The E38 7-series is perhaps the last classically handsome BMW. Its conservative, purposeful design has aged well and serves as poignant reminder of how things used to be, before the advent of Chris Bangle’s fussy futurism. Plutocratically expensive when new, today you can buy an early, high mileage, rough-around-the-edges example for a mere couple of grand. But the question is – would you want to? A $2k car that cost nearly $100k new is bound to be a ticking time bomb of wallet-rending catastrophe. To get a nice one you have to spend a little (but not too much) to get a lot (quite a lot, in fact). Around $10k will buy you a nicely sorted example – still not a lot of money, when you think about it – and just a smidge more will put you into a Sport model, like this one.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2001 BMW 740i Sport on eBay
Year: 2001
Model: 740i Sport
Engine: 4.4 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 69,000 mi
Price: $11,500 Buy It Now or Best Offer
2001 BMW 740I
SELLING A EXTREMELY CLEAN 2001 BMW 740I WITH 69,000 MILES * 4.4L V8 * AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION * GRAY EXT. * BLACK INT. * SPORT PACKAGE * 18″ WHEELS * NAVIGATION * XENON HEADLIGHTS * TRACTION CONTROL * KEYLESS ENTRY WITH ALL THE KEYS * POWER WINDOWS, MIRRORS, DOOR LOCKS, SEATS, MOONROOF * RAIN SENSOR * COLD A/C. THIS CAR MUST BE THE CLEANEST 740 OUT THERE. EXTERIOR IS IN GREAT CONDITION. THE INTERIOR IS VERY CLEAN WITH SOME WEAR ON THE SEATS. ALL ELECTRONICS WORK GREAT. ENGINE IS VERY STRONG AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTS SMOOTHLY. DON’T MISS THIS GREAT BUY ON A MINT 740. CLEAN CARFAX WITH 1 OWNER! EMAIL US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WANT TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE.
This 740i Sport comes in the classy and unusual hue of Anthracite Metallic. Though some might find it a bit dour, I love it. Anthracite really pops in the direct sun, as you can see in the pictures, though in more subdued lighting it shows as a menacingly dark gray. Power comes from a 4.4 liter V8 motor good for about 282 hp, giving this SWB luxury sedan more than enough poke.
The black leather interior appears remarkably free of the age-related blemishes normally afflicting 90s/00s BMWs, limited it seems to a tiny amount of wear to the seat bolsters. The desirable Sport package adds Shadowline trim and 18″ M-Parallel wheels to the outside, sport seats and sport steering wheel to the inside, and firmer sport suspension, a Steptronic transmission, high stall-speed torque-converter and a lower-ratio differential underneath.
With a mere 69k miles on the odometer, this is a very compelling package. The $11.5k asking price seems eminently reasonable.
– Craig
I tend to agree that the E38 is cleaner and definitely less “fussy” than the E65. But as luck would have it, the seller is also listing an E65 760Li.
The first photo in the listings is at the exact same angle and the similarities really show.
My point is that the E65 is not as insane and gaudy as everyone makes it out to be.
From the GIF below, you see it’s really a nip and tuck between the two. but that’s just my two cents.
https://goo.gl/photos/aRQZAuDqMdxxSTsB7
I have the iL twin of this car in my garage – same color and all the goodies. The one listed here is a late 2001 build as it has the large nav/radio screen (as is mine). The one thing mine has that this one does not is the miles. Mine has 190k on it – and keeps on going. Not cheap to work on, but nothing is these days. So far, so good on mine. This one has TONS of life left. Good luck to buyer and seller. $11.5k seems a good price for both parties. (or whatever would be negotiated from there).
Ah – I see the auction is closed. Seems the car found a new home. 🙂 Good
God I love E38’s with the M-sport packages. This was one of my favorite cars in HS, and it still is to this day. My other favorite car is HS (1998-2001) was the BMW M Coupe in Imola Red or Le Mans Blue…
I keep returning to this listing. Bummed I missed out on it. Time to save an eBay search for an e30 i or iL. I’d love an iL with the sports seats and three spoke steering wheel.