1998 BMW 740i from RepairPal

1998 BMW 740i Review

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:06:38 -0700

1998 740i (sport) - 101,000 miles - Body/paint/ flawless but some interior features are cheaply built or overdesigned and fail, such as: cup holders - all are overly complex and fragile and have all broken, the panel that holds the seat controls on the lower left side of the driver's seat snapped off (thin plastics) and the parking brake release is too flimsy and it broke, too. Several of the pixels in the radio/computer display have pooped out. Brakes are silent, tight, and wonderful. New rotors and pads at 80,000 (seems right). Drive train has been trouble-free. Exhaust is still like new, heating and A/C good, A/C could be stronger. New struts (used OEM to not mess with handling). Thermostat replaced and it's in need of new valve cover gaskets.(estinmated $300) All in all it is a dream to drive. hard to describe how rock solid and agile it is. VERY powerful (280 hp.), very fast, handles like nothing else - a real pleasure. Leather is superior to any other manufacturer - I understand BMW buys only exclusive Italian leather - and it shows. One problem... every repair is EXPENSIVE. Thermostat was $600, radiator replacementr was $700... you get the idea. BUT I bought it used at a substantial discount from original $75,000 price... so it's worth the expense. It's not as large as it looks (198 inches long, 4,200 pounds - It's smaller than the new Challenger) yet it holds 5 adults in silent opulent luxury. (That wood trim is real walnut).My "Artik Silber" (Arctic Silver) BMW is a timeless beauty. Best part - gas mileage is 20-25 mpg in the city, 24-28 on the highway. Incredible! Change oil/filter, rotate tires, and realign every 3,000 miles. Replaced all hoses and belts as soon as I bought it. So... she's been pampered. (And she's been up to 144 mph... with pedal left). Some call this... More

BMW 740i Question - driver side vents blowing hot when the ac is on. passenger side fine.

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:27:34 -0800

My wife's car is blowing hot heated air out of the vents when running the ac. The passenger side is blowing cold. Suggestion on how to fix. Thanks

BMW 740i Question - Cutting out

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:00:41 -0800

Whenever I have driven a distance the car tends to shut down completely. I stop next to the road, wherever that may be, and a few minutes later I am able to start the car again and continue my trip. Other than that I am very satisfed with the car.

BMW 740i Question - Dome light problems.

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:14:11 -0700

I have a problem with interior lighting. It would not turn on when the doors are open. I checked all the fuses under the hood they all good. I also checked power to the dome light there is none. What should I look for next.

BMW 740i Question - Driver seat motor... off track???

Thu, 07 May 2009 02:00:26 -0700

While vacuuming I sent the seat all the way forward, and then, fully up. After cleaning I attempted to readjust, the rear right corner of the seat's adjustments failed, all directions. The motor runs, the corner won't budge. Am I off a track or ???? Please advise!
Thank you
Vikki

BMW 740i Question - No Interior Heat despite new thermostat

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:00:14 -0800

I recently had a bad thermostat replaced on my '95 BMW 740i. This resolved the problem of getting the interior heat to come on more quickly as well as getting the motor up to operating temp faster as the old thermostat was visibly stuck about 1/4 way open. The mechanic, (friend or a friend) Not a BMW Dealer, had broken radiator nipple for the 1 1/2 inch top hose connect. We learned this when the car over-heated badly on the way home. The broken hipple could not hold the hose on when up to operating temperature. After replacing the radiator, we no longer have interior heat despite perfect operating temperature on the temp gauge. What could have been damaged to cause this? ... More

BMW 740i Question - 1995 BMW 740I OIL CHANGE

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:45:05 -0700

IS THIS SOMETHING I CAN DO MYSELF. I HAVE CHANGED THE OIL ON MY AMERICAN CARS. THE BMW OIL CHANGE IS AWFUL EXPENSIVE!

BMW 740i Question - ABS light is on

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:42:39 -0700

any suggestion whether it can be adjusted electronically or the ABS has a problems, my brakes are not working properly either

BMW 740i Question - 4th gear does not shift, the acceleration goes to 4 rpm

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:40:41 -0700

I just had the transmission oil seals replaced. I thought the oil had leaked thats y the gear shift had a pull the problem still persists.

BMW 740i Question - stop engine oil press

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:34:35 -0700

what is 'STOP ENGINE OIL PRESS' ?
oil symbol blinks everytime this pops up

BMW 740i Question - Squeak

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 15:36:38 -0700

I have an annoying squeak (almost bird-like chirping) coming the the back seat area of my '95 740i. I've looked around but haven't been able to locate the source of the squeak. Any thoughts?

BMW 740i Question - 1995 bmw 740

Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:45:49 -0800

i step on the gas and when i do i hear a knocking sound and then when i release my foot and step on it again i do not hear nothing its only about 5 seconds

BMW 740i Question - gas smell

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 10:36:26 -0800

my car has avery strong gas smell inside the car while driving.just started

BMW 740i Question - oil type

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:38:34 -0700

what type of oil?

BMW 740i Question - VIBRATING?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:48:35 -0800

I have a 1998 740 and my steering wheel is vibrating when I excelerate?

BMW 740i Question - NO HORN OR RADIO?

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:06:19 -0800

I have a 1998 bmw740i the horn and radio has gone out and when I do press the horn pad the clock goes out! what should I do to repair it!

BMW 740i Question - exhaust manifold leak

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:53:08 -0800

my car's check engine light is on, it smokes when it is first started or when pulling out from a redlight, i was told by one mechanic shop it was a intake manifold leak. any info greatly appreciated

BMW 740i Question - Missing pixels..

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:39:48 -0800

I have missing pixels in information center. Any suggestions how to fix it?

BMW 740i Question - car feels like it has a bad transmission but it has been checked out and is good

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:26:00 -0800

when i step on it the car fels like the transmission isnt shifting an when i get to a light and stop it feels like its missing badly and shakes

BMW 740i Question - inner door panel removal

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:01:58 -0800

How do I remove the door panels

BMW 740i Question - how to remove front door panels

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:08:49 -0800

my front passenger window is off track and wont roll down

BMW 740i Question - Engine Coolant

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:17:24 -0700

Can I buy Engine Coolant from a local auto parts or do I have to go to the dealer?

BMW 740i Question - 1998 bmw 740I

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:49:10 -0700

Please help. i replaced water pump,thermostat,some hoses and where you put antifreeze in that container (sorry dont know what is called) but every morning i need to add water. what could be the problem other than th radiator? I checked everywhere. Also wh... More

BMW 740i Question - Vibrating when step on brakes.

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:55:41 -0700

Steering wheels is vibrating every time I step on brake pedal. I just have my brake pads and all rotors changed. What it could be the solution, pls advice.

BMW 740i Question - Whining noise on left front wheels

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 09:15:26 -0700

Hearing a whining noise, I think it coming from the left front wheel. What it could be the problem?

BMW 740i Question - seat belt

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:54:42 -0700

Seat belt will not release from seat

BMW 740i Question - check engine codes 420, 430 & 1622

Fri, 08 May 2009 11:36:47 -0700

Check engine light is on & these codes come up. Car has had aftremarket cats installed it has 98,000 miles on it is in good shape otherwise as it has always been garage kept. tx, Doug

BMW 740i Question - alarm code

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:49:25 -0700

how much cost to find the alarm code and the radio code

BMW 740i Question - Heater

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 04:06:36 -0800

I have a 1998 BMW 740i and my problem is when I turn the car on it takes a very long time for the heater to start working. Then when it works it also stops and blows cold air.. need to fix, Help!!

BMW 740i Question - Drivers seat adjustment

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:29:52 -0800

My drivers side seat adjustments and steering wheel adjustment stopped working. I replaced fuse and they worked for a couple of minutes then failed again. the fuse is still good, what can I try next?

BMW 740i Question - Disconnected (or hole in) tube attached to windsheild spray nozzel in hood

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:14:21 -0700

i need to access the wiper spray nozzel in the hood (seems to be disconnected from tube) - how best to do that..without breaking something?!

BMW 740i Question - problem with trans, failure prog

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 02:10:47 -0800

what cause trans.failure prog for bmw 740i model 1999

BMW 740i Question - oil change - do it yourself

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:46:10 -0800

Looking to change oil in BMW 740i myself. Where is the oil drain plug located beneath the car?

BMW 740i Question - transmission

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:21:09 -0700

where do you fill the transmission with oil

BMW 740i Question - battery light and transmission failsafe program

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:40:21 -0700

My battery light came on while driving. Soon after the transmission failsafe program came on. Once i got home, i turned off the car and have had to charge the battery just to start the car again... batter... More

BMW 740i Question - BRAKES

Wed, 13 May 2009 19:43:31 -0700

WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN THE DASH BOARD SAYS CHECK BRAKE LININGS?

BMW 740i Question - why is my climate control working by itself?

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:07:55 -0800

when i start my car the climate control turns on by itself and when i turn off my car it continues working for about 15 minutes. when i turn the climate control off manually while driving it is constantly running. the rest button does not work as well. thank you . mikl

BMW 740i Question - what is causing this noise?

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:08:18 -0800

when I start my car throughout the day I hear a heavy knocking sound underneath the valve cover on the drivers side for 3-4 seconds. The noise does not persist while I am driving, but it does start again when I start up the car at a later time. The oil has been recently changed, there is no check engine light, the engine is running good, and there is no sludge in the engine. I just bought the car on auction and don't know any services that were perf... More

BMW 740i Question - 2001 bmw 740i timing issue

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:02:26 -0800

I have a 2001 bmw 740i and I recently changed the lower tensioner. The upper tensioner needs changing as well.
My question is will I have to use a specific tool to slightly adjust the chain (clock or counter clockwise) to install it...or just remove and install?

Thanks in advance!
James

BMW 740i Question - Rear Window off the Track

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:01:15 -0800

The rear window in my car is off the track. It is about 1/4 of the way down but will not go up or down when I press the controls. Any suggestions on how to fix it? Thanks.

BMW 740i Question - vent blows warm air on driver side

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:36:26 -0800

turning on a/c modulates this

BMW 740i Question - Strange knocking noise

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:11:51 -0700

I wonder if anyone has seen this. I have a strange knocking noise which is coming from the drivers side, under my feet. It does not appear until the car has been running for approx. 5 miles so I am assuming it is temperature related. The dealer has changed out engine mounts and suspension parts under extended warranty (thank goodness), but the noi... More

BMW 740i Question - wheel torque specification

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:07:16 -0700

what is the spec for a sport wheel?

BMW 740i Question - how to replace the parking light assembly

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 16:46:06 -0700

right front parking light lens is cracked. zi have the replacement but i am not sure how to remove the old one.

BMW 740i Question - sunroof drain hoses

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:39:12 -0700

Hey guy's, any one knows how to unclogg sunroof drain hose on my 2001 740i? or where they are located ? every time it rains my back seat gets wet,dripping from the head liner,windows are water proof. thanks in advance for any help.