BMW 7 series big maintenance cost (e66)

[wowjudo]

Hello

i was wondering if there are any 7 series e66 owners in this forum

and if they can list their maintenance cost. I mean the big maintenances that requires to replace stuff. i.e shocks, brake disc etc and general maintenance cost. i guess its the 100'000 km one and the 150'000 km one

just wondering what they are charging here in thailand and how much it did cost you all around to run this car

[NeverSure]

Like they say, if you have to ask you can't afford it.

I can tell you that the costs are outrageous. For less expensive more mass produced cars you can get aftermarket brake rotors, pads and calipers. For the car you mention you buy them from the dealer at a price way beyond what they should be worth.

This will be true throughout the life of the car for many parts.

The very well off buy the car new and don't keep it forever. Then the poor guy who buys a used one pays for the most expensive maintenance.

The same is true for body parts. Have you checked insurance for one of those? A fender is a dealer item and the price is ridiculous.

Have fun.

[jay1980]

My mate in the UK runs a 2004 e66 735Li, and he is a tiler and bathroom fitter!

I don't know how much major services are but he says its is cheaper than you would expect to run. He has ran BMW barges for years and has a trusted independant specialist

middle aged german barges can repersent amazing value compared to the new price even in LOS if that is your thing, all you need is a good ind specialist. no experance of this guy personally, but on his FB he does amazing things to BMW's

http://www.powerbynat.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1179093760

could be a good place to start?

cheers

[wowjudo]

Like they say, if you have to ask you can't afford it.

I can tell you that the costs are outrageous. For less expensive more mass produced cars you can get aftermarket brake rotors, pads and calipers. For the car you mention you buy them from the dealer at a price way beyond what they should be worth.

This will be true throughout the life of the car for many parts.

The very well off buy the car new and don't keep it forever. Then the poor guy who buys a used one pays for the most expensive maintenance.

The same is true for body parts. Have you checked insurance for one of those? A fender is a dealer item and the price is ridiculous.

Have fun.

yes i can believe that it will costs me a good price to refresh it but its alot of car that you get imo.

i am ready to spend 300k on a "big" maintenance without that it makes me feel like the biggest purchase of my life. its alot of money yes but i'd be more than happy to have a healthy 7 series that lasts for the next 4-5 years.

if we talk more than 300k then ill probably not considering the swap.

the thai ones available mostly dont have all the gadgets like most europeans one so thats good imo (less that can go wrong)

i expect the suspension to be the priciest replacement.

thanks for your post tho

p.s: the one i was interested in is around 7 years old (bought in august 2008)

[wowjudo]

My mate in the UK runs a 2004 e66 735Li, and he is a tiler and bathroom fitter!

I don't know how much major services are but he says its is cheaper than you would expect to run. He has ran BMW barges for years and has a trusted independant specialist

middle aged german barges can repersent amazing value compared to the new price even in LOS if that is your thing, all you need is a good ind specialist. no experance of this guy personally, but on his FB he does amazing things to BMW's

http://www.powerbynat.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1179093760

could be a good place to start?

cheers

yes i also believe that its a good price for what you are getting (thailand wise)

thanks for your tip and perhaps if i get one this source could be usefull

[keemapoot]

Personally, I think the E65 is a more enjoyable driver, but you are correct to focus on the more available longer wheelbase E66, which were primarily purchased to be executive and 5-star hotel Limos, more so than the equivalent S class Benz, which were available in both variants, long and regular.

The fact that many of these were hotel or corporate owned is an advantage in terms of regular maintenance, but as always, you should check the records.

This car is neither cheap to run nor cheap to repair. Be prepared to pay even if you can find a corner BMW mechanic to do the work at a discount. The biggest risk is a major failure cost, which will approach scrap value. Honestly, you're better off with an S class for many reasons.

[wowjudo]

Personally, I think the E65 is a more enjoyable driver, but you are correct to focus on the more available longer wheelbase E66, which were primarily purchased to be executive and 5-star hotel Limos, more so than the equivalent S class Benz, which were available in both variants, long and regular.

The fact that many of these were hotel or corporate owned is an advantage in terms of regular maintenance, but as always, you should check the records.

This car is neither cheap to run nor cheap to repair. Be prepared to pay even if you can find a corner BMW mechanic to do the work at a discount. The biggest risk is a major failure cost, which will approach scrap value. Honestly, you're better off with an S class for many reasons.

so investing about 600k more for a 2009 s class would be a better option as the car is more reliable? or what is the reason why the s class is worth the extra money?

never drove the s-class before but drove the 7 series and fell in love with it

at the end i know there is a big maintenance cost for a luxury used car to refresh it but im ready to pay it as long as it will be reliable for the next 5 years

i've bought 2 years ago a brand new accord for 1.8M and that thing kept having problems with the air con system. dealer kept changing part by part and it never got resolved. got pretty dissapointed

i also dont like the wind noise + clumpsy suspension of the accord and it does not feel good driving over 120km/h (very insecure feeling) on the thai roads . imo my wifes civic feels better to drive

just wanted to know how much these "5 star hotel" cars cost to run and maintain after 100'000 km so i will know if its worth the swap. i travel long distances and it would be a nice addition

thanks for all the suggestions gents

[keemapoot]

Personally, I think the E65 is a more enjoyable driver, but you are correct to focus on the more available longer wheelbase E66, which were primarily purchased to be executive and 5-star hotel Limos, more so than the equivalent S class Benz, which were available in both variants, long and regular.

The fact that many of these were hotel or corporate owned is an advantage in terms of regular maintenance, but as always, you should check the records.

This car is neither cheap to run nor cheap to repair. Be prepared to pay even if you can find a corner BMW mechanic to do the work at a discount. The biggest risk is a major failure cost, which will approach scrap value. Honestly, you're better off with an S class for many reasons.

so investing about 600k more for a 2009 s class would be a better option as the car is more reliable? or what is the reason why the s class is worth the extra money?

never drove the s-class before but drove the 7 series and fell in love with it

at the end i know there is a big maintenance cost for a luxury used car to refresh it but im ready to pay it as long as it will be reliable for the next 5 years

i've bought 2 years ago a brand new accord for 1.8M and that thing kept having problems with the air con system. dealer kept changing part by part and it never got resolved. got pretty dissapointed

i also dont like the wind noise + clumpsy suspension of the accord and it does not feel good driving over 120km/h (very insecure feeling) on the thai roads . imo my wifes civic feels better to drive

just wanted to know how much these "5 star hotel" cars cost to run and maintain after 100'000 km so i will know if its worth the swap. i travel long distances and it would be a nice addition

thanks for all the suggestions gents

Yup, I'm with you that the bimmer 7 series is more fun to drive than the S class, but in Thailand, parts are more available at better prices for the S class, service more prevalent at better prices off dealers locations (or from retired Benz mechanics), the big barge Benz hold their value more and are easier to resell than the big barge Bimmer, and the Benz is more likely to have been owned by a caring individual owner than the 7, because many of the S280, 320, 500s are available in short wheelbase, rather than the 7, which was mostly only available in LWB.

I agree for the same money as a new Accord/Camry a "previously owned" S class or 7 series totally outclasses the jap pretender and trumps all the common E class and 5 series too. (Don't forget that an Accord or Camry is merely a common mid-size car for the masses everywhere else on the planet, and that if you are using your car for international business guests visits, they will be somewhat deflated being picked up in what they consider to be a suburban soccer wife car)

Just be very very choosy and know the pedigree and service history.

*edit. You might also consider a Lexus LS if you can find a good deal on one, but they are generally more expensive pound for pound. Great car, equal to the S class.

**edit2: I have noticed that a lot of embassy and consulates seem to use the LWB 7 series, and if you can find a previously owned ambassador's car it would have a fantastic service history.

[wowjudo]

Personally, I think the E65 is a more enjoyable driver, but you are correct to focus on the more available longer wheelbase E66, which were primarily purchased to be executive and 5-star hotel Limos, more so than the equivalent S class Benz, which were available in both variants, long and regular.

The fact that many of these were hotel or corporate owned is an advantage in terms of regular maintenance, but as always, you should check the records.

This car is neither cheap to run nor cheap to repair. Be prepared to pay even if you can find a corner BMW mechanic to do the work at a discount. The biggest risk is a major failure cost, which will approach scrap value. Honestly, you're better off with an S class for many reasons.

so investing about 600k more for a 2009 s class would be a better option as the car is more reliable? or what is the reason why the s class is worth the extra money?

never drove the s-class before but drove the 7 series and fell in love with it

at the end i know there is a big maintenance cost for a luxury used car to refresh it but im ready to pay it as long as it will be reliable for the next 5 years

i've bought 2 years ago a brand new accord for 1.8M and that thing kept having problems with the air con system. dealer kept changing part by part and it never got resolved. got pretty dissapointed

i also dont like the wind noise + clumpsy suspension of the accord and it does not feel good driving over 120km/h (very insecure feeling) on the thai roads . imo my wifes civic feels better to drive

just wanted to know how much these "5 star hotel" cars cost to run and maintain after 100'000 km so i will know if its worth the swap. i travel long distances and it would be a nice addition

thanks for all the suggestions gents

Yup, I'm with you that the bimmer 7 series is more fun to drive than the S class, but in Thailand, parts are more available at better prices for the S class, service more prevalent at better prices off dealers locations (or from retired Benz mechanics), the big barge Benz hold their value more and are easier to resell than the big barge Bimmer, and the Benz is more likely to have been owned by a caring individual owner than the 7, because many of the S280, 320, 500s are available in short wheelbase, rather than the 7, which was mostly only available in LWB.

I agree for the same money as a new Accord/Camry a "previously owned" S class or 7 series totally outclasses the jap pretender and trumps all the common E class and 5 series too. (Don't forget that an Accord or Camry is merely a common mid-size car for the masses everywhere else on the planet, and that if you are using your car for international business guests visits, they will be somewhat deflated being picked up in what they consider to be a suburban soccer wife car)

Just be very very choosy and know the pedigree and service history.

*edit. You might also consider a Lexus LS if you can find a good deal on one, but they are generally more expensive pound for pound. Great car, equal to the S class.

**edit2: I have noticed that a lot of embassy and consulates seem to use the LWB 7 series, and if you can find a previously owned ambassador's car it would have a fantastic service history.

thanks for this information

you woke up my interest for the s-class and i really like the interior. hopefully ill have the opportunity to do a test drive with the 2008+ s class

and yes the camry/accord is very overrated in thailand and is "seen" as a luxury car (cuz its so expenssive) and the depreciation is not good aswell. from 1.8M to 1.1M in 2 years. ouch

will do the swap in few months when will sell her civic (had some low speed accident but affected the underbody quite abit) so i can give her the accord. selling it for 1.1M is just not worth it after 2 years

and you are right about the s-class value. from 2009-2007 most are still very similiar priced

cheers

[Porkster]

BMW luuuurrrrve millionaire farang's...

[Porkster]

My mate in the UK runs a 2004 e66 735Li, and he is a tiler and bathroom fitter!

I don't know how much major services are but he says its is cheaper than you would expect to run. He has ran BMW barges for years and has a trusted independant specialist

middle aged german barges can repersent amazing value compared to the new price even in LOS if that is your thing, all you need is a good ind specialist. no experance of this guy personally, but on his FB he does amazing things to BMW's

http://www.powerbynat.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1179093760

could be a good place to start?

cheers

Totally agree with you Jay,

I had a BMW in the UK yonks ago and one of my mates used to work a a BMW specialist... You'd be surprised how much the service centre at the showroom rips you off! I'm talking about the UK and I guarantee you it'll a much sadder story here...

You can't go wrong with the Specialist.

I'd definitely start with Jay's link and see what the guy says he can do for how much...

You got me in that BMW broody mood again!

[jay1980]

just a thought....

earlier e66's are over 10 years old now so due to the COE rules and costs in singapore I bet some good ones are getting scrapped and parted out or sold as halfcut's within the asean region purely because it is not economical to renew their COE tax for another 10 years.

in worst case scenario, a decent local specialist in thailand should have the contacts to get any major parts from sources like this at a fraction of the new cost from a main dealer

cheers

[keemapoot]

This one just popped up on taladrod with only an incredible 90,000km, and at only 890k.

Definitely some killer bargains out there on this boat.

http://www.taladrod.com/w20/Search/CarDet40.aspx?cib=1535772

[skippybangkok]

Unless you sit in the back and have a driver, the 7 and 5 from a driver perspective is almost the same.

The five is easier to park in shopping malls, where as the seven has a softer ride. That's about it . The only real benefit of the seven is it provides more leg space if you sit in the back

If you're buying a secondhand,, for the same amount of money you would get a better five then you would a seven. For the current version, it's almost impossible to tell the seven and the five apart

If you drive yourself, I really don't see the point of getting a seven

[wowjudo]

Unless you sit in the back and have a driver, the 7 and 5 from a driver perspective is almost the same.

The five is easier to park in shopping malls, where as the seven has a softer ride. That's about it . The only real benefit of the seven is it provides more leg space if you sit in the back

If you're buying a secondhand,, for the same amount of money you would get a better five then you would a seven. For the current version, it's almost impossible to tell the seven and the five apart

If you drive yourself, I really don't see the point of getting a seven

that might be true but i just love the soft ride + quite cabin of the 7 series. everything is more refined aswell and feels rock solid. the 5 series is not really worth the upgrade from my current 2013 accord. for me atleast

and thanks for the tip about the bmw specialist.

[skippybangkok]

Cheers mate.... Yeh, more classy... Enjoy.

[transam]

Fink what ever country you are in a BMW will cost an arm and leg to fix a problem. In LOS I would worry that perhaps the expertise to sort a problem is not here or in very few places. My UK chum had major electronic issues with his 850csi V12, which were only partially solved plus a camshaft failure....

[Porkster]

I loved my BM back in the day... But the cost of parts still took a lot of the fun out of it, even at mates rates down at the specialist where he worked!

I'm showing my age here now but who remembers distributors?

£18 for a 4 way distributor cap in 1980!

I was only earning £20 a day on a building site at the time!

[seedy]

Always been my problem with the thought of buying one of these, or a Benz, or a Porsche ...

Can't get the scales to come anywhere near a balance between what you pay and what you get.

Many other brands where you can get 80% of what these cars do, and cost to own, for 1/3 the money.

I'm biased as I tend to buy what I like and keep for a long time