Hello again every one. How do you properly test drive a 1997 740iL? Second, What would be a good price to offer a dealer for a 97 740IL with 60,600 miles in good condition. This is urgent. Hoping to see the car this afternoon or tomorrow. Thanks again everyone!
Mark
See
Ignore the lifetime transmission fluid thing. At 60k it's ready for it's first fluid change, don't skimp on it!
These are wonderful cars, I bought a 730i recently and adore it. But they can be a money pit if you don't have a good local independant BMW specialist who understands them. Ignore any car without history.
Whn test driving, hammer the gas hard and look at the rear view window. Any smoke take it back. If it is sluggish, burbs or just drags getting going, look for another car.
1.) get in. 2.) close the door 3.) buckle up 4.) start the motor 5.) select Drive (unless the car has an obstruction in front - in which case select Reverse until Drive is appropriate, then select Drive) 6.) go for a ride just like you would in any other car
Second, What would be a good
A '97 with only 60k miles should be in Top Condition, and should command the highest possible price. Of course, this does not mean you should offer to pay it, but this is what the dealer will be asking.
I've just picked up a bit of a dodgey (4.4) 740 and I think it has all the common problems - rattling cats (you might not hear them all the time), temp display pixels not working, air-con not working, airbag lamp on, broken suspension springs, other suspension bush problems and probably a whole lot more.
Your car should be smooth and quiet all the time with a good idle.
Drive it like you stole it, get it nice and hot, nail the brakes a few times nice and hard. Take some REALLY hard corners at high speeds. Any issues at all in driving it like this.... pass on it. There are plenty of others out there. That and of course, try every button, check every light, fluids, trunk for water/moisture, etc...
If you "drive it like you stole it" who would them proceed to buy the car?
I wouldn't want to buy a car that's been stolen!!
This is a BMW and you should be able to drive it hard to test it out. If you can't, or if something fails than it was very close to failing ahy way. The best advice I can give anyone who wants to buy a BMW is to have a prepurchace inspection performed. This vehicle can be a huge money pit and I have seen several "polished turds." If you can't see or feel anything obvious that would scare you away, than a small amount that you would pay for a prepurchace inspection would be well worth your money. I see people all the time where they bring a vehicle into the shop with a huge amount of pride in the vehicle they just purchaced, only to see their jaw drop when they see the list of what the vehicle needs and what it is going to cost.
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