Bought the 735il 11 years ago with 110K on it for $14k. Now is worth $2K and I put 142K miles on it.
Got married 4.5 years ago and we bought the 535i for her to drive. We are both Realtors. The 7 was getting a little dated, yet very well maintained by me, worth almost zip to the public. I figured I would keep her a while having been tested true and reliable. Put a trailer hitch on the back, now I can pull 3 Honda Trail 90s or appliances and furniture with it. The 7 has become part pick-up truck. Pulls nice and easy. Just bought the E38 7 series and it is a honey, former BMW CPO car. Dealer had just put new transmission in it 5K miles before i bought it. CPO paid for that.The 4.4 pulls that sled along pretty well, too. Bought it under wholesale trade-in Edmunds in Jan '06. No mechanical issues and nearly perfect in and out on delivery. Bought off Ebay.
Too much fun. A good experience, really!