Used 1995 BMW 7 Series Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Objective Review From A BMW Enthusiast
Objective Review, 09/23/2010
1995 BMW 7 Series 740i 4dr Sedan
33 of 33 people found this review helpful
I've owned my 1995 BMW 740i for approximately five years or so. I am an enthusiast, and possess expert level knowledge. CONS: When considering purchase, these factors apply to most regarding suitability- Accurate service history is a must, unless one is well versed, and an expert as well. All repairs on a vehicle this age are expensive. Are you a hands on "DIY" individual? Not all shops are reputable, & are sometimes not capable of making repairs to this car, regardless of their general knowledge. Given the overall depressed used auto market, one is hard pressed to find a better value than one of these. This car is loaded with greatness.
1995 740i engine problem
puzzled, 08/12/2004
1995 BMW 7 Series 740i 4dr Sedan
28 of 30 people found this review helpful
Excited about finally owning a BMW 740, when a year later the car stopped running. Since then, the car has been parked in my garage waiting for an $8,000.00 engine replacement. I learned that there is a problem with the engine which looses compression due to corrosion in the cylinders (this became a problem only in US because of the additives added in gasoline). BMW didn't take responsibility and should have replaced my engine free of charge. In fact, dealers which have BMW's with 4.0 engine that date from 94-96 should not sell them until they replace the engine. What puzzles me is why is this information hidden from the consumers?
Enjoyable Ride
tommoss, 11/16/2006
1995 BMW 7 Series 740i 4dr Sedan
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
This has been a most enjoyable car to own, albeit expensive to maintain. Road manners are great; this car is not nippy but nonethless has plenty of power when you need it. I had great fun driving through the mountains in the west and out performed every other car on the road through the twisting gradients. Loved the seating and the luxurious interior and the great sound system. The absence of a built in compass and no automatic headlight cut-off was disappointing. Just after having spent money on new electronic displays, cupholder, etc. have now had damage created by being hit by a flying deer. A new hood will cost me $1700. How much more money do I want to put into an 11-year old car?
Do Your Homework
USLawman, 07/13/2009
1995 BMW 7 Series 740i 4dr Sedan
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
The drip down problem with the Japan- made engine and the other problems you can expect between 70-120K miles are well documented on the internet. This is no joke, and you need to buy a used one that has had the maintenance or plan on some serious repair bills. Once you pass the hurtle, the car is trouble free - but it helps if you mechanically inclined enough to solve small problems without running to the shop. All that said, it is a wonderfully reliable car for those who stay on top of their car's condition.
Incredible and reliable...so far
Keaton Dye, 08/15/2018
updated 08/23/2019
1995 BMW 7 Series 740i 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought my 740i with 64k original miles, perfect service record, one owner, original documentation including the window sticker, and an untouched tool kit and first aid bag. The only flaws visible on the car are minor paint chipping and several small scratches on the driver's door panel. The passenger and rear seats look like they have never been sat in. Based on the age and mileage I am guessing my E38 was a weekend car for the previous owner. I preface my review with these details because obviously they have had a major impact on my experience with the vehicle. I purchased my 740i in the Seattle area and the same week I drove it about 3k miles down to Scottsdale, AZ then Edmond, OK without a single problem. So far I have purchased an oil change, added a little bit of coolant, and replaced a brake light that went out twice ($5 fix.) The driving experience in an E38 is heavenly considering it's age. Inside the cabin it is almost totally silent and you glide above the road undeterred by bumps and potholes. The suspension is oh-so-comfortable without being dangerously loose and the steering is precise. It doesn't quite have that "floating" feeling you get in a DTS, but it's close. Acceleration in Drive is unimpressive in the lower gears - the torque is a little bit lacking. Shift the automatic transmission into "4" though, and a small "S" will illuminate in your dash. This sport mode shifts the automatic transmission more aggressively and gives you much more power and speed in your lower gears. Of course you can always shift the transmission to manual mode with the push of a button. The comfort seat upgrade makes in an incredible difference for the driver and front passenger. 18 way seats adjust to the curvature of your back and offer variable shoulder support and plush power headrests in addition to the 4-way lumbar support and usual seat adjustments. The back seats are incredibly spacious and are so luxurious that most celebrities would not probably not object to being chauffeured about town in one of these. Of course the priorities of the 90s stand out - the car has two cigarette lighters and three ashtrays. The technology offered on this car, for it's time, was impressive. Overall the E38 is like George Clooney - it shows it's age, but it's far from outdated. In my personal opinion, the 740i (and the 2001 M-Sport model in particular) is the best-looking 7 series ever created and far outshines the monstrosity that Chris Bangle created. If you can find a lightly used E38 with service documentation, I would strongly encourage you to buy it. It's a lot of car for the money. It's a car that you can be proud of and will do well by you if you take care of it. UPDATE 8/22/19: Well, my 740i proved to be a faithful servant until the bitter end. I purchased a 2015 F32 coupe and after a couple months of paying insurance on two cars, I decided to part ways with my old reliable. Long story short, she was destroyed by a man from Craigslist while I was sitting in the passenger's seat on the very first test drive. He ran a red light around 35mph, t-boned a Lexus SUV, and crumpled the hood of my E38 into itself. Airbags did not deploy, but neither of us suffered any injuries. Sad way to see her go. Kind of like breaking up with a girlfriend, walking away, and then seeing her get hit by a passing bus. I knew she was leaving my life, but I never expected to see her go in such an abrupt and brutal manner. Lol. Anyways, I stand by my original review of the vehicle. It was a great car. Even when I had my loaded-out 428i with the heads-up display, navi, and all sorts of gizmos, I would still drive the 740i occasionally because I really loved it and it just felt so solid and sensible.
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Great family car with plenty of power
steve kleeberg, 01/13/2007
1995 BMW 7 Series 740i 4dr Sedan
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is the first 740i have owned, and it is just another great sign of German engineering. I have had some repairs but the car runs and drives better than some of the new cars I drive (I am an automotive technician for mitsubishi motors). This car has had the engine update at 60.000 miles, in the mean time we are at 113,000 miles. One complaint to BMW is the pixels going out in the odometer.
Expensive Car To Own
Michael T, 06/08/2010
1995 BMW 7 Series 740i 4dr Sedan
9 of 13 people found this review helpful
Do not buy this car unless you have about $1000 to spend per month in maintenance. You can lease a brand new car and have it covered under a warranty. I bought this car about 18 months ago from a guy that took very good car of the car, the oil was changed and the car very rarely left the driveway. In the last 12 months I have spent over $5000 on repairs that include new brake pads and rotors, new ac blower and condenser, new front suspension, new belts and pulleys, new water pump, new thermostat, new alternator and the radio still does not work. This car is great to drive and handles great on the highway but sucks down gas in the city and will only take 93 octane fuel. Do not buy this car!
I love this car!
deahn, 06/16/2004
1995 BMW 7 Series 750iL 4dr Sedan
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
My husband bought this car for me as a suprise wedding anniversary gift. The only shocker was the repair bill, , the A/c went out,($1900) and the Bugatti after market wheels vibrated requiring new front tires ($1,000/pr) NEVER put those on your beautiful BMW.
hmm
Jon, 03/06/2010
1995 BMW 7 Series 740i 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought used, told it was fine. 137,000 miles, I knew I would have to do some maintenance. Well it needed water pump, radiator, belt, head gasket power steering hoses. Asked my local repair guy to do it all and I was out the door at $700. What can you say those are normal, even on a Honda with that many miles, and the Honda does not drive like this, nor does it have the room. This is my first 7 and it won't be my last, nothing like this
Rocket on 4 wheels
Mike, 01/17/2009
1995 BMW 7 Series 740iL 4dr Sedan
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased a 740IL 2 years ago (my fav.car) to give to my wife. She and I are in love with this car. I can't speak more highly about the workmanship, the quality and the performance. The power of the V8 is extremely impressive and the sound it makes when you take a Mustang, Camaro, or even a Corvette off the line leaves them wondering what just happened to them. As of now we own 2 Bimmers the 95 740il and a 95 525i, these are our two favorite cars out of the 9 we own. With all of the said we have had to replace many parts and as of right now the 7 has to go in the shop due to the fact it will not start or even turn over, But I still love the car.
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