[W126 Coupe] Off Topic BMW

[Satish Tummala]

Overall, the M62 motor and powertrain are excellent.  The electronics are
average for reliability.  2000 and 2001 would be a much better puchase if
you are looking for an E38 chassis 7 series.  Overall, the E36 and E46
BMWs are much more reliable than the W202 and W203 C-classes...the E39 5
series more reliable than a W210 E-class and an E38 7 series more reliable
than a W140 S-Class.

Valve cover gaskets, radiators, water pumps, and suspension stuff are very
typical with many BMWs.  Fortunately those items are fairly inexpensive
and easy to repair.  There is a "hidden" campaign regarding the instrument
cluster, MID, and climate control pixels that tend to disappear with use.

Most customers that come into our facility with BMWs are either in for
routine maintenance, bodywork, or performance work.  However with
Mercedes, it seems like every other one has something broken or the other.

That said, the AMG E55, C55, and SL55/500 have a very high level of build
quality whereas a 2002/2003 745Li is riddled with problems.

Satish


> Does anybody on the list have any experience with late
> 90's BMW 740iL?  I am looking at a 1997 740iL.