Subject: E38 left me stranded again-Do you ever lust after a newer car when this happens? Author: stever500 as Steve R : member since July, 2005 : 2686 posts Posted on: 2008-11-11 01:26:50

I was driving the other day and all of a sudden I notice all this steam coming out from under the hood. I pull over in a neighborhood and sneak some water from these people's hose into my water bottle and keep filling up the radiator over and over till it's full. The people came home while I was doing this and were cool about it, and even tried to help me.

I drove the car 1/2 a mile and again the whole front of the car has steam coming out of it so I pull over again and the radiator is completely empty - all the water spilled out somewhere. I call a tow truck and have it towed to my indie. I JUST had the radiator, water pump, thermostat and some other stuff done to it so I couldn't figure out what it would be. It turns out it was a hose that's really hard to get to and they're going to charge me just under $200 to fix it. It's fixed now but I'm really sick of it breaking down. I have to go pick it up tomorrow. Granted, it's only 2 times a year on average that it leaves me stranded but still, it's a drag. Getting stranded in a 7 series is a little embarrassing and totally inconvenient. Repairs run over $3k-$4k a year on the car, which I accept, but it's still high.

I had this fantasy that ... yeah, that ole fantasy on mine, you know it, that I sell my 911 and 740i and buy a ... this time it's newer, a 2005 MB S55. I know I would also have expensive problems with that too when it's out of warranty, so it's not really a great option. I'd miss my 911 alot... The smart thing would be to get a Prius or something great on gas, with a warranty, but.... like I'm going to be happy driving a freakin' Prius, right!? Every other home on my street has one.

Then I thought, I'd get a used Acura RL (and sell the E38), a 96 like my wife's 97 and it would NEVER break down and be totally reliable. Stupid idea... I'd probably hate that car after a while.

Oh well, back to the drawing board - which is driving this great car and deal with it's breakdowns, quirks, and fragile components but on the otherhand I end up with great looks, a fantastic steering wheel and interior and awesome sport seats in the deal.

Do you lust after other cars, secretly thinking that maybe you'll get rid of your aging E38 in the process at some point soon?

Take this post with a grain of salt. I'm not selling my beloved E38 anytime soon! All I could get in terms of a new car from the sale of it would be a Nissa Versa anyway... Apparantly they're about $10k new! Ughhhh.... the horror.
Cheers,
Steve R

2001 740i Sport
1996 911 C4S
2007 Acura RL (her's)
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/317361/1

• E38 left me stranded again-Do you ever lust after a newer car when this happens? - Steve R 2008-11-11 01:26:50 (217 views)
  • Nope - one stranding in 4 years (WP) - and the car cost me 7% of new price. - RobinK 2008-11-12 15:18:33 (15 views)
    • ... and since BMW cancelled the Concept CS - I see nothing to lust after ;-) - RobinK 2008-11-12 15:20:57 (9 views)
  • mine shut off...on the highway...my wife driving with less than 60k miles - reluctantmechanic 2008-11-12 00:04:25 (30 views)
  • Yikes! ... time for me to get the 356c tuned ... lol ... I wish I had the time - aaron00740il 2008-11-11 23:45:11 (9 views)
  • I had enough over this summer. - ian 2008-11-11 23:19:39 (38 views)
  • 1. That hose is not hard to get to 2. How many posts of that hose blowing? It - zapperjoe 2008-11-11 21:57:58 (28 views)
    • I wish my indie had done it too! It's probably time to switch shops, but I'm no - Steve R 2008-11-11 22:02:48 (12 views)
  • Just did complete cooling system rebuilt 4 months ago - and now leaking... - Lurcher 2008-11-11 19:31:39 (25 views)
    • Got the bill today:'R&R hose from cyl head cross over tube to heater control val - Steve R 2008-11-11 20:35:59 (42 views)
  • I empathize- here's my luck so far - beatlesboy1963 2008-11-11 15:49:22 (43 views)
    • Dang, that sucks! Sorry to hear this is your last bimmer... - Steve R 2008-11-11 20:38:19 (10 views)
  • I'd keep it. - 740ilDuke 2008-11-11 13:30:48 (32 views)
    • Very sage advice you offer, but the drama of getting stranded 2X a year hurts - Steve R 2008-11-11 20:42:01 (7 views)
      • We certainly hope not, we're here to help! - 740ilDuke 2008-11-11 20:59:03 (8 views)
  • keywors: 'Preventive maintenance and DIY'. - Mario 2008-11-11 13:01:06 (32 views)
    • 'I know a lot of us don't have the time for DIY' - unfortunately that's me! :o) - Steve R 2008-11-11 20:53:45 (14 views)
  • new cars can break, too, That's why there are dealer service bays. - merc63 2008-11-11 11:51:16 (17 views)
    • New Japanese cars though rarely break down! Wish I could DIY like you though... - Steve R 2008-11-11 20:56:05 (10 views)
  • What year is your 911? E38 and 911 is the perfect pair. (nt) - 01sport 2008-11-11 10:47:55 (11 views)
    • Yeah, E38 is for daily driver and 911 is weekend car when the E38 is in the - bmw635 2008-11-11 10:49:32 (9 views)
      • So true. The 911 is a 96 by the way... (993 C4S). They both break down on occas - Steve R 2008-11-11 21:41:24 (6 views)
  • The key to avoid getting stranded is knowing what will go and when so you fix it - bmw635 2008-11-11 10:43:20 (28 views)
    • My indie is pretty good, it's just bad luck on some of these breakdowns.. (nt) - Steve R 2008-11-11 21:43:58 (5 views)
  • I feel your pain. Or, I felt your pain... - Lawguy 2008-11-11 10:24:44 (24 views)
    • hahaha I do the ebay browse too!!! we should start a club (nt) - manithemoneyman 2008-11-14 01:42:33 (4 views)
    • We are alot alike, minus the job :o). I'd kill for an S55 but I really don't wa - Steve R 2008-11-11 21:46:44 (10 views)
  • I've had my E38 almost 4 years....and I still lust after it. In 130,000 km - Peter 2008-11-11 10:16:02 (19 views)
    • Your one of the lucky ones, then. I hear ya on the fun factor though.. - Steve R 2008-11-11 21:49:17 (4 views)
  • Don't blame the car for a lousy mechanic!! (nt) - JoeC 98 740il & 750il 2008-11-11 09:24:50 (7 views)
  • Not me, but an E38 has only partially stranded me in 8 yrs and 130K miles - Brian 2008-11-11 08:57:14 (25 views)
    • Your lucky #2! My alternator got and my radiator got my this year... AND - Steve R 2008-11-11 21:52:16 (6 views)
  • I do not know how many miles you have but - Sean 2008-11-11 08:48:27 (10 views)
    • I don't know either, but these are really hard to get to hoses near the rear par - Steve R 2008-11-11 21:54:18 (7 views)
  • Actually, I'm with you. I'm starting to get thoughts of selling the Imola... (pic) - Imolatony 2008-11-11 08:47:08 (133 views)
    • My thoughts exactly. Get upset, fix stuff, think about selling, then drive it so - Steve R 2008-11-11 21:56:51 (5 views)
    • + billion w Peter. VCGs are next for me too. You going to paint them? - Ed 2008-11-11 12:59:10 (17 views)
      • Getting them blasted and powder coated... - Imolatony 2008-11-11 15:31:23 (9 views)
    • That is the most marvelous picture of an E38 ever! (nt) - Lawguy 2008-11-11 10:26:03 (13 views)
  • Re: E38 left me stranded again-Do you ever lust after a newer car when this happens? - ksmith38a 2008-11-11 08:42:51 (22 views)
    • I love your response and I certainly feel that way most of the time... - Steve R 2008-11-11 22:00:27 (4 views)
    • +1 - 740ilDuke 2008-11-11 13:24:57 (7 views)
  • Keep in mind the car is 7-8 years old, so in time stuff brakes it's just a small - Edwin™ 2008-11-11 04:29:24 (14 views)
    • A 8 year old Acura never breaks down. I know, I don't drive an Acura! :o) (nt) - Steve R 2008-11-11 22:03:47 (5 views)
  • not at all. - IBEW 595-Kevin 2008-11-11 02:14:35 (10 views)
  • Re: E38 left me stranded again-Do you ever lust after a newer car when this happens? - kingdom7 2008-11-11 02:03:42 (20 views)
    • Yes, my wife has an 07 and thinks I should get one too due to maintenance expens - Steve R 2008-11-11 22:05:17 (4 views)
  • Yeah, there are other cars that are much more reliable than our 7s.... - sealbeach740 2008-11-11 01:44:00 (21 views)
    • Damn I needed to read this. Sometimes getting stranded makes one think crazy th - Steve R 2008-11-11 22:06:57 (7 views)
  • I don't think I'll be getting rid of the e38 ever. My bro keeps telling me - mahmudb 2008-11-11 01:41:53 (18 views)
  • If you ever do want to sell let me know! Now that the cooling system is fixed... - Ed 2008-11-11 01:38:47 (21 views)
    • I hope you're right about the car being fine now... for a while at least. (nt) - Steve R 2008-11-11 22:08:24 (6 views)
  • I thought about it all day today :) (nt) - sdmike 2008-11-11 01:30:47 (11 views)