Spannerdog

I dont think its to do with the batteries in the keys, both my keys work fine for locking and unlocking/opening the boot remotely..

If your gonna start levering mirrors out I suggest you look here first :) some have a little latch that you move to one side to unlock the mirror http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/Mirror/Index.htm

Welcome aboard Bazza. Nice motor :)

my old 728 used to return about 18 mpg around town and 29 mpg on a long run my latest aquisition, the 1999 740 returns about 16 mpg around town and 27 mpg on the motorways but I do drive a little right footed! I am sure I could get about 33 mpg if I used the cruise control and kept a bit closer to 70 mph. so if economy is not a major issue then go BIG and you'll never look back, the 4.4 is one hell of a motor compared to the 2.8 and its great fun just knowing that it wont complain one little bit when you plant your right foot and that slight V8 rumble when you do it will bring a smile to your face every time :) guaranteed! I'm not a fan of silver cars, there are some lovely blue cars about, but thats down to personal preference

Not sure about the radio/stereo swap as the late E38's usually have either the 4:3 or 16:9 (widescreen) head units, but you might like to take a look at these two sites http://www.dynavin.com/products/product_dnv_e39a.php http://www.car-vision.co.uk/bmw-navi-dvd/3278-bmw-7-series-replacement-dvd-gps-multimedia-system-1994-2003-.html the first one is a replacement for E39's but could probably fit the E38, the second is stated as a E38 replacement, both have touch screens and single cd/dvd slot plus a ton of other nice techy bits.

All the doors lock and unlock as normal, according to the manual the three button key gets charged whilst its in the ignition so I doubt if its that. the car works fine, everything works except the "alarm active" indications, I'm not really that worried at the moment as I don't live in high risk area and the car can be locked, perhaps I'll pop to my local BMW dealership and see if I can pick their brains without getting charged a small fortune.

Come on then you brainy beggars..here's a question for ya. According to Maneul (the Spanish waiter)it says that when I lock my 740 with the remote then it should set the alarm with the following indications. 1. indicators and repeaters give one flash 2. red "alarm active" light on the dash flashes whilst active. I get neither of these indications Has my alarm lost its coding or some other thing that it needs to activate??

I looked into fitting some angel eyes to my 740 and may well do it in the spring I had a look at this site and it would appear that it means almost stripping the headlights down to component parts and I'm not sure I want to do that http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/Angel/Index.htm Its not that I'm not confident when it comes to things like this but I'm a great advocate of the good old saying "if it aint broke, dont fix it" So I am now looking for a set of xenon headlights on ebay so I can tinker to my hearts content and get it done right without leaving my pride and joy with no lights if things go wrong..

I found this site to be of great help and inspiration for the upcoming loss of analogue TV, I really cant comment on if it would work if you don't already have a tv fitted to your motor.. My oem tv has an AV channel that I plan to use in conjunction with the AV in socket in the back of the center rest http://www.meeknet.co.uk/E38/AV/Index.htm

Since I have now got a 740i with TV I was scratching my head about what to do when normal tele goes off air and everything is digital.. My car has an AV input between the rear seats so I am wondering if one of the after market DVB-T units would work if it was plugged into the AV in socket? Or perhaps there is a way of fitting it in the boot and plumbing it into the system from there. I am not keen on having wires running all over the place so the more discreet the better..

here is my biased choice £2,500 for a 750i with less than 80k miles and lots of bells and whistles including tv, thats an awful lot of car for the money http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201145427236620/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/3000/model/7_series/make/bmw/page/3/postcode/po123sb/radius/1500?logcode=p

Here ya go guys and gals.. Just not sure if I should go and buy either smoke or clear rear clusters, front indicators and repeaters

I'll get my camera out tomorrow and then post some pics..

Hello guys and gals Spannerdog here, aka Pete. Confirmed BMW freak, I am now on my fourth started with an L reg E36 320i coupe back in 96, then went to a E36 328i coupe which I managed to write off fairly quickly. The rear overtook the front on some black ice, then I went mad and got a P reg E38 728i. I fell in love with that car and owned it for 9 years until last week it finally failed an MOT with epic proportions, fuel tank leak, bushes, bearings, rusted sill/rear seat belt fixings. Far to much to repair economically..so off to autotrader and 5 hours later I was and still am the proud owner of a very nice late 99 V reg E38 740i in dark metallic blue with probably as many extras as it was possible for the first and only other owner to add I still cant believe I got so much car for just £1,550 geeze it even has double glazing and goes like a stabbed rat as James May would say.. :D