BMW 7 Series (E38)

Moneypit or collectible asset? BMW’s flagship can be either, so it’s vital to choose wisely. Here’s how to buy an E38 that Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond would be proud of

Values for the E38-gen 7 Series – memorably used as a gadget-strewn ‘rental’ car in Tomorrow Never Dies – are finally starting to rise.

The E38 is a widely admired design (even the facelift models), unlike the arch-rival W140 from Mercedes, and that bodes well for future values. Nor will its bulbous successor ever feel at home among classic circles; the elegant E38 could be considered a sweet spot.

Big mileage is the BMW way, but they’ll do it with ease if ruthlessly maintained, so you can get some usage out of yours without significantly hurting its value – although most have certain expensive foibles, so be careful. The V8s in the 740i were the most popular engines and can be reliable, but the 728i’s M52 straight-six is probably the safest place for your cash. It’s generally dependable, less thirsty, cheaper to maintain, silky smooth – and although they’re more affordable to buy at the moment, they’re becoming increasingly appreciated by those in the know.

Originality and a comprehensive service history are everything; avoid anything that’s been lowered or sits on aftermarket wheels. Add a high spec, well-maintained V8, Sport spec or other rare goodies (M73 V12s and long wheelbases are also out there) and you’re into £10k-plus collector territory.

A big history file is paramount, especially given the complexity and the large hourly rates from BMW specialists. It takes planning to avoid getting stung, but this can be one heck of a car for the money.

CHECK THE GADGETS You might not be able to drive your E38 remotely but there’s still plenty of tech, ranging from a hydraulic boot lid and electric blinds to a potentially irksome sat nav. Take your time to check everything works, and treat warning lights as potential costly repairs. LOOK FOR COSMETIC WOES Severe rust isn’t too common, so you can afford to focus most of your attention on the mechanicals. It’s not unknown though, so be wary of scabby arches and ignored stone chips because they could be a warning that more serious problems lie beneath. HOW DOES IT DRIVE? Wheel wobble is quite common, especially under braking; it’s a sign of wear or imbalance and not necessarily cheap to fix, so diagnose carefully before buying. Post-1997 cars suffer ABS failure, sometimes only obvious when up to temperature. KNOW YOUR ENGINES E38 powerplants are reliable but each has its own expensive weaknesses; research thoroughly and learn how to spot them. In particular, early V8s and six-pots suffered Nikasil issues. Later VANOS and timing chain guide weaknesses can be costly too. TRY THE TRANSMISSION The gearboxes are supposedly sealed for life but some dispute this, so a gearbox oil change in the service history is a reassuring sign. Symptoms akin to clutch slip from the ZF auto ‘box may be electrical (cheerfully cheap) or A-drum related (painfully costly).