want to buy an e32

More problems; The heater hose on the back of the
r/h cylinder head splits (replace it as a matter of
course). The crankcase breather valve. Eight
electronic coil packs which to be fair are pretty
reliable - but more complex than a rotor arm, cap
and six leads. Flooding after starting the engine just
to move it down the drive is common. No dipstick for
the autobox fluid, another job for a dealer or
specialist. The gearbox is sealed for life meaning
the oil has now been in there for 12 years plus.
Those horrible radiators that break the coolant inlet
stub. Nasty.

Forget the 730i V8 if you can't find a decent one, the
740i won't cost any more to buy at this stage, aren't
much worse on fuel yet go a whole load better. Yes,
they ARE a better car than the old 6 cylinder but that
was when they were new and under warranty. Now
they're sub £1000 Ebay cars the story is different. I
wouldn't pay any more than £1000 for a really clean L
plate V8 with lots of history, especially a 730i. As with
any old car it's luck of the draw but with a V8 the
stakes are rather higher!

The V8 is the much more modern engine  compared to the old working horse M30B30 and M30B35, which was developed around 1975.

The V8 m60 and M62 engine is running since about 16 years now in many models such as the E32, E38, E34 etc. The only thing which you have to check is the oil pump, on early models the bolts dropped into the oil pan. The bolts were later modified but there are many engines which have not been checked.

 

 

As much as it hurts to say it, I have to agree with Drew. e32's of all shapes are now seen as bangers, if they go wrong, owners tend to dispose of them and get another. However a good 3.5 straight 6 is a fab motor, even though they are cheap!

Think of an E32 735i with less performance and
much, much more to go wrong - V8 with Nikasil bore
wear, hydraulic tappets, leaking cam cover gaskets,
faulty catalysts, slipping 5 speed autoboxes.

Avoid. E32's are now bangers - I have had one for
the last couple of years. The whole point of cheap
old cars is that they're cheap to run and a V8 E32 is
none of that. At least the old iron block 735i can be
worked on at home. Taking the head off for example
is a pain, but not beyond the wit of man. You have a
head gasket go on a V8 and the car is scrap.

Best E32 is a 1990-91 735i without the catalyst, a
good straightforward old bus with loads of cheap
secondhand bits (everywhere). If you must have a
V8, have a 740i - at least they go quite well.