Main diff between Sport and Regular mostly cosmetic????

[pfeiffer74]

Hi all,

If my questions have been answered previously please let me know. I have searched around and read Luke's answers on 2001 740il (regular) vs sport. I am trying to find a car as my daily driver (two girls 5 and 2) with low miles around <=80k. Maybe it's just my untrained eye but is the exterior cosmetic look of the 740iL (regular) different than that of a sport besides the tire rims?

If the case is that the main difference is the rims then that frees up my search as I can part out "Sport" rims.

Can I switch rims from a regular iL to a sport-like rims?

I like the iL (long) as it will be nice for family road trips (eye roll here).

Is the drive that much different? I have driven both but the differences may have been specific to those older cars.

I have loved the E38 for a long time and finally have a catalyst for getting one as my 2000 323i took a nasty hit and may be totalled. Repair estimates are 3k and the car is $4700-ish on Kelly Blue book.

Thanks in advance for any input. I am immensely grateful for all the knowledge on this forum. I am looking fwd to becoming more of a DIY guy with this car.

[IcemanBHE]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1399177

All you can eat.

[pfeiffer74]

I have been all over Luke's post

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1399177

but he does not really contrast all aspects. Is the only real difference:


740iL (LWB)
· M-Parallel Alloy Wheels (I LIKE THESE)
· Shadowline trim (NOT IMPORTANT TO ME)
· EDC III Electronic Dampening Control suspension (MEH, NO BIGGIE)
· Vavona redwood trim (SAME AS ABOVE)

If the information above is the only difference then the difference is truly just cosmetic.

Can anyone chime in here?

[TheLadiesMan]

That's it. The LWB is mostly cosmetic.

[tekazgtr1984]

Interesting. I thought the sport model was only offered on the SWB E38s. Considering the LWB ones didn't get the 3.15 diff, it appears aesthetic and nothing else.

[pfeiffer74]

since mostly cosmetic i could swap egular rims for 18" M rims and
my regular 740il is now 99.99 percent Sport model on exterior
interior difference is M steering wheel and self levelling suspension.

i would imagine if the self levelling shocks go thenn that is a
relatively expensive repir.

[psjr]

since mostly cosmetic i could swap egular rims for 18" M rims and
my regular 740il is now 99.99 percent Sport model on exterior
interior difference is M steering wheel and self levelling suspension.

i would imagine if the self levelling shocks go thenn that is a
relatively expensive repir.

Only the short wheelbase came with the 3-spoke wheel. Sport iLs did not.

[TAM 11M]

mine came with the 3-spoke wheel and its a genuine factory sport 740il, shouldnt be different because im in the UK but I have heard I do have a lot of the extras you done have in the US

[Indy01e38]

2001 Sport

[RASKAL007]

Hi all,

If my questions have been answered previously please let me know. I have searched around and read Luke's answers on 2001 740il (regular) vs sport. I am trying to find a car as my daily driver (two girls 5 and 2) with low miles around <=80k. Maybe it's just my untrained eye but is the exterior cosmetic look of the 740iL (regular) different than that of a sport besides the tire rims?

If the case is that the main difference is the rims then that frees up my search as I can part out "Sport" rims.

Can I switch rims from a regular iL to a sport-like rims?

I like the iL (long) as it will be nice for family road trips (eye roll here).

Is the drive that much different? I have driven both but the differences may have been specific to those older cars.

I have loved the E38 for a long time and finally have a catalyst for getting one as my 2000 323i took a nasty hit and may be totalled. Repair estimates are 3k and the car is $4700-ish on Kelly Blue book.

Thanks in advance for any input. I am immensely grateful for all the knowledge on this forum. I am looking fwd to becoming more of a DIY guy with this car.

This is a True Sport

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/KL007VW/100_0090.jpg


http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/KL007VW/100_0069.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/KL007VW/100_0067.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/KL007VW/100_0064.jpg


http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/KL007VW/100_0063.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/KL007VW/100_0061.jpg


http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h19/KL007VW/100_0092.jpg:buttrock:buttrock:buttrock:buttrock:b uttrock:buttrock:buttrock:buttrock

[Sarvinder]

Do you want to sell that true sport ^ of yours lol

[RASKAL007]

Do you want to sell that true sport ^ of yours lol

Make me an offer !!!!!! its got 13x,xxx a few maintenance records from previous owner.I've replaced the alternator, battery, valve cover gaskets upper timing cover gaskets. vanos seals, valley pan, rear water manifold gaskets,new plugs, all gaskets associated with the job. Ive done quiet a bit of work preventative wise. Im out of the country but when i get home i plan to replace the upper timing chain tensioner, lower oil pan gasket another coolant flush, heater valve, brake pads (oem pads are too dusty for me) rotors if i need too, transmission flush, oil change. brake fluid flush, o2 sensors and what ever else comes to mind.

[motion]

Raskal007, did you remove the "M" sport wheel or did you buy it like that? I also thought the Sports came with white side lights. My .02

[RASKAL007]

Raskal007, did you remove the "M" sport wheel or did you buy it like that? I also thought the Sports came with white side lights. My .02


As far as I know the 99 sport models did not come with the M Sport steering wheel. Unless it was optional I don't know for sure. That's how I bought the car. The lights were not clear they were yellow so i changed all the yellow lights to dark smoke (side lights,fender lights tail lights half smoke half red.) The headlights have a vinyl smoke film which does not reduce the light output with the headlights on. I custom ordered it from rvinyl.com took them about two weeks to cut the pattern and ship it. 2000 MY and up came with the clear lights to the best of my knowledge.:redspot


Raskal007, did you remove the "M" sport wheel or did you buy it like that? I also thought the Sports came with white side lights. My .02


99 was the red headed stepchild mix of the old and new :redspot