BMW 728i Saloon (E38)

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The flagship saloon of the BMW range, the 7-Series was launched in 1977 and has gone through five generations to date.

The car you see here is a third generation E38 model, available from 1995 to 2001, which came with a range of engines from a creamy 193bhp 2.8-litre straight-six to a whisper-quiet 322bhp 5.4-litre V12. All were toweringly capable machines packed with every conceivable luxury and state-of-the-art driver aids such as rain-sensing wipers, electronic damper control, ABS, traction control, self-levelling headlamps etc.

Despite their size and bulk they were proper driver’s cars in the finest BMW tradition and can still be hustled down the lanes at improbable speed if required. Build quality was outstanding and the E38 has a fiercely loyal fan base to this day (your cataloguer included). Indeed when the succeeding E65 model was announced in 2001, BMW showrooms were flooded with customers eager to grab a new E38 before it was too late.

First registered in September 1999, this 728i has the smooth and punchy straight-six 2.8-litre engine that produces 193bhp and, in five-speed automatic form, can propel the car to 60mph in under 10 seconds on its way to a top speed of 140mph.

Remarkably, it has covered less than 38,000 miles from new, effectively in the hands of just three owners, for although the V5 records four owners, the third one was a relative of the second into whose name it was briefly put after they passed away to ease the process of sale to the current owner.

It comes with an excellent service history comprising 8 stamps in the book, the first six at the supplying dealer, Bowker BMW of Accrington, and the last at 35,006 miles in April 2014. Looking wonderful in rare Glacier Green with a dark green leather interior, it is said to drive superbly with an MOT until September 2015 with no advisories recorded.

Bought by the mature owner as a ‘keeper’ just over a year ago, it is only reluctantly offered for sale because he has sustained a back injury that means he can no longer drive it. Supplied with all its original handbooks in the original wallet and a fascinating original sales brochure, this is surely as good an E38 as you could ever wish to find.

Your cataloguer has owned two of these wonderful machines (one of which he is still wedded to today) and would have no hesitation in recommending this fine example to anyone.