Price: SOLD
Mileage: 87,600 Miles
Engine: M62TUB44 4.4-Liter V8 Engine
Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic Steptronic Transmission
Exterior color: Imola Red Exterior
Interior: Montana Black Leather Interior
Additional features:
Vavona Wood Interior Trim
1 of 237 Imola Red E38s
1 of 172 U.S. Market 740i Sports
1 of 102 U.S. Market 740i Sports w/ Black Leather
1 of 86 2001 MY U.S. Market 740i Sport w/ Black Leather
DUDMD Tune
Alpina Replica Front Valance
Anthracite Kidney Grilles
Tinted Windows
M Sport Package:
M Leather 3-Spoke Steering Wheel
M Sport Suspension
155 MPH Top Speed
3:15 Final Drive
Contour Sport Seats
Shadow Line Exterior Trim
M Parallel Wheels
Convenicne Package:
Power Rear Sunshade
Manual Rear Side Window Shades
Power Folding Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors
Infrared Reflect Windshield
Power Memory Seats w/Lumbar Support
BMW Professional Navigation
BMW Individual HiFi Sound System Logic7
Rain Sensor
Headlight Cleaning System
Xenon Headlights
Rear Armrest
Rear Cargo Net
18” Style 37 Alloy M Parallel Wheels
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Tires
BMW Enthusiast Owned
Texas, California, Colorado Car
Recent Maintenance:
Timing Chains / Guides / VANOS
Valve Cover Gaskets
Oil Pan Gaskets
Transmission Service and Gaskets
Cooling System Overhaul
Motor / Transmission Mounts
Power Steering Pump
Brakes Front and Rear
Front Shocks
Much More…
The BMW E38 generation 7 Series was the last of an iconic form that BMW had tastefully and incrementally evolved since the flagship luxury sedan’s introduction in 1977. The successor E65 7 Series’ departure from this lineage due to Chris Bangle and Adrian van Hooydonk’s polarizing “flame surfacing” and “Bangle butt” design language actually appreciated the value of the E38 while it was still being sold. The post-facelift 740i M Sport, sometimes called the Shorty Sporty, was the best E38 by far. Unlike the long wheel base variants, the shorter and lighter 740i got a true M Sport package consisting of:
By 2001 the model had undergone many other updates including more standard options, clear turn signal indicators, color matched side skirts and bumper fascia, and a wider navigation screen. The result is the most modern iteration of a classic, the last of the classics – the E38 740i M Sport.
This E38 is it folks! Grab your favorite beverage, get comfortable, and take a read. This Imola Red over Black Montana leather 2001 740i M Sport with only 87,600 miles is truly an outlier example. Being one of only 237 (253 if you count the 16 individual examples) Imolarot II E38s produced worldwide. Whittle that down to Black leather interior U.S. market examples for the 2001 model year and the number drops to only 86. According to E38 Registry, 58 known examples are still on the road! Imola Red is one of the best colors ever painted on a BMW, which combined with last-of-the-classics lines of the E38 is simply resplendent. It is completely stock and unmolested with the exception of a replica Alpina front spoiler, anthracite kidney grilles, and a DUDMD tune. E38s have long been underappreciated, but with examples like this one, their day has come and we are proud to have it. Spending a few days driving this car in preparation to write this listing, one is reminded of how utterly fantastic a shorty sporty E38 is. Along with the E39 M5, these two models were truly BMW’s pinnacle, with everything before them getting better and everything to follow only getting worse.
With a production date of March 12, 2001 this E38 was delivered to its original owner by BMW of North Houston in July of 2001. It remained within that family in Texas and Colorado, until July of 2018 and 72,500 miles. The Carfax reports three owners in this period, but the records document it being only the original owner and his brother. It was involved in an accident in 2006, with some panels being repainted. A paint gauge report is included in the records and shows 3 to 4 mils for the original panels and 8-10 on those that have been painted. The paint match is excellent. The records from this period also show frequent and regular dealer services at BMW of North Houston and Winslow BMW of Colorado Springs and independent specialists Gregor’s Motor Works. In 2018 it went to California for two years and roughly 6,000 miles until being sold on Bring a Trailer on August 23, 2019 with 78,435 miles. The buyer was a Colorado BMW enthusiast and Glen Shelly regular who has a formidable resume of past BMWs including a Euro-spec E28 M5. He is an exceptional steward of his cars, sparing no expense in his maintenance. He planned on keeping this car forever, so over the last two years and 10,000 miles he spent well over $20,000 resetting the maintenance clock on it and investing in its future. Highlights of the extensive list include the timing chains, guides, tensioners, and VANOS units, a cooling system overhaul, intake manifold gaskets, valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, engine and transmission mounts, a transmission service and pan gasket, alternator, front control arms, brake pads, rotors, and sensors on all four corners, the power steering pump, drive belts, front shocks, and four-wheel alignment. All of the work was completed by Sterling Service of Littleton, Colorado. In preparation for sale, we couldn’t find much to gripe about.
Then, succumbing to the Siren’s call of Imolarot, he made the excruciating decision to exchange it for a nearly identical Imola Red over Black leather E39 M5. We are selling it on consignment for him and look forward to finding its new owner. As it sits, this is one of the rarest E38s on the market, a known car within the E38 community that benefited from exceptional ownership and substantial recent maintenance. Like any E38 it will need continued care and maintenance, but it deserves it. The E38 was one of the pinnacle BMWs, and this example is a pinnacle of an E38. Opportunities like this one are rare and time is antagonistic, if you want to get on the rare E38 ship before it sails, here is your chance.
The Imola Red paint presents exceptionally well and is the defining feature of the car. Various panels have been repainted, but the paint match is excellent. The paint gauges at between 3-4mils on the original panels and 8-10 mils on the painted panels. A paint gauge report is included in the records. The lower front splitter has some chipping, and there is slight misalignment of the right side front bumper trim. Close scrutiny elsewhere reveals slight imperfections in the form of small rock chips, touch-up paint, and faint dings, but overall it is conspicuously absent of the typical door dings and rock chips that would be expected with its age and mileage. There is no rust. All trim is in excellent shape with minimal UV fade. There is some degradated rubber above the rear window “sails” and areas of scuffing along the lower right front bumper trim. The windshield has slight pitting, but is crack-free and BMW glass with the infrared coating. The side and rear windows are tinted and excellent. The headlight lenses are clear and crack-free, as are the fog lights, markers, and taillight lenses with the exception of some spidering in right rear clear lens. The wheels are free of curb rash with only slight nicks and chips. The tires are 2018 and 2019 DOT dates with good tread on the front and the rear’s nearing the wear bars.
The interior is fantastic shape. There are no odors and it has never been smoked in. The carpet is free of stains or rips and is protected by factory BMW floor mats. The seat leather is soft and supple to the touch; the only wear is minor creasing on the driver’s outer bolster. All seat functions work and there is no seat twist (but it’s only a matter of time for any E38/E39). There is slight creasing on the outer driver’s seat bolsters. The dashboard is clean and the airbag cover is not warped, but there is a hairline crack in the upper left-hand corner of the center vent trim. The Vavona wood trim is in very good shape, with just a few faint hair-line cracks, the most conspicuous on the shift knob and passenger side dashboard trim. The cup holders function, but the OBD port cover does have the typical broken clip on the wood cover. The steering wheel is excellent shape with minimal wear and no failed stitching. The column motor does groan as it lowers into place, but it telescopes correctly. The instrument cluster does not have any failed pixels, neither do the navigation screen or HVAC displays. The BMW Premium sound with Logic7 DSP sounds amazing and the CD changer works correctly. There are no check codes on the onboard computer and no engine, DSC, or ABS warning lights (the trifecta) illuminated. The door locks and window regulators work, as does the sunroof and rear sunshade. The heat blows warm and the air conditioning blows cold. Several keys, the rear cargo net, original window sticker, and the owners’ manuals are included in the sale.
The maintenance history is the most important factor in any E38 and this example has detailed records dating to the original purchase and extensive recent maintenance history. The list outlined in the summary paragraph highlights common E38/M62 issues like the cooling system, timing system, and VANOS units. The E38 fires on command, idles smoothly, and pulls strongly to redline. It has no VANOS rattle or lifter noise. There are typical M62 seeps, but no active leaks or drips (it is only a matter of time with any M62 however). There are no SES or “trifecta” ABS and DSC lights. The transmission shifts smoothly and the driveline, differential, and wheel bearings are quiet with no vibrations. The brakes are excellent having been recently replaced. We ensure it passes and pay for emissions in the State of Colorado. Like any E38, this example will need continued preventative maintenance and repairs, but the majority of the heavy lifting items have been done by the current owner. We would not hesitate to drive it across country or use it put it in regular operation.
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