poshbloke

quick, press the back button now!

Thanks Dan Sounds good. Do you have a camera? Would you be able to post a pic of them in action please? Thanks Paul

you shouldn't be here on a Sunday, get out there and enjoy the weather

worth a try I suppose

great thanks! Didn't want you to think I was disrespecting your advice! What's your thoughts on gearbox oil changes?

Hi all Since my dear old dad saw my E38, he's been searching for a way I can do something about the in car phone. My phone is missing, just the cables. I'm not too fussed about having the phone back, probably wouldn't work anyway, but what do people do with this now redundant area? Is there a different centre console cushion I can buy? Or a new phone to make it actually work? Thanks Paul

I'm still arguing with the dealer I bought it from about the battery not working! Makes me think it didn't have the "thorough check" that they said it had.

Thanks, sorry I wasn't clear there. I meant throwing my money away on the car generally. I've not had a full check done on it, I bought it flying by the seat of my pants so hoping it's OK! Once I take it to a garage and they don't scream and tell me it's about to fall apart, then I'll go for it, get my toolkit out and buy the filter, Bosch sparks, some nicer lights etc.

I did think it sounded a bit silly. I'll take your advice and buy one once the mechanic tells me I'm not throwing money away!

Thanks DazH I went to Halfords today to buy some Redex (it's a start!). Been on ebay and found sparks and K&N Performance Filter. Not used one of those before, some say they damage the engine by letting too much in. PAS fluid - will hunt for that tomorrow. Meanwhile, I've also heard that the auto gearbox fluid should be changed every 60k. Apparrently BMW say it doesn't need it but it's best to. Have you heard this? I need the stamp in the service book so will get a mechanic to do some things, but things like the above, I can do. Seems I might need the front and rear upper arms replacing as I've got a wobble when I slow from about 50-60mph, and I want the mechanic to check it anyway before I spend anything on it. Halfords tried to sell me an engine cleaner but I can't rev my car for 15 mins outside otherwise I'll have a lynch mob on me! Will ask a mech about that.

I've found something on eBay for about £20 so I think we should close the thread now

could everyone stop posting now please?

Oh, hold on....

I'm amazed how many people have posted here. I wouldn't fall for it though.

cheers all! Am going to replace the spark plugs myself soon, have found some of those 4 prong Bosch ones for 3.96 each. Not even had time to open the bonnet yet though! Plus I don't have any space really to do it but if there's any suggestions for simple stuff that makes a difference then please let me know. I suppose after years of Saabs I'm used to not being able to touch the car myself, which I've missed! So I'll use a normal mechanic then, seem there's little point in paying for a BMW specialist. Cheers Paul

good point! thanks! I'll check that. Anyone else have any thoughts?

Hi I did post last year, when I was looking at buying, and was very impressed with the advice and welcome I received here! I've just bought a W reg (00) E38 728i, 122k on the clock, very pleased so far. I need to find a local place to get it serviced (Richmond / Thames). I've had Saabs for ages, the recent ones (I had an 06 plate) were terrible. One thing I found was that the older ones needed servicing by a trained Saab person, as they had certain quirks and the tools needed were different. Is this true of my BMW too? I was surprised that someone with a 52 plate BMW 3 series I spoke to today said that he used a normal mechanic. Looking forward to getting stuck in!

Hi Just got a 2000 E38, very new to the brand. I drive mainly round town, so don't always need headlights, except to be seen. Was thinking about wiring these things in, well, getting a garage to do it. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/German-Proton-X5-XENON-CCFL-ANGEL-EYES-FOR-BMW-E36-E46-E38-E39-/350691393584?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item51a6d60030 What are your thoughts? Or are these a bit lame? Cheers Paul

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.

I need new sparks - have you found that they make much difference?

Dear all Thanks so much for your advice! Sorry for the delayed reply, work's been mad & I couldn't login for some reason for ages but anway.... I BOUGHT ONE! So pleased, can't wait to drive it again every time I park it up! It's a 2000(W) 728i, 122k and very nice so far (5 days!) I did a trip to the coast in it. Only issue is that the battery is dodgy, the dealer I bought it from were supposed to replace it, and they are going to. Now I need to get it serviced, especially after the battery issue, I don't trust the dealer and it's not been stamped up for a couple of years, although does appear looked after & no lights on. Am I well advised to use a proper BMW specialist? I used to have Saabs and found anyone who'd not been trained by them was pretty much incapable of doing a good job.

Brilliant, thanks all! I've found a 3-4 that I'm interested in. One has only 45k on the clock but only about 4-5 services in it's 17 years and a 7 year gap in services. Another looks perfect,with 60k on the clock and some gaps in the history but generally all there. Have seen some others with mileage over 100k, which is not bad at all for the age and with a SH should be ok, I think. What sort of mileage do these cars do, if looked after? I'm going to go 728i, I think, that'll be enough, I've 2 kids now so am a bit more sensible than I was!

Dear all New here so hopefully I've put this in the right place. I'm new here and looking to buy a turn of the century 728 (or 740 but am worried about the extra expense) and would appreciate any advice. I live in the London 'burbs, have a family and don't do a lot of miles, this would be a 2nd car, probably doing about 5000 pa. I'm just concerned because, despite the low miles I'll be doing, I'm scared of buying something and it seriously backfiring on me if a gearbox or something goes. Stories / experiences of others, costs etc much appreciated! Thanks

typed in "BMW E38 buying forum" into google