In this section, you can find reviews from owners of BMW E38 cars. If you have experience with BMW E38 models, please share it with others by submitting a review through the comment form. It will be published immediately after moderation.
About the Model
Already with the release of the first generation of the 7 Series E23, the German company managed to establish itself as the main competitor to Mercedes, successfully producing high-quality luxury cars.
The third generation of the BMW 7 Series, designated as the E38, was introduced in June 1994. Its success was evident by outselling the Mercedes W140 in terms of the number of cars sold.
Production of the car continued until 2001. Despite the fact that the newest model is now 12 years old and reasonably priced, a BMW luxury car is still considered a luxury not affordable for everyone.
Exterior. The main feature of the exterior of this model is that it became the second BMW, after the E36 3 Series, to feature glass lens headlights. The car was exclusively produced as a sedan.
It has a standard wheelbase or an extended one by 100 mm, making the overall length 140 mm longer. The long-wheelbase version is distinguished by rear doors of increased width and the inscription «iL» on the rear.
The long-wheelbase version was available with any engine except the 2.8 petrol and 2.5 diesel. The exterior of this 7 Series model was chosen as a prototype for the E39 5 Series body.
In 1998, the car underwent modernization. The updated model could be recognized by the curvature at the bottom of the headlights.
Interior Equipment and Features. The BMW 7 Series was equipped with a foot-operated parking brake instead of manual, the seats had a wide range of adjustment options, even the headrest could be adjusted using a servo drive.
Optionally, a steering wheel heating system could be installed. The car was equipped with 10 safety airbags.
In the glove compartment located in front of the passenger to the right of the driver, there was a flashlight that could be connected to a charging device and easily accessed when needed. The audio system, installed as an option, had a power output of up to 440 watts. Very often, the latest generation of 7 Series cars had massage seats.
The trunk volume reached 500 liters, which was sufficient for a family, the target market for the E38. Another feature was the location of the battery in the trunk, and the presence of the trunk lid «soft close» function indicated the car's belonging to the premium class.
Technical Parameters and Specifications. The least powerful engine among those used in this BMW model was the 2.8, belonging to the M52 engine series. The 6-cylinder unit could produce a power output of 193 hp, making the sedan quite dynamic, reaching 100 km/h in just 8.6 seconds; models with automatic transmission required one second more.
The next most powerful among the gasoline engine cars was the 730i model, with a 3-liter V8 engine, later replaced in 1996 by a 3.5 liter engine producing 235 hp. These three engine variants were not available in the USA, as only powerful sedans were supplied there.
The 740i model was initially equipped with a 4-liter engine, but in 1996, it was upgraded to increase the displacement to 4.4 liters, which had almost no effect on power, remaining at 285-285 hp.
The most powerful model was the 750i, powered by a V12 engine producing 326 hp, with a displacement of 5.4 liters. Acceleration to 100 km/h was achieved in 6.6 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Review of BMW E38 Body Style
It was immediately concerning that all engine models were equipped with an aluminum block, which logically was not subject to major repairs. However, as it turned out, domestic craftsmen at service stations have learned how to sleeve it.
Before the major engine repair, the engines passed about 600 thousand kilometers. It should be noted that overheating is the most dangerous for BMW, so the cooling radiator should be cleaned at least once a year.
A friend had the same model, and there was a case of engine failure due to a low air intake position, resulting in a hydraulic shock. Therefore, before driving over large puddles, I started to reduce speed.
Since only two versions with the weakest engines were equipped with a manual gearbox, I opted for the standard configuration with a 5-speed automatic transmission. An interesting feature of the E38 automatic transmission is its ability to adapt to the driver's driving style through the AGS system.
More: Owner Reviews of BMW E34 Series
Review of the 1999 BMW 7 Series 5.4 with Automatic Transmission
The 750 iL model in the E38 body is worthy of being called the best car produced by BMW. The car is designed exclusively for highway travel between cities at high speeds with a high level of comfort. However, even in urban conditions, this car can outperform many others due to its maneuverability and the presence of parking sensors.
Despite the common belief about high maintenance costs, with the required care, visiting a service station for a 13-year-old car will only be necessary once every 3-4 months.
Speaking of fuel consumption, it is impossible to have a consumption of 8 liters per 100 km with such insane performance. If interested in premium-class sedans, this car would be the most suitable option.
