Considering 01 e38
 

and making the X a weekend vehicle. I know, what an idiot. e38s are dirt cheap (even cheaper than an X) and the few I've driven were wonderful vehicles. Any wisdom from the board??

Thanks in advance
Mike

Any 7er is going to be a fair amount of maintenance work and money, regardless of year. It is likely the most maintenance-intensive of the BMW lineup, although a E38 is very likely less of a headache than the god-awful E65.

The E38 got a facelift in 1999 and received clear indicator lenses on sport models sometime soon after. The Steptronic was available on sport models only starting in 1999 or 2000, and I think became standard across the board for the last year in 2001. A 2001 E38 740i sport black/black looks absolutely gorgeous and is a brilliant drive. BMW has not made a 7er since the E38 that's as gorgeous nor entertaining a drive, so go for it if you are ready for the maintenance.