getting ready to purchase 740il

[TP1]

My question as a new "old sckool" bimmer fan is:
How would I recognize if 2001 740 il is truly a sports edition or just a face lift whack job. Dealer pushing... flagging as sports edition model?

[Teh Prof]

Take the VIN number to a BMW dealer and have them pull up the options list.

[marti5]

Sports version all have anthracite head lining, this is a dead give away when people advertise they have a sport, I'm not sure this applies in the US but deffo here in Europe.

[TP1]

Thanks for that info. Will do.

[bjmusico]

I'm also looking at buying a 2001 740 (i or iL) and want to make sure I'm getting a real Sport version, not a "mock-up". I'd like to avoid having a dealer pull the VIN if possible for all the cars I look at.

It doesn't look like the European Anthracite Headliner test applies to the U.S. versions. I've listed the identifying characteristics I've come across online that can be checked during a quick inspection and test drive:

- 18" parallel-spoke rims
- Shadowline exterior trim
- Redwood interior trim
- M version 3-spoke steering wheel (740i only)
- Contour sport seats (740i only)
- Steptronic transmission (740i only) - check by inspection of gear shifter
- Lower final drive gear (740i only) - will have higher RPM than non-sport at highway speeds
- Sport suspension (740i only) - check by ride feel?
- Electronic damping control (740iL only) - should have a control switch?

Any corrections or additions to this list would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[marti5]

There is another way to define a sport version by the differential....Ok get on a nice flat road switch the cruise control on take it up to 80mph. take a look at the rev counter:

A non-Sport model will show 2305 - 2310 RPM
A Sport model will show 2475 - 2480 RPM

But the thing is a sport is only 0.1 seconds faster to get to 62mph than a non-sport.

[marti5]

Mine is not a sport but was fitted with these from your list above as optional extras and I have a 735i.


- Shadowline exterior trim
- Redwood interior trim
- M version 3-spoke steering wheel
- Contour sport seats
- Steptronic transmission
- Sport suspension

[bjmusico]

Thanks for the response!