I'm getting ready to put my 'baby' in for Inspection II.. (first time since I've owned her).. I read alot of posts regarding which oil/weight I should use.. Anything else I should consider? What spark plugs to you all run/like? What else should I make a decision on? Sorry.. newbie owner.. just want to treat her well.. Thanks.

So you are about to embark on Wallet Pain Lane?

The oil BMW uses is a Castrol pure synthetic "racing" oil not available off the shelf in the states. If you are doing the Inspection at the BMW dealer then they will have it in stock. Use the heaviest weight (20/60?) for your summer.

I was running Mobil 1 15/50 in in the 740. The 840 has BMW oil in it but I will probably change over to Mobil 1.

DO NOT PUT PLATINUM PLUGS IN THE ENGINE!!! The big engines don't like them!! Bosch has an equivalent plug to stock and so does NGK.

Make sure you do the fluid changes if they aren't part of the inspection-don't remember if they are. But it is good to start with fresh brake fluid and coolant if you don't know how long it has been.

Yeah.. wallet pain... quote was $1239 plus change at the dealership.. I'll have to check which oil weight and spark plug type they quoted.. I like NGK.. I'll make sure all the fluids are changed also.. My car just turned 120k miles.. would you suggest the Mobil 1 versus the Castrol? (I run Castrol in my Pathfinder).. but don't know the merits of Mobil 1 on an 'older' lady.. My brother was a Mercedes mechanic.. he checked my oil and said there was 'a little build up'. .(don't quote me.. i'm a software guy).. and I needed to run a few oil changes to get rid of it.. Could you explain why you choose Mobil 1 on your 740 vs. running the Castrol on your 8?

Thanks Terry.. you do have great advice..

I was running Mobil 1 in the 7 because I wasn't about to pour $8 a quart oil into a roughening Nicasil motor.
The 840 was serviced at a BMW dealer with the Castro/BMW oil just before I bought it. I'm at 134,000 now and it is time to change oil. Still debating what to use this time.

The dealer will only use the BMW oil and BMW plugs. Both are good choices. Go for the high viscosity oil with summer coming on.

Tried being a software guy once. Started as a Project Manager on a project that no one was sure what they wanted at the end. Ended up translating Notes databases and scripts into a language I didn't speak (sucessfully I might add!) Ended up debugging the software I was translating more than I was doing translating. Just gave up and went out and found honest work again.

I was a PM for several years.. I understand the headache of trying to get people to decide what they really want.. I finally gave that up to be a developer.. alot less headaches.. and the money is close to the same.. so i can't complain...

fyi.. thanks for the Irfanview info.. I just downloaded tonight and hope to have some pics of my 'baby' up this weekend.. :)

Here is a pic of my baby.. I'll try to get some better pics this weekend..

Good looking 8 but then I am biased toward 8s anyway.

Here is a pic of my baby.. I'll try to get some better pics this weekend..

I was about to say, "hey, that looks like where my friend was house shopping in Dallas." and then I noticed your profile says you ARE in Dallas, lol.

If you see a German guy cruising around in a white 740iL, that would be my friend Steffen. :D

Nice 8-er BTW!!! :buttrock

Thanks for the advice on Plat Plugs. I was going to purchase a set of NGK double plat.. but now i'll just get the dealer plugs until I know more..

Thanks Matt.. I've seen quite a few 7's around here. I like them too.. but can't see me towing stuff behind one.. so I"ll not trade in my Pathfinder just yet.. Went to a dealer the other day to look at an '03 745iL.. talk about electronic wizardry.. and ROOM.. geez..

I sat in the back seat with the driver seat all the way back.. and I could almost stretch my legs out .. (i'm 6'7").. was very comfortable in the driver seat also.. would take me a week to figure out all the electronics on it though..

Oh well.. really want to see if another 8 car is inline for production.. hearing rumors.. but who knows..

Nice bike btw.. Wouldn't catch me on one of those 'crotch rockets'.. learned my lesson a long time ago..