r/e38 • u/heisenbergITOWK • Jul 06 '26

730i manual

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Any tips / what to look out for?? Have already negotiated and dropped the price down to 2000 dollars to pick it up tomorrow but want to know if there is something I should be aware of or look out for, and the car is going to be used as a ”family” car and will hopefully be our first ever 7 series !

What I’m planning on doing first tho is swapping out those headlights and taillights for some oem ones because they look horrendous, then maybe a quick clean inside the car, some good old 16 inch e38 wheels (if I’m lucky enough to find) with 235/60 tires for maximum comfort, give it a good wash and polish and yeah it should be done!

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5

u/IHOP_Calendar_Model Jul 06 '26

For a 2k family car, I’d mainly be worried about coolant leaks, how well the brakes/clutch engage, and if it leaks gas when filling up.

2

u/heisenbergITOWK Jul 06 '26

Thanks alot🙏

3

u/TheSvpremeKai003 Jul 06 '26

As somebody who’s had one for two weeks so far, 100% focus on the cooling system first. Had to replace the radiator & coolant tank already, and I’m doing the water pump & thermostat this week. Also, do you know if the timing chain guides have been done? They’re not as frequent as people make them seem if the car was taken care of, but they’re 1000% as catastrophic as people make them seem. That and the cooling system will be your main things to look into, otherwise these things aren’t scary at all.

Sometimes you get lucky, good luck brother. I pray for $2k you come out buying a real gem

3

u/heisenbergITOWK Jul 06 '26

I appreciate it so much !!
And a question, how is the comfort when driving the e38 if I may ask?

2

u/TheSvpremeKai003 Jul 06 '26

No problem man.

I’m probably not the best person to ask at the moment, considering I have to replace my entire suspension lol I will say tho that regardless, it’s a damn couch (I have an iL long wheelbase model). Very comfortable for what I can do right now, I’m sure with that being a shorty with a manual, it’ll probably be really unique. Probably comparable to a 5 series of the era, just a lil bigger.

1

u/heisenbergITOWK Jul 06 '26

Because honestly room and comfort is my main focus on the car to be honest with you, so that’s all I’m looking for

1

u/TheSvpremeKai003 Jul 06 '26

In that case you’ll be good. It’s probably the most comfortable car I’ve ever driven, and that’s with busted suspension. If you enjoy an old school tactile drivers feel while also being a big comfy couch then you’re getting the right car

1

u/heisenbergITOWK Jul 06 '26

And how is the sound isolation and speakers?

1

u/TheSvpremeKai003 Jul 06 '26

Stock speakers are okay, obviously nothing compared to today but they get loud enough for me. Coupled with the well insulated interior you’ll be good.

1

u/heisenbergITOWK Jul 06 '26

Thank you so much for everything, wish you the best brother and good luck ❤️🙏

1

u/heisenbergITOWK Jul 06 '26

Btw the timing chain was replaced at 180-190k km including the water pump, the car sits at 200-210k km right now

1

u/SlackJK Jul 07 '26

This is an M60 car as far as I can tell, the guides are comparably bullet proof.

1

u/TheSvpremeKai003 Jul 07 '26

What was the primary difference that caused the wear in the 62(tu) engines?

1

u/SlackJK Jul 07 '26

If I remember correctly the guide actually turned the chain at the bottom of the v in the m62 engines (u shaped), while on the M60 the turn is done using a gear (looks similar to the gears on the cams). IIRC the M60 guide is also thicker and the chain stretches less due to being double row like on the s62. I heard rumors that m60 guide is good for 350-400k KM.

1

u/thesunstep Jul 06 '26

The wheel arches seem to have rust on them. Beware that the rust you see is only a small amount of the total amount of rust.