1998 BMW 7 Series Consumer Reviews

Don't keep it Past Warranty Period

Written by: keywestmike on 11/20/2006

Vehicle

1998 BMW 7 Series 4 Dr 750iL Sedan

Review

This car was originally owned by Dave Thomas of Wendy's fame, he turned it in in March 2000 I bought it in May. Smoothest most fun car to drive ever. However, you must no keep it beyond BMW's Certified Warranty four years from purchase or 100,000 miles. I have 87500 miles on it now and the maintenance has been $8000.00. Apparently these cars are designed for heavy mileage but will start falling apart at age eight.

Favorite Features

Smooth "linear power" as you accelerate, no noise, no vibration at all. The triptronic is super, you think an Andretti is shifting for you. Seat support and position is incredibly good. Bose 14 speaker is worth every dime. Hate repair costs - way out of line for handmade, "quality" automobile.

Suggested Improvements

The positioning of door lock and emergency flasher should be in driver's arm rest or on dash. Need power point, rear lighter outlet is too delicate to hand cell phone charger plug.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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The Ultimate DRIVING Machine, YES!

Written by: Automaniac on 11/09/2006

Vehicle

1998 BMW 7 Series 4 Dr 740iL Sedan

Review

Already the happy owner of bulletproof-reliable Accord coupe 5-sp 1990 (still drive it daily!), 44 mpg Civic hatch, wanted to buy large luxo car w. great styling/performance. If DRIVING PLEASURE is a top priority, BMW 7 = the ONLY option. Got a great price due to the high gas prices at the time Bought it Oct 05, $10.5 k after the owner fixed and detailed the car. It gets 24+ MPG long highway high speed trips, 13-15 spirited city. What a bargain! And $10.5k is less than the 1st yr depreciation if you buy the fat, ugly new 7! I'd drive this car forever!

Favorite Features

Other reviewers have listed many great features, I agree with all, I emphasize the perfect 50-50 weight distribution that lets it handle like a dream, as if on rails at corners at high speed. Engine is a really strong 4.4 lt v8, also great. Nav system and computer lots of fun. Stereo is great.

Suggested Improvements

Reliability of the small stuff, Engine is largely quite reliable. CD changer in trunk got stuck after very mild use. Check engine light recurring, may have to fix gaskets at $800. So far spent next to nothing on this car after I bought it, but I am not fixing non-essential stuff. Just change oil.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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What a Ride!

Written by: The Vicar on 08/08/2006

Vehicle

1998 BMW 7 Series 4 Dr 750iL Sedan

Review

What a car! Speed, comfort, and luxury! Traveling 300 to 500 miles a day several times a month and I feel refreshed when I get out of the car! My car has been perfect!

Favorite Features

The engine that "loafs" at 1,500 RPM at 55 mph. I get between 24-27 mpg when traveling using 89 octane! The stereo system is WOW! The seats are super comfortable! Sun shade is very helpful to those sitting in the back along with the power seats!

Suggested Improvements

Navigation system needs to respond faster to changes and plotting direction.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Worth The Price

Written by: M. Young on 08/01/2006

Vehicle

1998 BMW 7 Series 4 Dr 740i Sedan

Review

She isn't the least expensive car to own, but she's worth the price. If you love driving, the flagship 7 Series is a dream. Sure afoot, "broad-shoulder" powerful, smooth, quiet, and regal. This is before Bangle. No iDrive either! 14-speaker sound and top quality materials everywhere you look. It always feels like it could be driven across the country with ease. Only 10% of BMWs are 7 Series so you don't see them everywhere when you're driving. Very advanced tech for a 1998 car. Most 2006s still can't compare. Change oil often, replace radiator, treat her nice and she will make you happy.

Favorite Features

Rich leather, real wood, clever lighting, handles like a smaller car, beats WRX STIs (I've done it). 20 mpg. Utterly delightful to view and to drive. Best interior in its class even today. No gimmicks. You'll wonder why you waited so long to get one. You'll always volunteer to be the driver.

Suggested Improvements

Better quality radiator (most leak by 100,000 miles - replacement is $600.00 incl. labor), it could use a more sturdy parking brake release handle (mine snapped off at 75,000 miles), less brake dust, and simplify the graphic equalizer (I've just left it at the last owner's settings.)

8 out 9 people found this review helpful

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BMW 7 series

Written by: Doug1958 on 08/01/2006

Vehicle

1998 BMW 7 Series 4 Dr 740iL Sedan

Review

This Car is so fun to drive the way it handled around big bends is legendary.

Favorite Features

I loved the ride.

Suggested Improvements

If only it had real wood.

2 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Second best way for long distance

Written by: bugatti46 on 06/06/2006

Vehicle

1998 BMW 7 Series 4 Dr 740i Sedan

Review

I have owned over 20 European cars and this is without a shadow of a doubt, the Best driving, most powerfull ball of fun I have ever driven. Elegant and sporty. The only thing I would do different would be to buy the "S" version next time... I will buy another. I have put over 150k on this one and things may start to wear out.

Favorite Features

Power is extreme,, style is great handling is superior

Suggested Improvements

Plastic seat switch surrounds are cheap junk

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great ride, but expensive

Written by: TAT on 05/24/2006

Vehicle

1998 BMW 7 Series 4 Dr 750iL Sedan

Review

I bought my 750iL five years ago on eBay. First I test drove the 740 at delaer but it lacked power and acceleration. Thought the standard features like 12-cylinder engine, GPS and double thick glass made it a good choice. I love this car's performance! Sound system is the best I've ever owned. I commute 100 miles a day on the highway at 80 mph and it feels like I'm taking a race horse out for daily exercise. Have put 70K miles on the car since owning it and plan on driving past 200K. My only reservation is that it has cost me dearly to maintain at the dealer. Too many things needed fixing to detail here but all told I probably have put at least an additional $10K into maintainence.

Favorite Features

Power, comfort, sound system

Suggested Improvements

Had to buy a cup holder and mount next to the shift lever to accomodate large cups. Console cup holders are small and in the way of controls.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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The Ultimate Disaster Machine!

Written by: Lucian on 01/29/2006

Vehicle

1998 BMW 7 Series 4 Dr 740iL Sedan

Review

Looks can be deceiving! Let's see, purchased car at 58k, coolant sensor broke at 59K, tire alignmnet at 60K, fuel pump 61K, cat converter at 63K, sealant around windows at 63K all that in one yr. That yr i only put on the car 8k miles in hot weather! It has been nighmare after nightmare. Thanks BMW i hope ur happy in Stuttgart. Hire new engineers? That would be a good start.

Favorite Features

Interior was excellent, and fun to drive when it works.

Suggested Improvements

Warranty should last at least 10yrs or 100k miles...if they say the car is reliable then show me with a better manuf. warranty?

2 out 4 people found this review helpful

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The Ultimate "7" driving machine

Written by: Alex on 12/17/2005

Vehicle

1998 BMW 7 Series 4 Dr 740iL Sedan

Review

My last car was a 1995 Jaguar XJ6, it was wonderful, however trunk space was an issue. Having owned 6 BMW's in the past I bought a 1998 740il on eBay. Drove the car to California from Texas, and on the way achieved between 25-29 mpg, Incredible! Both cats replaced for Calif Smog laws $2400 yikes! The car is an absolute pleasure to own, and drive. In essence its a "Sports car Limo". Fast, luxurious, smooth, powerful, addictive are just a few superlatives to descibe the car. Take care of your 740, don't abuse it, get your maintenance done when required and it will give you immense pleasure. As a side note, I later found out, my 740il was previously owned by Troy Aikman of the Dallas Cowboys.

Favorite Features

The BMW Ride, roadholding, Solid build quality, HUGE Trunk, limo back seat space, and oh... the engine... so sweet.

Suggested Improvements

I wish mine had the navigation system. Too bad the center console is not a glove box.

11 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Best car I ever owned

Written by: Andrew on 09/14/2005

Vehicle

1998 BMW 7 Series 4 Dr 740iL Sedan

Review

After seeing this car I loved it, after driving it, I was obsessed with it, after owning it, I will always have a BMW. I thought about trading it for a Mercedes when my lease was up, but there were none comparable so I bought it... even the dealers that wanted to sell me a car knew that my car was better. I honestly believe that it is the Ultimate Driving Machine.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

could improve on the, ummm, well, I guess they could make a convertible...

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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