Let me know your thoughts. I know many of you are biased toward the M, but try and be unbiased on this one, and give me a reason as well.

2001 BMW M5 w/ 155k for $14,995 vs. 2001 BMW 740i Sport w/ 116K for $10,995.

http://images.autotrader.com/scaler/565/421/images/2010/3/24/276/918/15401422683.276918938.IM1.04.565x421_A.562x421.jpg

http://images.autotrader.com/scaler/565/421/images/2009/10/28/270/053/13682816083.270053780.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.j pg

I would urge against both. Speaking from firsthand experience, the maintenance costs get a little crazy with big BMWs past 100k.

Chris

Speaking from Chris' and Durka's experiences, unless you're ballin' outta control, forget about both of them.

Finance a new one with free maintenance.

I do believe there is an expiration date on cars, and these have expired.

Thats why I came here to ask. i'm not balling out of control. Maintenance I can handle, but I don't want to be bogged down with seemingly unnecessary repairs all of the time.

Although you can do the work yourself, BMW parts are ridiculously expensive. In ten years of BMW ownership I can't remember an unscheduled repair that cost less than $500 - almost all were over $1000 (parts only). If either of these cars have 10K in receipts behind them, they may not be that bad. If not, expect significant repairs.

Both are really nice looking cars and its amazing how much they have depreciated. The non-M parts of the two cars are very similar. HVAC, gauge clusters are common elecrical problems, seemingly moreso on the 7. General wisdom on the E38 is to budget 4-5K per year in maintenance - a lot of money to spend on a car that only costs you 11K to begin with. I got my 740i Sport with only 61K miles. I was over 80K when I got rid of it and had done valve covers, oil seperator, two expansion tanks, a radiator, headlight adjuster, intake flaps. The car would have needed shocks and control arms had the previous owner not done them at 40K when the Dinan suspension went in. At that mileage you are great risk for transmission failure. I had a 3d party warranty with mine for most of my ownership. It would have been hard to stomach if I hadn't. Just some things to think about.

neither yuck... don't try to ball on a budget. for the same money buy something newer with less miles that is reliable...

I would urge against both. Speaking from firsthand experience, the maintenance costs get a little crazy with big BMWs past 100k.

Chris

I do believe there is an expiration date on cars, and these have expired.

neither yuck... don't try to ball on a budget. for the same money buy something newer with less miles that is reliable...

Perfectly said.

There's a reason that their values fall off after a certain mileage/age.

These are two prime examples.

don't try to ball on a budget.

Ha, no trying to ball on a budget. e38's have always been a car I loved and this just happened to pop up extremely local to me. I plan to make the move to a four door and figured I might as well look to a 4dr I might actually like. There are plenty of strong, well maintained cars with over 100K on the odo. But I have no personal experience with either of these two cars, hence I asked here.

This is the best model in the world of BMW.

This is the best model in the world of BMW.

Oh thank you then. I will run right out and buy it. While im at it would you care to ride along and tell me all about your web services?

Oh thank you then. I will run right out and buy it. While im at it would you care to ride along and tell me all about your web services?

Can i come????????
I want to learn!!!!!!!!!!11