Image Source: eBay

Buying any BMW model new will be a pricey, pesky endeavor, but for those with a lot of wealth, that doesn’t matter because they have the money to get all of the big and little problems fixed by the dealer for a lofty price.

The E65 7-Series is a great example because it had some endemic transmission issues and a lot of little electrical problems a short while after it hit dealerships – there are over 70 computer control units in it for cryin’ out loud! Well, the owner of this 2002 E65 745 was smart and got rid of the problem-plagued 4.4-liter V8 and transmission, as well as the factory ECU, and swapped in a 4.8-liter GM LS engine, 4l60E transmission, and ECU. However, it’s really hard to tell if the engine is an Gen III LR4 or a Gen IV LY2/L20 because they look so similar. Ohh, and the owner also threw on a large 70-mm turbocharger for good measure.

The eBay listing states that the engine has been freshly rebuilt and features a custom cam, gapped piston rings, and ARP head studs. The rebuilt engine is said to make 500 horsepower on the dyno at 14 psi. Although it’s not one of the more aesthetically pleasing swaps we’ve seen, the turbocharged 4.8-liter GM V8 looks right at home under the hood. What really threw us off, though, was the fact that the owner swapped out the factory gauge cluster for a cluster out of a Chevy truck, presumably the one the engine came from, but hey, it works. The car also has an electric exhaust cutout so it can go from putting along to insanely loud in a matter of seconds.

We’re curious how the engine and trans act in the car being that it’s a heavy chassis to begin with. As we write this, there have been no bids, and there is just over a day left to claim it. This car was seen in a Craigslist ad for $19,999, so the reserve of the eBay listing must be the same or very close. Would you pay that much for a swapped 13 year-old BMW, even with a turbo LS engine and Chevy drivetrain?