It's hard being an enthusiast

[MeanMachine]

Seriously. I believe I introduced myself on here awhile ago when I was in the market for a car. I ended up with a 1996 BMW 740iL in the end. I love it. I have never had a better car, It's amazing.

The catch is, I pay BMW prices for parts and service that I can't do myself. Not to mention the modifications I want to do, ridiculous prices for mods. I am a poor starving college student :depress:, and its getting to me (and my wallet).

Most my relatives have Domestic cars, and I am shocked when I compare prices on parts and service. It's truly ridiculous, guys.

Good thing is, I don't have a stigma agaist Domestics as some European car owners tend to. I've always loved the marauders, despite everyones initial disappointment in their performance.

OK, as long winded as this is: I am seeing MM prices go way down recently, for quality cars. I think they're sleepers in price as well as performance. I've seen some locally in the 16K range. Is a marauder going to make less of a hit to the old pocketbook in parts, etc while still being enthusiast friendly? Can a starving student manage? :dunno:


Thanks for any advice. Sometimes I wish I didn't care about cars...sometimes.



Alex

[TAF]

Keep the 7-Series

[RR|Suki]

If I can manage you can manage, and my car is no where near stock. Just cut out the cost of booze and smokes and you'll have alot of money for the car.

P.S. especially if you get one for 16K... I didn't

[MeanMachine]

Keep the 7-Series

It would be hard to let it go. Is it becuase it's not a big enough difference to bother?

[Breadfan]

I think so, and it also depends a bit on how much do-it-yourself you can do.

I too looked at the 7-series as I wanted a larger 4-door sedan. I think I looked at a black on black 740il - wow it was sweet and there was tons of back seat legroom. Interior was styled nice and it drove nicely, performance was decent but nothing to write home about.

But what you mention is what got me. Too much of the work on it would be extremely costly and much of it required BMW techs due to the Bimmer computers on it. Those things have a seperate computer for just about everything and often times the dumbest tasks require something to be done on a computer. Not hard, but if you don't have the BMW equipement to do it you're stuck and no that's not cheap stuff.

Based on maintenance costs and performance parts cost the Marauder was a better value.

I stand by this decision looking at what I spent so far on my car and how fast it is I'm quite happy. That being said, I would say a 740iL is more "luxury", but my Marauder isn't exactly spartan or uncomfortable (by a longshot) not to mention the feeling I get when I drive it.

Oh and the money I saved.

[Breadfan]

It would be hard to let it go. Is it becuase it's not a big enough difference to bother?

Depends on what you want. You want a screamin' car for cheap the Marauder will win. The 7 series is a nice car but as you said the mods to it are pricey. Mods aren't cheap for any car but for a 740 I'm betting they're worse than Corvette mods.

Depends on what you want, you have a very nice car right now, the Marauder is a step back in luxury and probably not much faster or better handling stock for stock.

[MeanMachine]

Depends on what you want. You want a screamin' car for cheap the Marauder will win. The 7 series is a nice car but as you said the mods to it are pricey. Mods aren't cheap for any car but for a 740 I'm betting they're worse than Corvette mods.

Depends on what you want, you have a very nice car right now, the Marauder is a step back in luxury and probably not much faster or better handling stock for stock.

Thank you. I was guessing it might be a step back in luxury, but I guess I would prefer a little more on the screamin car for cheap side. Oh, lets not forget full coverage insurance on any BMW for a 20 year old. Wow.

I'm not bashing my car, it's a fantastic car, but sometimes it's not all about the car.

You're right, Everything in the 7 is so complicated electronically, etc. Many say that the 7's were over-engineered.

I guess my goal would be an easier to work on, cheaper parts, and more moddable car. The Marauder fits the bill.

[KillJoy]

I am a poor starving college student :depress:, and its getting to me (and my wallet).

Yet, you can afford a 740iL?????:shake: :dunno:

KillJoy

[RF Overlord]

Oh, lets not forget full coverage insurance on any BMW for a 20 year old. Wow.If you decide to get a Maruader, look for an '03. The VIN causes it to come up in the insurance tables as a Grand Marquis.

I guess my goal would be an easier to work on, cheaper parts, and more moddable car. The Marauder fits the bill.I think you answered your own question with that statement.

[Tallboy]

If I can manage you can manage, and my car is no where near stock. Just cut out the cost of booze and smokes and you'll have alot of money for the car.

P.S. especially if you get one for 16K... I didn't


Let's not get panicky...:drink: :beatnik:

[hitchhiker]

IMHO, Foreign cars, especially the luxury ones, are way overrated.

All I see is someone stroking their ego while they drive.

:D

[White Knuckles]

I owned a '94 740. Loved it when it was new. I travel several states for work and run up alot of miles. When I topped 150,000 miles, it was like a revolving door with BMW.

When the climate control system went on the fritz I cryed uncle.

I had a lady who was interested in buying------she ran it over to BMW for a diagnostic check-----the repairs they priced out were more than I was asking for the car-----The lady smiled:) and said she would buy the car but I would owe her $1500:nono: .

Great cars------but when they go south--------hold on to your wallet:help: .

[MeanMachine]

Yet, you can afford a 740iL?????:shake: :dunno:

KillJoy

:dunno: I wouldn't post this for fun or to pull one over on you guys, they are cheaper than most three/5 series of the same year.

I purchased mine for 8,900, but the parts are getting out of control, hence my original post question.

[Breadfan]

Yet, you can afford a 740iL?????:shake: :dunno:

KillJoy

The 740 I was looking at was cheaper than I paid for my MM. The depereciate like everything else, although I will admit you need to go back a few extra years (this was a 98 or 99) and up a few miles (60k on the one I was looking at).

I shyed away becuase sure they run well but when they don't - hold on.

It's also nice that the bodystyle doesn't change much, from about '96 - '04 the 740 had the exact same styling. So going cheaper on a '96 doesn't look like it compared to say a '00.

[MeanMachine]

The 740 I was looking at was cheaper than I paid for my MM. The depereciate like everything else, although I will admit you need to go back a few extra years (this was a 98 or 99) and up a few miles (60k on the one I was looking at).

I shyed away becuase sure they run well but when they don't - hold on.

It's also nice that the bodystyle doesn't change much, from about '96 - '04 the 740 had the exact same styling. So going cheaper on a '96 doesn't look like it compared to say a '00.

exactly. They looked basically the same from 95-01 (e38 bodystyle). They've got some great lines.

I don't want to run into something huge and get into a giant hole, knock on wood. They still price labor (when needed) and parts as if you were the original guy who bought it for 75K. :down:

[KillJoy]

WOW on the $$$!!!! My wife and I SERIOULSY looked into one a while ago. Used, it was in excess of $60K. Hence, then MM :D

If you can sell that Beamer.....do it. Buy one of the MM's in the Classified Section here, and you will MOST LIKELY be happier in the long run. You will have access to cheaper aftermarket replacement parts, as well as hop up parts. Hell....there have been quite a modded MM's for really reasonable prices lately. You could end up with a steal ;)

KillJoy

[MeanMachine]

WOW on the $$$!!!! My wife and I SERIOULSY looked into one a while ago. Used, it was in excess of $60K. Hence, then MM :D

If you can sell that Beamer.....do it. Buy one of the MM's in the Classified Section here, and you will MOST LIKELY be happier in the long run. You will have access to cheaper aftermarket replacement parts, as well as hop up parts. Hell....there have been quite a modded MM's for really reasonable prices lately. You could end up with a steal ;)

KillJoy

Awesome, thanks for the tips on purchasing one. I'm pretty excited about the MM :banana:

[RR|Suki]

Awesome, thanks for the tips on purchasing one. I'm pretty excited about the MM :banana:
I'll sell you mine for 30k ;)

[MeanMachine]

I'll sell you mine for 30k ;)

hahaha, :depress:, I thought we were fellow starving students. I see a SC in there as well.

[RR|Suki]

hahaha, :depress:, I thought we were fellow starving students. I see a SC in there as well.


heh, If Im gonna starve I'm gonna do it in style. :D

[Joe Walsh]

Let's not get panicky...:drink: :beatnik:

:rofl:.......:rofl:........... ......:beer: .....:bandit: ......:rasta: .......:pimp:

[gpfarrell]

IMHO, Foreign cars, especially the luxury ones, are way overrated.

All I see is someone stroking their ego while they drive.

:D

Yeah, and what are you stroking while you drive?

Anyhow... I considered a 740i as well... was hoping for a sport package car, but their rarity and price in early 2004 helped nudge me towards the MM. The real reason we bought the MM though was that I like driving different stuff.

Though I've got lots of Ford blood, I have realized the world isn't flat and not everybody that bought a BMW did so to impress somebody else... drive one for 10 hours in any conditions and you'll start to appreciate it. Older BMWs can need bigtime parts and lots of expertise to bolt them on. The more complicated the car, the more that risk is reflected into its market value... thus 3s start to cost more than 5s, and 5s cost more than 7s.

If funds were no object it would be great to keep driving the 740... but if the idea of a $2000 repair bill tomorrow followed by another one next week bothers you, it might be time to move on. Personally, I'm not bothered by those. We got a helluva deal on our car and I feel like it owes me nothing. If I pumped $5000 into it to drive two years I'd be fine with it, but your mileage may vary.

I'd switch while the switchin' is good and look forward to another one down the road.

[Donny Carlson]

Stinking server busy message!!

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1576441172.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZ Z_.jpg

[MeanMachine]

Yeah, and what are you stroking while you drive?

Anyhow... I considered a 740i as well... was hoping for a sport package car, but their rarity and price in early 2004 helped nudge me towards the MM. The real reason we bought the MM though was that I like driving different stuff.

Though I've got lots of Ford blood, I have realized the world isn't flat and not everybody that bought a BMW did so to impress somebody else... drive one for 10 hours in any conditions and you'll start to appreciate it. Older BMWs can need bigtime parts and lots of expertise to bolt them on. The more complicated the car, the more that risk is reflected into its market value... thus 3s start to cost more than 5s, and 5s cost more than 7s.

If funds were no object it would be great to keep driving the 740... but if the idea of a $2000 repair bill tomorrow followed by another one next week bothers you, it might be time to move on. Personally, I'm not bothered by those. We got a helluva deal on our car and I feel like it owes me nothing. If I pumped $5000 into it to drive two years I'd be fine with it, but your mileage may vary.

I'd switch while the switchin' is good and look forward to another one down the road.

good points.

heh, the 2000$ repair bill doesn't bother me, it's impossible for me to pay all at once. So I guess it more than bothers me, it screws with my transportation (as much as I love it).

I like driving something different as well. I think all of us Marauder lovers share that. Whenever I see one, I am in semi-awe. For me, they're head-turners (HA, I bet that doesn't apply to 95% of the population, though).

[cyclopsram]

As a poor starving college student, I had a 1960 Falcon, and commuted to school from home...

[duhtroll]

Nope. Not in many cases. Mine was listed as a "Grand Marquis Marauder" but that is because that was how LM listed the car. It doesn't mean I paid only what a GM owner would pay for when it came to insurance. I had a long talk with the rep about the car and he didn't know what they were, but confirmed for me that the price was higher. This was way back in May of 03 when I registered mine. It's Progressive insurance also, so if they know about it, you can bet the others do by now.

Even if you could save money on an insurance premium, why would you want to for this reason? Wreck the car and have the guy say "sorry, it's listed here as a GM and you paid for a GM, so you get a 3 year old GM in return."


If you decide to get a Maruader, look for an '03. The VIN causes it to come up in the insurance tables as a Grand Marquis.
I think you answered your own question with that statement.

[RF Overlord]

duhtroll is right. I should have qualified my statement. MY car is listed as a "GRANMA" on the registration, and I know the '03s shared a VIN code with the Grand Marquis while '04 MMs got a specific code, so I mistakenly assumed it was a common thing...

[MeanMachine]

ah, I see. I checked out the 03 marauder rates, and they are comparatively still less than a 96 740iL by about 80$ a month for me. That's a lot of modding money in my pocket at the end of the year.

[Cheeseheadbob]

My registration only states: MERC 4S, and my insurance (Erie) rates it as a Grand Marquis. I do have a very early build date though.
ah, I see. I checked out the 03 marauder rates, and they are comparatively still less than a 96 740iL by about 80$ a month for me. That's a lot of modding money in my pocket at the end of the year.

[cyclopsram]

The 03 marauders were lumped in with the GM and had M75 for the model... the 04 marauders were given their own M79 vin model so the nice insurance boys could get their pound of flesh... sorta like a P73 is the base civvy Crown Vic and the P74 is the LX.... might as well finish it off... P70 is the long wheelbase CV, P71 is the Police Interceptor, P72 is the Commercial (taxi)...

[jgc61sr2002]

My title states Marauder, but my Ins co thinks its a Grand Marquis.:D

[Shaft333]

It's certainly becoming a bargain (much to my dismay).
The Marauder is a fun car to try.
I don't consider it a quality car though. Way too many problems. If I could, I'd sell you mine.

On the plus side, it looks awesome. Sounds awesome. Impresses the neighbors. Has a fairly knowledgeable owners base online. Is a tank when it comes to safety. Scares children.

I haven't found the parts to be expensive. Except the tires. And even then it isn't the price, it's the availability. Some swapped them for a different type with a slightly different size. I might have to.

[MeanMachine]

It's certainly becoming a bargain (much to my dismay).
The Marauder is a fun car to try.
I don't consider it a quality car though. Way too many problems. If I could, I'd sell you mine.

On the plus side, it looks awesome. Sounds awesome. Impresses the neighbors. Has a fairly knowledgeable owners base online. Is a tank when it comes to safety. Scares children.

I haven't found the parts to be expensive. Except the tires. And even then it isn't the price, it's the availability. Some swapped them for a different type with a slightly different size. I might have to.

From what I've seen, reliability is hit and miss with the marauder. I guess it's perspective, as well. What are the issues you're having/ or have had?

[gpfarrell]

From what I've seen, reliability is hit and miss with the marauder. I guess it's perspective, as well.

Ditto. 789

[MeanMachine]

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[MeanMachine]

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d104/gigthepig/740il4.jpg

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