"Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget"

[Greasemonkey2000]

"The phrase 'champagne taste on a beer budget' refers to someone who lives above his/her means and likes expensive things that he/she can't possibly afford."

My grandma use to say 'wine taste on a beer budget' and that is exactly what came to mind after buying a 2001 BMW 740iL with "all the options" minus the Sport or Chrome line package with just over 132,0xx miles on 01-13-19.

Come one, you have to admit buying a car for less than 4% of its original value, $66K-$70K+ in 2001 or approx. $95k+ in 2019, is pretty neat...especially given all the features, which many were "cutting edge" in 2001.

The 2001 BMW 740iL in question was produced in May of 2000(which makes it two months older than Misfire, my nb2, that was produced in July of 2000) with the following specs/features:

-Royal Red Metallic exterior paint with Sand Beige leather interior and high gloss walnut wood trim
-4.4(M62TUB44) V8, 32 valve, dual over head camshafts w/ VANOS variable valve timing, rated at 282hp/325tq
-22.5 gallon fuel tank, fuel economy- city: 17mpg/ highway: 23mpg
-5 speed automatic transmission w/ Adaptive Transmission Control w/ automatic and manual shifting
-4 wheel ABS disc brakes
-double pivot, strut type front suspension w/ forged aluminum lower control arms
-4 link integral rear suspension
-Adaptive Ride Package w/ twin tube gas-pressure, electronically controlled (EDC) shock absorbers
-self leveling rear suspension
-Dynamic stability control (DSC)
-front & rear sway bars
-vehicle speed sensitive power steering (Servotronic)
-16" Cross spoke alloy wheels
-multi-information display
-BMW on-board navigation system
-one touch starting
-power 2 way glass moon-roof with key off and one touch operation
-power tilt and telescopic steering wheel w/ automatic tilt
-3 setting memory system for drivers side seat, side view mirrors, steering wheel position and safety belt height
-dual zone front automatic climate control with solar sensor and residual heat feature
-micro filter ventilation system w/ replaceable charcoal activated filters
-16-way power Comfort front seats w/ 4-way lumbar adjustment and additional upper backrest angle adjustment
-front massaging seats
-Convenience Package with power rear window shade w/ manual rear side window shades and power folding, heated and auto dimming side mirrors
-heated front/rear windshield
-Cold weather package w/ heated front & rear seats, heated steering wheel -heated headlight washer nozzles
-interior courtesy lights w/ automatic dimming
-front map lights with rear reading lights
-illuminated door handles w/ door mounted "puddle lights"
-first aid kit in rear seat backrest
-front and rear door storage compartments
-Motorola StarTec cellular phone
-projector low beams w/ Xenon high intensity discharge lighting
-Parking distance sensors (PDC) front & rear
-fully finished trunk with drop down tool kit, luggage straps, cargo nets and power "soft touch" trunk lid

Most of the features are very useful/functional while some are kind of a gimmick like the "massaging front seats" that you can barely tell they are functioning when on and obviously the GPS now days is pretty much useless even if you went to the MK4 computer and maps.

Here is probably the best YouTube video covering most the options for the E38, if you can stand the "host" for over twenty minutes: https://youtu.be/litO7FrTwDI

Another video of some of the lesser known/"hidden features" such as:
Feature 1: Convenience Opening Mode (Summer Window Mode)
Feature 2: Convenience Start & Key Fob Charging
Feature 3: Speed Variable Wipers
Feature 4: Interlocking Door Anchoring System
Feature 5: Pathway Lighting (Follow Me Home Lights)
Feature 6: Parking Lights
https://youtu.be/WM-dQP0MVbA

On the subject of the GPS you can actually upgrade to the newer BMW iDrive system which is pretty cool because it is essentially a fully integrated system and the company that adapted it provides a essentially pnp harness but it isn't cheap. Like so: https://youtu.be/DusKlcGABEM

The car has only had two previous owners, both in Texas and seems to be maintained pretty well given its overall condition(perceived), both cosmetically and mechanically. It is by no means a perfect specimen but given its relatively low miles (approx. 7k miles/year), owner history, location and price of $3600 I think it is was a pretty good deal.

Okay enough talk, here are some pics that the seller(a small dealership) provided.