Seeing as I'bve only had it since Thursday I'm still finding my way around things...

Spent most of yesterday hoovering, wiping, disinfecting and cleaning the inside of the car & then got to work on the leather inside and then set about cleaning up the engine bay; all nice and shiney now :D

- Got to chanage the oil & filter ASAP as it's as black as tar (been advised to go for some 5W 30 fully synthetic; any other suggestions)?

- The whole car wobbles when braking from motorway speeds (at other speeds it's fine); more than likely the rear discs and pads that'll need changing as they're warped due to the car being stood for a good while before I bought it & the rear discs are fairly rusted up as are the calipers. Any suggestions for brake discs & pads for the rear (dont need to go overboard as I do about 2-3k miles a year)!

- I'm going to swap the OEM paper air filter for a K&N or ITG panel filter; any other filters that need changing?

- I'd also like some replacement wheel nuts as the current ones are rusted and look horrible; any suggestions?

Thanks for your time :D

Great car matey... Its the later facelift model and best year to get IMHO, well done !

The "wobble" could be the discs but I would emphasise that the wishbone bushes need attention ! Do you "Feel" the wobble thru the steering wheel? If yes then front-end disc/bushes issue... If the car shakes the it could be rears (as above) or even the centre prop bearing !

There is a small wobble on the steering wheel when driving between 50 & 70mph which to me would be front discs are slightly warped; these are fairly new though so may see if I can get them skimmed first before being replaced

However when braking from those speeds the whole car wobbles for around a second and then stops; really when the brakes are applied hard. Had this on my MG ZT, although front wheel drive, the rear end shook a lot and once the discs/pads were changed it disappeared

Please could you provide more info re the centre prop bearing?

Thanks

Nice car mate, congrats to start with!

One of the common probs with your motor is the front suspension. Heavy car means alot of weight is shunted to the front under breaking. I have the EXACT same issues as you so the first thing I'm doing is changing all the bushes and drop links. Me and Gav might be doing this together so your welcome to come alone...

I have a Pipercross finter in my 7 (thanks to Dabsy-Spannerman) and I like the sound ya get under heavy acceleration. Aslong as you don't drive with tar in ya sump, your M52 lump will treat you well :)

Centre prop bearing allows the prop to spin nicely. If its warn, it will allow the prop to wobble everywhere and knock around. Causes a shake that travels directly into the cabin and can go up through the steering column

Keep us posted!!

Daz

Thanks for the tips

The steering column definitley doesnt shake; just the rear of the car upon heavy braking from speed

Other than that it's fairy tickety boo...

I'll get the rear discs, pads and tyres changed and see how it goes from there

Sounds like a plan!! :D

I cant give anymore advice than these 2 guys can dude.

But yes Daz and myself have a plan to do all our bushes together in the near future, your more than welcome to come along.

Bush fwends !!

Welcome to the world of 7 my dad has the V12 750i on a 1998 plate and I have just sold my X5 and bought a 2002 E65 735i as above dabsy and daz comments I can't add to let us know how you get in

Might also be a good idea to Poly-Bush the rear end, worth every penny as it just might be the trailing-arm bushes ;)

Just another angle on your issue as you did emphasise the shake at the rear ;)

Thanks for that

As I said I'm going to get the tyres, discs & pads sorted first as they're urgent & then I'll go from there

Have you any links through to the potential parts needed bushings wise?

Thanks

Use "E38" as an ebay search...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=e38+bush&_sacat=0&_odkw=e38&_sop=10&_osacat=0&_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A3445&LH_PrefLoc=1&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEFSRCHX%3ASRCH&_sc=1

Looks like a full kit here; not too bad!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FULL-POWERFLEX-FRONT-REAR-BUSHES-ENGINE-MOUNT-KIT-BMW-7-SERIES-E38-94-02-/150865863984?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item23204e6530

Might also be a good idea to Poly-Bush the rear end, worth every penny as it just might be the trailing-arm bushes ;)

Just another angle on your issue as you did emphasise the shake at the rear ;)

Polybush is the way forward.

My E46 330ci will be treated to a full set

Now you see I thought that on most of my Honda's but I have to say; it made for quite a rickety ride at times and I regretted it on the Prelude and Integra!

Hmm

I may have a bit of a different view on poly bushes to what most people here will have. I actually like.... Standard spec rubber on cars. I don't race the cars I have where I'll need to throw her around corners so a harsher ride is not what I would want. Yes, Poly bushes last longer but I never own cars long enough to really give a monkeys.

Just my two pence...

Daz

Hmm

I may have a bit of a different view on poly bushes to what most people here will have. I actually like.... Standard spec rubber on cars. I don't race the cars I have where I'll need to throw her around corners so a harsher ride is not what I would want. Yes, Poly bushes last longer but I never own cars long enough to really give a monkeys.

Just my two pence...

Daz

My thoughts exactly.. I'll more than likely be sticking with OEM!

My thoughts exactly.. I'll more than likely be sticking with OEM!

Same as matey, Same as..

I used powerflex Polybush top and bottom mounts on my v70r....tightened everything up nicely....engine had a nicer growl but the dash would vibrate just as loud.....think they are great fot performance cars but like Daz i would stick to std on my 7, on a 3 series 330 say i might be different, as i loved to throw my 330 about a bit on the country lanes......now i have the 728 i just sit back and cruise ....sometimes lol

Hi

I'm in the same boat, bought my 1st one at the weekend.

I have the same wobble, will get it into a local garage soon (when I can work out which BMW specialist to use!). It's not when I brake, just when I come off the gas to slow down around 50-60.

Also, do these air filters make that much difference? Is this something I can do easily? I might buy one and do it, or isn't it worth it. I won't be driving like a madman but would like it to be more nippy / efficient.

Hi

I'm in the same boat, bought my 1st one at the weekend.

I have the same wobble, will get it into a local garage soon (when I can work out which BMW specialist to use!). It's not when I brake, just when I come off the gas to slow down around 50-60.

Also, do these air filters make that much difference? Is this something I can do easily? I might buy one and do it, or isn't it worth it. I won't be driving like a madman but would like it to be more nippy / efficient.

The wobble will be the front and rear UPPER arms that you'll need to replace.

I got my parts from General Traffic at around £180 inc vat and it took me 2 hours to get them fitted. In that time I managed to free up the rear camber bolts which were seized; had replacements from BMW and they were very cheap so maybe worth buying in as well just in case.

If you're not already; join up to BNMWLand forum as well as you'll get a decent forum discount for genuine BMW parts from one of the dealers that trades on there. Very helpful they are too :)

Re the air filter; I changed recently to a K&N filter; the paper filter was filthy and the K&N only cost £25 via eBay so well worth the investment as they've a million mile warranty! It's a 30second swap over; unclip the air filter panel that holds the filter; slid it out, swap them over and slide & click back into place :)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/K-N-Element-Panel-Filter-BMW-Z3-Z4-328-520-X3-33-2070-/370731297729?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item56514eabc1

Gone up £4!

thanks Dan

Is the K&N the best? I see there's quite a few on the market. Is there much in it?

I'd say so. There's always ITG and Green Cotton etc but they're more expensive

£29 for a lifetime air filter is peanuts!

Bloody poly-bush debate....

Do it, the car can adapt to the changes... When you fit poly's turn OFF the DSC by holding the button for 10 secs - have a giggle, then press it once to notice the settled changes ;)