BMW 7 Series E38 Buyers guide - Common Problems and What To Look For

Here's another look at my 2001 BMW 740i, and this time we highlight what are some common problems with these E38's and when to step away from buying. While I'm not a mechanic, I hope you find this advice useful when look around at E38's. These cars are great value when sorted, but can easily require thousands of dollars of work if they're not properly taken care of. Enjoy!
Check out the full review!
• 2001 BMW 740i M-Sport ...
Instagram: @westvangarage
www.westvangarage.com
MUSIC:
Joakim Karud - Rainy Days: • |Musique libre de droi...
Joakim Karud: / joakimkarud

[@ThePeca1988]

Rule of thumb, just go with the highest mileage car possible. First, it saves you cash, higher mileage cars cost less, and it doesnt really matter if it ran 100k or 200k, they normally last much longer, second, if it runs good, and is in good shape then most of the bigger jobs are allready done for you, so no worries there, you'll have to do the suspension bushings most likely, and that should be about it. Third, older is usually better, just a general rule of thumb

[@pascutia]

Yup, 100%. Sounds backwards but with German cars that’s what seems to be the case. People that keep these cars for a longer time period tend to know how to maintain them, so this is a good strategy to use.

[@jjaa9735]

The moast beatiful car on this planet!

[@westwillinglywastedentity7363]

How is that beautiful? If i go out i probably see a better looking car every 30 seconds.

[@ameralkhateeb5038]

@Javier Gonzalez he means toyotas haha

[@gregoryjr9370]

Yass 🖤💦

[@Maximus20778]

@@westwillinglywastedentity7363 his opinion stupid

[@mathiasjayson676]

I know im asking the wrong place but does any of you know of a tool to log back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid forgot the account password. I would appreciate any tricks you can give me.

[@stwinkkzz40]

If I didn't miss it, you forgot to mention the bolts to the oilpumps which is a "common" thing. first thing I did with both mine was to pull down the tray, and locktite the bolts that hold the oilpump. Another thing is a rusted gastank, its soooo common for these tanks to leak in the pressed joint thanks to rust. Otherwise, great video! :)

[@yezr3965]

thank you for taking the time to make this video. you are appreciated

[@Tracertme]

Very good video with sound advise..... well done.

[@nofixedaddressbyknowhope260]

What a beautiful specimen! In jealous!

[@IHATEYANKS41]

The ignition switches are a common failure, it stops the horn working, air bag light to come on, and steering wheels controls also to cease

[@carlosmakgato8404]

Super informative. Thank you!

[@salwaheibisalwaheibi8555]

2021 such a beautifull car

[@natalian35]

Chrome Line Package looks very stylish, like it.

[@018139548]

Nice video man 👍👌

[@PRNTestDrive]

Can't beat a sexy black E38! Yours looks like it's been very well loved, enjoy it!

[@WestVanGarage]

Thanks, and totally agree - black E38's are just timeless! Also can't wait to see your E38 featured again on PRN!

[@PRNTestDrive]

I’m hoping 2020 is the year for mine 😁

[@keltechindustries20901]

Great video. I just purchased a 2001 e38. And you explained a lot of details. Now if you can make a video about how to install a aftermarket radio that would be great too lol.

[@trustyoungpierre9959]

How is it? I’m looking to get one as well.

[@keltechindustries20901]

@@trustyoungpierre9959 still the best car I have ever owned

[@Coldwallbar]

@@keltechindustries20901 how many miles?

[@keltechindustries20901]

@@Coldwallbar 245,505 miles right now

[@adrian506]

@@keltechindustries20901 now 2 years later, do you still recommend people to buy it and does it cost alot to own in your opinion?

[@anthonyk]

the early 740i came with the m60 that had a sprocket instead of a long U shape guide

[@sp0ng3m0nk3y]

Do you have any opinion about the 725tds or the 730d version? I am looking into buying one of them (or maybe the 728i) but i have no information about these cars

[@deniskazali9816]

I think it is better idea to buy 20yo petrol car than 20yo diesel car. The 740d might be more reliable than the 740i but when that diesel breaks it will be very expensive. For example the turbos and you have 2 on the 740d when they break it will coas a lot. For the fuel economy I still prefer petrol engine, because you can add LPG as a second fuel system and 18L per 100km on LPG is cheaper than 10L per 100km on diesel, at least here in Europe, also LPG is much cleaner than diesel especially 20yo diesel. And finally about the m62b44 (the engine in the 740i) besides the timing chain guides and the valve cover gaskets I think it is pretty reliable engine. I'm thinking of buying a 740i/735i (depends on which one is in better cindition) so I'm reading around forums about the engine and still I haven't read a single bad review about it.

[@andrebouley7794]

My 740il's center console doesn't work, the main screen works but the buttons like AC, CD player and heated seat controls don't light up and just don't work in general.

[@smokescreenFromThe6ix]

Great video man!! Would you consider this a daily driver?

[@WestVanGarage]

Yes definitely!

[@Gpadellaro]

i loved my e38!!

[@elpretochines]

I will buy e38 January 2022; can’t wait, 1998 730i

[@paulwooller4524]

Are you using the correct anti freeze in your cooling system. I’m sure it should be the blue not the green.🇬🇧

[@joecatetal3889]

mine won't start starters just spins but it will not fire 230,xxxplus

[@Elite.customs_479]

Wish I researched more about the car before I bought it, just replaced my timing chain guides and other components at 260k, gonna do the vanos rebuild soon too but I’m not wanting to rip it apart for the ticking noise just yet

[@bjaydubya]

Did you replace the guides yourself or at a mechanic? I'm looking at one tomorrow with 128K and I'm wondering how much I should anticipate spending as it's probably just getting into the range of needing to be done.

[@Elite.customs_479]

@@bjaydubya I did mine myself, plan on buying the largest breaker bar possible and either making a metal plate to hold the damper hub or buying another $80 tool. i drilled holes in a 1/4 inch steel plate. you'll need a timing kit, I decided on the expensive one because I read too much about timing failure with the cheap kits. that can cost u anywhere from 150-280 I bought $737 in guides and other parts. if you want it's 120 for the Vanos seals but you run the risk of breaking the actual vanos. you may or may not need new tensioners that run like 80 each and there are 3. be sure to clean your oil pump if the guides are gone. try your best not to break the upper oil pan seal at the bottom of the lower timing chain cover. oh yeah and after you time it and remove the blocks bank 1-4 cams will rotate. this is normal. you'll also need new oil and filters. try your best not to break anything because it could cost you a lot. i broke the smog hose. it crumbled. bout $80. overall id say you'll be in around a thousand +/- around $100 to do it yourself. but it can be done and if you're capable go ahead and tear into it. you'll get frustrated many times but its possible lol.

[@jacobhaussmann90]

What about the 3.0 v8 I think their the same but I don't know bmws

[@pawed.6227]

Amazing video. I live in Poland and I have recently purchased 2001 740iL from Texas with 85k mileage. I see the paint on the engine (the grey one) of your e38 is in a pretty good condition. Tell me - have you repainted it? Mine is in worse condition (but still pretty decent) and I am wondering if it might be a sign of cheated mileage or just typical wear of the paint.

[@WestVanGarage]

No, its original paint. I wouldn't worry, its just typical wear.

[@gariksani4585]

@@WestVanGarage Dude, did you change the trunk lid? There with the button of self-closing should be. In the last years of release

[@madmax3397]

very imformational

[@szponiasty]

I have an 728i with M50 intake. It produces around 240 HP so it's enough. Powered by natural gas. This engine is flawless and indestructible :) Simple intake swap for not restricted gives it around 50 HP more :) I also have E34 525i 24V, few hundreds kg lighter than E38. And it's a speed daemon :)

[@gariksani4585]

2.8 is m 52 and not m50. I have e38 m52 1998

[@RonyIsaPony]

@@gariksani4585 He said he swapped an M50 INTAKE MANIFOLD onto his M52. It's a common mod people do as the M52 intake manifold is more restrictive than the M50 intake manifold.

[@tiann899]

Thank you yes. The coolant system is very much cheap plastic. At 128,000 miles. I looked at my coolant reservoir and it is plastic soup.

[@luisaprocopio572]

I prefer front chrome

[@hashim_iraq]

I own a V-12. I wish if there was a V-6 engines in E38's in US market. Thanks for the video.

[@khajiit8221]

I live in the UK and they sold some E38 BMW's here as a 728i inline 6 cylinder. It's still got enough power and you can have leather and most if not all options available on the V8 and V12's. They are great cars whatever combination you choose :)

[@Krezo200]

Hashim AL-Rawi inline 6, not v6

[@jonathanpardoe8722]

After many years with a series 2 and 3 Jaguar xj6 I went to BMW . Had two of them both 7 series e38's Impeccable main dealer histroy one owner cars . first one died at 150k miles with monitor failing and electronic gremlins to costly to fix ...even BMW said they could not rectify . 2nd BMW lasted 175k miles and boy was that some trouble ! every suspension knock , catastrophic waterpump failure , and one dark night as I parked the car in a back street loaded with my valuable guitars and amp, I went off for an hour and the car unlocked itself and wound all windows down all by itself . Then another occasion travelling down the motorway in the rain and all the windows wound sown again with no prompting . and would not go back up again . Then the silent clock started speaking in German and would not shut up ! The monitor failed and lost all use of car functions . I scrapped the thing and wisely went back to Jaguar . I got a v12 series 3 from Japan low mileage and that was two years ago with no more nasty problems . Thanks BMW , you wont be seeing me again .

[@peternewman3487]

Wait until the rubbish plastic heater matrix pipes which come through the firewall disintegrate leaving you with a massive bill.

[@TrevorPhillipsEnterprise]

Hey man I just bought a 2001 and it ran perfect until I got home , it started overheating and leaking coolant , a pretty decent amount , the head looks good so I think it’s a hose , should I just replace all my radiator hoses etc ?

[@gabequezada2066]

Very same happened to me actually. Only enjoyed mines for about 2 months before if went downhill... Radiator is the first thing you will want to replace and its hoses... The VANOS will then go and you will have to address that.. both my read windows went out so I had to get the regulators.. Most of these things are found online cheap and I have seen some websites that sell parts for the E38 that are better than OEM that you may want to check out since they are made of better material other than cheap plastic...

[@musicllife]

Certain years of the e38 740 il are Pre vanos

[@ducatipaso1386]

Forgot: Struts Air compressor Throttle body AC compressor Heater valve Alternator PS pump All wire harness under hood

[@rustamsarymsakov6760]

Hey man ! Why you didn't tell about 735 version.It's also v8 ,I had such Bmw.What I can say in your video most of all while buying this car you should also check electronic systems.I had many problems with lock.It locked itself time to time and was not acting on key.To change fan motor ,you should open dashboard and its very expensive.Most operations with repairings are expensive.I also had once problem and thats why I sell it ,the exhaust gases came into interior ,while windows were opened,we couldnt fix it .Its all was reason of difficult exhaust system.When the windows were closed no smell was felt.Have a good luck with a great car and waiting for new video again.

[@RivieraByBuick]

steptronic is not a later option. it was available since very beginning. also 728 and 740d are not much more reliable than m62. The most reliable is m57 730d.

[@thestampcollectors2842]

I just bought a 01 740i and it it was sounding great but has this small shaking bubbling sound

[@ronaldgunthrop7449]

when you rev it high rpms ?

[@josephe4667]

That’s a misfire

[@MkII-cw3rw]

You willing to sell?

[@alexanderbahena6752]

What year would be the nicest looking ?

[@jasonn4597]

I think 2001

[@Fiatagri60170]

In my opinion, your best choice of reliability and fuel economy would be a 725tds. But I don't know if it was sold is US market. Anyway great videos :)

[@gariksani4585]

730d better

[@Frang14998]

Excuse me but 730d i the most fuel efficient e38. I don't know where you got the info that the 740 is.

[@WestVanGarage]

I never said its the most fuel efficient. I said @3:41 that it offers the best combination of power, reliability, and fuel economy.

[@Frang14998]

@@WestVanGarage alright, sorry i misunderstood your sentence then now i feel dumb :D anyways i still really appreciate your video, amazing job.

[@WestVanGarage]

@@Frang14998 thank you for the kind words, and please don't feel dumb. I need to work on articulating my thoughts better :)

[@pleasure.93]

i'll buy my first car of my life and i need BMW 740iL 2001, is it worth to deal with? Pls give me some opinions

[@WestVanGarage]

This is definitely a car that should be owned by someone that's aware of what can go wrong. These cars have their problems but there is plenty of insight online that can give you a good idea of what to fix and how to do it. If you really love the E38, and can find one that's well sorted and received regular maintenance, then I'd say its worth it.

[@pleasure.93]

Thanks a lot man, and yea i do know "cars" got its own problems, especially an old secondhand cars :) but i just wanna make myself sure from other people 's opinion who is owner that E38 like you ,, and now i got it that i'm gonna buy 740iL (2001) soon, cheers

[@therealistk3857]

pleasure. I currently have an 01 M Sport. They’re so worth it. Mine has 179,000 Miles and it’s still running strong. I’d say if you want a borderline classic car with a timeless body design, go for it! As long as you know and have the tools to fix it when things wear out.

[@StivensGameZone]

@@WestVanGarage that was i thinking too..maybe they have problems..but most of them with help from internet,a bit of time..and love..can be fixed alone at home..still this is my dream car...and thinking between e38 or audi a8 d2..tips?

[@WestVanGarage]

@@StivensGameZone I dont know much about the Audi A8 so I can't really say which one is better, but it I do see more E38's on the road than D2's (here in Canada, at least), and I think there's more knowledge about the E38's on the internet than there is for the D2.

[@mrdauntl3ss]

fun fact almost all cars that use a timing chain guides use plastic ones and they all fail. its why the nissan vq is junk

[@RAREANGEL]

Who has owned one of these cars and had infrequent maintenance

[@VictorLaVance]

Make friends with a mechanic. You'll need it

[@AltDelete_52]

aka the mafia car

[@Astro-by6ft]

shhhhh

[@darelledorsey901]

Fr a car with a turbo when trying to buy possibly your first e38 not a good idea not your talking about turbo problems

[@amaruthagod9752]

The biggest problem is trying to not pick up bitches with this thing

[@GalvanizedGreatness]

I buy cars and then look for info cause I’m me

[@keltecdan]

In other words but a Lexus

[@mega8619]

You will find no comfort in any BMW forums.

[@robintel7069]

Sounds you got not much idea about e38...((( why would you make this video???

[@WestVanGarage]

LOL thanks for watching. Feel free to make your own video to enlighten us all about your infinite E38 wisdom.

[@masonkelly6694]

Who the fuck disliked this video

[@alexdog04]

Why do you keep using kilometers as your unit of measurement? Most Americans don’t know how far a kilometer is.

[@WestVanGarage]

I live in Canada. Most Americans I've met seem to know metric.

[@alexdog04]

@@WestVanGarage Well yes, we’re taught metric in science classes here in the United States so we know metric in terms of volume (liters, milliliters) and in terms of short distances (cm, mm, meters) but when you get up to long distances I’ve found that most people here are clueless about how far a kilometer is and how fast a kilometer per hour is (myself included). We use miles per hour, miles per gallon, and miles here in the United States. So please, in your future videos could you use imperial units of measurement along with metric? Do it for all of the Americans who watch your channel. I’m really not asking much. Thank you.

[@WestVanGarage]

No worries, I'll try to use mpg and mph in the videos more often.

[@alexdog04]

@@WestVanGarage Thank you.

[@simpleman8883]

@@alexdog04 America

[@user-ds1sm8uj9e]

What a load of nonsense..! The e38 is just like a good woman, the more money you spend on them the better they perform..😂❤