Fixing a keyfob for a '97 BMW 740i

[StillShaving]

Too bad the car was becoming too expensive to repair. I think by 97 german cars were getting more complex and less reliable (judging by a friends 3-series and my sold-off 98 Passat). If this 7-series had been another 5-10 years older it might still be going.

Hopefully the replacement will be even better.

 

[beginish]

Too bad the car was becoming too expensive to repair. I think by 97 german cars were getting more complex and less reliable (judging by a friends 3-series and my sold-off 98 Passat). If this 7-series had been another 5-10 years older it might still be going.

Hopefully the replacement will be even better.

Whatever you do, don’t get a VW.

 

[joel]

End of an era…

 

[johnniegold]

End of an era…

It did kinda feel that way.

 

[joel]

View attachment 1348888
It did kinda feel that way.

Interestingly enough - I own two cars, with my daily being an incredibly rare 2015 BMW 740 LD. They only brought it to the US for one year if memory serves me correctly - and I’m not even sure if 100 made it to the US - but it’s an absolute joy. Long “limo” wheel base, x-drive all wheel drive, and a very stout diesel motor that makes north of 400 ft/lbs of torque and gets over 40mpg on the Highway and 30+ mpg in mixed driving. I can’t see putting less than 250k miles on this one. After 6 years and 50k miles, it’s been completely trouble free, incredibly comfortable, eerily quiet, offers a cruising range of ~700 miles per tank and handles better than some of the sports cars I have owned, which seems to defy the laws of physics.

I’ve never been much of a BMW car fan (but love their motorcycles - which I own and love) - but the BMW 7 series holds a special place in my heart - every one I’ve driven seems to create a ripple in the space/time continuum which transforms our awful California roads into glass like surfaces and allows you to enter a heightened state of calm, while still somehow managing to provide excellent tactile feedback and incredible performance, if you get the itch to act like a hoodlum and play roulette with your license.

It’s sad to see your trusty 7 being carried away, but it sure sounds like it brought you quite a bit of joy over the years - I hope in the future, I have a similar relationship as you have had with yours.

 

[johnniegold]

I can’t see putting less than 250k miles on this one. After 6 years and 50k miles

6 years and 50k miles?

At that rate, you literally won’t hit 250k until 3017.

It’s sad to see your trusty 7 being carried away, but it sure sounds like it brought you quite a bit of joy over the years - I hope in the future, I have a similar relationship as you have had with yours.

It truly was sad. I had been through a lot with that car. It sat in my driveway for many months before I finally decided that it was time.

Take care of that 7, @joel and she’ll take care of you.

You have the Alpina wheels on that baby?

 

[joel]

6 years and 50k miles?

At that rate, you literally won’t hit 250k until 3017.

Busted! Motorcycles are my primary means of transportation, hence the low miles. My other car’s mileage is embarrassing - but pre-Covid/lockdown, I would put 2-5k miles a month on motorcycles….

You have the Alpina wheels on that baby?

No, M sport - I don’t recall seeing Alpina wheels as a factory option on that particular model.

 

[Natsoi]

I love the E38 - great car.

What are you going to get next?

 

[johnniegold]

I love the E38 - great car.

What are you going to get next?

I’m waiting to decide which car Mrs. Gold wants me to get.