Fixing a high mile German car?! Is this '04 BMW 760LI with a V12 worth it? CAR WIZARD breaks it down
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- Опубликовано: 15 мар 2023
- German cars get very finicky after 100K miles. Is this 2004 BMW 760LI a good candidate for major repairs? The CAR WIZARD 🧙♂️ explains why some repairs are wise and others are not.
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New update. This 760 was also just confirmed to have the coolant pipe in the Vee of the engine leaking out of the weep holes.
So alternator bracket, coolant pipe, brakes, no ac, many other issues = $$$$ thousands in repairs. Customer declined any and all repairs. Said “Park it out front, count me out bro”
My father had one of these CPO circa 2007, worst car he ever owned, and he bought a Vega new.
No way! This got bad real quick. Donate to charity or sell to junk yard. That's all it's worth. Or maybe just fix the battery and get a few more months of use
Oh geez!
Suprised they didn't junk it
Here’s a tip for the customer if he wants to save thousands on that valley pan coolant tube. AGA makes a collapsible coolant pipe that you can put on without taking off the front timing case cover. The part may be almost $900 but it saves so much money in labor it’s completely worth it. If the customer wants to get it fixed I’d definitely tell em to look into that fix
"People at a certain income level shouldn't be messing with BMWs" fantastic, accurate quote!
They're a waste of money regardless of your tax bracket.
@@1995RangeRover Not if you have money.
@@1995RangeRover CERTAIN models not all🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
That’s 🧢
people even with money would just buy a brand new BMW, thus why you see these vehicles being scaped for parts
The Ultimate Leasing Machine
I was at a Mercedes dealer in line to pay a bill when a woman in front of me was screaming about her $6000 bill for the used car she had just bought and brought in for service. The clerk called the manager who calmly listened to the rant all over again. There was a pause... And he said "Ma'am, perhaps a Mercedes is not for you"
Avoid the stealership or you will go bankrupt with any Mercedes. I only use the stealership for parts
@@jalopy2472 What does a stripper a Mercedes and a BMW have in common? They all stop working when you stop throwing money at them.
I thought they had to get your consent before proceeding with high cost repairs so as to avoid situations as you described.
@@jalopy2472
questionable engineering? more like questionable service intervalls. The lexus ls is no better than an s class (7 series is just not a bmw a person should buy). The air suspension fails as well and it is even more expensive to fix. There is a reason why a lot of mercedes diesels are used a taxis. They just work ...
@@amduser86 this
One of the OG money pits , gotta be top 10 of all time 7/8 series
Anyone that owned an E65 BMW is now a Japanese car enthusiast 😂 ask me how I know
Nah. The best of the 7 series is the e38, hands down.
It really isnt moneypit maybe for you americans yes but most EU countries have workshops that fix those well and most of the problems are solved permamently, I have 730d with 500k kms and its dead reliable, doesnt leak or anything, not expensive to maintain compared to newer cars, tons of diy options, E65 isnt bad at all It actually made me like 7 series as its my first one, maintenance is the key for a nice ride! No japanese car comes even close.
@@KhronozChannel M57 diesel is the reason your car didn't break yet, the V12 is a lot worse
@@mihneacireasa4613 V12 is reliable ive seen many high mileage ones, yes you have to adress fuel system and coolant leaks at some point which isnt really cheap but its a frickin V12 high end luxury car, rolls royce engine, its to be expected. that doesnt make car bad its just basic maitenance and M57 E65 also needs bigger jobs done sometimes but Its to be expected that you have bigger bills than Honda civic, this car is solid, quiet, comfy, SAFE, luxurious, good sound system, etc, F01 is waaaaay worse than E65 so I wouldnt complain.
My grandfather bought one brand new.
He still owns it and it has 205K miles and run and drives perfectly.
It has been maintained meticulously first by the dealer while under warranty and later by a independent garbage specializing in BMW and Mercedes Benz.
It has been pretty reliable with the most extensive repair being the valve stems at 177k .
Never failed to start or left anyone stranded.
and there's the reason it's still perfect. It was owned and maintained by someone who bought a $100,000+ car, not some tax time baller wandering onto a Buy Here Pay Here lot trying to look rich on a shoe string budget. So he actually spent the money that was required to keep it nice whereas that is likely not true for $4000 Facebook Marketplace BMWs on their 8th owner. I just dropped $3k on my M240, nothing even wrong with it. Just preventative maintenance on a level that most people don't do.
It’s in great condition because it had the money spent on it. Most people now buy these things for the kudos and to show off and don’t maintain and then ditch them.
Bet those valve stems cost more to fix than it’s worth.
@@jerehada bmw owners don't believe in "mechanically totaled"
@@jerehada My grandfather is ninety three years old and doesn't want to buy a new car at his age even though he can easily afford one.
He enjoys driving his present vehicle and considered the cost of the valve stem replacement acceptable and it didn't cost anywhere near the value of the vehicle.
Even if it did it is his car and his money and he can spend it anyway he wants to.
As a hobby BMW’s are really rewarding to own. These days I do about 50% of the maintenance on my ‘04 330ci, like water pump / thermostat, fuel pump, etc. Then I send it to a trusted independent BMW shop to do the stuff that I don’t have the tools or time/skills to do.
It’s a bit expensive over time, but the satisfaction I get from seeing the car become new again and drive amazing is totally worth it. Not to mention it’s of the the prettiest BMW’s ever made.
sounds like a nightmare. I would just get a 3rd gen lexus gs350 rwd. same feeling plus great reliability.
@@german80Lexus falls short on driving dynamics though. The 350 feels kinda dull under light throttle, even in Sport mode. You really have to dig your foot into the throttle to get any meaningful acceleration out of it. Feels kinda gross.
Reliability is definitely a hit on BMW but ever since the B58 and even the N20/B48 they’ve ranked third in reliability behind Honda and Toyota. Their new engines are really solid. I mean, they passed Toyotas torture testing to be used in the Supra so that says something.
Yes those older/not as complex ones are that way to DIY. Extremely rewarding to drive, look at, and even work on (for the most part).
Just got out of an e86 (wish I hadn't), but handed most of the common issues myself.
This 760, is not that way. Overly tight/complex and 10 times the failure points.
Seeing how densely packed everything is on this 760 made me sweat a little
I was surprised when you mentioned that not even Ninja would touch it. That's how you know it's FUBAR.
But aren't BMWs a quality, well-engineered car which are built to last? The M539 Restorations channel shows how when repaired with factory or OEM supplier parts without regard to cost as the engineers originally intended, these 7 Series (in his case an Alpina) and even older BMWs can be repaired to near new condition.
@@TassieLorenzo Engineering doesn't matter outside of performance. The parts are switched from metal to plastic with a specific time-to-live. Once the heat/cool cycles destroy the plastic you are in for a lot or repairs. One thing is the coolant crack pipe which is often made of PVC but once broken is replaced with an aluminum version. Best fix ever as long as you didn't overheat your engine.
@@TassieLorenzono, highend beemers are over complicated maintenance nightmares, and low end ones are cheaply engineered crap.
@@TassieLorenzo Ok, but how much time, effort, and money did they spend to do that? Certainly more than a great Camry would cost, and maybe more than you or I make in a year. And how long will (did?) it stay that way?
I live in an alternate universe where I own a 2005 330xi with 182,000 miles and is still cooking along with minimal issues. And I own a 2017 X3 that has been flawless. These cars are an absolute blast to drive. They are much more fun than my previous Rav 4 and Tacoma. I recently bought a used Lexus IS 250 and have already had $1800 worth of repairs. I’m living a very strange auto life…
I love the E46, i had a 2004 320ci M sport coupe, black with black leather, 2.2 straight six engine, it was 4 years old , 80,000 miles I gave £6000 for it the first owner paid £28000. Lovely cruiser, I once drove it from north London to Disneyland Paris in 5 hours, it even had a switch under the bonnet to adjust the headlights to dip to the right so you don’t blind oncoming traffic in country’s that drive on the other side of the road, drank oil though.
Yeah weirdly I have had more problems with my Hondas and Toyotas than any of my Mercedes. I have never had a blown trans or engine on any of my euro cars but I did have a transmission go out on my Acura….
haha I'm right there with you... had a Lexus IS350 convertible. All struts failed, amp failed (due to poor design that lets it get soaked with water), and for 6 months it was plagued by an electrical issue that would cause the brake light switch fuse to blow. As a result the car would often not start and often would randomly lose ABS and brake lights. When it ran, it ran great and I loved the car. It got totaled and now I have a 17 M240i. Did a water pump and a coolant tank cap when I got the car and that's it. Got it at 60k and she's still running strong with a Dinan tune at 76k. Quite the upgrade from the IS in just about every possible way :)
no.. the saying is "if you cant afford a new BMW, You definitely can't afford a used BMW"
No car gets a discount for parts or labor based on a car's depreciation.
That’s accurate !
That goes for any German car
Complete bs, my 2008 328i was at an affordable price and has been affordable to own.
@@spicysnowman8886 well that's one exception, id say that's one of the most reliable modern BMWs
I remember back in 2016 I replaced so much in my BMW 320d that it felt like a brand new car even though it was close to 200k.
Feeling good that the car was in great shape I got spun round by a truck on a roundabout and the insurance settlement didn’t even cover the cost of the parts that I had put on it that year. Gutted!
Had two E90s both totaled parked at my house. Insurance covered the cost of what I owed on both cars…got me out of the contracts, but didn’t cover anything toward a new car. I know your pain
What year? My 06 320D literally had nothing but the turbo fail and radio dimmed which i replaced with a pop out pioneer, new focal door speakers, few amps and different underseat subs and a boot sub (was fun to do actually). Scrapped in 2020 due to 150k failed clutch and flywheel plus impending ULEZ restrictions made it uneconomical to run.
@@justinrohomon979 It was a 2006, so 10 years old at the time. Put Bilstein yellow shocks, new springs, all new suspension arms, new clutch and flywheel, steering rack. It felt brand new to drive!
Still driving the E61 525d we replaced it with but like you can't drivr it in central Bristol now.
@@TheCounty90 ah yes 20mph plague, ulez too?. by 2020 and its impending doom for emissions i just decided to dump it, was a great car to drive and my wifes 2015 countryman sd cooper dosen't come near the driving experience.
Insurance is worthless
The issue with the 7 Series in particular is being a flagship. That means they put their latest, experimental, tech in these cars. So they're more likely to break after warranty. This, being the top trim model, will have parts that are rare unlike the lower trims. That means big $ when sourcing parts. Also, I notice these cars are often neglected. People like these 7 Series models because of status and forgo necessary maintenance.
The Mercedes S600 is the equivalent, and you can find a lot of older ones on the cheap.
@@adotintheshark4848 And not only that, they are literally bulletproof when compared to this pile of poop.
True, but maybe a similar era Acura or Lexus flagship would be the most reliable at this point? Of course maintenace is important but still.
@@100xasd Nobody can touch Lexus. And the XF40 LS is way better built than the W221 and especially the E65. It's that people don't know this at all. But then again, the LS fetches a good 20-30% premium on the 2nd hand market compared to the German rivals.
That was not the way in pre 90s 7 series. They're not the technological showcase. They were build with the most reliable, proven technology that bmw had. Only after 2000 with the e65 series bmw starts following mercedes lead by putting experimental tech in the 7 series.
Never mate hoses to plastic posts with worm clamps. Plastic will deform significantly as heat rises and if your worm clamp is as tight as it can be at room temp, then when the heat climbs, your plastic posts may fault under the pressure and even fragment - turning a simple hose repair into a major part replacement.
This. Constant tension clamps are much, much better.
Shop I work at has never had a problem, unless its BMW plastic specific. The OE type spring clamps are just as bad, as they lose tension over time, and will also expand when heated, causing leaks. Worm clamps will also expand, but at least their tension is adjustable.
they make high temp plastic pieces, GM uses them all the time
Never had a problem with the plastic radiator fittings in my Lexus.
@@jamesb8305 You using worm clamps on those plastic posts?
For some reason, a certain kind of person seems to think the problem is with the plastic - when I made it perfectly clear that it's the worm clamp - that does not expand with the plastic as heating occurs that's the problem.
There's a reason why your Lexus, when it came of the lot, had spring clamps around the hose fittings and NOT worm clamps.
I bought my bmw not for the status but for the driving dynamics. I make no where near what the original owner probably made. The big thing with them is you need to be skilled enough to fix them yourself or be willing to learn how. Otherwise you're just getting on board the pain train.
the pain train is still real even if you do know how to fix em... especially when its the last part going back on and *SNAP* *tools go flying*
BMW. Status symbol of stupidity.
As a mechanic that works at a shop that specializes in BMW, Audi, VW, Volvo, Mercedes.. I can tell you even knowing how to work on them, BMW's are nothing but headaches.
@@ItsCleto I definitely know how to work on my car. I just have a fundamental understanding that an N54 will be much more complex than a K24 so I plan accordingly. It's all about perspective my man.
@@ItsCleto BMW motorcycles are great! So sad what has happened to their cars.
It's truly sad when this BMW actually looks tame and classy compared to the horrendous new models, especially the 7 series.
These 7 series had a lot of tech potential like active cruise control and even night vision, that would be really fun to retrofit onto the car in my opinion
This was also the first BMW with the IDrive system if memory serves me right. Only area of concern would be the electrical problems these tend to have.
My 5 series has the same options I can retrofit. It’s kinda fun retrofitting options lol. I retrofitted brown interior with rear folding seats so far
I have a 230k mile '03 760IL and it's been weirdly reliable in the 5 years I've had it. It almost feels wrong, because it should be having a lot more problems than it does.
The IL has oddly always been more reliable than the LI
Drive it until the first problem and then sell it or scrap it.
it is reliable because it has been maintained properly in the vehicles life. it only has problems because people dont change oil, and dont make coolant changes in times. people also make a mess inside their cars wich creates a lot of dust wich the electronic components doesnt like. I have a E60 M5 with 260k KM on it. totally reliable.
230k miles? That's impressive for a BMW model that's widely considered to be an absolute "lemon" by the community.
If it’s regularly driven every week, all deals are lubed by engine oil, low chances will it have issues.
Used to have a 2008 E66 750Li. Had it for 2.5 years, put 25k miles on it and only spent $1,500 for maintenance. My first car was a 1994 740iL. Now I'm in a 2013 F02 740Li and thinking of getting a 2020. Why couldn't my first car be something else. I swear it sparked something in me.
As we say in the UK "Champagne car for lemonade money." Sadly repairs are still Champagne money twenty years on.
I have owned 7 or 8 Bmw's over my life. They are great cars that drive and handle amazing. I was smart (or dumb enough) to lease most of those so I could dump it before it falls apart. I swear that BMW has some kind of timer that once your warranty ends... It sends a signal to break things! Now that I am in my 40's I have smartened up and own a newer Lexus ES350... It doesn't handle like a BMW, but it also doesn't BREAK like a BMW!
VERY smart. Guys who owned the same cars you leased probably got into a world of pain.
@@jacquesc3166 all you German car haters act like your life will be ruined if you own a bmw or audi.
@@spicysnowman8886 Is this car not case in point? The more parts that are on a car= more stuff that will break
@@evolvation587 they may not be as reliable as toyotas but all yall make it sound like bmws killed your children and slept with your wives.
I was once told by a European specialist mechanic in Saskatoon that all BMWs should be crushed when they come off warranty.
I had a 2006 760LI. It was a great car. And the engine was not an issue. The main reason people give up one these is all the electrical gremlins. And every generation have something that is a ticking timebomb. On my E38 735I the whole coolant system blew up...
The same advice "If you can't afford a new one, you can't afford a used one" goes for most high end luxury and sports cars. I've had numerous examples where, if not for my own willingness to jump into a significant project (and have another car to drive in the interim), the car might have been "Park it out back, the car donation people are on their way."
I own an E65 7 series and while it does have present some issues, it is a lovely car to drive (when there are no significant problems). I never expected the wizard to make a video on this car of all BMWs.
Just dumped my 08 750Li this morning to the auction house. The body and interior of the car were very clean but needed a PS rack for $4600. Plus other items. Truly a money pit. But sooo much fun to drive.
Where I live, a lot of these with various diesel and gasoline engines have 250-300k miles. So technically you can absolutely keep them running for a long time but you need to have deep pockets.
Lovely cars, good value for money too. I had a 2004 e46 320ci m sport coupe, 80k miles black with black leather paid £6000, was 4 years old cost £28000 new, 2.2 straight six such a good cruiser. When I was 19 my best friend got an e30 m3 for £5000, that was 20 years ago but no other brand gives you so much for the money.
That's basically what it comes down to - regular maintenance. 👌
I am going 211,000mi on my 2007 Mercedes E200 T wagon with a manual transmission. Worst so far has been a flakey solenoid on one of the rear air springs. Replaced and it’s been perfect.
This generation is my favorite. The styling on the 7 flagship is actually different than the 3 and 5 series. Unlike today, where the MB C class looks just like the S, only smaller. These BMWs were exclusive, and they looked and drove the part.
Also, Mrs Wizard, you totally missed the opportunity to show the slide out phone keypad to the left of the CD player. Such a cool feature, even today feels futuristic!
Thank you Wizard and Mrs. I worked at a dealership when we'd get BMW 7-series for repair, I always considered it the experimental model
I leased my past two BMW's. They were great in that regard as I enjoyed the car but never worried about maintenance costs. Just the lease payment, insurance, gas and the weekly wash. It was a bucket list item of mine to drive a BMW. Bad financial idea to own/lease them. Now I am happy with my Camry. I do miss the handling and overall ride of my 340i.
Yeah, a lease makes sense, if you can afford a new car every three years. Of course, poor reliability does not just affect a car when it is old.
@@Geotpf
Depends on how the leasing contract is set-up. Where I live you might not even get that option on high-end models, but if you can it will cost around $2000/month for sure.
You are exactly right, people buying these cars with no regard to extreme costs are fooling themselves.
I always liked the Chris Bangle 7 and even drove one for a while … especially the 745i sport-trim in the pewter color with the cream interior, but always believed it was a lease-worthy vehicle; doesn’t seem like it’s been so long since their intro in ‘02 but ones in good shape always grab my attention this many years later.
This info is confirming my concerns w all my down beemers much thanks for all you guys and gals do
Among the 6 Vettes I've bought owned and sold I would get a yearning for a used 911 or BMW M series (manuals of course) and would shop in earnest. What a blast to drive! I would then go/sneak back to the service dept and ask for prices for regular maintenance (oil changes, gaskets, etc.) and repeatedly came to the same hot kiss at the end of a wet fist realization; I could easily afford to buy a late model used BUT I couldn't afford to own it......Ich bedauere, mein herr.......
We had a 2005 AWD Volvo XC90 with the Yamaha V8. About the same miles as that BMW. It was a beautiful SUV. An effortless, powerful and nearly silent 80mph highway cruiser. I loved it, but every time it was in the shop it was over a grand. I finally had to cut my losses and sell it. Learning experience.
Those engines are so unique. I don't think there is another transverse v8 ever made!
I was looking my butt off for an S80 V8. So rare. Now they've racked so many miles on them and old, no fun
thanks wizard for posting this, ive been waiting this for ages :')
Great show Professor WIZARD….agree maintaining a 12 cylinder BMW is more expensive..however it is a very satisfying auto for many..and the torque… well it’s nice. I’ve owned several 12 cylinder examples including a hi line E38 which has an all leather interior ..the finish detail is exceptional! .. My first 750 I purchased for 4500 had the notorious intake manifold gasket leaks which was the only cost that was exceptional about$ 1200 many years ago. Drove the car many years and it broke down on the NY Turnpike near a BMW dealership.
Went to dealership for diagnostic work and they started at 500$ . I said no thank you and gave the auto to a charity for a tax deduction…..
My current E38 I paid 9000 for a West coast car and have driven 15000miles..again like my earlier 750 it needed manifold gaskets about $ 1500. Other than that it has been smooth sailing until I experienced a plastic fan blade explosion under hard acceleration …that exploding fan destroyed the radiator, put a large hole in the steel hood took out all rubber hoses in the front and took out one air filter housing…cost of a new cooling system and hoses over 3000$ total…other than these two examples it’s been generally smooth sailing.
Would I purchase another 12 cyl.? Yes, These are great Road cars. The engine is near indestructible..the plastic parts and plastic fan blade not so much. I’m continuously told this model BMW is the most attractive….and receive many compliments… I have replaced a rear window regulator myself..these care are ridiculously over engineered!
Mr and Mrs. Wizard. Please more CITROEN videos….great channel
Brand new these were 115K
Which would be over $183,000 in 2023
Chris Bangle flame surfacing design language. You see a lot of Bangle's designs copied on contemporary cars.
The e63 is a timeless design
Great show as always
Wow, awesome video, awesome teamwork... love ya'll!
That is why you buy the 3 series and if they can do the work themselves - absolutely reliable and goes for forever - especially the E36/46. Lots of parts available for really decent prices and you can get the OEM parts from the same company without the BMW logo, far cheaper.
yep- just did injectors on my B58. Genuine BMW- $1800. OE Bosch (same exact part): $350.
@@sean2137 the OE Bosch specified for a Chrysler 3.6 vvt, were $12. You got hosed.
E46❤
@@Santor- $12 my ass
@@FELIPE8226M they cost a little more now. Amazon have a set of 6qty for $62.99 shipped, thats 10.49 each. A single one cost slightly more each, but it's FAR from the 3-400 mentioned. Either way, you got hosed.
Hello wizard! I would really appreciate if you make a video on shop safety since I will start my automotive career and I still a little skeptical about it. I’m pretty sure you’ll help many other young technicians this way! Thank you and be safe!
Another great walk around appreciate it😀
If anyone wants to know how much of a real pain to fixing these e65 7 series look up Sreten from the channel M539 restorations where he rebuilt the engine TWICE on his alpina b7.
@@09feb1992 yep, as it turns out these engines are designed to run really hot from the factory with 105c thermostat for emissions combined with way too thin engine oils from the factory and lo and behold scored cylinder bores.
Sreten has the patience and knowhow + passion to fix those turds. Makes great RUclips content!
Yup injectors need the correct pump pressure to operate correctly and that means a good power supply 😊
BMW = Bring My Wallet! Well done Wizards. I once considered buying a "bangle butt" because I figured it was cheaper on the used market because it was so unattractive. Then I did some research and saw how much of a money pit they are. I went for the Lexus instead. My 2002 GS 430 still running strong.
This why the older BMW's are better. I've managed to fix a heap of things when I first bought my e32 735il and for the last 10 years she's been good. I also removed all the plastic hoses and replaced them with standard hoses.
I owned a new 2004 6 series convertible. Chris Bangle designed the new 7,6,5 series early 2000’s. An unique rear deck lid. I had great luck with the 6 series. BMW’s driving courses in Spartanburg are well worth it, adult Disneyland.
The oil-leaks are part of the automatic rustproofing & dipstick-incentive systems!
Very true words.
I owned and maintained a EUR 5000 BMW 745 for a few years until I got tired of the high maintenance costs.
Still it was an amazing machine.
The company I used to work for leased 760’s for all the executives
Having owned an E38 (740i Sport), it took me approximately 15 years to finally appreciate how good and well thought out this design was. The predictable reliability still remains very very low. Is it worth it? For 98% of people… they should RUN. but for that remaining 2%… what a machine! Thanks for the video.
It’s not the engine that will eat you alive on the 760 it’s the suspension
BMWs are still the best cars I’ve owned. I had 3, one 328i and two 335i’s. Reliability is ok if well maintained. I made a switch to VW cars because I wanted something more fuel efficient and VW felt like a middle ground between owning a BMW and Toyota but I’m thinking of switching back to a BMW again
I can get 30 MPG avg from my M240i easily if I want to... but I never want to, and average about 23 :)
@@sean2137 The last one I owned was a 335i coupe with xDrive, it averages 24mpg on 20+ hour cross country trips and 12 mpg when i daily it in the winter at -4F/-20C. I was thinking on getting a 330i F30 but I’ll miss the 35mpg + regular gas my Golf uses.
Love your videos man
The wood was exclusive to 760, and while you could get a 745 with the extended leather, it’s rare to find that, so usually you’ll see that only in 760 in USA. I love these cars so much. I owned a 745i for many years. Excellent seats. Heated seats are incredible, cooled seats get truly cold, active seat (massage-ish) is ok. They are great highway cruisers.
I didn't know it had a 12 cylinder! I had a older gent smoke me in one of those in my old 2005 GTI. Like bad... Like I thought I blew my motor or something bad. LOL! That was great!
People buy one of these exotic cars, resell it broken at near junk prices and those people are out of the market and they are out of the market. If you know what you're doing, or want to learn and can do it yourself, then you get it for a personal project, knowing you will have to repair it and engine out work is not too much.
I noticed a pretty bad crack on the front driver side brake area. I dont know what the part is called but it attaches to the wheel on driver side. Thank you for another video it is always a treat.
The E65 7 series was one of those cars where you’d hear people buying them used, financing them, and then having major issues that were extremely expensive. Nowadays, I’d recommend to anyone to avoid buying any BMW with an N63 engine, especially the early ones (2009-2012) and even the later ones. Absolutely not worth the ridiculous issues that those cars are plagued with.
Edit: if you can find an E65 from a private owner that’s been regularly serviced and has had its major issues addressed, it might be worth the risk as they’re awesome to drive. Avoid the 02-04 models as those seem to have the most issues, along with the water cooled alternator ($1000 part). The later ones have a conventional alternator. Do not buy one from a dealership!! I still wouldn’t touch an N63 car with a 10 foot pole.
Surprised to see a beemer in the shop. You covered why very well.
Hoovies Charger has moved, we getting another video on it?
Excellent very well explained On my car BMW (750LI) 2004 N62 Engine It had Dyanamic stability problem plus Stater by bosh had gone it
Altinator oil cooled seal was gone. Cooling reservoir tank. was leaking. batterys are the very big issue they don,t hold charge. I purshased it
2800 $ sold it For 3500 $ without getting it fixed .
♥
Love the 7 series V8 Petrol
I used to have one of these with 65k on the clock, awesome car and repair bills weren't bad at all. It's really when a BMW gets neglected that it will start to cost a lot.
The "Bangle Butt" happened because Chris Bangle wanted to make a shooting brake styled body (Panamera-ish) but that got a lot of negative feedback right before the release and they had to come up with a regular sedan back basically at the last minute. Not a fan of his design overall but he is not to blame in this case.
I didn't know this.👌
I think the E65 styling gets knocked a lot too because the predecessor (E38) looked so good and enthusiasts has high expectations for this one.
@@2bunphettered788 E38 is a masterpiece
Time to consult M539. Hello Sreten!
LOL true wizard cant handle the wrenching like streten
$10k for a 64k mile 2003 760Li in Florida. Beautiful car. The interiors on high-end BMWs really hold up nice; whereas, a base 3 series or 5 series just falls apart. THere are some easy fixes for the coolant pipe vee leak. I'd never touch another one of these cars.
I had an 2008 750i sport package that I had a love/hate relationship with. When everything was proper, there's nothing that holds a candle to it. When not... Oh my goodness, what a pain in the A. Had to disconnect the battery once every 2months to reset computers and modules. The most comfortable seats period. HK Surround sound.. oh my. Instant torque no matter how fast you were going!! Active suspension=negligible body roll, gorgeous interior. Covers crap load of Miles at ease. Monaco blue metallic with Carmel interior. I miss her... But then I don't. I'm now a very happy Toyota 4runnner owner.
Those cars have a lot of comfort but just seems like a lot of problems as well
No built correctly. Built for profit and not to a standard like yesteryear
They are pretty reliable, up until 5 years and 80k miles. That is in line with the most extended lease contract, so bmw is happy and the guy who bmw makes money on is happy to. Time to buy the new model or facelift.
@@rahimi4762 I enjoy the e39 I have one solid car and just taking care of it but really enjoying it
@@DavidVlogz E39 are sweet cars, those and e46 is BMW at their best
These cars are horrendous
Wizard, I had a coolant leak in my 750i, I pressure tested it, and it was fine, but kept leaking coolant at odd times. It was a small crack in the coolant reservoir, it would leak with changes in outdoor temperature. So take a good look at the reservoir, idid see a lit of white staining on it, which is coolant.
I love the old e21's, 2002's and classic bmw's. It's a shame they don't make em like they used to.
Even cars like Corollas are expensive to repair nowadays. $500 easy to fix or replace just one thing
Because to get to 5 dollar part you need 4 hrs labor.
Learn to do your own basic car repair. Why would you pay someone 90$ an hour to undo nuts and bolts, unless your time is worth more than that?
@@mikescherrer4923 What if you live in the rust belt? You recommend everyone gets impact tools, breaker bars etc.? Seized wheel bearings, seized calipers from road salt - you ok with that, driveway job for you? GTFO.
@@mikescherrer4923 ONLY $90 an hour?? Where do you live? I want my car fixed there!
Exactly. I’ve been saying this for awhile now. A brand new Corolla has just as much tech if not more than this 20 year old 7 series. New cars, no matter which one it is, not easy to fix by any means.
The Car Wizards has the coolest walk on RUclips. I'd love to see a continuous loop video of him just waddling around on his stubby little legs with Pantera's WALK as the background music!
Ban unstablebobgable
Lighting is everything. I seen That rear control arm and looked like it had a crack. …I’m guessing just a casting mark showing shadowing super cool car and thanks for the awesome video mr car wizard
im a detailer and i've worked on a 760li (last gen) with 300k km (190k miles) and it was perfect, very smooth
These are great cars to own under warranty. Out of warranty. It's a nightmare 😂😂 although I have one it's NOT a V12. I have the 750. It's been pretty good and I've actually used my warranty to replace all hoses before they give any problems. 😎
The warranty has paid for itself more than twice . The warranty company hates me 😇😇
Thing is, this design is so original and polarizing, eventually it will start to increase in price as there are fewer and fewer of them. This was true of my Z3 Coupe 3.0 (aka the clownshoe) which was laughed at and dismissed. I bought mine for $7k in pretty good condition years ago. It's now worth around $25k....
That's true of most cars polarizinf design or not. At a certain point they cease to be an old beater and become a classic.
That's because coupes are a niche market. They sold a lot more sedans.
@@MJ_868 Yeah, but not a lot of 760s. But that makes it an art piece, not an actual vehicle one drives.
Check to see if you have bad ground or other minor electrical leaks. It's very common on those and could be the cause for the battery drain.
These are good videos about the economics of fixer uppers. The cost benefit analysis of fixing an old one versus buying a new one OR even substituting for a more practical thing all together is very difficult. The statement that the repair cost is the same for an old car versus a new one is quite poignant indeed! Older cars, like these high cost BMW's, seem better for do-it-yourselfers or at least enthusiasts. But, like you said also, the new costs, including insurance and interest, are very high!
That's why most BMW's are leased. For about $5500 down payment and $500/month, you can have have one for a few years without repair worries. But you pay, pay, pay. Better to get a Honda or Toyota and bank the money you would have spent.
Yep, about 80% of the new ones leaving the dealer are leased as are most high end euro cars. More like 800 a month or more on some models. Just think when you see a new high end euro car on the road the person driving it may have zero in their bank account and are just barely making the lease payments.
Totally true...80-90% of BMW ,Audi and Mercedes are leased according to one of my friend who works at a BMW dealer. Not surprised...
@@mitchburk5112 Yes Sir !!! So true!!!!
The fact this car isn't reliable, doesn't mean it deserves so much hate! Still a very nice looking car
They are reliable if you do maintenance as specified through its life.
@@martinsvensson6884 Exactly! I discovered the previous owner had cheaped out on Eicher front discs and a Lion battery - don't go there!
We buy used BMW with 50 to 80k Miles and drive them for another 100K for a grate price and pay cash (90% depreciation). We stick primarily to 6 cylinder naturally aspirated as they are very reliable and easy to work on. If something does brake it's cheaper to fix than a car payment. I sold my son a 1996 328i with 200K miles for school and ran for another 100K with minimal upkeep, then junked it!
Great points Wizard. 👍
Hi Wizard, Yes, there is another car that is in the same spot. Its VW Phaeton. Its VW but its got V12 or W12 and its very luxury but its based on the Bentley chassis and with that 12 cylinder engine any repair is very expensive even that the cars are cheap. Thanks.
My local VW had a Phaeton traded in. So I took it for a spin. I asked price. My guy said they are sending it to the auction. They would not sell it to me. Then went over all the problems and what the repairs would run at their cost. So we took it out for another run and parked it out back.
Basically those are a bentley cgt/flying spur without the badge. Most trim parts are nla anyway in the usa
I wonder how much work a 20yr old V12 Toyota Crown needs? I assume it has aged better?
@@supertouring1 Id assume like an old ls400/celsior it probabably just needs suspension typical old car stuff and a timing belt if so equipped (1uz v8 had a timing belt)
@@CRAPO2011 DIdn't most VW Shops have to be certified to even work on those? I thought I remembered reading that someone and that not a lot of shops did because of the cost.
People in NC are LS swapping these. I don't think it's worth it to do that either especially with the suspension system.
Why? All the jazzy stuff on it either won't work right or will fail soon anyway, I love these things and have since they were new, but I'd never ever own one. These weren't ever meant to be owned by people, they were built and specced to be owned by corp's who tax deduct all the moolah they spend on cars etc, to a corporation these things are virtually free, the number on the bill doesn't matter. That's why they are like they are...
TBH I run my daily driver to about 200k miles, what goes on all different makes are altenators, steering racks, radiators, condensers, bushes, dampers, springs, bumpstops, top mounts, droplinks, controls arms, trackrods & ends, propshaft couplings, abs rings and sensors. Most important is quality servicing and let the engine rev a bit and run. I bought a BMW 120d for 25k new getting close to 200k will cost about £6k in maintenance with out servicing costs. Seems pretty good deal to me...
How right you are, moneypits, when you cry at the bills at least you can recline the seat electrically to avoid being seen!
Love the Weeeezard!!!! You guys have provided hours and hours of entertainment for myself and my friends. I follow your whole extended crew.
I was inspired and bored and was looking for a project to do while I wait for all this snow to melt. I decided to take it to the next level and make a silly RUclips channel to document the experience and all the other wacky vehicle/boat stuff I do. So long story short;
I spent the last two weeks buying as many small outboard motors off Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. My criteria was as follows;
-Not running, will not start, etc.
-60 miles from Boston was the search radius
-If the motor was under $100, I just bought it
-If the motor was over $100, I offered half and if anyone said yes I bought it.
I ended up with twelve random outboards and just posted my fourth video. I plan to go through each one, fix them up, maybe sell them and report everything on video. Once I am done with this outboard project, I just bought a 20’ $300 boat (cheapest “ran when parked” boat within 30 miles) and hauled it home. I don’t think I can post a link to my RUclips channel (yet) but if you go to RUclips and search for, “Parts Cannon Garage” that is my new channel name.
I have no idea what I am doing so I could use all the help I can get. If you are bored, check it out and if I am doing something stupid please let me know.
Thank you for all the work folks, incredible. I miss the yacht already. :(
@@offlineCarWizard0 lol who is “offlinecarwizard”? I hope it’s THE Wizard or THE Mrs. Wizard!!!
Was it maintained according to BMW recommended schedule since 2004?
Or was it run like a Camry?
Forget the recomended maintenance cycle. Do not trust "long life" oil intervals and do not skip the diffs (3 for xdrive!) and transmission.
@@FF-li6zj yeah, that's what I mean. Many of old BMWs in Europe (being services properly) with high mileage and still running well, and a lot of people complaining how bad they are in North America. When I ask "how was it serviced" - crickets.
There are some people out there that just really love their BMW's. My uncle has had his 2008 740li since new and he still drives it and he has repaired it multiple times and spent thousands of dollars maintaining it all these years. He refuses to upgrade for some reason i have no idea why! lol
Sunk costs.
He has sunk so much into the car re costs over the years that he just cannot bring himself to get rid of it.....
These cars drive great. The amount of money you have to spend to get a new equivalent is astronomical so few thousands for a repair bill is cheap. Average running cost is still way cheaper than financing a new car.
People often scold me for driving an older gas guzzling american V8 here in Europe without realizing that my monthly fuel, maintanance, insurance and repairs are still cheaper than finance and everything else they pay monthly for a mediocre car.
Back in 04 I was in love with these cars
Question for you Mr. Wizard; I have a 2011 BMW 550i xDrive. I brought it to a local mechanic for front axles (both outer CV joints were torn). They installed aftermarket (cheaper) axles. Got the car back and it immediately had problems. Brought it back and they said the cheap axles weren't going to work and I needed to get the OEM BMW axles. So they ordered those and when they went to remove the cheap ones they discovered they'd "worn and ruined" the wheel bearings so I need to replace those too. Does that seem plausible?
Never buy a used 7 series. Repairs are insane. Much better for a used 2/3/4 series, especially with the more reliable engines from the last 10 years. Still needs regular maintenance and care, but won't destroy the owner as much when little fixes are needed.
With E32 being the exception. They are reliable often even with neglect.
My cousin had Toyota yaris 2009 in Dubai. He completed 1 million Kms in 2020 with original Engine. Transmission gave up around 800000 km which he replaced it with used one from junkbyard
That car was nuts. Imagine 1 million KM in dubai heat and rust.
He sold it after 1.1 million km because he said the engine would lose power after AC turned ON
Which engine and transmission?
@@gergelyturcsanyi6743 1.3 engine. Transmission model I don't know
I guess you meant dust instead of rust.
@@spencertheboxpitintexas middle east is all salty and yes dusty too
Why? Perfect conditions. No salt in the winter and shorter heating up phase.
N52-powered BMWs are generally easy on maintenance, and easy to work on (besides doing the oil pan gasket) for most DIYers. Mine's been great, though previous owners maintained it well.
Oil leaks suck for sure. We have started using a UV dye to check for the source. It works awesome
145k miles? According to the Car Wizard, this Euro car has about 5k left in it, which sounds about right.
Where I live, good luck finding one with less than 150k miles. Pretty much all of them are 250-300k.
Sometimes you can get lucky and hit 200k miles in a 7 of this era. If you go to a junkyard though you’ll realize a lot of people are not lucky
exactly what I tell my friends. One of em wanted to buy a cheap 540. guy makes 15 an hour. told him flat out he can't afford the maintenance and repairs. I probably spend ~5 grand a year on maintenance and repairs for 2 mid-2010s bmws
A little of that engine oil uv dye and then look underneath with the uv glasses...easier than hosing the bottom off and trying to figure out where the leak(s) is (are) coming from