Chasing Cars
ENGINE 2793cc/6-cyl/DOHC POWER 190bhp@5300rpm TORQUE 206lb ft@3500rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 165mph 0-60MPH 8.1sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 20-32mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, five-speed auto MoT 12 months from sale ODOMETER 53,845 miles WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
This big BMW starts instantly and runs like a metronome – not that you can really hear the engine in the serene cabin. Setting off, it responds to the throttle exactly as a BMW ‘six’ should, offering perfectly linear power delivery with no hiccups or flat spots. A more purposeful prod on the throttle quickly encourages the gearbox to kick down, which offers convincing, if not exactly blistering, performance. The powerful brakes stop the car straight and well, the steering is true and the suspension rides bumps well, with no unpleasant noises. The fact that the door mirrors still tilt downwards when you select reverse gear is a good sign, too.
BODYWORK CHECK
We couldn’t fault this E38’s bodywork; the low mileage has no doubt helped to keep the body free from damage and the wheelarches – nearly always the first place to corrode on BMWs of this era – show not the slightest hint of rust. The paint appears to be entirely original, and is in very good order bar the occasional light scratch or swirl mark. The alloy wheels are
EXTERIOR
Excllent body and paintwork
INTERIOR
Leather seats in great condition
MECHANICALS
Plenty of service and maintenance history
also in very good condition but the tread on the 2005-dated Pirelli P600 tyres is a bit low so they should really be replaced.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
There’s a lot of equipment in this 7 Series and everything still works, apart from the television function in the central screen, which has been rendered obsolete by the end of analogue broadcasting. The biscuit-coloured leather is generally very good, though there is minor creasing on the driver’s seat. The carpet, headlining and door cards are near-immaculate, though the offside rear door armrest is a bit yellower than the surrounding material, likewise the front seat belts. The car clearly had some
kind of aftermarket hands-free mobile phone system in it at some point, as evidenced by two small screw holes in the dash near one of the vents.
UNDER THE BONNET
This engine bay was not designed with DIY mechanics in mind – there’s not a great deal visible from above – but we couldn’t find any oil leaks around the engine block, nor any signs of past coolant leaks. It’s not quite car show clean, but in very good condition. The smooth running is unsurprising given the accompanying history, which includes a service book stamped up to where you’d expect it to be. It’s due a service soon, however – something the vendor is about to address.
THE CCW VIEW
This is a lot of car for the money and it’s hard to imagine that they’re going to get any cheaper. This must be one of the best E38s remaining outside of museum pieces, so even if you’d prefer a larger engine variant, it is still well worth a look just for its condition. It’s hardly lacking in interior equipment, either.
PROS Faultless bodywork, great interior
CONS Tiny screw holes in dash, needs new tyres
BUY IT FROM Northampton Classic Cars, Kettering Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN3 6HB. 01604 646400, northampton-classic-cars.com