stablemate for the 4.6is - E39 or E38?

[GSXRliterbikz]

There are a few over on bimmerforums that have well over 200k on their 7's. The e38 sub forum is extremely active and full of great info on these cars. You should go introduce yourself over there.

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by GSXRliterbikz

There are a few over on bimmerforums that have well over 200k on their 7's. The e38 sub forum is extremely active and full of great info on these cars. You should go introduce yourself over there.

yup - I did. Well, sort of - I tagged onto another post from another new shorty owner the same day. I will keep tabs on that forum for sure.

[c4racer]

and it fits in the garage just perfectly!! Looks right at home next to the X5, eh?

[c4racer]

kinda funny how puny the 255-45-18 rear tire looks next to the 315's on the X!! ha.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by c4racer

kinda funny how puny the 255-45-18 rear tire looks next to the 315's on the X!! ha.

You are right about that. I was following my wife today who was driving our 4.4 with 285's on the rear and I was thinking they still look big. The 4.6is and 4.8is are wider still. Huge tires, even in this day and age.

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by FSETH

You are right about that. I was following my wife today who was driving our 4.4 with 285's on the rear and I was thinking they still look big. The 4.6is and 4.8is are wider still. Huge tires, even in this day and age.

Ya - I followed my wife a month or so ago when she was in the X5 to shuttle a group of kids to an event for a birthday party. And I was struck with how damn cool the 4.6is looked with those massive meats back there. And when she drives it off in the morning now I love to hear the crackle of the Alpina tuned motor too. Sounds very mean. I supposed the 740i will help sooth the pain of not driving it during the week somewhat. Although these days I am probably taking the vette a good 4 days a week which always makes me smile. But winter she is a coming, so that won't continue for long....

[m5james]

Originally Posted by c4racer

I just couldn't get excited about the E65. They are nice and all, but don't have the classic lines of the cars from the late 90's and early 2000's, IMHO. Not to mention even buying one today at $30K it will be losing a ton of value in depreciation over the next few years which I just don't relish the thought of. I guess I'm an old school guy - I still like the E34 M5 a lot for example... Anyway this is my 6th pre-bangle era BMW!!

I agree completely, but my opinion is a little biased. Nice find man, now update that sig! Got any mods lined up for her? I think you'd love how the sound of some Magnaflow 14816's under a notched bumper. My friend Steve and I did a great writeupm templates and all.

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by m5james

I agree completely, but my opinion is a little biased. Nice find man, now update that sig!

already updated it...

Had the car for an outing today for soccer games all over the place and logged about 150 miles. Wow - all I can say is this is bar none the best damn highway cruiser I have ever owned including a few E39's and a Q45 Infiniti. The car is just so solid it glides over bumps yet doesn't wallow and maintains perfect composure at all times with just enough road feel. Amazing car. I am very glad I went with a 7 over a 5 this time. Fits the bill perfectly. I love the huge trunk too. And the most amazing thing is I am averaging 26mpg so far... This car gets very similar mpg to the G37. But it is so much nicer to drive. You just get the feeling you could cruise at 80mph all day long and be perfectly happy when you got to your destination, even if it was 14 hours away.

One question tho - I noticed an odd behavior from the climate control system that I have never seen on the X5 or any of the other BMW's of this era I have owned. 68 deg outside, I set the temp to 68 and auto but switch off the AC. Blows nice cold outside air in the front vents, but is blasting hot air on the dash vents. So I switch to front vents only instead of the AUTO setting and it only blows cold air. That can't be normal, right?

I got a 1 month warrantee from the dealer - so far that issue and also the drivers seat lumbar doesn't release. I don't ever use lumbar, so I may just figure out how to disconnect the air line for that one. But the heat blasting is not gonna fly...

[m5james]

Heater diverter valve, typical.

[papasmurf]

Originally Posted by m5james

Heater diverter valve, typical.

Does that happen on the X5 too? I've noticed that if on auto, occasionally it'll blow hot air out of the foot vents and cold on the dash or vice versa. With auto mode off, it's fine.