BMW's 7-Series was the full-size top-of-the-line sedan in the lineup since 1977. There were actually two separate 7-series models; the short-wheelbase 735i (which replaced the 1981-1984 733i) and the long-wheelbase L7 (introduced in 1986), which each had 5.5 in. added to rear-seat legroom.
The E32 generation began with the 1987 model year, with both engine sizes carried over.
The 750iL, introduced in the 1988 model year replacing the L7, with its 296-hp 5.0-liter V12, competed with the XJ12 and the S600. In other words, it was among the top luxury sedans in the world, and significantly cheaper than the equivalent Mercedes. A long-wheelbase 735iL was also introduced for 1988.
All three 7-series models came with standard luxury-car features like leather upholstery, automatic climate control, power seats, and automatic dimming mirrors. The only options were heated front seats, AST traction control, electronic damping control and a ski sack that was used to expand into the passenger compartment from behind the rear seat's center armrest and allows one to put long objects into the trunk without messing up the interior upholstery. The 750iL came standard with everything except an optional computerized suspension system. Even the ski sack was standard.
Year-to-year changes[]
1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | Discontinued |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
735i 4DR Sedan | 740i 4DR Sedan | 2001 | |||||||
735iL 4DR Sedan | 740iL 4DR Sedan | ||||||||
750iL 4DR Sedan |
1993[]
New V8 engines replacing the old I6, named the 740i and 740iL were introduced. The 740i with its 282-hp 4.0-liter V8 competed with Jaguar's XJ6 and Mercedes-Benz's S420. This was the same drivetrain used in the smaller BMW 540i. However, the 740i was a bigger, more luxurious car with a more spacious interior.
1995[]
BMW completely redesigned its 7-series cars for 1995. Every body panel was new, although it still looked very much like the 7-Series from the previous generation. For example, the 750iL was given a bigger engine size of 5.4-liter V12 with 322 horsepower. Also new for 1995, the 750iL had a 5-speed automatic transmission as well.
The 1995 7-Series was unveiled in May 1994, and sales of the short-wheelbased 740i sedan began on November 1, 1994 in North America, and the long-wheelbase 740iL and 12-cylinder 750iL in February 1995. The 740i had a new enlarged 4.4L V8.
1996[]
To help differentiate the two models for 1996, BMW increased the displacement of the 7-series V8 to 4.4 liters, providing more low-end torque in the process for better acceleration.
There were two 7-series cars for 1996: the 740iL and the 750iL. The two long-wheelbase cars had 51/2 inches of more rear legroom than the 740i had. The new 4.4-liter V8 engine used double-overhead camshafts, while the 5.4-liter V12 used a single camshaft for each bank of cylinders. Both 7-series models came with a 5-speed automatic transmission. All 7-series models came with the luxury-car features buyers have come to expect: leather upholstery, automatic climate control, seat-position memory and autodimming mirrors. New features for 1996 were standard traction control on the V8 models and stability control on the 750iL.
1997[]
The short-wheelbase 740i returned for 1997.
Retail prices[]
Model year(s) | Engine size | Length | List price | Destination charge | Effective date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | 3.5L | 193.3" | $50,900 | $375 | February 10, 1991 |
1991 | 3.5L | 198" | $55,000 | $375 | February 10, 1991 |
1991 | 5.0L | 198" | $74,000 | $375 | February 10, 1991 |
1992 | 3.5L | 193.3" | $52,990 | $375 | October 13, 1991 |
1992 | 3.5L | 198" | $56,950 | $375 | October 13, 1991 |
1992 | 5.0L | 198" | $76,500 | $375 | February 9, 1992 |
1993 | 4.0L | 193.3" | $54,000 | $405 | December 1992 |
1993 | 4.0L | 198" | $58,000 | $405 | December 1992 |
1993 | 5.0L | 198" | $80,900 | $405 | December 1992 |
1994 | 4.0L | 193.3" | $55,950 | $450 | Q1 1994 |
1994 | 4.0L | 198" | $59,950 | $450 | Q1 1994 |
1994 | 5.0L | 198" | $83,950 | $450 | Q1 1994 |
1995 | 4.0L | 196.2" | $57,900 | $570 | November 1994 |
1995 | 4.0L | 201.7" | $59,900 | $570 | February 3, 1995 |
1995 | 5.4L | 201.7" | $87,500 | $570 | February 3, 1995 |
1995 | 4.0L | 196.2" | $59,900 | $570 | May 22, 1995 |
1995 | 4.0L | 201.7" | $61,900 | $570 | May 22, 1995 |
1995 | 5.4L | 201.7" | $89,900 | $570 | May 22, 1995 |
1996 | 4.0L | 201.7" | $62,490 | $570 | Q1 1996 |
1996 | 5.4L | 201.7" | $90,360 | $570 | Q1 1996 |
1997 | 4.4L | 196.2" | $60,850 | $570 | July 27, 1997 |
1997 | 4.4L | 201.7" | $64,800 | $570 | July 27, 1997 |
1997 | 5.4L | 201.7" | $91,100 | $570 | July 27, 1997 |
1998 | 4.4L | 196.2" | $61,070 | $570 | July 27, 1997 |
1998 | 4.4L | 201.7" | $65,020 | $570 | July 27, 1997 |
1998 | 5.4L | 201.7" | $91,320 | $570 | July 27, 1997 |