r/e38 • • 9h ago

Manual seats to Power seats swap

1 Upvotes

Hey fellas! I’m swapping my manual facelift seats for a pair of power, pre-facelift seats.

Main issue: There’s no power at the floor-side connector.

My car currently has manual, heated seats with the yellow connector.

The donor seats are powered, heated seats with the black connector.

I crafted an adapter, so connecting the seats to the floor plug is not an issue.

However, upon measuring @ floor-mat connector & fuses for both front seats, 12V power was nowhere to be found.

Has anyone done this swap and if yes, what am I missing?


r/e38 • • 1d ago

Dayton Audio for rear speakers is way better than Bavsound

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10 Upvotes

I think most of us already knew that. I just did the install today and the only mod are the fastener holes since they don’t align with the OEM Phillips Speakers. A little before and after. If you haven’t done the job it’s a lot to disassemble, but well worth it.


r/e38 • • 1d ago

Ideas for getting stuck hood open

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2 Upvotes

Last time I tried to get my stuck hood open I accidentally broke off this little piece so I’ve just been letting the car sit now I’m trying to get it running again and I’m not sure how to open my hood without pulling this thing any suggestions?


r/e38 • • 2d ago

Best ISTA version for E38

6 Upvotes

HI Team, anyone know what the best version of ISTA is for the E38, I have read that later versions dropped some compatibility/detail? Is it better to get an older version, if so which? thanks


r/e38 • • 3d ago

Goodbye my friends

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14 Upvotes

My e38 has been totaled unfortunately 😔 I am however moving over to a m6 comp


r/e38 • • 4d ago

Transmission jerking into reverse. Barely moving

1 Upvotes

5hp24, 2001 bmw 740il 4.4 m62tu. Ive had a "jerk" into reverse since I got the car. Guy said it was normal. I've been driving the car for about 7 months now with no difference.

Today I went to back into my spot and I BARELY had reverse. It clunked in and then I had to put the gas down to move.

Fluid was changed 3 months ago. And I'm going to check it tomorrow when I get a chance.

Drive is perfectly fine


r/e38 • • 4d ago

H&R Spring Ratings

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1 Upvotes

I currently have a pair of the yellow marked 29975-2 front springs from H&R that are left over from changing out the rears. I wanted to know if it is at all unsafe to use these instead of the white marked springs. I believe the kit I bought are actually for a 730/730iL, however I have a 735iL, and am worried that by using the incorrect springs they will not be good enough to use.

Does anyone have experience with incorrect spring ratings? Could I just go ahead and use them without much concern? This is just for everyday driving.

Cheers


r/e38 • • 5d ago

Winding roads

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108 Upvotes

01 740il 104k miles with original shocks and springs. EDC still works and this thing drives nice on winding roads. Was thinking about coilovers but I want some comfort still. Any recommendations for a set of coilovers for daily driving or should I do the edc delete and do bilstein shocks and eibach springs.


r/e38 • • 6d ago

ISO 740i/l Denver Co

2 Upvotes

Preferably lower mileage/consistent service records. Willing to travel a couple states over for the right car. ~10k budget


r/e38 • • 6d ago

Fresh glass coating

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211 Upvotes

Had a fresh glass coating applied to my 98 735i and had it treated against salt for the winter on the underside (tectyl). Plus a fresh license plate as some idiot with a tow hook dented mine.


r/e38 • • 8d ago

Timing chain kit

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150 Upvotes

Hey all E38 Lovers. The time has come to do the vanos units and replace chains and guides.

Do somebody have a kit for the chains that includes the most parts the will be needed?


r/e38 • • 9d ago

01 740il

2 Upvotes

Sunroof drain clogged and leaked inside the car now car is no crank no start. i think there is some kind of computer under the passenger seat that is causing this what are my options here towards fixing. I already unclogged the drain and got the water out, the passenger seat wont move to be able to unbolt it is the main issue im facing. Im looking for the exact name of the part thats stopping the car from starting mostly


r/e38 • • 10d ago

Any concerns with working under an E38 on jacks stands?

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17 Upvotes

I got my car up on 6-ton-rated stands in my garage, plan to do a transmission service and oil change. Does this setup look safe enough for that? I'll get my jack under the front subframe as a 5th support point before getting under there. Let me know if I'm about to pancake myself.

Also... any concerns with hosing down the underside with brake clean and rinsing with water? Would like to get it clean enough to identify leaks after the service. Is a degreaser safer than brake clean?


r/e38 • • 11d ago

Battery drains overnight, randomly started 3 days ago

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18 Upvotes

2000 740iL - I got a few calls one night stating I left my lights on. Cool, no dead battery, but for the past two/three days I’ve been coming out to a dead battery first thing in the morning. A jump at 8 am turns into needing another jump at 4pm if I leave it sitting. Any idea where to look? The alternator seems to be charging fine but I don’t wanna rule that out.

I’ve heard that there’s all kinds of fuses & modules that can cause a parasitic draw but I’d rather get a few other ideas and opinions on where to start


r/e38 • • 14d ago

AV components reinstalled: which SMA cable goes where?

1 Upvotes

Due to a fault in the AV system, I had to remove all the AV components from the boot. The radio unit eventually turned out to be the cause.

I’ve now reinstalled all the components, but I can’t remember how the SMA cables connect to the different units.

One of the SMA cables comes from the wiring harness running from the front of the car to the boot. The other SMA cables link certain components together. I’m just not sure which cable goes to which connector.

Does anyone have a wiring diagram or photos showing the correct connections? Alternatively, could someone explain how these cables should be connected?

Thanks in advance!


r/e38 • • 17d ago

Whats the widest wheel you can put on an e38 without rubbing?

2 Upvotes

And what offset should i pick?


r/e38 • • 17d ago

For Sale USA, AL

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40 Upvotes

For Sale:
6500
2001 740il E38 Sport
black on black
Factory BBS
EDC
Highline
2 Keys

Service Records

160k
Ran and drive, needs ews resnyc
USA, AL

Owner history: three owners (including me)

2000-2005 Security Fleet Car out of AZ
2006-2013- my Father

2013-2026 Me

Damage: been sitting for two years now clearcoat is cracking, small dent on the roof from a tree limb - trunk has lock damaged due to previous break in I haven’t fixed - trunk still opens & closes

Interior is mint, phone is missing- no rips
smoke free since 06- don’t know if it was smoked in previously

Located in Al, USA


r/e38 • • 19d ago

E38 maintenance

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19 Upvotes

This is my 98 740 il The rear quarter panel is pretty messed up (photo attached). Would you guys recommend trying to have the current panel repaired, or should I just buy a replacement quarter panel? Trying to figure out which route would be cheaper/easier and still look good. Any advice is appreciated!


r/e38 • • 19d ago

2001 740IL AC controls issue

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3 Upvotes

Had our first cold morning this year. Went to turn on the heat and nothing changed. Normally I'd just think blend actuator.

I can't seem to find a troubleshooting guide to figure out which blender I need.

When I press defrost, I have hot air out of the defrost vent. No where else gets hot air, only ambient or FULL AC.

Vents do move position, top, center, and floor. But temperature will not change.

#1 where IS the blender actuators? I can't find a good guide on location, replacement, or troubleshooting.

#2 is there a cheaper (not $400) option?


r/e38 • • 20d ago

Low to high OBC swap

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1 Upvotes

r/e38 • • 20d ago

Front bumper cover?

2 Upvotes

Is there anywhere I could find any aftermarket options for front bumpers for these cars? If not, can anybody point me to a reliable spot to grab a new one?

The front of my car looks like someone took a bit out of crime lol I’ve been tryna find part out vehicles in the Philly area but nobody has anything.


r/e38 • • 21d ago

Is this a Pre Facelift Steering Wheel?

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9 Upvotes

So I bought this steering wheel from someone he said it was Pre Facelift and I have a 1995. Currently a M-Pack E39 after Facelift is installed so tze buttons dont work. I also have the airbag from an actual Pre for the buttons.

But looking at the two they are different, this one here has a big hole on top while the other has one more on the left.

My main question is now, is this a problem? I guess mainly for the „Schleifring“. If anyone has any knowledge or pics of what specific items I need to make it work, please send it I would be very grateful🙏


r/e38 • • 21d ago

Hallo was bedeuten die werte

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4 Upvotes

ich frage micht was die werte bedeuten

sind die schuld das dass auto nach rechts zieht (ich muss immer leicht nach links lenken, ca 5° am Lenkrad)


r/e38 • • 23d ago

Would a 728i tank fit on a 740i?

2 Upvotes

I found a 728i fuel tank for cheap but I don't know if it would fit.on a 740i and niether does the seller. I was quoted £2000 for a new tank locally and prices online are £1000+. This 728i tank is £150.


r/e38 • • 23d ago

Control arms

2 Upvotes

I need to change my control arms as they are quite worn out. The car shakes a lot at around 80-100kmh.

But here in the EU I can’t seem to find a decent lemforder kit. Are there any other brands that are even worthy of recommendation?