1999 Bmw 740il on 2040-cars

FIRST, WHY I'M SELLING

I'm selling the best car I ever owned because I simply can't justify putting more money into this BMW 740iL.  Three days ago the dash displayed "TRANS FAILSAFE PROG" and the transmission stayed in third gear (limp mode).  I got it home, parked it, and it wouldn't start.  When I Googled "TRANS FAILSAFE PROG", most of the solutions seemed to be electrical in nature (i.e., battery, alternator).  I had the car towed to my local garage who couldn't replicate the problem since the car started and ran fine!  I went to pick the car up and the message was there.  The mechanic said it could be a "range sensor" or something else.  I drove it home (in third gear) and parked it.

SECOND, ABOUT MAINTANANCE ON THE CAR

I bought the car from my buddy (I think the original owner who bought it outright after his lease term ended) in 2005 with 66,400 miles on it.  My buddy gave me all the maintenance records (he's meticulous about maintenance!) with the car.  I drove the car home from IN and have enjoyed it ever since.  The part I HAVEN'T enjoyed is the price of parts and have had the following things done to the car since 2010 (I have the earlier maintenance records as well):

• Camshaft position sensors replaced - $278, 10/13
• Thermostat housing replaced - $140, 10/13
• Brake hose and fluid replaced - $70, 10/13
• Mass airflow sensor replaced - warranty from previous replacement, 2/13
• 2 Nokian 235/60R16 - $354, 1/13
• New fuel filter, $181, 4/12
• New Delco battery - $230, 12/12
• RROB window regulator replaced, $623, 5/11
• Secondary air?oil? pipe replaced - $139, 11/10
• LO tie rod end replaced - $100, 10/10
• Bank 2 Sensor 2 (OS2 sensors, air pump, etc.) - $971, 5/10

I've had the car regularly maintained by my local garage ever since I bought it.  Occasionally, when I found myself with tons of extra cash, I would take it to the BMW dealer for special things my mechanic didn't have the expertise to repair.

THIRD, ABOUT THE COSMETIC CONDITION OF THE CAR

As you can see from the pictures, the car is in surprisingly good shape for its age.  There are a couple of rust areas: the bottom of the front passenger's door has been rusting for a couple years, the rear wheel wells both have some rust spots, and the trunk latch area is rusting.

There are a few small dents from inconsiderate parking lot neighbors and the front has some small paint nicks (I usually touch these up in the spring with my Biarritz Blue touch-up paint but it's been a L O N G winter in NH!).

Inside, the car is immaculate.  Everything works - heated seats and steering wheel, power seats and windows, radio controls on the steering wheel, memory positions for the driver's seat and mirrors, etc.  This is the L version, which gives you an extra six inches or so of legroom in the back seat.  The seats are leather and are in great condition (I'd say perfect but they ARE 15 years old).  The power sun roof works perfectly.  The 6-CD changer audio system works and sounds like a dream! (The reason I'm saying all this is that if you're buying the car to part it out, it's got GREAT parts!)

I currently have two snow tires on the rear with good tread; the car comes with two all-season tires (also good tread) that I normally swap out in the spring. 

The car's been garaged since I've owned it.

FOURTH, ABOUT THE MECHANICAL WORTHINESS OF THE CAR

Mechanically, I don't know.  I had trouble passing our yearly inspection in Oct 2013 and had to replace the cam position sensor since it caused the check engine light to stay on and NH doesn't pass cars with a check engine light on.  The car had been running fine before that and has been running fine after that (since the inspection).  That is UNTIL last week!  I was on the highway and I engaged the cruise control (as I normally do).  The transmission then started to shift between third and fourth gear -- back and forth.  I disengaged the cruise control and the TRANS FAILSAFE PROG error displayed on the dash.  I have NOT tried the cruise control since, so I don't know if it works anymore....  (Note: The TRANS FAILSAFE PROG error sometimes displays and sometimes doesn't -- see the display in the pictures; the first display picture shows no problems but the second one does.)

The only other thing I've compensated for is the fuel gauge, which I believe gives a false reading.  I have run out of gas when the gauge reads a quarter full.  I don't know if the problem is with the gauge or something else.  I simply reset the trip odometer when I fill up and, when I'm hitting 300 miles, I fill up again.

FIFTH, FINAL THOUGHTS

I'm selling the car because I can't justify putting any more money into its care and feeding.  If I knew more about BMWs and had access to reasonably-priced parts, I may try to figure this out.  (I have the Service & Repair Manuals on CD.)  Or, if I had the gumption (and my wife would tolerate my taking on another project), I'd part the car out because there's a lot of good stuff in it!

I'm starting the bidding at $400 because that's what my local auto graveyard will give me.  Any money I get over that amount will go for booze to drown the sorrow I feel for parting with my baby....

THE DETAILS/FINE PRINT

The winning bidder should contact me within 24 hours of the auction and make arrangements for payment and pickup at that time.  A $100 deposit is due within 24 hours of the end of the auction with the remainder due within 7 days.  You will need to bring cash or bank check in exchange for the two keys and title.

You are welcome to come and inspect the car (by appointment) before the auction ends, but once the hammer goes down and you're the high bidder, you own this car (and a piece of my soul).  Ask questions; request more pictures.  (Note that I travel and may not be able to respond immediately.)

You are responsible for pickup or shipping of this vehicle.  You should be able to drive the car anywhere, but I am making NO guarantees!

I reserve the right to end this eBay listing early if the vehicle is no longer available for sale.