I'm looking for a safe car for my 17 year old. We have found a beautiful 1997 740il. It looks and runs great. My main concern is the mileage, 137k. We have had it checked out and are told it is sound. All that is being replaced is the water pump. The only other item is a dash light for the "airbag" is on. What should I be aware of?
Car for daughter
- Thread starter dkagy
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Radiator failures are very common in these cars. From what I have read they fail as soon as 50K - 60K miles. so this one may have been replaced already. Here's a thread that lists some common troubles:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71177
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71177
It's a common misconception that people believe 4WDs (or SUVs, SAVs: whatever you want to call them) are safer. They're not. The only time they're safer than a car is when you're T-boned by another vehicle. Head-on collisions are worse in 4WDs because they have rigid chassis' and do not crumple properly. Moreover, they roll more easily and so this makes them inherently more dangerous.
If you want your daughter to be safe then don't get her a 4WD. The E38 7-Series - while maybe a little over the top for a 17 yo! - would have to be one of the safest cars on the road.
If you want your daughter to be safe then don't get her a 4WD. The E38 7-Series - while maybe a little over the top for a 17 yo! - would have to be one of the safest cars on the road.
pete, i say safer, because it's a big hunk of metal. not because of capability ![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
when you are a young driver just starting out, you run into all sorts of things, moving, stationary whatever. you know the times when the mailboxes, and trees just jump out of no where? happens more often when you are a young inexperienced driver.
SUVs do roll over easier, but of all the accidents i've seen, roll overs are rare, and even in such cases, they were split btw passenger cars and suvs. so while SUVs are more prone to a roll over, i think issue is more over blown, since cars aren't mean to roll over on it's own, ever! not because it happens all the time. imo. (but that's just from what i know, if you can prove me otherwise, cool.)
saying all these is so out of character for me, but if it's my kid that i'm talking about, i'll take every precaution possible. if in an accident, i'd feel safer knowing that the kid was sitting higher, if not at the same level as the car/suv that hit him/her and near the weight class. thus i'm opposed to kids rolling around in civics or saturns. sure great gas milage is great, but if the car becomes a tin can, who really cares? alas, i'm sure this is the logic that goes into making SUVs such a fanitical success in the states. besides in indiana, SUVs can be quite fun once the snow starts taking over![[:p]](/images/smilies/tongue.png "Stick Out Tongue [:p]")
when you are a young driver just starting out, you run into all sorts of things, moving, stationary whatever. you know the times when the mailboxes, and trees just jump out of no where? happens more often when you are a young inexperienced driver.SUVs do roll over easier, but of all the accidents i've seen, roll overs are rare, and even in such cases, they were split btw passenger cars and suvs. so while SUVs are more prone to a roll over, i think issue is more over blown, since cars aren't mean to roll over on it's own, ever! not because it happens all the time. imo. (but that's just from what i know, if you can prove me otherwise, cool.)
saying all these is so out of character for me, but if it's my kid that i'm talking about, i'll take every precaution possible. if in an accident, i'd feel safer knowing that the kid was sitting higher, if not at the same level as the car/suv that hit him/her and near the weight class. thus i'm opposed to kids rolling around in civics or saturns. sure great gas milage is great, but if the car becomes a tin can, who really cares? alas, i'm sure this is the logic that goes into making SUVs such a fanitical success in the states. besides in indiana, SUVs can be quite fun once the snow starts taking over
Average Jae said:
pete, i say safer, because it's a big hunk of metal. not because of capability when you are a young driver just starting out, you run into all sorts of things, moving, stationary whatever. you know the times when the mailboxes, and trees just jump out of no where? happens more often when you are a young inexperienced driver.
SUVs do roll over easier, but of all the accidents i've seen, roll overs are rare, and even in such cases, they were split btw passenger cars and suvs. so while SUVs are more prone to a roll over, i think issue is more over blown, since cars aren't mean to roll over on it's own, ever! not because it happens all the time. imo. (but that's just from what i know, if you can prove me otherwise, cool.)
saying all these is so out of character for me, but if it's my kid that i'm talking about, i'll take every precaution possible. if in an accident, i'd feel safer knowing that the kid was sitting higher, if not at the same level as the car/suv that hit him/her and near the weight class. thus i'm opposed to kids rolling around in civics or saturns. sure great gas milage is great, but if the car becomes a tin can, who really cares? alas, i'm sure this is the logic that goes into making SUVs such a fanitical success in the states. besides in indiana, SUVs can be quite fun once the snow starts taking over
when you are a young driver just starting out, you run into all sorts of things, moving, stationary whatever. you know the times when the mailboxes, and trees just jump out of no where? happens more often when you are a young inexperienced driver.SUVs do roll over easier, but of all the accidents i've seen, roll overs are rare, and even in such cases, they were split btw passenger cars and suvs. so while SUVs are more prone to a roll over, i think issue is more over blown, since cars aren't mean to roll over on it's own, ever! not because it happens all the time. imo. (but that's just from what i know, if you can prove me otherwise, cool.)
saying all these is so out of character for me, but if it's my kid that i'm talking about, i'll take every precaution possible. if in an accident, i'd feel safer knowing that the kid was sitting higher, if not at the same level as the car/suv that hit him/her and near the weight class. thus i'm opposed to kids rolling around in civics or saturns. sure great gas milage is great, but if the car becomes a tin can, who really cares? alas, i'm sure this is the logic that goes into making SUVs such a fanitical success in the states. besides in indiana, SUVs can be quite fun once the snow starts taking over
You couldn't be more wrong - and your logic is wrong too.
1. SUV's don't have to meet the same saftey requirements that cars must meet. Same with emissions. They are considered light duty trucks.
2. Cars are generally built better. Lot less momentum, so they can slow down a LOT quicker, and other reasons. More manuverable.
These are all pictures from IIHS.org, 40 mile per hour front offset - the most common types of accidents that have such a high risk of death or serious injury.
Notice frame above the driver (Dodge durango)
1995 - 2004 Chevy blazer. Notice the PASSENGEr side was effected? Hmm
Ford Escape (smaller SUV), again notice the roof.
1995 - 2001 Ford Explorer. Ouch (NEW ones are better)
Hyundai Santafe (Notice the knees)
97 - 01 Jeep Cherokee
1997 - 2003 (2004*) Ford F150
And to prove my point, here are some cars - Take note of the first one!!!!
New Mini cooper (!!!!!)
01-05 Mercedes C class
2000 - 2005 3 series (got a perfect saftey rating)
2004 - 2005 5 series
97 - 2003 5 series
New Volvo S40
New SAAB 9-3
2001 - 2005 Honda civic
I hope this proves my point and does not raise any more questions [read] [read]
![[?|]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_banghead.gif "Bang Head [?|]"){kind=icon}
VOLVO ......... HMMMMMM ![[welcome]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_welcome.gif "Welcome [welcome]"){kind=icon}
epj3 said:
You couldn't be more wrong - and your logic is wrong too.
1. SUV's don't have to meet the same saftey requirements that cars must meet. Same with emissions. They are considered light duty trucks.
2. Cars are generally built better. Lot less momentum, so they can slow down a LOT quicker, and other reasons. More manuverable.
These are all pictures from IIHS.org, 40 mile per hour front offset - the most common types of accidents that have such a high risk of death or serious injury.
Notice frame above the driver (Dodge durango)
1995 - 2004 Chevy blazer. Notice the PASSENGEr side was effected? Hmm
Ford Escape (smaller SUV), again notice the roof.
1995 - 2001 Ford Explorer. Ouch (NEW ones are better)
Hyundai Santafe (Notice the knees)
97 - 01 Jeep Cherokee
1997 - 2003 (2004*) Ford F150
And to prove my point, here are some cars - Take note of the first one!!!!
New Mini cooper (!!!!!)
01-05 Mercedes C class
2000 - 2005 3 series (got a perfect saftey rating)
2004 - 2005 5 series
97 - 2003 5 series
New Volvo S40
New SAAB 9-3
2001 - 2005 Honda civic
I hope this proves my point and does not raise any more questions [read] [read]
1. SUV's don't have to meet the same saftey requirements that cars must meet. Same with emissions. They are considered light duty trucks.
2. Cars are generally built better. Lot less momentum, so they can slow down a LOT quicker, and other reasons. More manuverable.
These are all pictures from IIHS.org, 40 mile per hour front offset - the most common types of accidents that have such a high risk of death or serious injury.
Notice frame above the driver (Dodge durango)
1995 - 2004 Chevy blazer. Notice the PASSENGEr side was effected? Hmm
Ford Escape (smaller SUV), again notice the roof.
1995 - 2001 Ford Explorer. Ouch (NEW ones are better)
Hyundai Santafe (Notice the knees)
97 - 01 Jeep Cherokee
1997 - 2003 (2004*) Ford F150
And to prove my point, here are some cars - Take note of the first one!!!!
New Mini cooper (!!!!!)
01-05 Mercedes C class
2000 - 2005 3 series (got a perfect saftey rating)
2004 - 2005 5 series
97 - 2003 5 series
New Volvo S40
New SAAB 9-3
2001 - 2005 Honda civic
I hope this proves my point and does not raise any more questions [read] [read]
![[scratch]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_headscratch.gif "Head Scratch [scratch]"){kind=icon}
WooW ! Im very Impressed of that small Mini did a verygood Crasch Test ! Fantastic Great to be a Small Car !
Challe /
![[wiggle]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_wiggle.gif "Wiggle [wiggle]"){kind=icon}
![[hihi]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_hihi.gif "Hi Hi [hihi]"){kind=icon}
Excellent points Eric! One addition to your comments: cars are built better BECAUSE it is required by law; light duty trucks (which SUVs are classified as) do not have this law requirement because federal law is outdated when it comes to SUVs and light duty trucks(federal does not have restrictions on light duty trucks because generally they used to be used for work purposes and not for everyday picking-up-the-kids use).
Eric, the only other point that I would raise would be this: If I were in a head on collision between an excursion and a mini I would prefer to be in the excursion; the huge gap between the size of each respective car would be a BIG plus; I think the equation is something like Force = Mass x Velocity. (I'm making estimates as I am no physics major; all my knowledge is based on high school physics, so correct me if I'm wrong) The mini would probably have to be going at least twice the speed of the excursionto match the force. Therefore, if running into other cars is a problem, I'd probably want an suv, but if the problem is running into trees (or other stationary objects) I'd go with the car. Also cars are MUCH more manueverable than a SUV.
Sean
Eric, the only other point that I would raise would be this: If I were in a head on collision between an excursion and a mini I would prefer to be in the excursion; the huge gap between the size of each respective car would be a BIG plus; I think the equation is something like Force = Mass x Velocity. (I'm making estimates as I am no physics major; all my knowledge is based on high school physics, so correct me if I'm wrong) The mini would probably have to be going at least twice the speed of the excursionto match the force. Therefore, if running into other cars is a problem, I'd probably want an suv, but if the problem is running into trees (or other stationary objects) I'd go with the car. Also cars are MUCH more manueverable than a SUV.
Sean
It's really easy for us to get off topic, but here is my thought
I owned a 95 E38 and it is very expensive to maintain but extremely safe. (traded in at 130k) the 97 does not have auto leveling, so you don't have to worry about that
Valve cover gasket tend to leak every 60-80k miles
Brakes changes include rotors, front rotors every time and rears every other time and brakes are changed every 35-45k miles
radiator (as mentioned above)
With that many miles, you will probably need to replace some bushings and sometimes the struts0 (soon).
I owned a 95 E38 and it is very expensive to maintain but extremely safe. (traded in at 130k) the 97 does not have auto leveling, so you don't have to worry about that
Valve cover gasket tend to leak every 60-80k miles
Brakes changes include rotors, front rotors every time and rears every other time and brakes are changed every 35-45k miles
radiator (as mentioned above)
With that many miles, you will probably need to replace some bushings and sometimes the struts0 (soon).
I asked my girlfriend because I think a 7 series for a 17 year old girl who's friends probably drive the much smaller Jetta wouldnt be fun for a her. She said she wouldnt mind it because she would feel safe in it and it wouldnt be like driving a Ford Crown Vic. Although she would take the VW over it. :|
Valve cover gaskets arent a big deal are they? I assume they arent much worse to change than the gasket on the Inline engines.
Honestly if I were looking for a car for her, I'd look for a 5 series (you saw the pics - they are some of the safest cars and aren't small at all), or a 3 series which in its own right is very safe. A late e36 328i sedan would probably be a perfect car for her, as would something like any of the 5 series.
Honestly if I were looking for a car for her, I'd look for a 5 series (you saw the pics - they are some of the safest cars and aren't small at all), or a 3 series which in its own right is very safe. A late e36 328i sedan would probably be a perfect car for her, as would something like any of the 5 series.
![[rolleyes]](/images/smilies/rolleyes.png "Roll Eyes (Sarcastic) [rolleyes]")
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