never owned a bimmer, never even thought about one, until recently.

thinking about a recent year 745li or a new 750li as the new car.

had always owned japanese cars, honda, toyota, subaru, infiniti, lexus, acura... nice cars, but they just dont do it for me anymore.

im currently driving a mdx daily, got a sti as a toy for the weekend. thinking about getting rid of the sti, maybe im just getting too old for it (im actually pretty young...) gonna keep the mdx and move it to the weekends, still need something with room to haul stuff around. use the bimmer for monday through friday.

any comments or inputs toward this purchase?? like i've mentioned, i've never owned a bimmer before. i tried out a 745 for a while, and it was a great experience. didnt get to play with the idrive, but did hear it was relatively complicated...

im trying to decide between the 7series, c6 corvette, and infiniti/nissan skyline gtr (long shot). the boy racer in me says the skyline, but i cant swallow paying 60+k for a nissan. same goes for the corvette, nice car, but the boy racer in me is getting old. that leaves the bimmer.

so please, comments, inputs, opinions... anything. likes or dislikes about your 7series. anything to keep an eye out for when purchasing. pet peeves... anything.

p.s. been checking out some prices as well... it seems low mileage 03/04 745li can be gotten in the mid 30k range, even if i have to pay to get an extended warranty to the peace of mind, going used might make a lot of sense.

I don't own the newer e65/e66 7 series...but I have driven both. And if was my decision...I'd hold out or opt out for the 750i/Li over the 745i/Li if possible.

The newer 4.8 liter N62 engine in the (V8) 750i/Li is such a sweet power plant...and is notably more responsive with a very smooth delivery versus the 4.4 liter N62 engine in the 745i/Li. There's also more HP/Torque in the 4.8 liter V8 (360HP/369 ft lbs torque) versus the 4.4 liter's (319HP/325 ft lbs torque).

Just my .02

Edit: Just to make it a bit clearer...it's not that the 4.4liter N62 engine is a dog and isn't smooth etc. (plus a step above the M62 engines in the e38)...its just that BMW somehow made something already good...a little bit better. Just like with the M62TU engine (1999-01) versus the M62 engine (1996-98) in the e38 7 series. :)

I agree with Q... go for a 750Li if you can, but 745s are great too. Be sure to get a 2004 or newer. I have a 2003 745Li in the family, and it has been in and out of the dealer getting all the problems fixed constantly... it's really been a headache hanging out at the dealership so much.
That said, absolutely everything (even including a new engine!!) has been covered at no cost under warranty (which is 6 years/100k mi on 2002s and 2003s in anticipation of some kinks). On the bright side, having so many loaners has been great for extensive (weeks long :\ )"test drives" of
every BMW model :P . So I suppose you could get a 2003 and it would have the same remaining warranty as a 2005... something to think about.

But the BMW is certainly more practical than the other cars you mentioned by a LOOOONG shot, and is still pretty fun to drive (not as fun as an e38 though :p)

So, keep us posted on your progress/options you come across. Good luck!

im trying to decide between the 7series, c6 corvette, and infiniti/nissan skyline gtr (long shot). the boy racer in me says the skyline, but i cant swallow paying 60+k for a nissan. same goes for the corvette, nice car, but the boy racer in me is getting old. that leaves the bimmer.



holy apples & oranges batman! :icon15

bump...

anyone else??

im serious about the purchase.

Well, yes there are bugs to work out on these cars. Make sure you get a warranty, CPO or otherwise. You WILL spend a few days/weeks in the shop. I like the feel and LOOKS of the 745's more than the 750's. I'm one of the few though. Either one you get you will enjoy. They are rolling button warehouses! The 4.8 does have a little more bottom end on it. In the Li it is noticable. Not so much in the I. If you plan on adding Sirius you must go with an 05 with a build date of 9/04. 3/05 or later is better. If you want good BT intergration, go with a 750. Stay away from the 02's and unless you plan on NOT adding any upgrades, stay away from the 03, 04 and early 05's.

You asked!

I would vote you seriously consider the "750i/Li" (2006 or newer) 7-series. You will be much happier with the overall style, power and reliability. The 02-03 745s have been notorious shop dwellers and while the 04-05 models were better you should really opt for a 2006 or newer if you can afford it.

i own an 05 745Li and i really think its up to you. i preferably like the rear end of a 745 than the 750 with the really thin led lights in the back. i like the headlights of the 745 better too but the bumper of a 750 is alot better looking than the 745. the fog lights are actually alot cooler on a 745 than a 750 cause on the 745, theyre small round circles where as in the 750 it looks more like a light bulb was placed there. this may not make a difference to you but for those who like to ride with just angel eyes on in the early morning and at dusk then it will make a difference of how it affects the look (really stupid i know but theyre really cool looking)

i will tell you this tho, the 745 is fast no doubt but it could be so much faster. it shifts very sluggishly and slow mainly because it was meant to make very smooth shifts not quick shifts since this is a large luxury family car. im not sure about the 750 engine but it is faster. the steering wheel on the 750 is thicker and bulkier looking which i do not like. the idrive knob and various knobs on the dash and panels are silver with leather insert in the middle which is really nice to have since you basically use the idrive knob for everything. the 760s offer real time traffic the 745s dont and there are some subtle differences in the idrive software between the two models but other than that they are very alike.

the cars are very similar and it mainly would come down to design and looks. but considering youre looking at corvettes and skylines i think you may want the 750 since its faster, but why not get an M5 then? theyre basically the same cost new.

Comedy option B7. ;)

Comedy option B7. ;)

hehe...:stickoutt

I have the 745i 2003 model and it's a pleasure to drive. I recently test drove a 750li and it was pretty nice. Frankly though I didn't notice all that much power difference between the two. No matter what though, these cars feel very solid and have fantastic powerful acceleration.

thanks for all the info...

i do like the 745 taillights a bit more then 750 taillights.

as far as power goes, i have a decently fast car (350whp sti), and to be honest, i can live without the speed at this point. so power wise, 745 vs 750 is not an issue.

new question, audio system wise, any difference between the 2? i do want to add a bigger sub (i have a jl w7 10/jl 500/1 that im going to move to the car).

also, can anyone comment on the navi on the bmw? my mdx's navi is probably one of the best ones i've ever used.

p.s. skyline is out, local dealerships all wants 30k markup, they are out of their minds.

The audio system is about the same on both. Some slight firmware changes is about it. I don't know of anyone who has added anything to the OEM system. You need to be very careful with the electronics on these cars. They are a bit touchy to say the least. I'm sure it can be done though.

I like the BMW NAV. I have also heard people say it sucks. I wouldn't know. Its the only one I have ever used! Just make sure you have the latest disc and you should be good.

also, can anyone comment on the navi on the bmw? my mdx's navi is probably one of the best ones i've ever used.


The Navi system on the 02s-05s are prob the worst (NAVIO2) I've ever seen. It serves its function fine once you get accustomed to it. Some of the features of the NAVIO2 are (courtesy of a user on another site):

NAVI02-- DVD based, perspective view, no Destinations+, phone integration did not work well, BMW has not provided OS updates in several years, installed from 2003 to mid-2005.

The 06+ have the NAVIO3 system. Some if the improvements are:

NAVI03-- DVD based, perspective view, Destinations+, improved menu, clearer graphics (clouds on the perspective view, street names on perspective view, latest PoP icons), can disable PoP icons, etc., BMW continuing to provide OS updates, installed from mid-2005 through today.

If you get the NAVIO2 or NAVIO3, I still think your MDX will remain the better of the two. In fact, I think Japanese Navis are a lot better than the Germans Navis.

Between the NAVIO2 and NAVIO3, the NAVIO3 is hands down, much better :)

Good Luck.

"DVD based, perspective view, Destinations+, improved menu, clearer graphics (clouds on the perspective view, street names on perspective view, latest PoP icons), can disable PoP icons, etc., BMW continuing to provide OS updates, installed from mid-2005 through today."

Interesting. Mine, build date 9/04, has all of this except the clouds. I actually like the way the MK III system worked although it would have been better not having to change cd's all the time! Again, I have nothing to compair it to as the MK III and this one are the only ones I have used. I feel the input and output of the system is very good, easy to understand and works well. How do you tell which version you have installed?

Interesting. Mine, build date 9/04, has all of this except the clouds. I actually like the way the MK III system worked although it would have been better not having to change cd's all the time! Again, I have nothing to compair it to as the MK III and this one are the only ones I have used. I feel the input and output of the system is very good, easy to understand and works well. How do you tell which version you have installed?

One way to confirm is look at the nav computer OS version from the iDrive Service menu. To get to the iDrive service menu, do the following:

Activating Service mode:

1. From the main screen, press and hold down the iDrive knob for about 10 seconds, until the knob graphic on your screen changes
2. Turn the iDrive knob three clicks clockwise
3. Turn the iDrive knob three clicks counterclockwise
4. Turn the iDrive knob one click clockwise
5. Turn the iDrive knob one click counterclockwise
6. Turn the iDrive knob one click clockwise
7. Press the iDrive knob down and release

From inside the service menu, select ”MOST Devices” to list of all of the devices connected to the MOST network. Then select the navigation computer. Toward the bottom of the nav computer information, you will find the OS version. If your OS is "8.xx.xx", then you have a NAVI02. If your OS is "9.xx.xx", then you have a NAVI03. (The NAVI01 versions are "7.xx.xx".)

Now for my little disclaimer :)

I havent tried this on my car yet - so I'm not sure if it'll work. But generally speaking, if your vehicle has a build date of 3/05 (MY 06) its safe to say you have the NAVI03 system.

Good Luck.

get the 745 for now, then when the skyline comes out (u'll be on a looooooooong waiting list) trade in for 1! 745 is nice car but...skyline. I mean thats a whole different ballgame. Can't compare the 2. vette=NEVER

Those instructions for getting the NAV info don't work on my 05. Oh well. Anyone else know how to get into the info screen on mine?

I'd vote for the 745li. But a late model; the earlier ones were a bit buggy.

I like the rear better on the 745 then the new 750. Yes, it was extreme at the time ('02), but notice how all the other makes are now copying the Bangle design. And I think the 750 looks less cool, as compromises are wont to do.

As for the more powerful engine: The 750 beats the 745 by only 6 tenths of a second to 60 (5.4 versus 6 for the 745). Not noticeable and not worth it, given that you can get a nice clean '04 745 for much less than a 750. Also, get the L version definitely. The extra room is worth it. And make sure your 745 is a CPO.

Then go for it! You'll never regret buying one of these incredible cars (I certainly have not).

Bill

thanks for all the info...

i do like the 745 taillights a bit more then 750 taillights.

as far as power goes, i have a decently fast car (350whp sti), and to be honest, i can live without the speed at this point. so power wise, 745 vs 750 is not an issue.

new question, audio system wise, any difference between the 2? i do want to add a bigger sub (i have a jl w7 10/jl 500/1 that im going to move to the car).

also, can anyone comment on the navi on the bmw? my mdx's navi is probably one of the best ones i've ever used.

p.s. skyline is out, local dealerships all wants 30k markup, they are out of their minds.

i have an upgraded audio system. if you do get either car MAKE SURE IT HAS LOGIC 7 itll save you sooo much trouble in the future. bmw electronics can be a bitch but as long as you have logic 7 its not that big of a pain. logic 7 is the same for both models theres no difference but the difference btwn the normal system and logic 7 is that logic 7 has 2 subswoofers under the driver and passanger seat. you can "steal" the audio signal from these subwoofers and plug them into your aftermarket amp. if you want more info on how i got mine hooked up pm me but my system consists of an 1800watt rms @1ohm amp 2 12fi ssds and a kinetik hc1800 battery.
video of it
www dot youtube dot com/watch?v=vp274T4hpvA (replace the dots with . i dont have permission to post links or something?)

im one of the very few who have actually installed a fairly large audio system into an e65 so make sure that it has logic 7

if it's really complicated... i can live without the sub.

just as complicated as any other car audio system lol.

I can't afford one but I know someone with a 745Li and subs and its an amazing car. If you get a 745 get 04 or 05, I've heard bad things about the 02s and 03s. Idrive problems, engine issues, etc. Plus the 02s and 03s don't have projector look Halogen flashers so I mean thats worth the extra money right there haha.

Bill Bickel where did those 0-60s come from? I am not calling you out I am looking to see what they are. Last I saw was like 5.8 for the 745Li and the 750Li is heavier so I thought the 0-60 were much closer. 6 tenths is pretty huge. I don't think +300 lbs and +30HP will drop you 6 tenths. Maybe a tenth.

asdf22: I see you are located in the Bay Area. I found my '01 750iL via craigslist.org and bought if from an auto broker up in the East Bay, Dublin / Concord area:

http://www.emotorsllc.com/

These guys were great! I dealt with Tim... they specialize in european sedans. They buy cars coming off of leases at west coast auto auctions, are pretty picky about the ones they get, and then they do a complete detail, inspection, etc. They followed through on every single promise made...

:buttrock