Your wallet wanna die? Go buy that cheap 745
Discussion
Ok so the title is taken from The Game - Westside Story, seemed fitting seeing as the 745 is mentioned so much in rap (catch stunts in my 745 
)
Making this post as several members have shown an interest in how deep the rabbit hole goes, mainly in how I managed to sink £12k in parts into this.
It's a very early 2002 E65 745i in toledo blue with a natural brown and dark blue interior (built 16/11/2001).
I originally bought the car in June 2015 with 132k miles (now 156k), after having owned a 2004 E46 330Ci Clubsport for years (and still do).
It was the cheapest E65 I could find at £2600 (I was doing it before it was cool), the next ones up were £4000+ with your choice of seized engine or blown gearbox (or both).
Some rather serious faults were apparent but I overlooked most, instead focusing on the high spec, odd interior colour scheme and 'potential'.
It was quite obvious the valve seals were completely gone (tons of smoke), the electronic handbrake didn't work, the brakes were completely worn out, it had very severe oil and coolant leaks and it was showing 8000 miles or 2 years overdue for servicing.
Also it had zero service history and one key
Brave pill?
I'll start adding to this post moving forward chronologically, with my original ownership for 1 year until June 2016 (12k miles, £6k spent) and then when I re-acquired it in July 2020 to now (1000 miles. another £6k spent).
Should mention I've done 99% of the work myself, only been in to BMW once to code a new steering wheel clock spring (£500 all in).
Please excuse the low quality photos from back in the day:
)Making this post as several members have shown an interest in how deep the rabbit hole goes, mainly in how I managed to sink £12k in parts into this.
It's a very early 2002 E65 745i in toledo blue with a natural brown and dark blue interior (built 16/11/2001).
I originally bought the car in June 2015 with 132k miles (now 156k), after having owned a 2004 E46 330Ci Clubsport for years (and still do).
It was the cheapest E65 I could find at £2600 (I was doing it before it was cool), the next ones up were £4000+ with your choice of seized engine or blown gearbox (or both).
Some rather serious faults were apparent but I overlooked most, instead focusing on the high spec, odd interior colour scheme and 'potential'.
It was quite obvious the valve seals were completely gone (tons of smoke), the electronic handbrake didn't work, the brakes were completely worn out, it had very severe oil and coolant leaks and it was showing 8000 miles or 2 years overdue for servicing.
Also it had zero service history and one key
Brave pill?
I'll start adding to this post moving forward chronologically, with my original ownership for 1 year until June 2016 (12k miles, £6k spent) and then when I re-acquired it in July 2020 to now (1000 miles. another £6k spent).
Should mention I've done 99% of the work myself, only been in to BMW once to code a new steering wheel clock spring (£500 all in).
Please excuse the low quality photos from back in the day:
Edited by Pastie Bloater on Friday 19th November 07:18
Thank you OP for sharing - looking forward to wincing (sympathetically) throughout the journey
Here's the VIN breakdown (and some notes):
Prod. Date 2001-11-16
Type 745i
Series E65 (7 Series)
Body Type Saloon
Steering Right Hand Drive
Engine N62
Displacement 4.4
Power 245kw / 333hp
Drive HECK
Transmission Automatic
Colour Toledo-blau metallic (482)
Upholstery Leather "Nasca"/natural brown (U6NG)
Editions And Packages
S785 White Direction Indicator Lights
Comfort And Interior Equipment
S453 Climate-Controlled Seats, Front
S428 Warning Triangle And First Aid Kit
S431 Interior Mirror With Automatic-Dip
S416 Roller Sun Visor, Rear Lateral
S415 Sun-Blind, Rear
S441 Smoker Package
S494 Seat Heating Driver/Passenger
S460 Comfort Seat, Rear, Electr.Adjustable
S488 Lumbar Support, Driver And Passenger
S456 Comfort Seat With Memory
S423 Floor Mats Velours
S438 Fine Wood Trim
S442 Drink Holder
S496 Seat Heating, Rear
S454 Climate-Controlled Seats, Rear
Multimedia
S677 HiFi System Professional DSP - Logic 7 surround sound system with 13 speakers and 2 subs
S672 CD Changer For 6 CDs - in dash
S650 CD Drive - in dash
S601 TV Function - analogue
S630 Car Phone With Cordless Receiver - in a dash tray, couldn't get this working so put a storage tray there
S609 Navigation System Professional - has never worked, was causing MOST bus issues so looped it out of the fibre optic ring, unit needs replacing
Driver Assistance And Lightning
S521 Rain Sensor - auto lights and wipers
S508 Park Distance Control (PDC) - auditory/visual front and rear
S534 Automatic Air Conditioning - dual zone
S522 Xenon Light - xenon headlights with angel eyes, main beams halogen
S502 Headlight Cleaning System
Wheels And Drive
S245 Steering Wheel Column Adjustment,Electr.
S229 Dynamic Drive - hydraulic anti roll bars (stay tuned)
S216 Hydro Steering-Servotronic - speed sensitive power steering
S202 Steptronic - auto/sport/manual gearbox modes, buttons on steering wheel, column shifter
S268 BMW LA Wheel, Star Spoke 95
Environment And Safety
S863 Dealer List Europe
S812 National Version Great Britain
S302 Alarm System
S877 Omission Of Non-Combined Operation
S323 Soft-Close-Automatic Doors
S850 Dummy-SALAPA
S853 Language Version, English
S880 On-Board Literature, English
S316 Automatic Trunk Lid Mechanism
S261 Side Airbags For Rear Passengers - door and curtain
Other Equipment
S998 Startup Control, Internal Demand
S169 EU3 Exhaust Emissions Standard
A lot of these are standard equipment but the main take away options are:
Electrically adjustable heated and cooled memory seats in the front and back.
Rear and side window roller blinds.
Soft close doors (not 'comfort access').
Hydraulic power boot lid.
Rear door and curtain air bags like the front.
Logic 7 sound system.
Dynamic drive means no body roll.
There was more options available like EDC, keyless entry (comfort access), radar cruise control, auto dimming wing mirrors, rear air suspension and an actual fridge on the li's etc. but these all make those particular things 5x or more expensive to fix (auto dimming wing mirror glass? £415 each to you sir).
I'll also go over some lesser-known features, like the air-conditioned centre arm rest storage compartment, perfect for keeping drinks or a Magnum cold
Prod. Date 2001-11-16
Type 745i
Series E65 (7 Series)
Body Type Saloon
Steering Right Hand Drive
Engine N62
Displacement 4.4
Power 245kw / 333hp
Drive HECK
Transmission Automatic
Colour Toledo-blau metallic (482)
Upholstery Leather "Nasca"/natural brown (U6NG)
Editions And Packages
S785 White Direction Indicator Lights
Comfort And Interior Equipment
S453 Climate-Controlled Seats, Front
S428 Warning Triangle And First Aid Kit
S431 Interior Mirror With Automatic-Dip
S416 Roller Sun Visor, Rear Lateral
S415 Sun-Blind, Rear
S441 Smoker Package
S494 Seat Heating Driver/Passenger
S460 Comfort Seat, Rear, Electr.Adjustable
S488 Lumbar Support, Driver And Passenger
S456 Comfort Seat With Memory
S423 Floor Mats Velours
S438 Fine Wood Trim
S442 Drink Holder
S496 Seat Heating, Rear
S454 Climate-Controlled Seats, Rear
Multimedia
S677 HiFi System Professional DSP - Logic 7 surround sound system with 13 speakers and 2 subs
S672 CD Changer For 6 CDs - in dash
S650 CD Drive - in dash
S601 TV Function - analogue
S630 Car Phone With Cordless Receiver - in a dash tray, couldn't get this working so put a storage tray there
S609 Navigation System Professional - has never worked, was causing MOST bus issues so looped it out of the fibre optic ring, unit needs replacing
Driver Assistance And Lightning
S521 Rain Sensor - auto lights and wipers
S508 Park Distance Control (PDC) - auditory/visual front and rear
S534 Automatic Air Conditioning - dual zone
S522 Xenon Light - xenon headlights with angel eyes, main beams halogen
S502 Headlight Cleaning System
Wheels And Drive
S245 Steering Wheel Column Adjustment,Electr.
S229 Dynamic Drive - hydraulic anti roll bars (stay tuned)
S216 Hydro Steering-Servotronic - speed sensitive power steering
S202 Steptronic - auto/sport/manual gearbox modes, buttons on steering wheel, column shifter
S268 BMW LA Wheel, Star Spoke 95
Environment And Safety
S863 Dealer List Europe
S812 National Version Great Britain
S302 Alarm System
S877 Omission Of Non-Combined Operation
S323 Soft-Close-Automatic Doors
S850 Dummy-SALAPA
S853 Language Version, English
S880 On-Board Literature, English
S316 Automatic Trunk Lid Mechanism
S261 Side Airbags For Rear Passengers - door and curtain
Other Equipment
S998 Startup Control, Internal Demand
S169 EU3 Exhaust Emissions Standard
A lot of these are standard equipment but the main take away options are:
Electrically adjustable heated and cooled memory seats in the front and back.
Rear and side window roller blinds.
Soft close doors (not 'comfort access').
Hydraulic power boot lid.
Rear door and curtain air bags like the front.
Logic 7 sound system.
Dynamic drive means no body roll.
There was more options available like EDC, keyless entry (comfort access), radar cruise control, auto dimming wing mirrors, rear air suspension and an actual fridge on the li's etc. but these all make those particular things 5x or more expensive to fix (auto dimming wing mirror glass? £415 each to you sir).
I'll also go over some lesser-known features, like the air-conditioned centre arm rest storage compartment, perfect for keeping drinks or a Magnum cold
Edited by Pastie Bloater on Tuesday 4th May 20:51
Pastie Bloater said:
(auto dimming wing mirror glass? £415 each to you sir).
I'll also go over some lesser-known features, like the air-conditioned centre arm rest storage compartment
Ooh, are those rare and sought after options? I have both of those on my E90 M3! Along with blinds in the rear doors and the Logic 7 audio. I'm beginning to think the person who originally bought my car new ticked all the right boxes I'll also go over some lesser-known features, like the air-conditioned centre arm rest storage compartment
Gallons Per Mile said:
Pastie Bloater said:
(auto dimming wing mirror glass? £415 each to you sir).
I'll also go over some lesser-known features, like the air-conditioned centre arm rest storage compartment
Ooh, are those rare and sought after options? I have both of those on my E90 M3! Along with blinds in the rear doors and the Logic 7 audio. I'm beginning to think the person who originally bought my car new ticked all the right boxes I'll also go over some lesser-known features, like the air-conditioned centre arm rest storage compartment
Starjet99 said:
£12k for 24k miles? Yikes. Looking forward to this!
Hmm 50p a mile in partsAt £1.10 a litre and 18mpg average that's 27p a mile
So 77p a mile together
That's equivalent to straight 6.3mpg in cost, over 24000 miles
At least it sounds good without the back box
Edited by Pastie Bloater on Tuesday 4th May 22:51
I know I said chronological order but to give a flavour of the absurd complexity lurking within we can take a look at the REAR comfort seats. How complex can they be?
Well seeing as they are heated, cooled, 18 way electric adjustable with lumbar and memory, pretty complex.
They have the same adjustments as the front seats except for side bolsters and you can control the front passenger seat to move it forward (touted on the newest 7 series yes yes)
I took these out recently to fix the lumbar pumps, could just hear a clicking. One of the left side fans is also very noisy (my secret shame). Luckily everything else was working.
Also to give them a very thorough scrub and restore the faded parts with Colourlock dye in the correct colour natural brown, which is much darker than the beige option and has all the other interior trim pieces colour coded to match too (well the ones that aren't dark blue anyway).
I got the lumbar pumps working by applying 12V from an old router power supply and hitting them with a screwdriver handle (classic), started working straight away. So I added a drop of oil to each bearing and a bit of new grease to the pump internals. At £218 each from BMW this was a result.
Now they're working I need to find the noisy fan and apply the Colourlock.
As they are heated and cooled, which is just fans, the cooling works great with the air con on low. Or if you put both on it supercharges the heating, it's like sitting on a toaster.
Controls, you select the seat part then move the knob in 8 ways or twist
The reset button comes in handy when people leave them however
2 seats removed, it's just foam and leather right?
Well I'm a 15 stone pastie bloater and can just about move each of these about, will weigh one before I put them back
Good grief
Base height/tilt mechanism
At front is a motor for the leadscrews which moves the carriages forwards/backwards, to enable reclining
At rear is lumbar pump and valve block, 2 outputs for separate upper and lower lumbar
So many wires going into an arse cushion alone
Left to right: fans, heating, seat occupancy sensor
Fan close up
Arse fan layout, 3 fans
These are thoughtfully laid out as a gentleman would desire
Backrest is more of the same
Attachment 4 bar link and backrest bending mechanism, the top part bends forwards for your upper back
4 back fans with lumbar pouch at bottom
Electric head rest height adjustment and pillow
It's like an egg cup for your head
The head rests move up when you sit down (occupancy sensor)
Well seeing as they are heated, cooled, 18 way electric adjustable with lumbar and memory, pretty complex.
They have the same adjustments as the front seats except for side bolsters and you can control the front passenger seat to move it forward (touted on the newest 7 series yes yes)
I took these out recently to fix the lumbar pumps, could just hear a clicking. One of the left side fans is also very noisy (my secret shame). Luckily everything else was working.
Also to give them a very thorough scrub and restore the faded parts with Colourlock dye in the correct colour natural brown, which is much darker than the beige option and has all the other interior trim pieces colour coded to match too (well the ones that aren't dark blue anyway).
I got the lumbar pumps working by applying 12V from an old router power supply and hitting them with a screwdriver handle (classic), started working straight away. So I added a drop of oil to each bearing and a bit of new grease to the pump internals. At £218 each from BMW this was a result.
Now they're working I need to find the noisy fan and apply the Colourlock.
As they are heated and cooled, which is just fans, the cooling works great with the air con on low. Or if you put both on it supercharges the heating, it's like sitting on a toaster.
Controls, you select the seat part then move the knob in 8 ways or twist
The reset button comes in handy when people leave them however
2 seats removed, it's just foam and leather right?
Well I'm a 15 stone pastie bloater and can just about move each of these about, will weigh one before I put them back
Good grief
Base height/tilt mechanism
At front is a motor for the leadscrews which moves the carriages forwards/backwards, to enable reclining
At rear is lumbar pump and valve block, 2 outputs for separate upper and lower lumbar
So many wires going into an arse cushion alone
Left to right: fans, heating, seat occupancy sensor
Fan close up
Arse fan layout, 3 fans
These are thoughtfully laid out as a gentleman would desire
Backrest is more of the same
Attachment 4 bar link and backrest bending mechanism, the top part bends forwards for your upper back
4 back fans with lumbar pouch at bottom
Electric head rest height adjustment and pillow
It's like an egg cup for your head
The head rests move up when you sit down (occupancy sensor)
Edited by Pastie Bloater on Wednesday 5th May 16:12
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff