[brettski]

I am looking at 2000 740iL (4.4l) which the owner is describing as an Individual build 7 Series. Does this mean that it has just been custom built to order, or is there something more "special" about it?
Is Sapphire blue with original BMW pearl gold a common color for this series vehicle?

What are the issues to be aware of in this age car with 140,000 km on it? It seems to have been maintained according to the BMW schedule, and it doesn't show any signs of abuse or neglect. This is my first foray into the world of BME, and I am trying to educate myself before I sign up to the BMW family, just to find out that I am on the worng branch in the family tree.hnoes

 

[witeshark]

I've never heard of "individual" build models. Does the car have all service records?

 

[marti5]

Individuals are basically special order paint colour/interior colour and trim, there are quite a lot here in the UK. The individual should have "BMW INDIVIDUAL" on the cill trims, so when you open the door you can see it also there should be a sticker on the suspension tower under the bonnet, so you will have two one on one side with car build date etc and the other with INDIVIDUAL written on it, if however niether of these are present then its not an indvidual, so beware of imitations as people say they are indies so the can ask a higher price.

 

[drz]

^^ Marti is correct. And that color combination you mention does sound like something one would have to get through BMW Individual, but I cannot be sure.


Also, please everyone, do yourselves a favor and develop the habit of searching google and using the forum's search feature. If the info is already up, you get your answer right away. The alternative is starting a redundant thread that takes us a few hours to get to.

This is is the first results if you were just to google "BMW Indivudual." That would have save you all the typing you had to do here:

BMW M GmbH : BMW Individual

This is one of the resulsts from our search feature:
http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/member-s-lounge/bmw-individual-27496.html

 

[Kai]

I'm suprised you haven't heard of individuals WS. The first I heard of one was a purple 850 that was. And I agree, the combination sounds like it would have to be an individual, but you do need to check the stickers to be sure.

 

[BimmerE39]

The individual program BMW offers is a really good way, to spend a lot of good money quickly.

 

[brettski]

So is there anything out of the norm here?

I emailed BMW for a build sheet on this particular car that I am looking at, and this is the detail that was provided. Can anyone see anything out of the normal build here that will make this "Individual" special? Please note that it has the normal BMW door sills without the INDIVIDUAL inscription, but it does have IND noted on the Vehicle compliance plate
Date of manufacture is: 10/99
VIN: WBAGH82010DB392**
Model design: 740IAL IND



VIN long WBAGH82020DB392**
Type code GH82
Type 740IL (EUR)
Dev. series E38 (2)
Line 7
Body type LIM
Steering RL
Door count 4
Engine M62/TU
Cubical capacity 4.40
Power 210
Transmision HECK
Gearbox AUT
Colour SONDERLACKIERUNG (490)
Upholstery SONDERPOLSTERUNG (Z1XX)
Prod. date 1999-10-15

Order options
No. Description
204 DRIVE VERSION EXPORT
216 SERVOTRONIC
245 STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENT ELEC
261 SIDE AIRBAG FOR REAR PASSENGERS
299 LT/ALY WHEELS W MIXED TYRES
302 ALARM SYSTEM
320 MODEL DESIGNATION, DELETION
352 DOUBLE GLAZING
358 CLIMATE COMFORT WINDSCREEN
403 GLAS ROOF, ELECTRIC
416 SUNBLINDS
423 FLOOR MATS, VELOUR
428 WARNING TRIANGLE
431 INTERIOR RR VW MIRROR W AUT ANTI-DAZZLE
441 SMOKERS PACKAGE
456 COMFORT SEATS, ELECTRIC. ADJUSTABLE
499 HEADRESTS IN REAR, ELECTRIC. ADJUSTABLE
500 HEADLIGHT WASHER SYS/INTENSIVE CLEANING
508 PARK DISTANCE CONTROL (PDC)
522 XENON LIGHT
548 SPEEDOMETER WITH KILOMETER READING
609 NAVIGATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL
627 COMPLETE PREP. BMW CELLULAR PHONE(NOKIA)
672 CD CHANGER BMW FOR 6 CDS
676 HIFI LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM
710 M LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
785 WHITE DIRECTION INDICATOR LIGHTS
810 AUSTRALIA VERSION
818 MAIN BATTERY SWITCH
823 HOT CLIMATE VERSION
825 RADIO CONTROL OCEANIA
861 CHANGE OF CODING DATA SET
864 OVERSEAS/DEALER DIRECTORY
876 RADIO FREQUENCY 315 MHZ
880 ENGLISH/OWNERS HANDBOOK/SERVICE BOOKLET
925 SHIPPING PROTECTION PACKAGE
940 SPECIAL REQUEST EQUIPMENT

Series options
No. Description
202 STEPTRONIC
210 DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC)
220 SELF-LEVELING SUSPENSION
853 LANGUAGE VERSION ENGLISH

Information
No. Description
459 SEAT ADJUSTM., ELECTR. W. MEMORY
473 ARMREST, FRONT
488 LUMBAR SUPPORT DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
602 ON-BOARD MONITOR WITH TV
694 PREPARATION FOR CD CHANGER



Individual data
Processing Individual
Sign "BMW individual"
0490 Color Sonderlackierung "sepia-metallic", FQ95-4477/BASF.

Z1XX Upholstery Individual Collection: Volleder in Indivdiual Collectionsfarben
Innenausstattung Volleder Nappa cremeweiss (Nr. 2 423 379)
Umfang N9
zuzueglich Tuertafel, Rahmen Tuer unten, Griffleiste Klappfach
vorne, Klappfach Tuer hinten, B-Saeule unten
Quilting yarn sandbeige (8 174 137), code 0972 B.
Sewing thread sandbeige (8 174 131), code 0972 B.
Seam of front and rear seats according to standard option
leather Nappa (cross-seam)
Plastic parts of seats in black
Carpet incl. lower door inserts and floor mats in soft velour creamwhite (7400)
Remainder of spec. as standard leather Montana black (code N6SW)

0940 Sonderwunschausstattung
High gloss Shadow line
Roof lining in light beige as code N6SN
Steering wheel in leather Nappa black (1 938 942),
lower part (including M-Emblem) in Nappa creamwhite (2 423 379)
Quilting yarn sandbeige (8 174 137), code 0972 B.
Edelholzverblendung in "Eibe Club", Farb-Nr. 0300
In Verbindung mit SA 255 wird beim E39 die Lenkradspange in
Softlack schwarz verbaut.


Being a 10/99 build, am I correct in assuming that this will have the more efficient VANOS equipped M62 engine?

 

[BimmerE39]

Yes, the exterior and interior colors are not a standard order. The individual program allows customers to purchase their vehicles with different interior and exterior colors. Mechanically, the car is the same as any other one the road but visually it will stand apart from both the exterior and interior.

It should also have the M62 technical update motor as well.

 

[marti5]

All the individual stuff is at the bottom:

Individual data
Processing Individual
Sign "BMW individual"
0490 Color Sonderlackierung "sepia-metallic", FQ95-4477/BASF.

Z1XX Upholstery Individual Collection: Volleder in Indivdiual Collectionsfarben
Innenausstattung Volleder Nappa cremeweiss (Nr. 2 423 379)
Umfang N9
zuzueglich Tuertafel, Rahmen Tuer unten, Griffleiste Klappfach
vorne, Klappfach Tuer hinten, B-Saeule unten
Quilting yarn sandbeige (8 174 137), code 0972 B.
Sewing thread sandbeige (8 174 131), code 0972 B.
Seam of front and rear seats according to standard option
leather Nappa (cross-seam)
Plastic parts of seats in black
Carpet incl. lower door inserts and floor mats in soft velour creamwhite (7400)
Remainder of spec. as standard leather Montana black (code N6SW)

0940 Sonderwunschausstattung
High gloss Shadow line
Roof lining in light beige as code N6SN
Steering wheel in leather Nappa black (1 938 942),
lower part (including M-Emblem) in Nappa creamwhite (2 423 379)
Quilting yarn sandbeige (8 174 137), code 0972 B.
Edelholzverblendung in "Eibe Club", Farb-Nr. 0300
In Verbindung mit SA 255 wird beim E39 die Lenkradspange in
Softlack schwarz verbaut.

And yes its the double Vanos M62 engine

 

[drz]

Like they said, all that stuff from where it says "Individual data" onward.

 

[brettski]

Thanks for your input guys. Its great to have supportive information from people that I am never likely to meet in person or be able to return the gesture. Being my first venture into the BMW world is a little daunting for me, so I want to educate myself as much as I can beforehand.

What sort of issues do you commonly see in the E38?
What sort of functional life span should I expect from this sort of vehicle if it is regularly serviced and not abused?
What modifications would you contemplate to extend the reliability of the vehicle, eg extra radiator fan, heavier radiator, additional trans radiator?

 

[BimmerE39]

Thanks for your input guys. Its great to have supportive information from people that I am never likely to meet in person or be able to return the gesture. Being my first venture into the BMW world is a little daunting for me, so I want to educate myself as much as I can beforehand.

That's what this forum is here for and that's why many of the members are here. We all have different experiences and knowledge bases and many of us have dealt with/experienced problems first hand. Collectively there's a real large knowledge base and we all want to help each other as much as we can.

What sort of issues do you commonly see in the E38?
What sort of functional life span should I expect from this sort of vehicle if it is regularly serviced and not abused?
What modifications would you contemplate to extend the reliability of the vehicle, eg extra radiator fan, heavier radiator, additional trans radiator?[/QUOTE]

A good car that is maintained properly should have a service life of 200,000+ miles. I'm not an expert on the M62, but I've heard that valve cover gaskets tend to go every now and then, which isn't really a big deal. The biggest thing I would worry about is making sure all the fluid are replaced on a consistent basis. Some of these would obviously include...

Oil
Coolant
Transmission fluid
Differential fluid
Brake fluid etc.

I'm not exactly an expert on the E38 either, I'm hoping Marti5 will chime in here because they're very knowledgeable about the E38

 

[brettski]

Bought it today at auction

The guy that was selling this car decided to put it up to auction, he had been initially asking $25,000 (Australian), dropped it to $20,000, then put it up for prestige vehicle auction. I paid $16,000 for it so I am happy. Now I just need to fly to Sydney to collect it on Monday, and then drive it home. Me and the new car will get to know each other over a 7 - 8 hour drive.
These are the only photos that I have currently, and they are from the auctioneers web site.

Given that this is my first BMW, is it a straight forward process to check the engine & transmission oils and coolant levels?

Any warning signs/sounds that I should keep an ear out for along the way?

 

[witeshark]

Yeah, checking the engine oil sure is. If the transmission is "lifetime fill", there may be no way to check that. If the car has anything over 50,000 miles, I think I'd have it changed. Best of luck and congratz!

 

[BimmerE39]

Looks like you picked it up for a great deal. Congratulations! Like witeshark said, changing the oil is very straight forward and really no different from any other car. Obviously make sure you use the recommended oil (obviously) Also, if your transmission is a "lifetime fill" believe me when I say it is not. At 140,000km the transmission oil should be changed. If you have all the paperwork definitely check to make sure it was completed, if not make sure it gets done.

 

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

wow 16k! thats an awsome deal! as i said over PM it looks to be a great car! And it is an individual to boot!

 

[brettski]

Thanks for the advice and feedback guys. It is much appreciated. I am looking forward to seeing this car for the first time in the flesh on Monday. My flight is booked and I should collect it around midday. All I need now is a bit of nice weather (no rain or wind) and I should have a pleasant trip with the new ride.

My wife is in two minds about the choice of vehicle, her family all think its good value, but she is very conservative, even though it was cheaper than a lot of other cars that I would have normally been looking at. My daughter (4) is already trying to think of a name for it, although I think it will end up with a variation of the same name that the old vehicle had, just with a different color.

More photo to come.

 

[BimmerE39]

Sweet! Can't wait for more photos! :thumbs

 

[drz]

Congratulations