Late 1998 728I Sport Reliable?

[eric]

Hi

Im new to this forum and i hope someone can give me some advice please. I have never had a Bmw before, always had Lexus Ls400 and Ls430. These cars are very reliable, super smooth and quiet. I have never had major issues with Lexus apart from wear and tear things like brake pads etc. Now ive seen this really nice looking late 98 Bmw 728i sport and im thinking about buying it. Now I know Audi have issues with their automatic gearboxes, but do Bmw have issues with their automatic boxes? Plus are these cars as reliable as a Lexus? Are parts expensive, and what are the common issues with these cars?

I hope someone can help.

Thanks

[poshbloke]

Welcome to the forum, you'll find loads of well informed & friendly people here. It's a great place!

I've just bought one. 122k on the clock, FSH, mechanic that checked it the other day said it should do 300k. From what I've seen, parts don't seem too bad. Although I've recently come over from owning Saabs, where owners get together and compare part prices, trying not to cry as they do it.

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Bullet proof engines Eric... As for issues, nothing more than ANY other vehicle matey ;)

Their style and stance are well established as iconic !

[eric]

Thanks for the advice guys. Its just that some people keep saying you cant really compare Lexus Ls with a Bmw due to the fact Lexus is in a different class and Lexus are very reliable and Bmw are like Audi, and that the biggest problem with Bmw is the automatic gearbox issue which Audi have aswell. Thats kinda scares me. Also something about crankshaft sensors.

[poshbloke]

I've been researching for several months on these cars, talking to many owners and not heard bad things said about the gearbox. One person said change the oil every 60k and you're ok.

Funnily enough, I was also looking at a 90's Lexus but all the reviews and feedback said they were unreliable. I think it depends on how you look after it really.

[Guest Mister Dabsy]

Answered your own question there Paul ;)

Many BMW Auto boxes are "Lifetime" bullshit... Don't let that fool you into thinking they'll never need attention !

[eric]

Ive never heard of Lexus Ls being unreliable. I have a friend who has an early 90 lexus ls with wait for it, 446000 miles on it..same gearbox and same engine. Okay the body looks abit tatty but still starts up first time. The only thing that scares me on the Bmw is the automatic gearbox. I thought Bmw gearboxes are sealed for life, and ive heard some say once you change the gearbox oil, 5000 miles the gearbox fails. Thats sounds abit silly though. I even called sytner bmw here in birmingham for advice, the service advisor said stick to your lexus if you dont want headache. I thought thats abit nice of him to be honest. But this bmw ive seen looks really nice.

[Guest DazH]

One of, if not, THE best engine you can put your money down on. Thing of beauty.

You can by a car tomorrow and 4 hours later have the transmission hit the floor. When you but a 1998 vehicle, the risk of buying a lemon is all apart of the experiance. The auto tran in the 728i is fine. If you have a problem, put it down to it being 15 years old and most likely never had it's fluids changed.

All the best!

Daz

[prestige interiors]

My dad has the BIG bad boy V12 E38 but before that he had a 2.8 e38 with 174,000 miles on the clock I had it off him and put another 10,000 that was four years ago I still see the old beast now cruising round my home town

[eric]

You cant say if you have a problem, put it down to it being a 15 year old car. I also have an E registration Toyota Celica Automatic. I service it myself, but i have never changed the gearbox oil and the car still works today. Its done over 230000 miles, same engine and same gearbox. Maybe because itsJapanese.

Ive just seen a thread on here where a gentleman has problems with his 2000 728i Automatic Transmission. So its put me right off german cars. I do know Audi have problems with their auto gearboxes which they wont admit too still, but i didnt know Bmw have the same issue. Its a shame because the car did look nice

[poshbloke]

OK well that's interesting. I do like the look of those Lexi.

Meanwhile, my trans fluid was changed 3 years / 20k ago and no issues.