Hello,
I just bought a 2001 740il. This is my first luxury car that I have owned.
What are some of the things that I should know about this model? I've never owned a BMW before, so I don't know what to look out for or what to expect from this vehicle. Any advise would be appreciated.

just wondering... what did you pay for it? about $30k? more?

I paid 36k for it with 35,000 mi on it.

Concentrate on finding a trust worthy BMW technician, either Independent or [at last resort] a dealer. They have to know the car and have the diagnostic equipment, BOTH, either or or no longer cuts it with the later cars.

Come on over to www.e38.org you will find tons of information about your car.
Congratulations on you purchase, you have acquired a great car.
What color is it?

Come on over to www.e38.org you will find tons of information about your car.
Congratulations on you purchase, you have acquired a great car.
What color is it?


It is steel blue with a tan interior. I'll try and post some pics today.

Welcome to the club of happy BMW owners. I have not looked back one moment since buying my 740iL (E38) *except* that the sound system really &*%$#'cks. After some research and a lot of self-experimentation it turns out that the only real problem with the stock BMW audio electronics is the lac of low-end sound. A self-powered subwoofer will fix this nicely (and by the way, the BMW stock audio electronics and speakers too are really quite OK, (but only in the case you don't try to over drive them while trying to balance in the bass). A good article at:
http://www.wakajawaka.org/bmw-audio-upgrade/

Summary: Of course you will do all the things to keep your E39 in good shape, AND you'll want to enjoy every mile that much more with an upgraded sound system. Hey (as per the article) this will be the *most* memorable $250 you will ever spend on your E39.

Cheers.