Subject: The E65 has grown on me considerably. My thoughts (lengthy) Author: nicholasgillis as Nick (Australia) : member since October, 2005 : 1053 posts Posted on: 2007-09-02 11:01:12

Particularly since the facelift that fixed up any issues I had with the rear end and interior. I'd probably skip the E38 and go straight to the E65.

Pros:
- Extended warranty coverage
- Modern look. Our E32s look great when freshly washed and still get admirable comments but there is no denying that design has moved on. I can see now that the E65's shape has been a design that is significantly influencing the shapes of many modern vehicles
- Vehicle has moved into the true computer age. You go sit in one. Makes me feel like our E32s are E23s. Significant advance on what the E38 was on the E32 (which was simply a refinished/massaged version IMHO)
- BMW has sorted out the later E65's great majority of flaws the earlier E65s suffered. Go have a look at roadfly's E65 board. It is a ghost town compared to years back when they were all having problems on release
- Diagnostics will be very nice in the future with all that computer integration. Everyone is always scared of the electronics in these cars. My observation: Very very very few problems in my E32 which uses much older copper wire technology which is significantly more prone to problems than the fiber optics in the E65. No corrosion/broken looms, fires etc that I have seen a few times over the years.
- This car is simply what our cars were back in 1988 - quite revolutionary and therefore people are scared of them
- Lots more power. Same/improved fuel consumption

Cons:
- Still expensive for many of us humble E32 owners. If you can afford it and feel the need for modernisation this may not be such an issue for you
- Dealer servicing costs (although I believe you guys have pretty good deals for warranties/maintenance packages in the states)
- Depreciation will be a significant cost in both the short and long term


E38:
Pros:
- Undoubtedly elegant design that refined E32s aging points. Has aged very nicely but I feel has an appearance that is very E32. Bad if you want to truly modernise.
- Cheap way to a V12
- More modern electronics than our E32. I believe these used the significantly improved electronics technology the E31 introduced, which our E32s missed out on. Still more vulnerable to faults than the E65s system- Nice upgrades on the E32. More leather, more wood, more gadgets (nav, audio, seat heating more common, seat massaging on later models) The Nav and audio are two upgrades which have been rendered old tech by more modern offerings by both BMW and other manufacturers.
- Traction control, many more air bags, improved safety
- Very nice E38 community. Very closely knit, friendly helpful etc

Cons:
- Engine technology essentially the same as on E32s. Yes they did get the improved V8 and V12 but very similar designs and share very similar problems
- Engine outputs are not particularly improved, especially considering the added weight
- 5-Speed Automatic remained problematic for E38 owners
- Despite what others may think, I do not agree that they were of particularly high build standard considering the initial price. Interior trim looks sh*t on many of these cars. Colour rubbing off the seats, plastic parts breaking, plush leather door trimmings vulnerable to wear and tear. Look on Ebay: Lots of nice cream puffs around but there are some that have not been respected and it really shows on these cars. E32 was more durable in this way (more utilitarian even?
- Crappy cooling system. Radiators/fans/pipes all are weak points, worse than on the E32. Go look at the E38 board for yourself. My one great fear is an overheating car in traffic, especially with a big, all alloy german V8
- Beautiful cruisers. Handling purity of E32 has been lost but in its place comes even better ride comfort, noise suppression and refinement. Your preferences are of importance here.

Comments/Opinions/Objections welcomed and encouraged

3/93 BMW 730iL
Lazurblau/Silbergrau
5-Speed Automatic
160k KM

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