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Thread: Abandoned E38 750 iL in my parkade -- should I bite?

  1. #1
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    Abandoned E38 750 iL in my parkade -- should I bite?

    Hi All,

    I've loved the golden era BMWs since I was a teenager, and there is a dust coated E38 750 iL that has been parked in the parkade I use daily for over 2 years. It looks to be a post facelift car but not sure what year.

    I inquired with the parkade management and apparently the man who owned it passed away, and his wife doesn't drive and has continued to simply pay the monthly fee for the spot. There are a number of well-to-do folks who use the parkade and live in high priced condos above.

    Meanwhile it sits there with flat tires and a thick coat of grime.

    I just can't shake the idea of rescuing this car, but as I am far from being a competent mechanic I am worried what I would be getting in to. Presumably it was well taken care of until left to sit. Body looks to be in good shape.

    Any thoughts? And if I were to make an offer to this person, any idea on dollars?

    Thanks everyone!

  2. #2
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    If you are one of the well to do folks you may want to consider it. This seems super tempting but is a sure way to make a small fortune out of a large one. But still I would have to be beaten away from this. Mention it to the wife, that should settle it.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by clarkitect View Post
    If you are one of the well to do folks you may want to consider it. This seems super tempting but is a sure way to make a small fortune out of a large one. But still I would have to be beaten away from this. Mention it to the wife, that should settle it.
    I second this all day long; I couldn’t keep away, but it sounds like a disaster for the new owner

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by jimrummy View Post
    I second this all day long; I couldn’t keep away, but it sounds like a disaster for the new owner
    I suppose if he got it cheap enough and promised himself to stick to a reasonable budget, it could pay off. Hard to put a price on it without looking at the car, but I'd say $500 could be enticing. Basically it's like playing at the casino - don't gamble with what you can't afford to lose.

    And get some pictures...
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by clarkitect View Post
    I suppose if he got it cheap enough and promised himself to stick to a reasonable budget, it could pay off. Hard to put a price on it without looking at the car, but I'd say $500 could be enticing. Basically it's like playing at the casino - don't gamble with what you can't afford to lose.

    And get some pictures...
    Wise words, but as most of us know; cars and the head don’t win as often as cars and the heart! If you can flash the spanners OP then that could be the tipping point in yours heart’s fsvour?

  6. #6
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    Send some pics and the vin. You’ll need 2 batteries if it is 99 - 01, and likely gas/oil/coolant/brakes - maintenance history would be good to know. Can’t hurt to ask - 500/750 is an opening, but know your upper limit. If she counters 5k, I think you let it sit.

  7. #7
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    If you can get it cheap enough and the body is in good shape, you can likely get it healthy for a similar price to what you'd pay for an already healthy 750, maybe less depending on how much it ends up needing and how much work you can DIY, etc.

  8. #8
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    I'm in Toronto as well and have a 750 I'm rebuilding to bring back to life = missing lotsa stuff and lotsa stuff needing repair. I'd be interested, if you're not, considering a parts car would be like a holy grail to me right now. I'm finding that the 750il is pretty special but it's also a bit of a bugger in having double of everything. And parts are a whole other story to try and find when stuff is broken or just not up to snuff. Drop me a PM regardless........ to discuss
    Tom
    Garage - 2000 750iL -- 2007 Z4M -- 2012 35d X5 mod'ed -- E30 M3 red valve cover -- tools -- misc BMW junk

  9. #9
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    Watch it's a 150K Canadian individual that people are talking $500 about Any halfway decent 750 can fetch 2k in scrap and Ebay parts.
    ---- Processing Individual ----
    Z1XX Upholstery
    Seats front and back in Epingle / leather englishgruen,
    As Schl.Nr. B9EG.
    Front seat backrest in Montana Englishgruen (No. 8 174 861)
    Other interior equipment as for Volleder Nappa englischgruen,
    Schl.Nr. P5EG

  10. #10
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    Take a look and share the last 7 characters of the VIN located at the lower corner of the driver windshield. We can let you know its specs and options.
    Restoring a few BMWs
    DD74445

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by xboss View Post
    Watch it's a 150K Canadian individual that people are talking $500 about Any halfway decent 750 can fetch 2k in scrap and Ebay parts.
    Only $1500 for your efforts!

    Where’s OP? Must’ve had a chat with the wife lol.
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  12. #12
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    That was the OP’s only post - we scared him away

  13. #13
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    Wow thanks for all the input - I will take some pics tomorrow. Did try looking for the VIN two days ago but could not find it despite wiping clean the bottom of the drivers side windshield...
    is still possible the current owner has no interest in selling it so I’m trying not to get too invested in this. I was thinking of offering in the neighborhood of 1500 to 2k CAD.
    Will update with photos tomorrow...

  14. #14
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    The vin is also a sticker under the rear license plate - not sure if it has plates ( at least this is how US cars come )

  15. #15
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    IMG_2951.jpgIMG_2984.jpgIMG_2985.jpgIMG_2990.jpg

    Here she is... parked next to my MB E400 wagon
    Cracked bumper with looks like a missing back up sensor.
    Will post a couple more photos as well.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  16. #16
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    My favourite photo - the true colour underneath the grime....IMG_2991.jpgIMG_2990.jpg

  17. #17
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    Based on the pictures of the lights, it's either a 99 or 2000, so that narrows down your year question a bit.

  18. #18
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    Not bad - someone cared for it until it was parked. Could be worse. Can’t hurt to ask

  19. #19
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    Found the VIN - last 7 digits DD73031
    It’s a 1999

  20. #20
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    It's got a couple decent extras:

    S345A Chrome Line Interieur
    S357A Protective Glazing
    ---- Processing Individual ----
    Z1XX Upholstery
    Seats front and back in Epingle / leather englishgruen,
    As Schl.Nr. B9EG.
    Front seat backrest in Montana Englishgruen (No. 8 174 861)
    Other interior equipment as for Volleder Nappa englischgruen,
    Schl.Nr. P5EG

  21. #21
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    Yeah certainly wouldn’t hurt to ask. Looks like it’d clean up nice.

    What’s the weird stuff coming from the taillight?
    2000 740i Sport | 2004 330xi | 1988 325i Vert | 2003 Z4 2.5 | 1995 Ford F150 | 2018 GTI

  22. #22
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    You guys have any luck with this sort of thing? There's an E39 540-6 that has been sitting for a long time that I've been tempted to leave a note on. It's not in bad shape other than some clear coat peeling. Must not run though, last sticker is '08.

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by clarkitect View Post
    Yeah certainly wouldn’t hurt to ask. Looks like it’d clean up nice.

    What’s the weird stuff coming from the taillight?
    Just dust bunnies, cleared them out no issue. Can't see any rust but hard to know until its clean..

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by xboss View Post
    It's got a couple decent extras:

    S345A Chrome Line Interieur
    S357A Protective Glazing
    Nice, thanks. I looked up the VIN but not sure where you get that level of detail!

  24. #24
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    Some people do. There was a guy in Oregon who found an e34 M5 in a driveway, got it, and resurrected it. Ok to do if you have a DD, cash to spend, and patience.

  25. #25
    Join Date
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    Cars that have been sitting for a long time unused can sometimes be a real headache. They get leaky and temperamental. And if moisture gets in there, even in underground garages as there is moisture in the air and coming out of the concrete, stuff can get expensive fast. We once found an E28 M5 complete that had been sitting. After a thorough going over, we passed. I think the owner was asking $6K CAN at the time (long long time ago when no one cared) and we thought it was more money than it was worth. Today, it would be "hold my beer..... i'm coming back with cash" for that car. But just saying. old girls that have been parked...... make sure you have the resources and the space to work on them or have someone working on them. It can become money fast....
    Tom
    Garage - 2000 750iL -- 2007 Z4M -- 2012 35d X5 mod'ed -- E30 M3 red valve cover -- tools -- misc BMW junk

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