TurboMark

Hi -- I am thinking about buying a used BMW 745i (2002) for my wife. Does anyone have experience with the 2002 MY and / or know a good BMW web forum?

TIA

acourvil

Roadfly.com has some active BMW boards. I've always like the 5 series better than the 7 series, but the 7 might better if your wife really needs more space.

Wachuko

You will need, as with any other car, a good PPI and to look at the service record. The 745 (new shape and iDrive) had several initial problems. Let me try to find the old links I had to some of the major issues with the initial cars... not sure if all of those were addressed. I have seen so many on flat beds... Pitty, I have always liked the 7 series.

TurboMark

OK, based on the Roadfly Board, there will be no 745 in the immediate future.

rost12

I've got some experience with a 2002 (first year) 745i that's been pretty good, despite whatever roadfly boards say. If the car wasn't a buyback (read: lemon), then you should be fine with it. Especially given that latest software releases for the car do actually fix the problems as opposed to bringing up new ones

However, I wouldn't risk owning a new 7er out of warranty. So much stuff, so many computers... Heck, a full software update can take a full day to do, can you imagine the labour costs?

Among 4 door luxury saloons, I don't think you can go wrong with E class. If you can deal with those breaks

Moogle

used 7... or new 5?... hmmm

im a bit partial to the 5, get a nice black one with a light tint, and you've got the best 4 door sedan.

blkc4sny

Be careful, 7 series '02, were problematic, as said above, way too many computers, etc. BMW started this whole computer thing back in the late 90's in their think tank design company in Palo Alto, this sounded like the right thing to do at the time, booming dot.com era, they really thought they were going to take a huge competitive lead but they really had no bus logic for getting into the the software business.

Good luck, I happened to like the 7, but probably would wait for the new redesigned 7 that will be out very soon.

TurboMark

Already own an e500 and I like the brakes!

rost12

Not a "redesigned" but a refreshed one, get it right

Sean

The 7-series is one of the most complex production vehicles. So many computers, electronic sensors, motors--they're all over the car, from the assist in opening/closing the trunk, to simple seat adjustment. Then there's the i-Drive and its related issues.

Owning a 7-series out of warranty will be a costly (and annoying) proposition. I hope Porsche doesn't follow BMW down the same road, but the 997 is edging closer to this sort of complexity (PASM, NAV, etc.).