So I've decided to buy a 7 Series but I'm confused as to which year would require the least amount of money "out of pocket" in the future.

I've found a really good deal on a 2004 model and all of the reviews I've read say get a 2004 if you can. But 2004 only has a 4 Year / 50,000 mile warranty right? Well the car I've found has a production date of 1/2004 and 45k miles. Assuming the car wasn't sold in 1/2004, it still only has 5k miles warranty left right? Of course if it was purchased in 1/2004, the warranty is already expired.

Well the 2003 model I've found has 36k miles and from what I understand has a 6 Year / 100,000 mile warranty. I'm not sure of the production date of this car but if we assume it was purchased as early as late 2002, it would still have a bumper to bumper warranty for at least the better part of this year right? (The dealer says it is covered until September 2009 but I'm not sure about that.)

So do I take the advice of "getting a 2004 no matter what" or get the one with fewer miles and a remaining warranty? I don't have any experience with this car yet but I think I should go for the vehicle with the warranty right?

I would say Warranty YES!!!!! However I would lean towards the car that was maintained the best also.

It's hard to say but bumper to bumper warranty is a nice thing to have. a e65 BMW out of warranty could be an expensive car to maintain. Especially with all the little electronic gadgets and gizmos that are just waiting to fail.

04 and buy a warranty

04 and buy a warranty

+1 that is what I thought as well.

04 and buy a warranty

ABSOLUTELY!
Do not even consider buying a BMW, let alone a used 7-series without a warranty! My warranty company paid over $9000 (yes, NINE THOUSAND!) in short 18 months that I owned my 2001 740i Sport.

Find the newest model you can afford and shell out additional $2500-3000 on the bumper-to-bumper aftermarket warranty. You'll be glad you did - well worth it...

I agree, 04 and buy a warranty. If that s not an option, then buy the 03.

FWIW, I seem to be that ONLY person with an e66/e65 that responed so ar..........

+2 Buy the '04 and purchase a warranty. I recommend the TotalCare plan from EasyCare. Tony K on www.bimmerboard.com/forums/e38 can quote you one.

I have an 04' with 72,000 miles and got a new car warranty 5/100miles for $1645, so im good until 172,000, not that I plan to keep it that long but still nice... I talked them down so I have no deductible, too.

wait awhile until prices drop and get the 06 model. Looks better, runs better and is almost a completely different car. 02-05 they couldn't get it right but 06 it all changed. I thought about upgrading to an 02-05 745i but all the tech's at work said all they do is make them a lot of money. After that I asked what they thought about the e65 750 and they all said it's perfect.

After that I asked what they thought about the e65 750 and they all said it's perfect.


Yeah because they have only been out for two years, ask them that question again in 2012 and your answer will be different...