E38 V8 or V12?

[jbondbmw]

Which engine on the E38 is more reliable, V8 or V12? I have no doubt that the parts on the V12 cost more and there are more of them, but which one has to go into the shop less?

[dophineh]

Which engine on the E38 is more reliable, V8 or V12? I have no doubt that the parts on the V12 cost more and there are more of them, but which one has to go into the shop less?

750's have more electronics to go bad, but some 740's are equally loaded.

[plik]

There's no real difference, even in gas mileage, I hear (which I find odd).

Purple is right, the 750iLs usually have all of the bells & whistles.

The v12 engine is a little harder to work on because there is less space, for example, spark plugs are a nightmare.

[mojocoggo]

750s usually cost more to buy, but maintenance costs between the 740 and 750 are pretty even.

[jbondbmw]

I found a 96 750iL with 71k on the clock and I like it, I was originally thinking V8 but the price is in my budget ($10k) and the extra power and toys would be nice. The fuel efficiency doesn't matter to me as I do not drive alot. Also I'd prefer to be in the shop less and I am pretty sure the V12 doesn't have VANOS so that would help. I am a bit worried about the EDC system failing, I hear thats really expensive. But I'd get a PPI to make sure that the EDC is ok.

[04SSHD]

EDC usually doesn't have issues, it's just an electronic dampening control for the struts. The main part that has issues on the 750's suspension is the SLS which was equipped on ALL 750's. SLS is Self Leveling Suspension which has a sensor that detects a load in the rear of the car and automatically adjust the rear struts to compensate for the difference in the ride height. The struts for the SLS system are very expensive. There are also accumulators in the rear suspension that go bad over time that will cause a harsh and bouncy ride. Some 740iL's have this as well, including my green 740 which has a harsh ride due to failure of these components. I will be switching them out shortly as soon as I can find some good parts.

The 750 is a solid car, and no it doesn't have vanos, as well as the 740's pre 9/98 production. The 750 will have all the bells and whistles, where the 740 will be lacking. Personally, if I could find a clean 750 and I was in the market I would pick one up.

[93Jag98Bimmer]

Well my dad's 1998 750il is still on the market...:D 91K miles. And if someone is going to spend $10K on a 740 my dad would let his 750 go for that price just because the market for these cars are much lower than what we originally paid for it...we've had alot of work done to it and shes running like a top. The 750 has every option one could want, nothing is cooler than that power rear shade for the back windshield!! The V12 just purrrs....:rolleyes For real if anyone here is still interested the pics and info I believe are all in an older post from a few weeks back.

[dophineh]

http://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif

[04SSHD]

http://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif


:redspothttp://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif:redspothttp://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif:redspothttp://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif:redspothttp://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif:redspothttp://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif:redspothttp://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif

[plik]

:redspothttp://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif:redspothttp://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif:redspothttp://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif:redspothttp://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif:redspothttp://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif:redspothttp://www.2xdvisual.com/purplespotdance.gif

The 12 dancing pistons?

:confused

[RIboater]

Beware the "dot". I think we all know what I'm talking about here.

[m60 makes it go]

what dot??? im scared

[AwesomeIsLuke]

Beware the "dot". I think we all know what I'm talking about here.

Yeah, those department of transportation guys are real bastards!

[m60 makes it go]

i dont think thats what he meant lol

[RIboater]

The "dot"! Beware the dot! muaahhaaa haaaa haaa

[Alpine6And7]

.... What is this fing "DOT" you steak of:shifty

[AwesomeIsLuke]

i dont think thats what he meant lol

I know, I try to make a funny but I fail

[RIboater]

Here ya go... The "dot" issue.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1057927

[m60 makes it go]

oh yea that dot, i need a new cluster, my old one had PERFECT pixels....but the cluster had a short that caused the whole car to fk up, got a used one indy installed with perfect pixels, over night the pixels messed up and are now illegible

[AwesomeIsLuke]

I has that dot... :shifty

[njdjh2o]

Dang, but good. I have to check to see if my has a dot when I get home. Matter fact calling the wife now.

[AwesomeIsLuke]

Dang, but good. I have to check to see if my has a dot when I get home. Matter fact calling the wife now.

result?

[dophineh]

njdjh2o calm down, you most likely don't have a dot :D

[740fizza]

Other than the name and the interior goodies, there really is no reason to buy the v12. It makes marginally more horsepower AND torque but it also weighs more. So in the end, get it because "its a V12 biatch" not b/c you think its going to be a super car compared to the performance of the V8. Just my thought.

[Reed Hunt]

EDC usually doesn't have issues, it's just an electronic dampening control for the struts. The main part that has issues on the 750's suspension is the SLS which was equipped on ALL 750's. SLS is Self Leveling Suspension which has a sensor that detects a load in the rear of the car and automatically adjust the rear struts to compensate for the difference in the ride height. The struts for the SLS system are very expensive. There are also accumulators in the rear suspension that go bad over time that will cause a harsh and bouncy ride. Some 740iL's have this as well, including my green 740 which has a harsh ride due to failure of these components. I will be switching them out shortly as soon as I can find some good parts.

The 750 is a solid car, and no it doesn't have vanos, as well as the 740's pre 9/98 production. The 750 will have all the bells and whistles, where the 740 will be lacking. Personally, if I could find a clean 750 and I was in the market I would pick one up.

While I agree with most of this, the S EDC definitely will have issues, it's just a matter of when...I have this system on my 740, and so far, so good (133K miles). However, there are several stories of these shocks/struts failing at the +-100K mark, and at $700 each, it's not a cheap fix...(though the reality is that one likely switches to Bilstein HDs at that point)

[jbondbmw]

I like the 750 more for one reason and it isn't for the V12. I agree it only gives you an extra 0.3 sec 0 to 60 advantage over the V8 and that's nothing really, but I love the leather dash and doors. I don't care about the extra fuel consumption of the V12 but since it has less technology (no VANOS) I was hoping it would have to go in for servicing less often. $700 each side for the EDC isn't to bad, if it includes labor. Does the EDC give your better handling in sport mode? If so, that would be nice.

[93Jag98Bimmer]

Other than the name and the interior goodies, there really is no reason to buy the v12. It makes marginally more horsepower AND torque but it also weighs more. So in the end, get it because "its a V12 biatch" not b/c you think its going to be a super car compared to the performance of the V8. Just my thought.

Yea I know your right. It's just the fact that you have a V12 to brag about...:D...It's even better since I put the V12 emblems on...I think people are terrified when they roll up to a black V12 Bimmer with black tints...lol

[RIboater]

real men have 12. umm, cylinders that is....