2000 BMW 7-Series

Sedan

V-12

5-Speed Automatic with Sport Mode and Manual Mode

WBAGJ0342YDD73703

Clear

Gasoline

2000 BMW 750 iL V-12; 5-Speed Automatic Fewer Than 99,000 Original MilesINTRODUCTION Have you ever dated an aging supermodel? Well, me neither, but I imagine it would be something like owning this car. Although this one does not have missile launchers or a remote-control driving system, the 750iL model was featured in the James Bond classic, Tomorrow Never Dies. This 750 features BMW's “M73” V-12, making this car a dream to drive. The engine delivers high torque from low revs, effortlessly pushing this car forward as if it were a feather. The five-speed automatic transmission has three modes: the regular “learning” mode, a sport mode, and a clutchless manual mode. I think this car was designed to haul the likes of Angela Merkel about: even the rear seats are heated and power-adjustable. Rear passengers have a selection of normal, reading, and “mood” lights. The window glass is unusually thick, making me think the windows may be bullet-proof (I don't know - the rear windows do go all the way down). The front seats are not only heated, but also have some kind of internal bladders that move around under one's rear-end, to stimulate circulation on those coast-to-coast drives. If you're familiar with these BMW “E38” 7's with the “L” frame, you know there's enough room in the back to raise a small family. I bought this car about 2 1/2 years ago and about 24,000 miles ago from a used car dealer in Conshohoken, Pennsylvania. It runs well and is a super-comfortable driver, but it has problems (please read this entire description carefully and in its entirety) and is very expensive to maintain. It's just a little too rich for my blood. I took it to a local used car dealer to discuss trading it in, but they will only low-ball (and they were completely honest about this). It is not the kind of car they have on their lot, so they would immediately send it to auction. So, they guessed the lowest probable auction price they may get based upon the car's age and appearance, and offered that. So I am offering it here on Ebay (and in my front yard) for a private-party sale. (After posting edit: I went back to that local used car dealer, and bought their car anyway. They're great people!) I do occasionally drive this car now, so the odometer may be going up a few miles every now and then, but it will absolutely, positively, be below 99,500 miles upon sale. THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS CAR The V-12 engine runs great (rated at 320 hp, 360 lb-ft torque).The 3-mode, 5-speed automatic transmission works exactly according to specs. In normal mode, it is a typical "learning" transmission that will vary the shift points according to the driver's driving habits. In "Sport" mode, it raises the shift points to rev the engine higher through the 4 lower gears. It also offers a clutchless "Manual" mode, where the driver shifts by "slapping" the console-mounted shifter forward or backward. In Manual mode, the transmission is still smart enough to automatically upshift to avoid redlining and downshift to avoid stalling.Built to cruise the German Autobahn: super-smooth at very high speeds; its theoretical top-end is 196 mph. (The electronic top-end is user-programmable through the in-dash computer.) No kidding, up in the three digits is where this car was designed to drive, it is as if it is on rails. Very low, 98k+ miles; many miles left to give. Interior and leather are in unusually good condition for their age. Please look carefully at the photos. I'll be happy to provide additional follow-up photos at bidders' requests.Nice, straight, clean body, with very few nicks, dings, or scuffs.A/C works very well, plenty cold.Leveling control seems to work fine – handles 400 lbs. in trunk with no problem.Countless original standard features, including factory in-dash navigation. However, I only have one navigation CD, for NE USA.Comes with two remote-locking keys and one service key (these keys aren't cheap!)Front tires are almost new.Full-sized spare tire with matching alloy wheel.Still has the original and complete first-aid kit. SERVICES PERFORMED These are the all the things I've had replaced on this car, since I bought it in May of 2012: Upper battery (yes, it has two full-sized batteries, of different types) Coolant hoses Belts RF lower control arm Right intake manifold (was leaking air due to a crack, causing misfires)Fuel injectors (all 12 of 'em)Valve cover gasketsBoth rear wheel bearingsBoth rear parking-brake assembliesBoth rear lower ball joints (yup, it really has 'em)Water pumpThermostat Temperature sensorSpark plugsEGR Valve THE BAD THINGS ABOUT THIS CAR This car is expensive to maintain. In most cases it is actually less expensive to take this to a BMW dealer for repairs than to have a trusted local garage or mechanic work on it. That is because most of the parts are so uncommon that they have to come through a dealer anyway, and they are often expensive. Once a third-party garage or mechanic adds their percentage-based markup, they may be charging more for the part(s) than the BMW dealers' part(s) + labor cost.These are all of the issues that I know about concerning this car: Five times, beginning in May this year, this car has failed to start. It's been to two BMW dealers for this problem (Sewickley BMW in Sewickley, PA and Faulkner BMW in Lancaster, PA). Each time, at the dealers' garage, the car started normally, so no one knows exactly what the problem is. While at Faulkner, it lodged an alarm system fault, so the service adviser speculated that maybe the car thinks it's being stolen. (When this happens, it's as if the starting motor turns like normal, but the starting solenoid doesn't engage, so the engine is never actually turning.) They recommended, as a start (no pun intended), to replace the starter (at approximately $1,300.00), but couldn't know with certainty if that would fix the problem. “Service Engine Soon” light is on. This machine lodges fault codes like an impetuous woman buys shoes: frequently, of many different types, and sometimes for no apparent reason. Besides the alarm system error, other faults that have been lodged include: Thermostat problem (no temperature issue)Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor problem (no driveability issues)Catalytic convertor problem (lodges a fault code, but there is no exhaust restriction)Intermittent traction-control system problem (happens rarely)Paint is bad: it is fading and crackingThere is a rust on the right rear door, and I was told by someone at a body shop that it is coming from inside the door - that is bad, it means the door probably has internal rust damageApproximately four times, while driving along, the traction-control system would go out. When this happens, the ABS light comes on, the traction-control warning light comes on, and twice (but not all four times) the speedometer went to zero and the fuel-economy gauges went to maximum. It has always just "cleared itself up", and it isn't having that problem now. Power steering fluid leaks out from the hoses, just under the power steering fluid reservoir. Moisture collects in the right-rear floor pan (I don't know if this is a leak, or if it is A/C condensation getting back there)One of the amplifiers for one of the stereo speakers is bad, causing that speaker to emit a loud tweeting sound whenever the stereo is on (can use only the front speakers)Tape player will not eject a tape (one is stuck in there now, it's a bonus)Dealer recommends rear upper control armsDealer recommends front hydraulic bushing replacementDealer recommends new secondary air hosesDealer recommends four-wheel alignment (after other dealer-recommended services)Left headlight washer nozzles are missingLeft rear seat hardware is missing, in front of rear shelfRain-sensing windshield wiper controller doesn't workSmaller, left rear manual sunshade won't retractGlove compartment door latch is broken, door will not openParking distance sensor system doesn't workSome of the automatic rear seat adjustment controls don't workInterior, right center-pillar panel clips are broken (panels are held in place by alternative means)Fuel-filler door locking pin is broken, fuel-filler door won't lockOuter mirrors are cloudingWhen locked using the key's radio transmitter, alarm will occasionally sound for no reasonReal-world fuel economy is 18.6 MPG (measured over three tankfuls)(Edit after posting) Sometimes the sunroof switch doesn't work correctly, it may take several tries to get it to open or close(Edit after posting) As seen in photos, car's phone is missing, sorry forgot to mention SUMMARY The torque, the power, the spaciousness, the comfort, and the handling really do make this an awesome driving machine. This car has many thousands of miles left to give, but it is expensive to maintain. This car is sold as-is. I've tried to be as forthright as I can about the car's condition, but if you have ANY questions, or ANY reservations about it, ASK, ASK, ASK! I will answer any questions about it to the best of my ability and I will take and send or post follow-up photographs of any part of it that a bidder may wish to see. This car is also being offered for sale out of my front yard, so if someone buys it directly from me, I reserve the right to cancel any and all bids before the auction ends. Payment by check of any type is subject to a 7 business-day delay from the day I deposit the check. I am happy to consider some more "old-fashioned" methods of payment; please contact me before placing a bid if you'd like to discuss these. Of course, the winning bidder is free to come to Goodville, Pennsylvania to get the car. Beyond that, the buyer must make all arrangements to take delivery of the car. I will cooperate fully in getting the car transported, but it is ultimately the buyer's responsibility. Thank You for looking at my BMW  !!