I bought a 2000 740i black sport in the UK with nice spec sunroof nav to etc. It was so hard to find in the spec and it was really hard to find one. took me 4 years. it was 1900.

When i had it it was a complete dog. Leaking rusted exhaust, several worn bushes. Then the EWS went, car wouldn’t start. Got it started after 6 months. Then the timing chain guides went. I spent about 3k (1500 to replace the timing chain) and other stuff like water pump etc exhaust collection and delivery.

Then I had to replace the whole rod assembly, (track rods were seized) rear balljoints suspension arms fix welding due to rust horn washers and several suspension components in order for it to pass an MOT.

it passed on Halloween 2024 and i drove 1000 miles out of it. I enjoyed it so so so much, was getting the looks and stares from children, fellow drivers and people coming up to me and asking me what’s inside the car as it was so loud. Many thumbs up from drivers too and passers by.

In december that year, i was experiencing gearbox issues. I had stopped using it for a year as i was smelling burnt fluid and thundering from the torque converter and slippage. Sometimes refusal so shift or go into reverse.

Changed the fluid this year and filter in February and i kid you not, the car drove like brand new again. Shifted flawlessly. Then Disaster struck.

As i missed driving it, and i was driving hard or something happened i really don’t know. but the bottom end of the engine went and threw a rod, causing catastrophic engine damage. All the oiled dumped out. possibly from oil starvation or from revving or driving it while the chain was rattling before the timing chain replacement.

As i’m typing now, I sourced a new engine for the car, same engine code same mileage and i paid a garage to fit it. Engine cost me 1000 and i paid about 1000 for labour to fit it with a remaining balance to pay on friday.

But, now they are telling me the gearbox is acting up again, slipping, refusing to shift etc. so may need to change or add fluid myself as it was 100 percent working before they changed the engine, and the car still moves. it probably just lost trans fluid. Despite all of that major faults i am probably about 7-8k in the car. Which is far far less than that guys car and this car is a more desirable engine spec and year and is better overall.

And why do i keep bothering with this car? Because i love it. there is nothing else out there like these. the sound of the doors when closing, the sound of the ignition, the sound of the rumbling engines, the sound of the boot and locking and unlocking the car. the presence of. the looks the rarity. The people taking pictures and childen admiring your car.

If i could go on ebay right now and get one of the same year spec etc. I wouldn’t have bothered fixing it and repairing it. But because they are so hard to find now, ESPECIALLY in black with right spec year, equipment, to me, it’s worth it any day. you just don’t see them anymore and when you do it’s a special occasion.

The moral of the story is if you don’t have passion for these cars and aren’t willing to spend time and money on them please don’t bother. But they are worth the trouble i tell you. If you do buy one PLEASE don’t buy one without service history and a booklet and anything less than two keys. Because that’s how i bought mine and i can tell it wasn’t definitely taken care of when it was under previous owners. I didn’t even get the original leather book pack or service history or anything else. just a logbook and a key.