SOTW: BMW 740i (E38)
Has Shed found seventh heaven?
Given that the humble barge is a staple of Shed's diet, it's odd that the E38 BMW 7-series has never been granted the honour of Shed of the Week.
It's even more odd when you consider that Shed has featured a full 20 BMWs since the beginning of recorded Shed time (mind you that only goes back to late 2006 - we didn't keep an SOTW archive before then) and that your humble scribbler here is more than partial to a Bee-Em. We've done a few Sevens, but never the 1994-2001 E38.
That changes today, for we present you with 4.0 litres and 282bhp of creamy BMW V8 in the form of this 1995 N-plate 740i. And a car that a certain J Bond sped around in duringTomorrow Never Dies (yes, we know that was a 750iL, but this is close enough, surely?).
What's particularly tempting about this car is that it comes from a dealer forecourt rather than a private drive, so you'd (probably) have some comeback if things went all pear-shaped - which is a fine idea when you pick out a barge - this might have a £1k price, but it still has the running costs of a much more expensive motor...
...which brings us to the slightly odd wording of the advert. The dealer's ad describes it as a 'cheap runner'. Now, a V8 BMW 7-series may be many things, but cheap to run it will not be. Heck, even the advert admits to the group 19 insurance. Must have been the work experience lad who wrote the ad for that one...
Even so, 995 notes for all that power, leather and prestige, plus a full 12 months MOT, seems pretty good value for us. The sticker price in the first image also tells an intriguing tale - this car has already been reduced from £1295, so you could probably twist the salesman's arm* and knock a few quid further off that.
*Metaphorically of course - PistonHeads does not condone physical violence on car traders
Advert is reproduced below
BMW 7 SERIES 740i V8 Auto 1995
130,000 miles £995
BLUE 4 Door Saloon
3982cc
Insurance Group 19, THIS CAR WILL COME WITH A 12 MONTHS MOT DRIVES WELL, CHEAP RUNNER Electric Mirrors, Electric Sunroof, Electric Windows, Remote Central Locking, ABS, Climate Control, Power Steering, Drivers Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Alloy Wheels, Full Leather Interior, Immobiliser, Alarm, Please Call 01925 820222 For Further Details
Cheap runners says to me it's not the best up close, but for £1k!? With 12 months ticket! Bet it gets snapped up by a polish guy, all the cheap sevens round my way are driven by big bad looking polish guys!
It's had more positive comments than my wife's 3 series convertible at ten times the price and I can still work on it myself as it's pre-computer/Bangle takeover... heaven!
Cheap runners says to me it's not the best up close, but for £1k!? With 12 months ticket! Bet it gets snapped up by a polish guy, all the cheap sevens round my way are driven by big bad looking polish guys!
Shed neglected to mention that being the earlier 4.0l version, it's susceptible to nikasil. As such, these are largely unloved (which is a shame as it's still a great engine) because of the documented issues.
I had a later 740 and it was a great car. Thirsty, though.
Originally they were found on E39 5series cars.
http://cgi.ebay.de/4-orig-BMW-Alufelgen-16-E39-E34...
As stated in the Ad above they do have a different central diameter
than the ones needed.
Martin 480 Turbo
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