E38 - Need help => Worth buying this E38?

[johnnywm]

Hi guys,Just registered myself today at BMWCM and intro at the Newbie thread. I am so keen of getting an E38 but has very little knowledge about this E38 series. Have been going around town last 3 weeks and I only found 2 cars that is worth seeing.(i) Has anyone else saw these same cars? See below tag.(ii) What is your opinion on their physical condition? (maybe hard to judge)(iii) Do you think their asking price is worth it?I totally have no clues how to choose apart whether the exterior or interior looks nice.(a) 728i E38 2001(manufacture) => http://www.mudah.my/Bmw+728i+CBU+by+AUTO+BAVARIA+DOUBLE+VANOS-5950927.htmMy basic observation- LH & RH front passenger door has difficulty in closing - have to slam very hard....=> needs $$$- LH front passenger door panel (inside) looks very loose. Desperately need fixing => needs $$$- ALL back doors windows don't wind down even work when controlled from driver seat door panel.=> needs $$$- Double glazed window type => needs $$$- Headlights are dirty/yellowish (can be polished or replace cover?) => needs $$$- Blown spare tyre (looks like it has exploded) => needs $$$- Ashtray mechanism dont seem to slide nicely=> needs $$$- display pixel - I did not malfunction - all seem to work fine.Engine [/U]- the "air intake inlet" (don't know how to describe) into cabin, the cover disappeared! Costly?- fairly clean engine when viewed from top (perhaps underneath something else)- hoses fairly clean (what's visible from top view), except for the power steering bottom hose. Greasy.- rather loud fan when running idle- cabin vibration (can feel from steering) is rather rough as compared to what I know on BMW cars- throttle is hard to press - I thought this model uses EME (drive-by-wire) type - perhaps I was wrong- brakes cant seeAircond- Not cold at all- takes long time to produce some form of chill feeling => needs $$$What I like about this unit?- the paint work is still good considering it is almost 10 years old.- looks/feel solid compare to E39 (has an E39 520 next to it on display)- Steering is nice and fat - good holding size- seating position is good- must be comfy for long distance driving KL/BKH-KL/JBI have not test drive this particular unit yet.(b) 728i E38 200 => http://www.mudah.my/BMW+728i-5930261.htmNot yet seen this car. May be today.I asked the dealer if I can send to AB for check up, the dealer refuses unless I pay RM1k downpayment. Yuks....!!!My major problem here => I have never seen/drove what an E38 should be like when it is in pristine condition. Hence make my life harder to asses as I have no reference point. huh...Hope to hear from all the gurus here. Please advice....:help:

 

[Vincent Hor]

Johnny, from your discription, the 1st car seems to need quite a bit of work & further initial investments. 2nd car mileage seems a bit too low to me.

I would suggest that a good and reliable BMW mechanic familar with the E38 is a must to help you in your search.

A clean engine & fresh (cheapo) paint job are easy tell tales signs that a dealer is covering some ugly things. So you just have to be careful. Getting a lemon E38 can be a very costly affair.

 

[ssmann]

Bro,

The 2nd car is with Keong Heng (Pandan Indah). Not the best around and has a transmission prob. Been there for almost a year now. I tested it 8 months ago!!! I would not touch it.......unless u have like RM20k extra to spare to get it in order, bringing the price + car around RM100k!!! The dealer wants Rm78k for it!!! Having said that, it has a neat interior with most parts working, from recollection.

The 1st car has also been on the market for long, although I have not personally seen it. I am not a fan of the colour and the dark interior. My 2 cents worth.

Vince is right, always spend the effort and money to get it checked especially when buying from a dealer. All the best!!!

Cheers - S

 

[johnnywm]

Johnny, from your discription, the 1st car seems to need quite a bit of work & further initial investments. 2nd car mileage seems a bit too low to me.

I would suggest that a good and reliable BMW mechanic familar with the E38 is a must to help you in your search.

A clean engine & fresh (cheapo) paint job are easy tell tales signs that a dealer is covering some ugly things. So you just have to be careful. Getting a lemon E38 can be a very costly affair.

Hi Vincent,
Many thanks indeed for dropping some notes. I agree with you regarding getting lemon E38. Appreciate your kind feedback. There are not many 728 E38 for sale around.

I guess, I just have to be patient and wait a bit longer.

 

[johnnywm]

Hi Vincent and ssmann,
Just saw another advert at Mudah.Com => This E38 is in Penang. I just wonder if I should go there and check this E38 out when I am free. May be other forumers from Penang may have seen this particular unit.

Would you happen to know friends from Penang that seen this?

http://www.mudah.my/Bmw+728i+local+import+new-5723258.htm?last=1

 

[elwine30]

Hmm.. I will be going to check it out. Got one new silver E38 for sale today at Mudah.

 

[Vincent Hor]

Ok guys, I heard my boss is selling his 1997 E38 728i and getting an E65. All his cars are very well maintained. BTW he is a Bimmer fan as his other cars are E36 318i, E46 325i & X5 3.0

 

[johnnywm]

Ok guys, I heard my boss is selling his 1997 E38 728i and getting an E65. All his cars are very well maintained. BTW he is a Bimmer fan as his other cars are E36 318i, E46 325i & X5 3.0

Do you have the pictures of his E38?

 

[elwine30]

I have just viewed the 1st car posted by John.

Looks ok except it's being quite extensively used. The specs are quite impressive but the condition I would say below par.

Test drove it, need to bring to mech to plug in MODIC. The ABS, Brake Lining and DSC lights are ON.

The car has also being repainted from white to black. Trims are below par condition, B-pillar clips are broken. Rear 3/4 blind is missing. All chorme bits are painted to black or body color (not my taste). Headlights, fog lights, rear lights, side ligths are ALL faded.

However, this car is a 728i 2001 individual. It has the chrome interior all round, wood trim interior (including upper door handle, m steering, tire preasure sensor, HID lights, rear air con control. It has the double glaze windows and EDC. But missing COMFORT SEATS. It is also a double vanos engine with 6 air bags (all front).

To me, the car look tired and there are quite fair bit to move into a pristine condition (say about 20K). Furthermore, not too sure how much bill is waiting at the mech shop when it's plug into the MODIC.

 

[muddy]

Errrr... Sorry kacau ur thread. I'm contemplating to let go mine. But only to real enthusiast. Pleasure to drive, but i'm kinda busy outstation, so its underused.
Dunno how much yet.

Maybe if there's TT session we can meet up with others as well. Vincent, Kevs and all?

Muddy.

 

[elwine30]

Muddy, is the white e38 yours?

 

[kevster30]

Yes Elwin, it's the white Msport.......

Yeah man, time for the 7ers to do TT....Unker Vince...apa lagi?

 

[Gerald 5]

I have seen both cars, if you think the 1st one is tired.. then don't bother to look at the one in Penang...almost the same spec without comfort seats. A quick Vin check will show you the production year of 06/00 and 07/00 respectively. Offered both at 75k but none call me back yet. GT1 been pluged into the 1st one and there is no major problem. By the way, I saw the 1st one some 3 weeks back and there is no fault code in the OBD.. window are all ok too..wondering what had happened within the last 3 weeks.

 

[Vincent Hor]

No I don't have pics of his car. Will check with him tomorrow if indeed he is selling the car.

Do you have the pictures of his E38?

 

[Vincent Hor]

This car is good. New paint (Alpine White) new interior leather, all round Titans plus ori 18" AC Type II & new tyres. Should be in premium category.

Errrr... Sorry kacau ur thread. I'm contemplating to let go mine. But only to real enthusiast. Pleasure to drive, but i'm kinda busy outstation, so its underused.
Dunno how much yet.

Maybe if there's TT session we can meet up with others as well. Vincent, Kevs and all?

Muddy.

 

[elwine30]

I have seen both cars, if you think the 1st one is tired.. then don't bother to look at the one in Penang...almost the same spec without comfort seats. A quick Vin check will show you the production year of 06/00 and 07/00 respectively. Offered both at 75k but none call me back yet. GT1 been pluged into the 1st one and there is no major problem. By the way, I saw the 1st one some 3 weeks back and there is no fault code in the OBD.. window are all ok too..wondering what had happened within the last 3 weeks.

Hmm... driven the car today and DSC, Airbag and Brake Lining lights are up. The windows are working fine too. Yes, the car looks tired.

You offered 75k, i think it's only worth 70k,

 

[vish]

hi bros, if anyone is planning an E38 TT please let me know, im thinking of saving up for one when i go to uk to study this year...

 

[johnnywm]

Errrr... Sorry kacau ur thread. I'm contemplating to let go mine. But only to real enthusiast. Pleasure to drive, but i'm kinda busy outstation, so its underused.
Dunno how much yet.

Maybe if there's TT session we can meet up with others as well. Vincent, Kevs and all?

Muddy.

Hi Muddy,
Yes, why not. No harm of viewing it. At least I would learn something and meet new friends.
Let me know.

 

[johnnywm]

Hmm... driven the car today and DSC, Airbag and Brake Lining lights are up. The windows are working fine too. Yes, the car looks tired.

You offered 75k, i think it's only worth 70k,

Hi Elwin,

Wow...I am impressed that you took the trouble to go all the way to Jln Ipoh just to see and test drive the 1st car - PEG8228 (i think the no. plate) Yes, it does look tired.

I like the features though...that's about it. Poor thing that it was not taken good care during its younger years. But again, wear and tear hard to avoid anyway...perhaps previous owner didn't give much attention to it. What a waste.

The undercarriage is another story too and sure will require a thick sum of money for sure... Anyway, looks like an expensive unit to fix.

Thanks for your kind effort and for sharing your findings. Much appreciated.

 

[buzzlie]

Hmm... driven the car today and DSC, Airbag and Brake Lining lights are up. The windows are working fine too. Yes, the car looks tired.

You offered 75k, i think it's only worth 70k,

Waa towkay ... u leave one by the road side, summore u go window shopping aaa?!