Introduction
Beautifully quiet and effortless presence. It's a car that doesn't demand attention but gets it anyway, an absolute classic.
I have owned the vehicle for a few months but am now looking to get into an M car.
Market Auction
2001 BMW 728i
At a Glance
Superb Maintenance History | Presents Very Well | Market Auction - Seller Created Auction
- Mileage96,400 on the clock
- TransmissionAutomatic
- Engine2793
- LocationGuildford
Market Auction
The seller has supplied the images and written the description – we have actioned seller ID, V5 and HPi checks – learn more
Market Auction
The seller has supplied the images and written the description – we have actioned seller ID, V5 and HPi checks – learn more
Market Auction
Thomas, the seller, has created this
listing themselves using our free Market Auction tool. Unlike our Curated Auctions, we haven’t
photographed the car or written the listing, however we have completed 3 important security checks for
your peace of mind.
V5C Checked
Thomas provided a copy of the V5C logbook, which we verified against his photo ID for name and address confirmation.
ID Checked
Thomas provided his photo ID, which we verified against the name and address on the V5C logbook.
History Checked
History check actioned using HPi, the industry’s top verification service, for finance, write-offs, and stolen records.
V5C Checked
Thomas provided a copy of the V5C logbook, which we verified against his photo ID for name and address confirmation.
ID Checked
Thomas provided his photo ID, which we verified against the name and address on the V5C logbook.
History Checked
History check actioned using HPi, the industry’s top verification service, for finance, write-offs, and stolen records.
Exterior
The E38's beautifully proportioned bodywork is arguably one of the finest designs to emerge from BMW's most celebrated era of executive saloons.
Wheels and Tyres
This example sits on a set of genuine BMW M Parallel alloy wheels, which complement the elegant Aspen Silver paintwork particularly well. The wheels would benefit from refurbishment to bring them up to the standard of the rest of the car, with one wheel showing a small chip.
All four corners are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres, which have excellent remaining tread. A DOT date code of 2625 indicates manufacture during the 26th week of 2025.
Bodywork
The bodywork presents in very good condition overall, especially considering the car's age: no dents or accident damage, with all panels presenting well. There are two known areas of corrosion to highlight, one very small blemish on the driver's door underneath the rub strip and another around the inner boot lip.
Besides these areas, the car is an incredibly well-kept example of an E38.
Paint
Finished in Aspen Silver Metallic, this BMW wears one of the more understated and elegant colours available for the model. The paintwork presents very well overall, although, as expected of a 25-year-old vehicle, there are some age-related imperfections.
Various areas have received paintwork during the car's life, including approximately £1,000 spent by the current owner.
The overall finish makes for an attractive presentation while remaining reflective of the vehicle's age and use.
Glass and Trim
The windows are in excellent condition, with no noticeable scratching. There is one very minor chip to the windscreen.
The headlight and rear light lenses are in excellent condition, while the exterior chrome and rubber trim have also been particularly well preserved.
The illuminated exterior door handles are another interesting detail of this well-specified example and are all working well.
Interior
The black Dakota leather and walnut wood trim provide a suitably luxurious cabin, with much of the interior presenting in remarkably good condition.
Seats and Carpets
The electrically adjustable front seats feature memory functionality and are reported to be in good condition, with some age-related marks consistent with use.
The rear seats are a particular highlight, appearing almost unmarked and retaining a near-new appearance.
The car also features the desirable deep-pile BMW City Velour floor mats, which complement the luxurious character of the E38.
The door cards and interior trim are in excellent condition.
The headlining is particularly well preserved, although there is a small tear around the rear passenger-side C-pillar which should be noted.
The boot retains a complete toolkit, a spare wheel fitted with a BMW Style 60 alloy, and the original-style luggage retaining straps.
Dashboard
The dashboard is unmarked, with the walnut wood trim presenting in equally impressive condition.
The car retains a number of desirable and period-correct features, including a Motorola flip telephone, CD changer, electric steering column adjustment, cruise control and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.
A Bluetooth connector has also been fitted through the CD multichanger, providing a more convenient connection for modern devices and factory like operation.
The interior electrical equipment operates correctly, although a small number of pixels are missing from the climate-control display.
Steering Wheel / Gear Stick
The genuine BMW sports steering wheel presents in good condition, showing only light signs of age.
The automatic gear selector is in excellent condition with no cracks, with the surrounding trim also well preserved.
Together with the walnut detailing and black leather upholstery, the interior retains the traditional sense of quality for which these flagship BMWs are known.
Mechanics
The naturally aspirated 2.8-litre straight-six engine is well suited to the E38's character, delivering smooth performance and refinement.
Engine and Gearbox
The engine starts without hesitation, both from cold and when warm, and runs smoothly without unusual noises.
No known cooling-system problems have been reported.
The automatic gearbox operates correctly, with smooth changes through the gears and no known issues with engagement or operation.
Suspension and Brakes
The suspension and steering are exceptionally tight, with no knocks, rattles, or unwanted movement.
The car drives straight and feels reassuringly composed on the road.
The brakes operate correctly, without vibration or other concerns.
The maintenance invoices include work undertaken in 2022 covering suspension bushes, ball joints, brake discs and pads, alongside other service items.
The Drive
One of the great attractions of the E38 is the balance it achieves between luxury and driving enjoyment.
The 728i's silky-smooth straight-six engine, comfortable suspension and beautifully weighted steering deliver the sort of effortless refinement for which BMW's flagship saloons became renowned.
This example is particularly smooth, tight, and well maintained, offering an exceptionally comfortable drive over longer journeys while remaining composed and enjoyable on more demanding roads.
It is precisely this combination of comfort, build quality and understated elegance that made me want an E38, and I am glad I have experienced this one as it drives so well and as BMW intended.
Electrics and Other
The electrical equipment, including the electric windows, seat adjustment, steering column, climate control, and cruise control, operates correctly.
An airbag warning light is currently illuminated, having appeared following the refitting of the standard seat. This should be investigated by the next owner.
Aside from this warning and the previously mentioned missing climate-control display pixels, no other electrical faults have been reported.
History and Paperwork
The maintenance history is undoubtedly one of the most interesting aspects of this E38. Accompanying the car is a substantial folder containing hundreds of invoices and receipts, including the original bill of sale and pre-purchase inspection.
Photographs of the paperwork will follow shortly.
The servicing and maintenance has been carried out by a mixture of BMW main dealers and independent specialists. Although the original stamped service book is not present.
The collection of invoices provides substantial evidence of work undertaken throughout the car's life, with only two years understood to be missing from the available records.
Of particular note is an invoice for approximately £2,500 in 2022, covering a comprehensive selection of maintenance items including brake discs and pads, filters, oils, wipers, suspension bushes and ball joints.
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From Trade Classics:
This is a Market Auction listing, meaning we have not visited and photographed the car - instead the seller has supplied the images and written the description. However we’ve done all our usual seller checks, including photo ID that matches the V5, and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPi that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.
Viewings are welcomed, so please get in touch with us via the 'contact us' page - we just need to speak to you first on the phone, have you register on the site, and also send in valid photo ID before confirming a suitable time to visit.
Like all our auctions, if there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - the Buyer's Premium is not refundable in any instance, just like a traditional auction house.
Key Details
- Model 728i
- Transmission Automatic
- Reg. Date 28-03-2001
- CC 2793
- Mileage 96,400 on the clock
- Colour Silver
- Interior Colour Black
- Interior Trim Leather
- MOT Yes - exp. 24-02-2027
- Former Keepers 3
- Tyre Brand Michelin Pilot Sport 5
- Tyre Age 2025
- Visited No - Seller created listing.
- Sale Type Trade
- Owned 0-1
- Key Feature Impressive History, Clean Condition
- Vehicle Registration KNZ 2371
- Driver’s Side RHD
- Fuel Type Petrol
- Body Type Saloon - 4 Door
- Auction ID 1864
All Images
Vehicle Location
Guildford
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Insurance Quote
Average annual insurance premium for a BMW 728i like this is TBC via our trusted partner ClassicLine.
GET AN INSURANCE QUOTEAnd get 10% off when you mention us.
*Quote is based on a garaged vehicle in CV32 5QY (Leamington Spa), travelling 3,000 miles per year, 1 driver who is 45 years of age and is free on accidents and convictions – valid Winter 2026.
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Vehicle Location
Guildford
Key Bidding Facts
What is your reserve policy?
A reserve is the minimum price a seller is willing to accept for their vehicle. We work closely with sellers to set realistic reserves that reflect current market values — we don’t take on vehicles with inflated or unrealistic expectations.
If the reserve isn’t met when the auction ends, we’ll work with the highest bidder to try and agree a deal with the seller.
Whether the reserve has been met may / may not be disclosed during the auction — just like a traditional auction house. Bidders usually find out if they’ve won only when the auction ends.
As a guide:
– If you’re able to place a second bid, the reserve hasn’t been met.
– If you attempt to outbid yourself and the system blocks it, then the reserve has been met.
Why shouldn’t I leave bidding to the last minute?
Auto-Extending Bidding – we’ve developed auto-extending auctions that mimic traditional auction house bidding; it’s a key feature to make sure classic vehicles achieve their true worth. Bids placed in the last one minute automatically extend the auction by two further minutes. So there is no need to leave bidding to the last second.
Security – we operate higher levels of security, so you may need to enter further authorisations against your stored card after you select ‘Place Bid’. All this takes time and may mean you miss the end of the auction by the time the authorisation passes. To guarantee your bid, we recommend at least five minutes are active on the auction when you place your bid.
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