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
08/19/2015 at 19:21

If you’re like me, this is as close as you get to a traditional luxury car from BMW. It’s not a car you can toss around, but if you want a relatively comfortable car with a roundel on the hood, this is what you go for. It’s the comfort autobahn cruiser to the easily tossable 5-series, if that makes sense.

El Rivinado > Steve in Manhattan
08/19/2015 at 19:28

Weren’t those issues relegated to the 12 cylinder models though? I don’t have a whole lot of experience, but I heard those were the flaws of the 12 cylinder models and nothing else.

Besides, I drive a Northstar Cadillac, I'm used to driving a ticking time bomb as it is.

My citroen won't start > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 19:29

I do catch, and agree in part.

AM > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 19:32

You don't like them? They're the ones of an Alpina 7 Series!

Steve in Manhattan > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 20:00

Nope - his is a V8. The issue was people who leased the cars took them in for the first oil change, found out it cost nearly $200 and said “well, I won’t be doing that again.” I’d say get a pressure test done at minimum, and make sure to start it cold so you can see what comes out the tailpipe. And a mechanic’s inspection before you buy it, of course.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 20:20

Opinions are for the weak. I deal in facts. FACT: it’s an awesome car. FACT: it will bankrupt you.

El Rivinado > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/19/2015 at 20:24

Every luxury car will bankrupt you given enough time, will that stop me from enjoying the creature comforts and the smooth ride that pampers what little ass I have? Hell No!

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 22:50

You will reconsider when you have to pay $300 for a new water pump and another $350 in labor. Or when the trans locks itself into third gear and you have to rip the interior apart to find one of the four bad parts that could be causing the problem.

El Rivinado > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
08/19/2015 at 23:06

At heart, I will suffer, because I love. I know the pitfalls, but I believe sometimes you should think with your heart instead of your head, especially on cars. Granted, I don’t have the scratch to afford one, and I already have one luxury car at the moment, but still, it’s a car that just speaks to me.

And hey, as far as vintage Bimmers go, this is nowhere near the headache of a V12 8 series.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > El Rivinado
08/19/2015 at 23:12

Or when the rocker covers leak oil into the spark plug tubes, degrading the rubber on the coils and causing the them to short across the block. Ignition coils are $80 a pop.

(these are all common V8 E32 issues I’m throwing at you by the way)

pip bip - choose Corrour > El Rivinado
08/20/2015 at 06:13

750iL yep.

others not so much.

Nauraushaun > El Rivinado
08/20/2015 at 23:06

Looks like a 3 or 5 series from the era, is less fun. That’s probably why it gets little attention.