New to me BMW
08-01-2011, 03:33 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
New to me BMW
98 740i
Well that is a lie. This was my dad's car. I have done a large portion of work on it over the last 7 or 8 years and when he bought a 550 I decided that I liked it too much to let it go. He bought it at 80k miles and drove it up and down the east coast till it hit 228k.
Recently it has had a transmission rebuild and... Ok well pretty much everything has been replaced in the last 30k miles. At least I'm to the point where I can change a window regulator in under a half hour.
The engine is original and still doesn't use any oil, the seats seem to wear like iron, and I'm going bald so I'll soon look like a fat Jason Statham.
Well that is a lie. This was my dad's car. I have done a large portion of work on it over the last 7 or 8 years and when he bought a 550 I decided that I liked it too much to let it go. He bought it at 80k miles and drove it up and down the east coast till it hit 228k.
Recently it has had a transmission rebuild and... Ok well pretty much everything has been replaced in the last 30k miles. At least I'm to the point where I can change a window regulator in under a half hour.
The engine is original and still doesn't use any oil, the seats seem to wear like iron, and I'm going bald so I'll soon look like a fat Jason Statham.
Congrats.
08-01-2011, 03:39 PM
#4
Moderator
Cool. Congrats on the car...and on getting 200+K out it SO FAR. 
08-01-2011, 03:41 PM
#5
In the Mid-South meow
iTrader: (2)
Wow 228k miles?! I guess it's a keeper! 
08-01-2011, 03:46 PM
#7
Excellent! Great to know all the history of your car. And BMW's are best in black.
Trending Topics
08-01-2011, 04:02 PM
#9
Drifting
Thread Starter
08-01-2011, 04:06 PM
#10
Senior Moderator
love that year 740!
08-01-2011, 04:59 PM
#12
08-01-2011, 05:47 PM
#13
Senior Moderator
Stapler's quest to become the next Transporter continues... 
08-01-2011, 06:26 PM
#14
lol
08-02-2011, 04:17 AM
#15
Congrats! It sounds like it's been very well maintained and looks the part too.
I'm with charliemike... E38 is the only 7-series generation that I truly liked.
I'm with charliemike... E38 is the only 7-series generation that I truly liked.
08-02-2011, 10:22 AM
#19
Burning Brakes
08-02-2011, 12:16 PM
#20
The sizzle in the Steak
08-02-2011, 06:18 PM
#23
Team Owner
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City, MO (Overland Park, KS)
Posts: 36,545
Received 6,470 Likes
on
5,162 Posts
228K miles-that's not a 7 Series BMW, that's a Sherman Tank!
08-03-2011, 12:05 AM
#25
Drifting
Thread Starter
Fine!
I call this photo essay. I hate cats.
Interior Shots. Hang on, I need to call someone from 1998. I am thinking of replacing the phone with a plastic tray from a non phone equipped model.
The drivers side is the only one that really shows wear and I think I can re dye it. The rest of the interior has some small scratches from being the main Tucson to San Diego Dog transportation device.
Body wise it's pretty good save for the rocker panel dent. The paint is in good shape on most of the car, but my dad was never known for doing the speed limit and we are a desert people (it's on it's 5th windshield due to rocks and sand).
I have already replaced the headlight lenses and the bottom headlight trim once about 70k ago, and it needs to be done again. I think the hood is beyond just being touched up this time though. It's probably time for a re-spray.
The only other issue at the moment is the DSP stereo amp just started to flake out. I took a chance by replacing the electric part of the ignition switch with no results. So I either need to fork up 200 bucks for a used amp that will probably fail again in the future, or replace the entire audio stack. Bluetooth and non conversation drowning bass is tempting, but that much modification to a car that has managed to stay completely stock would be unfortunate.
And just for the heck of it. Here is what my cat's looked like for about a week while I was deciding to go OEM or Generic. Turns out to be a real good way to make a modern car smell like it's from the 60's.
And just so nobody is left wanting. Here is a video of me jumping it 40 feet in the air off of a sand dune while blasting some Skynyrd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpSm6YNF4DU
Last edited by Stapler; 08-03-2011 at 12:10 AM.
08-03-2011, 08:40 PM
#33
Pro
Awesome pics. Great size. Look thick. Solid. Tight. Keep us all posted on your continued progress with any new progress pics or vid clips. Show us what you got man. Wanna see how freakn' huge, solid, thick and tight you can get. Thanks for the motivation.
08-03-2011, 08:43 PM
#34
Needs more Lemon Pledge
I am late to the party, but awesome looking 7 series!
Congrats!
Congrats!
08-03-2011, 10:06 PM
#35
In the Mid-South meow
iTrader: (2)
You're the first person I know from Arizona that actually carries an umbrella in their car.
08-04-2011, 01:59 PM
#40
Drifting
Thread Starter
I mean I would definitely need to go with the sport suspension that sits a bit lower in the front, and it does have quite a bit of body roll so I may as well go to the sport anti-roll bars. 3 spoke sport steering to help with the perceived feel. That 01 bottom rocker panel fascia would cover up my one dent nicely and add to a sleeker look. The shadowline trim looks nice on the black car you posted. New 01 chrome grills please. That also requires new fenders or modified fenders. Hmm may as well do the whole 99-01 lighting conversion. You know it doesn't really jump off the line and those 3.15 from the sport is fairly easy to come by. I can't come up with a good excuse, but may as well get the steptronic trans with the higher stall too.
Um, that is to say. I may have looked into it. I'm gonna use up the rest of the tread on the set I have and then make a decision (m-pars aren't getting any cheaper either).