Used BMW 735

What to know before buying: BMW 735

From 2 forum threads and 3 press tests · updated 11/10/2026

What the reviews say

• E65 owners praise its comfort and handling; a 2002 735i owner says the 3.6-litre, 272 hp engine is entirely sufficient and rear space is ample.[3]one sourceE65
• The owner of a 2003 E65 V8 rated comfort 9/10, but reliability and running costs only 3/10.[2]one sourceE65
• Across eight BMW 735 reviews, comfort and design scored 5.0/5, handling 4.6/5 and reliability 4.5/5; fuel use and servicing costs were listed as drawbacks.[4]one source
• An owner says the E38 735 petrol V8 performs well; his reported consumption is about 10 l/100 km outside town and 15 l/100 km in town.[1]one sourceE38

Typical faults

• The E38 V8's plastic chain guides age from heat; forum reports put timing-drive wear at 250,000–300,000 km and identify chain noise as a warning.[1]one sourceE38

  250 000–300 000 km · V8

• A 2003 E65 V8 owner reported six leaking valves around the timing chain, resulting in all the oil draining beneath the car.[2]one sourceE65

  2003–2003 · V8

• E65 735i reports describe intermittent electronic faults: computer warnings disappear and return, while another car's radio and navigation worked only sporadically.[2][3]E65

  3.6 l V8

• On one 2003 E65, the bonnet locks seized and the bonnet-release cable later snapped as well.[2]one sourceE65

  2003–2003 · V8

Which engine and version to take

• The E65's 3.6-litre, 272 hp petrol engine is the source-backed choice: a 2002 735i owner calls it entirely sufficient and reports about 14 l/100 km.[3]one sourceE65

What to avoid

• Avoid an E65 735i with unexplained oil consumption or an illuminated engine warning light; the source advises identifying leaks and running diagnostics before purchase.[5]one sourceE65

What to check at the inspection

• Listen to the E38 V8 timing chain both cold and warm: forum users identify noise as a wear warning; verify the chain and guide repair history.[1]one sourceE38
• Diagnose any E65 with an illuminated engine warning light before purchase; a claim that it is merely an air hose is not a confirmed cause.[5]one sourceE65
• Check the oil level, visible leaks and consumption history. The source calls unexplained oil use the most serious known fault on the car discussed.[5]one sourceE65
• Test the E65's radio, navigation and onboard computer and scan stored faults; sources report intermittent multimedia failures and warnings that disappear and return.[2][3]E65
• Open and close the E65 bonnet several times, checking both locks and the release cable; one owner's account reports failures of both components.[2]one sourceE65

Verdict

Sources

1. [1]bmwpower-bg.net — Виж темата - Съвет за 735 бензин · forum
2. [2]cars.cz — Recenze BMW 735 E65 “BMW vyrobené po roce 2000 již ... · press
3. [3]whatcar.lv — BMW 7.sērija sedans (02-08) Atsauksmes par auto - WhatCar.lv · press
4. [4]auto.ria.com — 8 отзывов о BMW 735 · press
5. [5]autopower.se — Inköp av BMW 735 -03 · forum

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