Heroes And Villains: 2001 BMW 740iL vs 2000 Jaguar XKR

Throughout literary history, it’s been a constant theme that both good and evil can involve moral grey areas. Protagonists often have character flaws, while even bad guys have limits on violence. Heroes and villains can be complicated figures, and what better way to translate this to cheap cars than to pit an E38 BMW 7 Series against a Jaguar XKR convertible?

Yep, today’s matchup features one hero car and one villain car from the world’s longest-running franchise of spy films. Of course we’re talking about James Bond. More than that, both of them come from Pierce Brosnan’s time as Agent 007, a run that’s very much a love-it-or-hate-it proposition, while we’re on the subject of lines in the sand.

But first, let’s take a look at how The Bishop’s matchup of designer-branded Lincolns, one rocking Cartier and the other Givenchy, went.

Fair enough. That Town Car is absolutely mint, and likely the better buy given the Mark V’s not-quite-original status. Either way, phenomenal cruisers, but in case that’s not your bag, let’s pick up the pace with two icons from the Brosnan era.

2001 BMW 740iL — $14,595

Engine/drivetrain: 4.4-liter V8, five-speed automatic transmission.

Location: Springfield, Ill.

Odometer reading: 139,000 miles.

Operational status: Runs and drives.

While James Bond is known for flashy sets of wheels, in 1997’s “Tomorrow Never Dies”, the titular agent evades baddies in something borderline understated. This was the last 7 Series before Chris Bangle reinvented BMW’s styling language for the 21st century, and as a result, it’s a conservative, classically handsome design that’s aged as well as a tailored black suit. No wonder Bond drove one.

Now granted, Agent 007 helmed a V12-powered 750iL instead of this V8-powered 740iL, but a long-wheelbase 7 Series on M Parallels is about as close as you’ll get, given the lifecycle of depreciated German flagships. This one’s hung on long enough to be on the upswing, and it looks remarkably tidy for having 139,000 miles on the clock.

Mind you, heroes often have character flaws, and there is one boogeyman lurking in the background here. While the listing claims $10,000 worth of recent work, one thing not on the list is a timing system service. The M62TUB44 V8 in this car is known for fragile timing chain guides, and that’s not a fun job to tackle.

2000 Jaguar XKR — $9,500

Engine/drivetrain: Four-liter supercharged V8, five-speed automatic transmission.

Location: Long Beach, Calif.

Odometer reading: 120,952 miles.

Operational status: Runs and drives.

On the other hand, maybe you find that being bad can feel pretty good. Maybe your idea of a good time is a cat-and-mouse chase through an ice hotel, like in “Die Another Day”. Well, good news, because an XKR convertible like Zao’s can now be bought on the cheap.

We’re talking about a ragtop slice of Cool Britannia, an era of optimistic cultural dominance. So what if some of the bones were borrowed from ’70s austerity? With a fresh, bold face and unforgettable views, the XKR really is lightning in a bottle. Hell, this generation of XK was good enough for two spy franchises, even if one had a more mocking tone.

While at least one of the XKRs used in the film featured a Ford 302 V8, this one boasts the correct four-liter supercharged V8, good for a stout 370 horsepower. It’s good enough to make this drop-top boogie, but it isn’t without faults. Like the engine in the 740iL, the four-liter in this Jag is known for timing chain guide wear, proving that protagonists and antagonists aren’t always dissimilar.

However, this villain could be rocking an armored core, with the listing claiming that the timing chain tensioners have been replaced, with the old parts reportedly available as proof. Sure, this XKR may have nearly 121,000 miles on the clock, but it seems to have been kept in decent shape over the past 24 years.

So, which side are you on? Do you sympathize with the anti-hero, or would you have more fun causing a little chaos to further your own ends?

(Photo credits: Craigslist Sellers)