Wanted to introduce myself....I've been lurking on the board for about a year. A friend of mine in the Florida Keys let me use his 740il for about a week and the hook was set. I have now purchased a 96 740il....silver with black interior and 42 miles short of 100,000 miles. And of course, I have a few issues.

1. The transmission has a whining noise. The previous owner said this noise occured after the fluid and filter were changed. I will be changing the fluid and filter with the right parts and hopefully this will be a simple fix.

2. Losing pixel display. I have taken the dash out and tried the cleaning method, but that did not really do much. So I was wondering....what part do I change to fix this problem?

3. Where is a good place to buy parts in the Seattle area or through the internet? Any help and ideas would be appreciated. Thanks. POPS :help

Hello and welcome!

The transmission has a whining noise. The previous owner said this noise occured after the fluid and filter were changed.

Use only the recommended fluid and an OEM filter. Fluid isn't cheap.
www.e38.org or www.bmwtips.com have the fluid chart. e38.org has some DIY tips if you're doing it yourself.

Losing pixel display. I have taken the dash out and tried the cleaning method, but that did not really do much.

Look on www.e38.org for several posts about pixels. JCFox did alot of work to get all BMW owners some help with this problem. Send this person an e-mail and get approval for the repair BEFORE you go to the dealer.
leonora.vlaovich@bmwna.com
They will pay for the part but you will pay for install, which should be 1.0 to 1.5 hours labor. (Please let me know if you do this, as I am curious... I have not actually spoken to someone who has done it here in the Puget Sound area. I'd like to know if it's as easy here as it has been for others elsewhere.)

Where is a good place to buy parts in the Seattle area or through the internet?

I like Crevier BMW via the internet. BMW Seattle will give you a slight discount (10% I think) if you are a Puget Sound BMWCCA member.
http://www.bmwpugetsound.com/



Click the Seattle7s logo below. We are not doing much now due to the Holidays and weather, but we try! :)

Realize that an old person like me may get a date wrong or may omit a detail but I remember that the "whine" was a result of the transmission receiving the wrong filter element.

Many years ago when I was a newbie E38 head, I believe it was Kirt Koeller that said the filter element MUST say "Filtran" on it and there is an "O" ring seal that must be properly installed with the new filter element.

It may be that the filter element used in your transmission is the wrong one.


BTW...

Welcome the the BFc 7 Series Forum. This is a fairly laid back place because most 7 Series folk are the epitome of class and genteel behaviour. Please post some pics of your baby and let us see her. 7 Series guys love looking at 7 Series cars.

Enjoy the ride...drive safe...good luck with your transmission...and beware the dreaded "Mod Disease" - there is no known cure.

Welcome.

Mark and Simeon took care of your questions - and I'll add anothe online vendor to the mix - BMW Parts. Online is the way to go, just stick with one that comes recommended. BTW, Audi and VW sell the same tranny fluid for much less.

And, I'm pretty close to you - sort of next door in Sammamish...

Thanks for all the good information...this will keep my braincells working for a while. I've been cured of "mod disease"...My last car was a 79 porsche SC. I spent more time working on the car than driving. I took off a perfectly good fuel injection system and put on a set of triple throat webers. My gas mileage went from 22 to 8 miles per gallon. I re-geared the third member and transmission so 1st gear was used up crossing an intersection! I put stainless steel headers and a tiny muffler....sounded like I was in an airplane with no insulation. Stiffened up the suspension, so it felt like I was driving a floor jack....etc.etc.etc. There is no end to this madness!!!!

I plan to keep my 740 stock. Or maybe a set of Fikse rims and fat tires. Maybe a blower, stiffer suspension. Would this be considered mods? No- No-No...I must go back to group. POPS :nono

Welcome to the club. I'm another Northwest guy here on the bfc boards. I'd like to add a vote for Pacific BMW for parts. They are fast and cheap.

Good luck!!

Thanks for all the good information...this will keep my braincells working for a while. I've been cured of "mod disease"...My last car was a 79 porsche SC. I spent more time working on the car than driving. I took off a perfectly good fuel injection system and put on a set of triple throat webers. My gas mileage went from 22 to 8 miles per gallon. I re-geared the third member and transmission so 1st gear was used up crossing an intersection! I put stainless steel headers and a tiny muffler....sounded like I was in an airplane with no insulation. Stiffened up the suspension, so it felt like I was driving a floor jack....etc.etc.etc. There is no end to this madness!!!!

I plan to keep my 740 stock. Or maybe a set of Fikse rims and fat tires. Maybe a blower, stiffer suspension. Would this be considered mods? No- No-No...I must go back to group. POPS :nono

Welcome Pops, Once you come to grips with the expense, Mods aint so bad. :rolleyes Glad to have you here.

Welcome Pops, Once you come to grips with the expense, Mods aint so bad. :rolleyes Glad to have you here.

What were your thoughts this last weekend laying out in the garage beating on your poor car with 10 lb sledge hammer???????? :buttrock