Owners' Stories

Its a BMW..... What are you bitches all crying about? Its a BWM.... It WILL Be expensive to fix and Maintain! Hello???? Its a BMW not a kia...... They are expensive and cost money!!

how much it cost to get the ECU installed

I purchased a 97 740IL in August of "2010" all I can tell you is I put 8k in repairs sensors, power steering, radiator, hoses,a.c. etc. I thought I had it licked. Then leaving the gym I cracked my motor oil spilled all out in the street. I spent $4500 3months ago and put a new motor in my car thought I had this thing licked. Well last month I dropped my drive line $900 repair. Listen and listen good this is a incredible car to drive and the looks are stunning. But, most of the pictures I have of my car are of it in the shop point blank period. I own a dodge 1500 that happens to be a "97" also that drives circles around my bmw and is cheap to repair. I once owned the worst car ever made the Audi 5000s and Im starting to see a lot of the same similarities. Be warned by this car if you like to spend time and money on repairs and head aches. Nate. C

I bought this car off ebay and thought it was god deal. Boy was i wrong. i have already put 3k into the car just with the steering issues. I mean not for nothing, it has 169k miles on it. So it has been around the block. But you know what, i love it. If you do not have the money and the patience to put into this car, then DO NOT BOTHER. SAVE YOUR SELF THE AGGRAVATION. I have no qualms. This is a project car for me. The tranny and other issues are endless. But after it's all done, this car is a beast and easy on the eyes. Faggoudaboutit!! As i said, live within your means. if you dont have the cash, this one is not for you!!

trans programer code refer to owner manner control moduel failer

I have tried after-market rims on my car and cannot get a balanced ride. I had the tires professionally balanced twice, but to no avail. I assumed that one of the rims has a problem since the rims were used. However, when I put the original rims back on, there is still vibration at 50-55 mph, the indicator for balance control. What else could be the problem?

I HAVE HAD TWO 740'S AND OTHER THAN ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THERE IS NO BETTER CAR TO OWN! I READ THE PUTDOWNS AND I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THESE PEOPLE FEEL, BUT YOU GET AT YOU PAY FOR! HOW CAN YOU RATE A CAR THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SO LONG AND WITH NO SHOW OF WEAKNESS AS A BAD CHOICE? YOU BUY A CAR THAT ONLY HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER DONE OR DIDN'T DO! BOTH OF MINE WERE USED BUT I CAREFULLY CHOSE THEM AS TO THE OWNER AND CONDITION! YOU SPEND $4,800 DOLLARS ON THE FLAGSHIP THAT ALONE SPEAKS VOLUMES! SO I WILL ALWAYS HAVE A BMW IN MY GARAGE. THERE ARE SO MANY NEW CARS OUT THERE, YET WITH ALL THE NEW TECHNOLOGY, IT SEEMS ALL THEY CAN DO IS COPY(LEXUS) EVERYTHING ELSE OUT THERE AND CLAIM IT AS INNOVATIVE! SO SORRY YOU GUYS BOUGHT MISTREATED CARS, BUT IT'S YOUR LOSS!

not so impressive for the money paid. expensive to maintain

I own a 1997 740IL. I've had it for 6 yrs and I enjoy it! It does cost $$$ when it is time for repair, but it is worth it! My last tune up was in 2006. I've done over 30,000 miles since and you would think I just tuned it up last week! I changed my entire front and rear suspension in 2007 (except shocks/struts), and my ride became even smoother! I recently changed my shocks/struts (front & rear) and my cars feels like brand new! The car is very durable! I live in NYC and the streets are the worst in america! But I could never tell!! LOL!!

i just got one, its the most packed car ive ever had its a wonder to drive and a great car overall even though its a little money to fix it, in the long run its worth keepin. The total package no wonder they call it the ultimate driving machine.

Ive had my beemer for about two years and yes as far maintence its expensive! Take it in first sign of problem. But honestly overall rating on the car I LOVE IT no major problems drives like a champ!

I just got a 1995 74 IL. Yes i was pushing around a 2006 Pontiac Montana for 4 years, but I went old school and got the "BEEMER" I tell you what, I love this car. It needed a little work (Oxygen Censors Shocks Struts) A little money, but by far the nicest ride i have ever had!!!! will most likely buy all BMW from now on>>>

I have a 1996 740il - and it just turned 70,000 miles. I baby this car - only drive it around town and around New England some. I have been lucky - no major expenses - yet. But, I replace things rather preemtively and do some basics myself - plugs, the occasion coils various hoses that may look tired. Not sure what my plan is with this car - but as long it keeps going, I will stick by it. These cars are a dream to drive but, owning - apparently your mileage may vary..........

I bought my car used in 2002 and have loved driving it the past 8 years. Like any vehicle, you should keep up the maintenance on it. The only issue I have is that some of the lights on the dash have gone out, so I can't see the temperature outside or set the temperature inside for each side of the car. I figure if it's cold, I'll turn up the heat, if it's cold I'll turn it colder. To replace the module, I was told it would cost $700 from the dealership, but I found a website that said BMW knew that it was an issue and that if you wrote to them, telling them which dealership you were taking it to, BMW would cover the cost, so I may have to try that. I love all the features and comfortability of this car. I would buy another if I knew I wouldn't have all the problems other people have.

I have a 99 740iL. I love the look and profile and it is the best driving car I have ever owned. But that is as far as it goes. Repair wise this is the WORSE vehicle I have ever owned. The repairs just keep coming and coming. I do most of the repairs myself but at some point you have to ask yourself is it worth it. It seams like I am having to repair something every month on this car. Parts are very expensive and the labor cost for repairs I don't do myself is even worse. When I purchased this car I paid cash because I did not want to be making monthly payments. Boy was I ever wrong, I have been making monthly repair bill payments from the first day I purchased it. I will NEVER EVER own another BMW.

Hefty repair bills

Worst car we have ever owned. I have 20 year old Porsches that I drive daily that are more reliable than this POS. I work on my own cars and after the first couple of wrench sessions you start to see how cheap this car is put together. There is an ABUNDANCE of PLASTIC used everywhere in this engine so expect a new radiator and coolant over flow tank every 40-50k miles. Also the serpentine belt tensioner pullys are plastic and are known for letting go around the 80-90k mark. Then you have your other common issues warped PLASTIC intake manifold, WARPED PLASTIC valley pan, CATs, and CAM postition sensors. We bought are car with 55k on the clock and we have pretty much replaced everything before I finally gave up on it this year and sold it. The alternators are watercooled and will set you back over a grand. This car has a lot of electronics so expect to eat this things for lunch are car went through three from 55k miles to 118k. However this biggest pain in the butt on this car is BMW's POOR attempt at making a MAF sensor. This car will go through MAF's every 2 years nothing you can do about it!! You will also go through cam position sensors as well. At around 100k EXPECT the whole front end to be worn out and need replacing. Don't get me wrong is a fantastic driving machine just poorly engineered with substandard parts. If you don't mind the servicing by all means knock yourself out. Simply put after owning numerous 20 year old Porsches the reliability of this car was a real shocker. Quite funny that my 20+ year old Porsche 928 was more reliable than this and it has over 120k miles. In closing BMW needs to STOP using so MUCH PLASTIC in there engines it just doesn't hold up the heat cycles. If this car didn't have so many stupid seals it would be much more reliable. I'm still trying to figure out the point of a valley pan?? Most V8's don't have them so why put a seal there? Why does the intake manifold come apart in 4 different sections... this just leads to more failure points. All in all fabulous car to look at and drive, horrible car to pay for the repairs.

This is the absolute worst car I have ever owned. It sits outside on the street due to battery problem the day after getting out of the shop. There are so many problems with the vehicle that they are too numerous to list. One thing to keep in mind, you will always pay for sensors and other devices on the vehicle an expect to pay the equivalent of a car payment every month to keep it on the road.

I just got bought this POS car (2001 BMW 740il). I have owned a older mercedes before (300E), and it was very reliable. Just typical oil changes and brakes, radiator flush, brake flush (all as cheap to do as any other car, the mercedes was a dream really.Had 175K on it, and sold it. Well, I decided I might want a BMW, and went and saw this car. Of course, it is drop dead gorgeous, and I took a little test-drive, It all SEEMED fine. I paid the guy a pretty cheap price, so I thought I got a good deal. WELL, today I took it to the BMW Dealer for a oil change, about an hour later they call me over, Sir, your tie-rods,bushings,ball-joints are shot. Also, you have leaks ALL around the engine. Also, your drain plug is stripped and will need a new pan and plug, gaskets of course. I said, how much to fix it all? How about $4850.00...!!!!!!!!! I said F**K you, I will just re-sell it to the next sucker. I am so pissed, I am just letting it sit in the parking lot, until my title comes in the mail. Of course this doesnt even include the bald tires I need to buy, or the cosmetic trim stuff thats missing around the car. I just want to ram this thing into a tree. I wished I would of read these reviews. I did read some, but they all complained about the sh&%tty navagation, which it is, and the cheap drink - holders that break (and mine are too). It is a Black widow, She has the looks, but when she gets u in her web, she will eat you alive.!! Hate BMW's now forever.!! RUN AWAY from this deadly beast.!!

POS car!!!! RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN AWAY!!!! Unless you have a TON of cash that you can burn! Will most likely never buy a BMW again as a result

BMW stands for Bust My Wallet!

The main problems with the 1994 BMW 740iL are as follows, drinks a lot of gas. 14.7 mpg, battery under rear passneger seat., must replace brake light switch that is covered under a recall.

GOOD CONDITION

if your watching your pennies u dont even need to be shopping BMW try scion their up the street. 7 series can not be compared, if it makes me a phone call, warms my rear, what did my wife do this morning?

I have a 97 740IL and I must say that it runs pretty well. The problem I have with it are the tail lights, the cup holder is broken (cheap), the inside door strips are cheaply made with those clips that are always breaking, the cover to my stereo speaker just fell off and I cannot re-attach it. I do find that some of the fixtures are easy to replace and not as complicated all as many would think. My nemesis with my car is the electrical stuff. Both of my brake lights are out. I've changed the bulbs a numerous amount of times and I've replaced the bulb sockets to no avail. I am thinking about buying new tail lights however, I'm not sure if this will resolve the issue not know if it's the wiring that causing the problem. I've been trying to determine if there's a fuse out however, it's very confusing. I very hesitant to take it to the dealer or my mechanic. It will cost me a s--t load of money for something so simple as popping out a fuse and putting another one. I'm going to keep trying...I'm sure I'll figure it out...hell, I changed the grill myself! I'm also having some major problems passing the emissions test...for a car of this stature and price, this should never be!!

This is my fourth 7 Series BMW. These cars are not for the faint of heart. When they break, it costs, but I have had very good reliability issues from my first in 1985. With only 4 cars in over 25 years, you might say that I have been happy with the car brand and will continue to purchase a 7 series in the future. Find a good mechanic, do the routine maintenance and take the car in at the first sign of a problem. This will save you money and NOTHING rides better than a 7 Series.

I've been driving this car for 7.5 years and I just passed the 150K mileage mark. I'm on my second million miles and have never found a car that compares with its overall driving performance. It eats up mountain driving, hugs the road on corners, and absorbs shocks from our horrible Northern California roads as though they had been newly paved. It will cruise at over 150 mph. At 100 mph, it handles better than any American piece of trash at 60 mph. It truly is a joy to drive. HOWEVER, it is not a joy to pay for its maintenance. I just dropped $4,500 to replace its entire coolant system - it went through two radiators in six months. Dealers' service charges for anything significant are higher than what you can sell the car for. Be prepared to visit your favorite shop often.

I have a 1994 74oi well I will just say I did not learn from that and was out of my head whim I hot a 1997 bmw 740il for cars that cost $$$$$$$ its made with cheep parts that dount last, over done with sub standerd parts that cost more then gold. and the dealers, well they came with at you with a smile in there face and with there hand for a hand shake and the other hand going for your wallet.

I bought this car when it was six months old. Service maintenance is extremely expensive. I think BMW spent too much time making the car complicated (they call it "engineering") for automobiles of the caliber, rather than "KISSing" it. KISS = Keep it simple stupid!

Transmission problems are common problems with these cars. "Tranmission Program" translates to about $1750 in repairs at some dealerships. There are several hoses that have to be replaced in order to resolve the colling system issues. $400 a pop is common for many repairs. This car is grossly over engineered compared to other cars that deliver the same performance that are cheaper to maintain. Gas mileage is horrible, but perfomance when the car is functioning is much better. Eletrical issues remain a problem with this model along with the transmission whining sound. I have noticed this with many BMWs of this same model. An improvement since the 1993 version of the automobile, but not by much.

this is my bm nice car.

Good car and fun to drive but repairs are very expensive.

I love this car. It requires attention, but is a pleasure to drive.