Produced from April 1994 to 2001, the BMW E38 was the third generation of the BMW 7 Series. The flagship represented an attractive evolution in design language of the prior E32generation. The new 7 was available with straight-six, V8 and V12 petrol and straight-six and V8 diesel engines. In 2001, the E38 was replaced by the E65 7 Series.
The E38 was the first car available with curtain airbags. It was also the first European car to offer satellite navigation and the first BMW to offer an in-built television. The E38 was the first 7 Series to be available with a diesel engine.In early 1988, development began on the third generation of the 7 Series. From 1988 to 1990 styling work was done initially under design director Claus Luthe(through April 1990, taken over by Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle), when Boyke Boyer's concept design was chosen and further refined into production form.
In February 1991, the final production design for the new 7 Series was approved by the board 36 months ahead of scheduled start of production for February 17, 1994.On April 27, 1993 German design patents were filed featuring a pre-production prototype as a design representation. Patents were later filed on October 27, 1993 in the United States.
Model | Engine | Power | Torque | Years | Production |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
728i | M52B28 I6 | 142 kW (190 hp; 193 PS) | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) | 1995–09/1998 | 26171 |
M52TUB28 I6 | 142 kW (190 hp; 193 PS) | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) | 09/1998–2001 | 12776 | |
728iL | M52B28 I6 | 142 kW (190 hp; 193 PS) | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) | 1995–09/1998 | 1915 |
M52TUB28 I6 | 142 kW (190 hp; 193 PS) | 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) | 09/1998–2001 | 4901 | |
730i | M60B30 V8 | 160 kW (215 hp; 218 PS) | 290 N⋅m (214 lb⋅ft) | 1994–1996 | 20876 |
730iL | M60B30 V8 | 160 kW (215 hp; 218 PS) | 290 N⋅m (214 lb⋅ft) | 1994–1996 | 2137 |
735i | M62B35 V8 | 173 kW (232 hp; 235 PS) | 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) | 1996–09/1998 | 12971 |
M62TUB35 V8 | 174 kW (233 hp; 237 PS) | 345 N⋅m (254 lb⋅ft) | 09/1998–2001 | 8510 | |
735iL | M62B35 V8 | 173 kW (232 hp; 235 PS) | 320 N⋅m (236 lb⋅ft) | 1996–09/1998 | 3863 |
M62TUB35 V8 | 174 kW (233 hp; 237 PS) | 345 N⋅m (254 lb⋅ft) | 09/1998–2001 | 3100 | |
740i | M60B40 V8 | 210 kW (282 hp; 286 PS) | 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) | 1994–1996 | 33322 |
M62B44 V8 | 210 kW (282 hp; 286 PS) | 420 N⋅m (310 lb⋅ft) | 1996–09/1998 | 28272 | |
M62TUB44 V8 | 210 kW (282 hp; 286 PS) | 440 N⋅m (325 lb⋅ft) | 09/1998–2001 | 27259 | |
740iL | M60B40 V8 | 210 kW (282 hp; 286 PS) | 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) | 1994–1996 | 12402 |
M62B44 V8 | 210 kW (282 hp; 286 PS) | 420 N⋅m (310 lb⋅ft) | 1996–09/1998 | 40655 | |
M62TUB44 V8 | 210 kW (282 hp; 286 PS) | 440 N⋅m (325 lb⋅ft) | 09/1998–2001 | 38223 | |
740iL P | M62TUB44 V8 | 210 kW (282 hp; 286 PS) | 440 N⋅m (325 lb⋅ft) | 09/1998–2001 | 151 |
750i | M73B54 V12 | 240 kW (322 hp; 326 PS) | 490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) | 1995–09/1998 | 6888 |
M73TUB54 V12 | 240 kW (322 hp; 326 PS) | 490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) | 09/1998–2001 | 1671 | |
750iL | M73B54 V12 | 240 kW (322 hp; 326 PS) | 490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) | 1995–09/1998 | 11038 |
M73TUB54 V12 | 240 kW (322 hp; 326 PS) | 490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) | 09/1998–2001 | 4039 | |
750iL P | M73TUB54 V12 | 240 kW (322 hp; 326 PS) | 490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) | 09/1998–2001 | 85 |
750iL S | M73B54 V12 | 240 kW (322 hp; 326 PS) | 490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) | 1995–09/1998 | 253 |
M73TUB54 V12 | 240 kW (322 hp; 326 PS) | 490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) | 09/1998–2001 | 344 | |
L7 | M73B54 V12 | 240 kW (322 hp; 326 PS) | 490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) | 1996–09/1998 | 462 |
M73TUB54 V12 | 240 kW (322 hp; 326 PS) | 490 N⋅m (361 lb⋅ft) | 09/1998–2001 | 437 |