Spen
01-22-2006, 09:25 PM
Hello, I am selling my 1999 BMW 740i Sport. Below is some info and a picture.
About the car:
I forgot to mention, this *was* a CPO vehicle when I bought it with 97,000 mi in 2004.
Sport Package - the *only* way to go, includes:
Sport Seats
Sport Rear Diff
18'' M-Parallel wheels (forged BMW OEM)
Shadowline trim (no chrome, all paint and/or blackout trim)
Sport suspension
Sport mode 5 speed transmission w/ steptronic
Navigation system w/ northwest CD software
BMW DSP audio w/ Infinity BassLink 10'' subwoofer
Color is Anthracite metallic (dark silver gray) with gray leather interior
Body is straight w/o any significant dings or issues
Interior is very clean, all electronics work perfectly, drivers seat has slight wear but there are no rips or tears and this is a 100% non smoker vehicle, carpet is clean, I even have the original window sticker showing a purchase price of $70,800 in mid-1999.
Mileage is 112,200 miles
Price is $14,900 OBO
Gas mileage is easily 20-26 on the highway and around 17 in town.
Reason I am selling:
I own a house and a little commuter BMW (1989 325i) and as much as I love this vehicle, I want to put the money that I put into the monthly payment on this car elsewhere, namely savings and some money for my parents.
Issues w/ the vehicle
Very few issues.
One foglight is cracked (a hairline crack - the glass is not shattered) and a bit of moisture got inside and burned out the bulb. I needs a new bulb for a quick fix, or a $100 foglight to be all better ;).
I just found out that one of the rear tires has some wear in the middle of the tire. This was due to simple overinflation when I had it serviced last. As you may know, wear in the middle of the tire is pretty odd. The tire will need to be replaced eventually. If you want to purchase a complete set of new tires from TireRack.com at everyday prices, it would be around $690 for extremely good tires, less for decent tires (around $480). I strongly suggest buying on the internet and having them mounted at a shop - Costco is very reasonable for this - and unless you can get a good deal locally, many tire shops will really gouge you on price, that is why I suggest the Internet. Plus you pay no tax (you do pay small shipping cost)!
And now to the REALLY nit picky stuff:
It could use an alignment to be perfect but it's only *barely* out of alignment and only a perfectionist like me would notice it. Also, one ball joint in a piece of the front suspension is getting a little worn. I seem to be the only person who notices.
Maintenance performed
New brakes all around. This includes Brembo rotors and Pagid pads, extremely high quality equipment and the car stops on a dime and won't need brakes for ~50,000 miles.
New front control arms - I went the extra mile and replaced not only the S-Arms with the large bushings, but I also replaced the lateral arms at the same time to ensure the front suspension was good to go.
Rear end (differential) oil change w/ Mobil-1 Synthetic gear oil
Engine always maintained w/ either BMW OEM synthetic oil or Mobil-1 synthetic oil
Price and additional info
I have priced the vehicle at what I feel to be a very reasonable price, $14,900. If you are not a BMW enthusiast, I would like to take a minute to expound on the car a bit. First off, the sport package is by far the most desirable for the previous model run of the BMW 7 series. This model's chassis code is "E38", which started in 1995 and ended its run in 2001. This Sports package option came out from 1999-2001 and really makes the car look awesome. Also, this car really gets it on. It moves, and has definite sports car performance. The motor is a 4.4l V8 that puts out 282HP and 324TQ (Torque). This car effortlessly climbs hills and eats up long distances in quiet smooth comfort. The car has 112,000 miles but as many BMW owners or enthusiasts know, this is really not significant mileage. My 1989 for example has 182k. I have 3 friends all of whom are in the 200,000 mile range with their older 325 BMW's. This particular BMW motor that came out in the 1999-2001 BMW 740's was upgraded in 1999 with a newer VANOS unit and these motors are INCREDIBLY solid. Even BMW techs will consistently say these motors are good for 300,000 miles. Not to mention the rest of the car which is beautifully engineered and solid as a rock. The motor does not burn a single drop of oil - ever. The transmission shifts perfectly. All electronics and computers and the navigation system works perfeclty and sounds great. I installed a subwoofer in the trunk, but it's not an obnoxious, overpowering sound - it is the highly touted and extremely small Infinity Basslink unit which takes up almost no space and makes the stereo sound spectacular and rich (the DSP audio really sounds great and the DSP speakers are incredible). The engine bay is clean and 100% leak free and the fluids are clean. As mentioned, the maintenance has been kept up very nicely. Besides eventually needing tires (tread is still quite good actually, minus that one tire that was overinflated and has some wear in the middle), and the foglight (anywhere from $50 in a junkyard to $100 on eBay brand new), this car is ready to continue its journey. I had intended to keep it permanenely but my relationship with my girlfriend ended and so did extra money coming in for joint living expenses and it has to go - can't justify 2 vehicles. I am a huge BMW enthusiast and believe completely in their excellent product. I don't believe I will own anything but BMW. Maintenance isn't a nightmare as many people are led to believe, a good German mechanic can be found (I can recommend one too!) for MUCH less than the "Stealership" and their overinflated prices. Anyway, this is a great car and I absolutely love it. I've never had such a great car and I would never sell a vehicle that I truly didn't believe in and know I was giving a fair deal (I.E. not screwing you or myself at all).
Here's a great article on the BMW 740i sport: http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/1999/lweitzman_bmwisport.html
I really appreciate you reading and looking. I can send a full-size picture if you are interested. Give me a call on my phone at 425-246-8197 if you are interested or just e-mail me back. I will not be so long winded in person!
Thanks,
Spencer
About the car:
I forgot to mention, this *was* a CPO vehicle when I bought it with 97,000 mi in 2004.
Sport Package - the *only* way to go, includes:
Sport Seats
Sport Rear Diff
18'' M-Parallel wheels (forged BMW OEM)
Shadowline trim (no chrome, all paint and/or blackout trim)
Sport suspension
Sport mode 5 speed transmission w/ steptronic
Navigation system w/ northwest CD software
BMW DSP audio w/ Infinity BassLink 10'' subwoofer
Color is Anthracite metallic (dark silver gray) with gray leather interior
Body is straight w/o any significant dings or issues
Interior is very clean, all electronics work perfectly, drivers seat has slight wear but there are no rips or tears and this is a 100% non smoker vehicle, carpet is clean, I even have the original window sticker showing a purchase price of $70,800 in mid-1999.
Mileage is 112,200 miles
Price is $14,900 OBO
Gas mileage is easily 20-26 on the highway and around 17 in town.
Reason I am selling:
I own a house and a little commuter BMW (1989 325i) and as much as I love this vehicle, I want to put the money that I put into the monthly payment on this car elsewhere, namely savings and some money for my parents.
Issues w/ the vehicle
Very few issues.
One foglight is cracked (a hairline crack - the glass is not shattered) and a bit of moisture got inside and burned out the bulb. I needs a new bulb for a quick fix, or a $100 foglight to be all better ;).
I just found out that one of the rear tires has some wear in the middle of the tire. This was due to simple overinflation when I had it serviced last. As you may know, wear in the middle of the tire is pretty odd. The tire will need to be replaced eventually. If you want to purchase a complete set of new tires from TireRack.com at everyday prices, it would be around $690 for extremely good tires, less for decent tires (around $480). I strongly suggest buying on the internet and having them mounted at a shop - Costco is very reasonable for this - and unless you can get a good deal locally, many tire shops will really gouge you on price, that is why I suggest the Internet. Plus you pay no tax (you do pay small shipping cost)!
And now to the REALLY nit picky stuff:
It could use an alignment to be perfect but it's only *barely* out of alignment and only a perfectionist like me would notice it. Also, one ball joint in a piece of the front suspension is getting a little worn. I seem to be the only person who notices.
Maintenance performed
New brakes all around. This includes Brembo rotors and Pagid pads, extremely high quality equipment and the car stops on a dime and won't need brakes for ~50,000 miles.
New front control arms - I went the extra mile and replaced not only the S-Arms with the large bushings, but I also replaced the lateral arms at the same time to ensure the front suspension was good to go.
Rear end (differential) oil change w/ Mobil-1 Synthetic gear oil
Engine always maintained w/ either BMW OEM synthetic oil or Mobil-1 synthetic oil
Price and additional info
I have priced the vehicle at what I feel to be a very reasonable price, $14,900. If you are not a BMW enthusiast, I would like to take a minute to expound on the car a bit. First off, the sport package is by far the most desirable for the previous model run of the BMW 7 series. This model's chassis code is "E38", which started in 1995 and ended its run in 2001. This Sports package option came out from 1999-2001 and really makes the car look awesome. Also, this car really gets it on. It moves, and has definite sports car performance. The motor is a 4.4l V8 that puts out 282HP and 324TQ (Torque). This car effortlessly climbs hills and eats up long distances in quiet smooth comfort. The car has 112,000 miles but as many BMW owners or enthusiasts know, this is really not significant mileage. My 1989 for example has 182k. I have 3 friends all of whom are in the 200,000 mile range with their older 325 BMW's. This particular BMW motor that came out in the 1999-2001 BMW 740's was upgraded in 1999 with a newer VANOS unit and these motors are INCREDIBLY solid. Even BMW techs will consistently say these motors are good for 300,000 miles. Not to mention the rest of the car which is beautifully engineered and solid as a rock. The motor does not burn a single drop of oil - ever. The transmission shifts perfectly. All electronics and computers and the navigation system works perfeclty and sounds great. I installed a subwoofer in the trunk, but it's not an obnoxious, overpowering sound - it is the highly touted and extremely small Infinity Basslink unit which takes up almost no space and makes the stereo sound spectacular and rich (the DSP audio really sounds great and the DSP speakers are incredible). The engine bay is clean and 100% leak free and the fluids are clean. As mentioned, the maintenance has been kept up very nicely. Besides eventually needing tires (tread is still quite good actually, minus that one tire that was overinflated and has some wear in the middle), and the foglight (anywhere from $50 in a junkyard to $100 on eBay brand new), this car is ready to continue its journey. I had intended to keep it permanenely but my relationship with my girlfriend ended and so did extra money coming in for joint living expenses and it has to go - can't justify 2 vehicles. I am a huge BMW enthusiast and believe completely in their excellent product. I don't believe I will own anything but BMW. Maintenance isn't a nightmare as many people are led to believe, a good German mechanic can be found (I can recommend one too!) for MUCH less than the "Stealership" and their overinflated prices. Anyway, this is a great car and I absolutely love it. I've never had such a great car and I would never sell a vehicle that I truly didn't believe in and know I was giving a fair deal (I.E. not screwing you or myself at all).
Here's a great article on the BMW 740i sport: http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/1999/lweitzman_bmwisport.html
I really appreciate you reading and looking. I can send a full-size picture if you are interested. Give me a call on my phone at 425-246-8197 if you are interested or just e-mail me back. I will not be so long winded in person!
Thanks,
Spencer