2001 BMW 728i

BMW had got its eye in by the time this one was built in October 2000, less than a year before E38 production ended. It was first registered on 24 July 2001 to the Ocean Torbay BMW dealership in Paignton, Devon, understood to have been the director’s car. The first private owner acquired the car from them in April of 2002 at 6,820 miles. Documents show that the car was still in the Torbay area in 2015.

The current owner, it’s sixth, acquired the car in May 2018 as a stopgap for a few months whilst he looked for a Porsche. His work takes him up and down the country, so this great-looking car capable of effortless motorway miles was the perfect interim solution.

Two years or so later and he’s still enjoying the car but with travelling for work all but stopped, he fancies a change and needs to create some space on the driveway for whatever he gets next - most likely an older classic. Eagle eyed viewers will have noticed the MGB GT in the garage but it has no engine so currently is just for show.

This BMW 728i is a really nice car. It was specified when new with the highline package which included special alloys and clear indicator lenses all round, giving it a much more modern look than contemporary examples with amber filters. Yes, the Biarritz Blue paintwork has the odd few light scratches and stone chips, as you’d expect on a car approaching the end of its second decade, but it has a real lustre to the finish and the overall condition is very, very good. The vendor has made mention that the offside wheel arch has a 'scuff', as does the lower spoiler on the nearside, yet neither are 'nothing major' and that other blemishes should be simply rectified with a detail. 

The panel alignment is as you would expect from BMWs of that era, with tight and even shutlines, and the various external trims are well aligned. Being picky, there’s a little bit of scuffing centrally on the front bumper plastic but nothing that detracts from the strong look. The glazing appears unblemished too, as are the light lenses and badges.

The silver 17-inch BMW LA Star Spoke 70 wheels were an additional cost option when new and tended to be fitted to the larger-engined models. The alloys present well with a few age-related marks and scuffs, and were refitted with new Nexen tyres in October last year, so still of course show good tread depth.

As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to maintain their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

The Highline interior is Pearl Beige (sometimes referred to as Oyster) Montana leather with Marine Blue trims and fine wood veneer dash panels. The upholstery presents really well with just the usual creasing and light wear from usage on the electric memory front seats.

The multifunction steering wheel is an optional M-sports model and shows very little sign of undue wear. There are a few shoe scuffs on hard plastic surfaces such as the driver seat base but carpets and protective floor mats are all present, clean and tidy.

In terms of equipment, there is a radio-cassette with CD multi-changer and it’s also got the original fit BMW-branded Motorola Flip car telephone (complete with curly-cord) in the centre armrest. This noughties throwback communicator still works - assuming that only being able to call or text people is your idea of a working phone! Also working well is the air conditioning and the various driver aids such as reverse park sensors and cruise control.

There are a few dim pixels on the main instrument display and entertainment console - something that is common to BMWs of this era - but there’s nothing that would affect your ability to get the information you need.

Under the bonnet, the engine bay is very clean and tidy - looking more like valeted than just well looked after. Nothing is out of place or standing out as needing to be renewed or replaced.

Whilst the undersides of the car display the expected level of road dirt, they appear in good condition with no evident corrosion or damage to the floor pans, suspension or vulnerable lower-hanging parts like the dual exhaust.

In the boot, the carpets and linings appear in a good condition with no obvious damage or undue staining. The original toolkit and warning triangle are still present in a tray fitted to the underside of the bootlid - although true to stereotype the 10mm spanner is missing! A flap to the side reveals the 6 cd changer unit and under the floorboard is the full size spare wheel.

Hopefully you can see from the photo gallery that this handsome 728i is in great condition - but you don’t have to take our word for it - this car is located in Lancashire, not far from Blackpool - why not use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the page to arrange a personal inspection or a video call for a closer look.

The car’s MOT is valid until July 2021 and there’s a good online test history with only a few failures since 2005 for easily resolved issues such as handbrake, tyres, indicator lenses and playful ball-joints! This independent record also serves to validate the 84,500 miles travelled; which is pretty low for a 19 year old motorway-muncher.

Last serviced in May of this year at 83,910 miles by the vendor’s trusted local garage, the car has been well looked after and its service booklet is filled with regular maintenance; stamped by BMW dealerships early on followed by specialists and independents thereafter.

The car comes with a stack of old invoices and paperwork, including the original bill of sale from the car’s first private owner. It also has the original dealership hard-back brochure on the 7 Series and unbelievably its original BMW branded torch in the glovebox. Importantly, the car also has two fully functioning factory keys.

Many E38s now have intergalactic mileage or have suffered the indignity of having their suspension lowered, inappropriate wheels fitted and the interior ‘improved’ by fitting wildly indiscreet sound systems. This is not one of those cars, it is in all but original spec and condition and runs and drives without fault.

Everyone loves a big Beemer - and when it’s a full-blown executive-spec 7-Series in a great colour combination, we know it’s going to attract an awful lot of interest. The E38 is still relatively unappreciated, so even this great-looking example will probably only sell for something like £6,000 - £9,000. That’s by no means an indication of its condition or appeal, just recognition of the fact we think they’ve yet to reach their full potential.

It’s also being offered with no reserve, so will sell from the very first bid no matter how cheekily low it is. Cliché it might be, but the phrase “a lot of car for the money” is rarely more appropriately used than for these ultra-reliable Teutonic cruisers.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located near Poulton-le-Fylde not far from Blackpool; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

This vehicle is not with us at The Market’s HQ near Abingdon, which means we have had to rely on the owner’s description of it, in conjunction with the photographs you see here, to compile the listing.

With this in mind, we would encourage potential bidders to contact the owner themselves and arrange to view the car in person, or to arrange a dedicated video call in which they can view the car virtually and ask questions.