Dan Crouch BlogSports Car and Motorcycle Enthusiast, Web Consultant, and Niche Publisher.

I spotted this very rare color combination on a 740i sport over at Roadfly ($19.4k, Florida) and had to post it up:

This Imola Red 740i has an immaculate paint, no exaggerations! The black interior is also perfect, showing no wear on any of the seats. I have all the repair history, with most of the work done at local BMW dealer. This is a unique E38, always garaged, and cared for by BMW enthusiast. Please e-mail me for pictures. The car comes with full sport interior, wide screen navigation, power rear window shades, xenon, power folding side mirrors, etc.

Here are a few of the things that have been replaced since 65k miles or more recent:

-Inspection II completed at BMW dealer
-Water pump + complete cooling system flush
-power steering flushed/replaced
-drive belts
-brake system fluid flush
-spark plugs
-cabin recirculation filters
-air filter + fuel filter
-lower control arm bushings
-valve cover gaskets replaced
-Mobil 1 Etended Performance synthetic oil changes every 4k miles or less
-4 brake discs + pads+ stainless steel brake lines+ calipers in April 07 all from Bavarian Autosport
-Inner wheels, valve covers and brake calipers have been powder-coated and painted same Imola Red as the car

UPGRADES:

-H&R sport springs & Bilstein Sport shocks
-20" OEM BMW wheels and tires like new(19" BBS CH wheels also available)
-Bavarian Autosport complete performance brake system(see above for details)
-Dinan air intake, engine software and transmission software
-Dual Magnaflow performance exhaust
-hard wired for radar detector
-real Xenon fog lights with ballasts, matching the xenon headlights
-black kidney grills
-MK4 DVD navigation unit with $190 USA map DVD

That is about all I can remember for now. This E38 runs perfect, does not leak any fluids, and is up to date with all the maintenance.

I'm a total sucker for 740i Sport's anyway. They have such a great presence and style. But I've never seen one in Imola Red before. Very striking car, good luck with the sale!

dc

Update: This listing is very out of date. Why not check out one of these BMW 740 Sport's on eBay right now:

BMW : 7 Series 740il sport 17,170 MILES NICEST 740 IN THE COUNTRY. DRIVES AND LOOKS BRAND NEW

US $25,000.00 End Date: Tuesday May-22-2012 10:59:09 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $25,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

BMW : 7-Series SPORT PKG!!! 2000 BMW 740i 740 SPORT M NAVI 18" RIMS ONE Owner Serviced V8 Super Low MILES

US $17,850.00 End Date: Monday May-21-2012 6:30:00 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $17,850.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

BMW : 7-Series 740iL 4dr Sd FL RARE COLORS GORGEOUS LOW MILES MUST SEE SPORT WHEELS WIDE NAV

US $11,900.00 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 14:16:26 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $11,900.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

BMW : 7 Series 740iL 2001 BMW 740iL Sport and Convenience 1 California Owner Dealer maintained

US $10,995.00 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 19:02:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $10,995.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Set of 4 PERFECT Genuine OEM Factory BMW 740i 750i SPORT Parallel Spoke WHEELS

US $1,799.00 End Date: Tuesday Jun-12-2012 6:49:20 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,799.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

BMW 18-WAY COMFORT SPORT SEATS SEAT E38 E39 540i 740i 740iL 530i 750iL 528i 525i

US $1,350.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-06-2012 17:17:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,350.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

4 OEM Factory-Style BMW 740i 750i 540i SPORT M Parallel Spoke 37 18 inch WHEELS

US $1,299.00 End Date: Thursday May-24-2012 13:08:33 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,299.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

OEM BMW 18-WAY SPORT FRONT SEATS SEAT HEATED E38 E39 540i 740i 740iL

US $1,100.00 End Date: Wednesday May-30-2012 20:55:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,100.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

StopTech Sport Brake Slotted & Drilled Kit BMW 740i/740iL 93-94

US $1,055.71 End Date: Saturday Jun-16-2012 14:58:08 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,055.71 Buy it now | Add to watch list

StopTech Sport Brake Drilled Kit BMW 740i/740iL 93-94

US $1,055.71 End Date: Saturday Jun-16-2012 14:58:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,055.71 Buy it now | Add to watch list

1999-2001 BMW 18-WAY SPORT SEAT E38 E39 540i 740i 740iL 530i 528i 525i 740 540

US $1,000.00 End Date: Friday May-18-2012 21:16:38 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

BMW SPORT SEATS SEAT E38 E39 540i 740i 740iL 530i 750iL 528i 525i 18-WAY COMFORT

US $1,000.00 End Date: Thursday May-31-2012 19:40:39 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

BMW SPORT SEAT E38 E39 540i 740i 740iL 530i 528i 525i

US $1,000.00 End Date: Thursday May-31-2012 21:22:56 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $1,000.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

StopTech Sport Brake Slotted Kit BMW 740i/740iL 93-94

US $845.71 End Date: Saturday Jun-16-2012 14:58:20 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $845.71 Buy it now | Add to watch list

KONI YELLOW SPORT SHOCKS/STRUTS SET BMW 730I/735I 90-92, 740I 90-94 E32

US $765.00 End Date: Monday May-21-2012 12:17:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $765.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

18 Kelleners Sport V Chrome Wheels BMW nice 5 series 7 series 740i 750i 525i 530

US $749.99 End Date: Tuesday May-22-2012 22:28:16 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $749.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

KONI Sport Shocks Struts - 8/90-94 BMW E32 740i

US $643.20 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 1:27:02 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $643.20 Buy it now | Add to watch list

BMW E38 E39 SPORT SEAT 528i 540i 530i 525i 740iL 740i

US $600.00 End Date: Friday Jun-08-2012 19:35:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $600.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

BMW 540i 740i Sport Automatic Transmission 5hp-24 e39 e38

US $500.00 End Date: Monday May-28-2012 14:04:42 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $500.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2012 BMW 740LI M SPORT FRONT BUMPER COVER

US $499.00 End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 6:36:52 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $499.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Facing the spring home improvements I've mentioned a couple of times, we decided to sell our Audi Allroad that was hardly being driven (Take good care of her Tim!) Suddenly our 1986 Volkswagen Golf 'dog car' is getting full time duty -- and her flaws are a bit more apparent than they used to be. Here's a picture with the recent suspension upgrade and Corrado wheels:

It's a good project car for someone, but we're looking for a more original and solid platform for our daily. After considering newer 4 door Golfs like this one on the VWVortex (112k miles, $2500 obo, Seattle):

We decided we should really stretch just a touch further and seek out a GTi model. For starters, all of the bits I'd upgrade to on a Golf are already installed on a GTi, like bucket seats, sway bars, close ratio transmission, performance tune motor, alloy wheels, etc... Unfortunately 4 door Golf GTi's (like this one) were never imported to the U.S. But the 60/40 split folding seat does come in both 2 and 4 door configurations -- so we can still get Super Sam into the back of course!

But it's been several years since I've kept up with GTi values, and I've been surprised at just how difficult it is now to find a clean original. Here's a couple on the VWVortex that appear to be of the quality I'm looking for, but are unfortunately nowhere near where I live:

1992 GTi 2.0 16v $2800-5800 depending on options, Spokane Washington (this is our pick of the litter right now, but a 14 hour round trip sounds silly for a GTi!)

1992 GTi 2.0 16v $4k Colorado

1992 GTi 8v $2.5k PA

My wife is really eager to get a nicer example now that the Audi is gone, so I'm on the lookout on Craigslist and local enthusiast forums for GTi's. If you know of one in Western Oregon, let me know!

A list of MK2 Volkswagen GTi Buyer Guides:

• Great buyers guide on Octane.ie
• Golf/Jetta MKII FAQ on VWVortex
• How about a 1992 vintage Top Gear episode featuring tips on buying a used GTi (skip to 18:45 for this segment, or hang out for the whole episode with a Porsche 968 and Jaguar XJS review!):
  

dc

Surfing around on eBay motors the other night, I turned up a surprising number of really low mileage Alfa Romeo and Fiat convertibles.

1982 Fiat Spyder Turbo with 30k miles:

The design would take Legend Industries 18 months to figure it out where it would be viable and economical and still accomplish the task of providing Fiat with a powerful version of their already very successful 124 line. The results, a Spyder that would outperform the Triumph TR8 and the Porsche 924 Turbo. Road & Track, Car & Driver and Motor Trend magazines all would taught this car as a champion amongst its competitors.

1984 Fiat Spyder w/ 24k miles, buy-it-now $15700:

This has got to be one of the finest Pininfarina Spiders in the Country! With only 24,000 original one owner miles this beautiful automobile is destined for investment appreciation. These cars are becoming increasingly harder to find in excellent condition so this one is a rare find indeed.

1982 Fiat Spyder with 38k miles:

The mileage reads 38,180 in the odometer and it works. Donor certified the mileage to be original. Carfax and autocheck shows the same result.

1989 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce w/ 13k Kilometers buy-it-now $15500:

This one owner Italian roadster has only 13,000 kilometers driven since new and is in excellent condition.

These all look really sharp and the mileage is incredible. Considering a new Miata is well over $20k, these could be interesting alternatives.

dc

Here's a green 1966 Porsche 912 on theSamba for $12.9k:

Porsche 912 daily driver 5 speed with some rare parts. NO RUST. Was repainted factory color. clean stright driver.# matching. great gas mpg. fun collector car.drive or restore! make offer car is in Roseburg, Oregon

I love the minimalist look of these really early Porsche cars. And it's right here in Roseburg to boot. This seems like a good price, but I don't have a market update handy. Anyone have one we can reference?

dc

Here's a really clean looking e28 M5 for sale on Roadfly for $17k:

Relatively low mileage, in excellent mechanical condition due to extensive recent maintenance, including transmission and head rebuilt at shops recommended by Steve Haygood, head gasket, complete exhaust system including catalytic converter, driveshaft, upper control arms, new Suspension Technique springs and Bilstein shocks replacing SLS, stainless steel brake lines, both tie rods, water pump, thermostat, radiator hoses, timing chain, slide rail, tensioner, injectors serivced and new clutch. Interior in very good condition. Needs floor mats.

Very sharp looking car with the black on tan. And the M derived straight 6 under the hood has got to propel this little car to incredible speeds!

dc