1994 BMW 7 Series Consumer Discussions

BMW 7-Series Maintenance and Repair

• my bmw 1994 740il

  Written by: bmwandme on Jun 25, 2010 9:09:05 PM

  slips into 3rd gear right after car starts moving and stay on 3rd gear all the time. gear letter display on dashboard disappears. dashboard gives message" transmission program"

High End Luxury Cars

• Re: Doc [tagman]

  Written by: brightness04 on Jan 24, 2007 5:55:34 PM

  Audi market share in HELC is not just small; it's next to non-existent. You can find the most recent monthly and annual sales number: http://www.aicautosite.com/editoria/asmr/svsedan.asp Lexus LS460/430 sold 3865 in December, 26k in 2005; MB S class 2987 in December, 16k in 2005, 31k in 2006; BMW 7 series over 2k in November, 18k in 2005; Audi A8? 323 in Dec, 557 in Nov, about 5k for both 05/06 Audi is ... Read More

• Re: The Pre-Production Question [lexusguy]

  Written by: merc1 on Dec 25, 2006 11:34:17 PM

  I don't really take issue with anything you're saying, but I just don't get this about C&D being so brilliant one minute and idiots the next, the conspiracy theories, and so on. Every single review that doesn't put the car in the best light possible is deemed to have been written by clueless editors, while a review by Cnet is taken to be gospel. Something is wrong if you have to ... Read More

BMW 7-Series Maintenance and Repair

• Re: 1994 BMW 740 IL - Hard starting...to...no start [740ilburg93]

  Written by: Mr_Shiftright on Mar 26, 2006 11:20:14 AM

  I think your model has a crankshaft sensor to activate the ignition doesn't it?

• Re: 1994 BMW 740 IL - Hard starting...to...no start [bosox406]

  Written by: 740ilburg93 on Mar 25, 2006 4:15:15 PM

  This is exactly what happened to my 1993 bmw 740il. Did you ever determine the answer. I haven't dug into it, but it sounds like the same issue. Started slowly taking longer to start, and then one day nothing at all. I too changed the spark plugs and noted that they were a bit wet with what apppeared to be oil, but had a gas smell to them. I was thinking ... Read More

• Re: Service Manual for 2000 740i Sport [forrestl]

  Written by: Mr_Shiftright on Jan 21, 2006 3:06:39 PM

  This may be a dealer only item and I'm not sure they even have a 7 series beyond 1994 (E32). It's not a car most people work on themselves, so probably not enough demand. Bentley Publishing does the best job for German cars but they only have BMW 3 and 5 series for year 2000 and up cars.

• 1994 BMW 740 IL - Hard starting...to...no start

  Written by: bosox406 on Jan 20, 2006 5:22:10 AM

  :( My 1994 BMW 740 IL (93-94, E32 model) won't start. This was slowly starting with the symptoms of taking longer and longer to crank over. I changed the spark plugs and even change all the ignition coils. It will crank, but not turn over. In the past, when it would eventually start it ran fine. It just started taking longer and longer to turn over until now where it will ... Read More

BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier

• Re: Cost estimate for a Level II Inspection? [quigs]

  Written by: 92735i on Dec 6, 2005 7:40:34 AM

  I own a 1992 735. I bought it in 1994 (Florida) for $29,500 with 30k miles on it. I now have 223,670 miles. I too have had to decide between repair or replace. At this point I can say that I'm glad I did all those repairs. And some were substantial like a/c, front end suspension, drive shaft, exhaust. I now have a basically refurbished BMW, always reliable, still performs, and ... Read More

BMW 7-Series Maintenance and Repair

• BMW longevity and reliability

  Written by: 92735i on Nov 4, 2005 12:19:42 PM

  I now have 220k miles on my 1992 735i. I paid $30k in 1994 off a lease, it had 30k miles. Repairs: Radiator and fan clutch @150k miles power steering hoses (both) twice in 11 years radio (replaced with another OEM) headliner @ 140k miles Drive shaft @ 220k miles Fuel pump @ 160k miles bulbs every now and then top-end freshen up @ 160k miles ($3000) Car runs perfect, no ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• Re: Have a look... [dewey]

  Written by: lexusguy on Oct 23, 2005 7:39:39 AM

  "I did not say BMWs are equivalent to the reliablity of a Lexus! I said BMW reliability is not as notorious as you are presenting it!" Yes, you did. Dewey: "my 2003 530SP has been as faultless as any Lexus could hope to be, not to mention more enjoyable to drive!" "Your doubts about CR data does not extend to Lexus models but only to BMW models! Interesting, dont you think??" ... Read More

• Re: Have a look... [lovemyclk]

  Written by: rl81 on Oct 21, 2005 9:47:16 PM

  When BMW started (in 1994) they used VDO, which is part of Siemens. By the way, they were the first ones in Europe.

Good, Bad or Ugly - Current and Future styling trends of BMW

• 2006 750i style

  Written by: mevande on Mar 30, 2005 10:29:07 PM

  I think BMW made the 7 series bearable again! It looks closer to the 1995-2001 series than the 2004-2005 "mutants". BMW got an earful from the automotive press, customers ect. I was at the dealer various times in the 2 years after the 745i intro, and they always had a huge demand for pre-owned 2001's for the styling on the newer 745i's was in total, not a favorite. I think the ... Read More

BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier

• Re: [Mr_Shiftright]

  Written by: michael14 on Mar 24, 2005 9:03:32 PM

  someone can Help me? my 1994 BMW 740il the problem is the transmission when I put it in Drive it not run, but when I turn the switch to Manual position its run, then I turn the switch to Auto position its run normally but when the car stop it'll not run again untill I turn the switch back to Manual position, this problem happen when cold condition someone here have ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• Re: [syswei]

  Written by: jovialanus on Feb 24, 2005 12:46:17 AM

  "What has MB done for the industry in the last 15 years?...Yes, MB has managed to do more here in 120 years than Lexus has in 15. " You must have been living under a rock for the last 15 years. Even if we disregard countless Mercedes innovations and only include those introduced since 1989 Mercedes STILL trumps Lexus by a wide margin. Virtually every safety feature in every Lexus car ... Read More

• Re: BMW fans [oac]

  Written by: kdshapiro on Dec 17, 2004 6:17:42 AM

  Only on Edmunds do we get squeaky clean examples of people having x year old cars with y miles and zero issues, not like that in real-life though.   Friends of the family has a 1994(maybe newer?) LS 400, well drives like a 10 year old car. Engine squeals/noise from the engine, rattles on the car etc. Other friend has a new LS430. Things are going awry that shouldn't go awry ... Read More

• michael_mattox

  Written by: merc1 on Aug 1, 2004 10:15:27 PM

  This is amazing. (Last Post) "In your previous post the chart showed 700+ units and you said that was US sales???? I accept 1700+ for the SL500....Allante sold 6700 in 93." No chart or link I ever posted said anything like that. Period. It said (they MBUSA.COM) said 1721 sales for 1993. End of story. You said 700 or 800 in your confused state. The link didn't change from one posting ... Read More

• michael_mattox

  Written by: merc1 on Jul 29, 2004 6:03:43 PM

  It is painfully obvious that you don't have a clue about the Mercedes SL. You seem to be the only one that is "confused" here. Everyone else has pretty much agreed that the SL was the superior car. The question is whether or not the Allante is so lame that its sole supporter is reduced to harping about trunk space over a decent top design, you know something that most people ... Read More

BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier

• Nikasil V8 Problems?

  Written by: whemme on Feb 2, 2004 6:04:21 PM

  I have a 1994 BMW 740iL that I have owned for 7 years with the original Nikasil V8 engine. It currently has 60,000 miles on it with no hint of idle problems associated with sulfur in the fuel damage to cylinders of this particular engine alloy. I have always used AMOCO - now BP - Ultimate premium fuel because of it's low sulfur content. I live in Iowa. I personally think ... Read More

BMW 7-Series Maintenance and Repair

• Im sorry if i have upset you

  Written by: tlcman on Jan 30, 2004 9:45:09 PM

  After buying an 80,000 dollar car i would like someone a little more prone to work on my car. There is a difference between the 93 and 00 correct me if I'm wrong but they only made one type 750 in 93 thats the iL. On my BMW and from what i take on Mge's 1999 BMW we have the navagational System which for some reason is slightly more complicated than ... Read More

BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier

• misinformation

  Written by: f1buick on Jan 27, 2004 4:45:43 PM

  well, misinformation certainly gets spread around all right. Where did you get yours? The Nikasil V8 was intoduced in 1993 and infected all 1993 and 1994 e32 v8's. BMW extended the warranty on all of these cars to 100,000 miles and 6 years. I can personally vouch for that because when I shopped a 1993 V8 in 1997 the salesman made a big deal about the extended warranty, and the service ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• fleet sales

  Written by: b4z on Dec 7, 2003 3:13:06 PM

  Cadillac has really lowered the number of Devilles sold to fleets. They did this over two years ago, that's why you see the decline from 2001-2002 but a smaller decline from 2002-2003. Can't believe you guys. Cadillac is about to have it's best year since 1994 and you are already dissing them. They are about to overtake MB and you guys are already put a spin on why it is happening. ... Read More

• boo20

  Written by: syswei on Oct 3, 2003 2:05:19 PM

  Well, since the S430 costs 31% more than the LS430, is 9% slower 0-60, has 5% less HP and 8% less torque, it had better be "superior" in SOME ways to SOME people, else MB would sell zero units. Hands down, MB wins in sheer prestige. Aesthetics are a personal judgement, and in my personal opinion the S does offer more attractive exterior styling (but not necessarily interior). As far as ... Read More

Good, Bad or Ugly - Current and Future styling trends of BMW

• 3 Series

  Written by: riez on Jun 7, 2003 2:05:32 PM

  indiana97... If you like introduction and production data, check out Jeremy Walton's book, BMW 3 Series Enthusiast's Companion (Bentley Publishers, 2001). Per it, the first 3 Series (E21) was "announced in the first week of July 1975 to the German press and European LHD markets, the 3 Series was also sold in RHD...in Britain in Autumn, 1975.... On sale in US starting November 1976 [320i MY 1977]." The E30 3 Series ... Read More

BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier

• Is this a good deal

  Written by: bmwdreamer1 on May 26, 2003 1:50:30 PM

  Hi, I have always wanted to own a 5 or 7 series BMW. Recently, I located a 1994 740il with about 70k miles for a price of $12k. I have done an Edmunds search and a Consumer Guide Vin search which was clear. Is this year of the 740il a good one? What problems with the engine/drivetrain should I be aware of? I'm going back to school for a second degree ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• 500E

  Written by: merc1 on Mar 27, 2002 8:16:06 AM

  Yes it was an incredible car! Yep it was built/tested/tweaked by Porsche. Automobile called it the best car in the world "by which we will judge all automobiles". If I didn't need a "new" car this would be the used Benz of choice, a 1994 model (E500) that is. True about Lexus and their benchmark target, that's another way of putting it. But you have to admit that BMW's performance angle ... Read More

• bernard1

  Written by: merc1 on Mar 26, 2002 10:03:23 PM

  You're missing the point about profits. What you've just stated about the Carrera GT is common sense, orders = car. My point is that Japanese companies wouldn't even bother with a car like the Carrera GT. The Japanese wouldn't see the point of a car like a M5 or Carrera GT, though they have the ability to produce such cars. I would doubt that about the profit margin on the M5, ... Read More

• no title

  Written by: bobbyknight on Mar 26, 2002 3:54:52 PM

  Of course Lexus got BMW's attention. That's why for 1993 they brought out the 740 for 735 money (which by the way was 400E money). The 7-series was considerably more car than the 400E, yet the pricing was similar. This proves that MB's pricing was out of control. Pricing for the 5-series has grown little to it's present version, along with the present E-Class. There is no doubt that MB in ... Read More

• ljflx

  Written by: merc1 on Mar 18, 2002 10:05:26 PM

  That's true....*somewhat*, but trust me I know that the LS430 won't be full redesigned until at least 2006. Not even Toyota could re-do the entire car from the ground up in just 2 years of being on the market, it simply doesn't make business sense. My postion on redo is that if a car is a great design it can last 5-7 years, look at the previous 7-Series and S-Class. To ... Read More

BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier

• High Mileage BMW

  Written by: mevande on Dec 2, 2001 3:20:26 AM

  Todd60 posts. """I've never owned a BMW, but recently I came across one that has 120K miles that looks interesting. According to the current (second) owner, the car had its engine replaced in a factory recall at 80,000. Something about gas additives in the New England area harming the 4.0 Litre V8""" You must be speaking of the 1995 740i. It had an automatic recall re: the engine for the very ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• I saw an ad for the BMW 7 Series...

  Written by: lemko on Jun 7, 2001 7:49:44 PM

  ...and the lease was $799 a month. More reasonable than a $1K lease for an S-Class or A8, but at that price, why not just go all the way and purchase the car. Factoring in residual value and given a decent down payment you'd have been better off purchasing the car in the first place. I see a lot of young people getting themselves in trouble by leasing a high-end car. ... Read More

BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier

• 2001 BMW 740iL

  Written by: clum1 on Feb 18, 2001 4:33:37 PM

  I purchased a 2001 BMW 740iL about a month and a half ago. I'm am totally un-impressed after living with it for a while. The negatives are: Paint is very un-resistant to fine scratches. It even scratches when using a cotton terry cloth to dry the car. So does the interior wood trim. Cup holders are really cheap, so is the floor mats and the sun visors. You would think that ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• Lexus GS and BMW 7-Series.....

  Written by: merc1 on Feb 4, 2001 9:56:01 PM

  The Lexus GS for the most part does have a radical look for a Lexus, but the front and rear treatments (to me) mimic the E-Class more than anything else. The Europeans will always have styling all over the Japanese, if arguably nothing else. Arcoates I would almost agree with you on your assessment of the BMW 7-Series with the Sport Package, but with the S55 AMG around I can't say ... Read More

BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier

• 1994 BMW 740iL Automatic Transmission

  Written by: whemme on Oct 20, 2000 6:21:46 PM

  I believe that the automatic transmission in this car is a ZF unit. It has exhibited a strange behavior on at lease two occasions in the past 24,000 miles that I have owned this car. When pulling away from a stop sign and at a speed estimated at only 5 to 15 MPH, the car will jerk almost violently like the automatic transmission shifted into reverse for only a 1/4 of ... Read More

• The 1 Million Dollar Question: What's WRONG with the 4.0 BMW V8?

  Written by: suzpectx on Dec 30, 1999 7:18:14 PM

  Due to popular inquiry, I've decided to add my two cents to this group concerning the 4.0 liter V8 used in 1994 BMW automobiles. It's a rather simple problem, but it's still unfortunate. After about 40,000 miles, the engine will start to lose compression until it can no longer be started. This is due to a reaction between United States gasoline and the material that the engine block was made out ... Read More

High End Luxury Cars

• '01 LS

  Written by: scongro on Feb 6, 2000 8:13:09 PM

  First of all, going back to something a few responses back, some were saying that Lexus copied MB's "430" badging. Does anyone remember the '93 MB "190 E". In 1994 MB revamped their entire badging system, using the number to represent displacement, while Lexus used this system from the start. I'm sure MB didn't do this because they were bored.(a side note-Acura also did this, but they need a V8 to ... Read More

BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier

• used 740il

  Written by: rmac88 on Feb 18, 2000 12:35:19 AM

  I have been looking for a used 740il and have heard numerous times that there were three years either 93-95 or 94-96 where there was a recall on all V8 BMW's something to do with the engine idling rough, does anyone know more about this and how concerned I should be and if I buy a used one will BMW fix this problem free of charge (wishful thinking). I saw a ... Read More