BMW · 1994–2001

BMW E38

The BMW E38 is the third generation of the BMW 7 Series luxury cars and was produced from 1994 until 2001. The E38 replaced the E32 7 Series and was produced with petrol and turbo-diesel straight-six and V8 engines, along with a petrol V12 flagship model. Three wheelbase lengths were available — short (i), long (iL) and Limousine (L7). 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 and the last to be available with a manual transmission. In 2001, the E38 was succeeded by the E65 7 Series.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: BMW E32 · Successor: BMW E65

All BMW E38 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Development

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 the scheduled start of production for 17 February 1994. On 27 April 1993, German design patents were filed featuring a pre-production prototype as a design representation. Patents were later filed on 27 October 1993 in the United States.

Production

Production started on 23 July 1993 for pilot production models; US specification variants entered pre-series production on 13 January 1994. Series production of the 730i and 740i commenced in April 1994 for the June 1994 domestic German launch. US-specification cars entered production in September 1994, for their November 1994 launch. On 18 February 1994, the E38 BMW 7 Series was unveiled for the 1995 model year via a BMW press release. 750i production began in November 1994, in advance of its January 1995 launch. The production totals by model are: 728i- 38,000; 728iL- 7,000; 730i- 21,000; 730iL- 2,000; 735i- 21,000; 735iL- 5,000; 740i- 88,000; 740iL- 81,000; 750i- 8,000; 750iL- 15,000; 725tds- 9,000; 730d- 12,000, 740d- 3,000 and less than 500 each for the 740iL P, 750iL P, 750iL S and L7 models. A total of 340,242 cars were produced. The last E38 rolled off BMW's assembly line on 27 July 2001 to make way for the replacement E65 7 Series.

Transmissions

A 5-speed ZF 5HP automatic transmission was available on all models. In many markets, a 5-speed manual transmission was available for the 725tds, 728i, 730i, and 735i, while a 6-speed manual was on offer for the 740i.

Equipment

Safety features include ASC+T traction control, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), headlight washers and auto-leveling low beam xenon HID headlamps. Side tubular airbags (called "Head Protection System") were fitted as standard equipment. "Active Comfort Seats" were introduced in 1998, to improve comfort and reduce fatigue for the driver and front passenger. This system uses two fluid-filled bladders which alternate in height. Other equipment includes Electronic Damper Control (called EDC III), Park Distance Control (PDC), auto-dimming & power folding mirrors, power moonroof, power rear sunblind, rain-sensing wipers, dual-zone or tri-zone climate control, electric driver's seat adjustment and electric steering wheel adjustment. Double glazed windows were available (called "dual pane glass"). Break resistant laminated "security glass" was also available, which is known to delaminate. The delamination occurred with the Protection S357A option only, not with normal S352A dual pane windows. Bullet-resistant glass was used for the Protection model, with even thicker glass used for the Security model. The Sport Package included a revised steering wheel, suspension, exterior trim, and interior wood trim. Some sports models also included a shorter differential ratio and higher stall speed for the torque converter. This allowed for a 0–97 km/h (60 mph) acceleration time of 5.9 seconds.

In-car electronics

The E38 was one of the first European cars to be available with satellite navigation, a system called CARIN jointly developed by BMW and Philips. The in-car entertainment (radio, audio system, satellite navigation, television and communications systems) are part of an automotive communication system called I-bus. A multi-function steering wheel included controls for the audio, phone, cruise control and air recirculation.

Special models

=== L7 === From 1997 to 2001, BMW marketed an extended wheelbase limousine model called the L7. The wheelbase was extended by 250 mm (9.8 in) over the "iL" models, resulting in an overall length of 5.37 m (211.4 in). Features included electrically adjustable rear seats, rear footrests, fold down rear trays, a fridge, rear television screen, video player and a fax machine. Based on the 12-cylinder 750iL , the L7 has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The L7 was only available in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe, and 899 examples were built. The 2000-2001 models had an optional "privacy window" glass partition to separate the driver from the rear passengers. Protection line. The armoured "Protection Line" vehicles were built from 2000 to 2001 and were based on the 740iL and 750iL models. Security features include body armor, bullet-resistant glass, and run-flat tyres. An intercom system is provided to communicate with people outside the vehicle while the windows and doors are shut. Security line. A High-Security version with protection up to B6/7 was also available in Europe, known internally as the 750iL S. The additional security measures brought an additional weight of 950 kg (2,094 lb) compared to the normal 750iL. Features include explosive cord around the windshield allowing removal of the windshield facilitating escape and hydraulically actuated windows. A gas sensor can detect irritants like CS gas and respond by turning the blower motor off, closing fresh air flaps and all windows. A fire suppression system is triggered by either a button or the detection of extreme temperatures in the engine bay or the vicinity of the fuel tank. A breathing air system is also available which delivers air from a cylinder in the trunk, and up to

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

BMW 7 Series (E38)

Manufacturer

BMW

Assembly

Germany: Dingolfing (BMW Group Plant Dingolfing)

Production

April 1994 – July 2001

Designer

Boyke Boyer

Body style

4-door sedan

Class

Full-size luxury car (F)

Engine

Petrol:, 2.8 L M52B28/M52TÜB28 I6, 3.0 L M60B30 V8, 3.5 L M62B35 V8, 4.0 L M60B40 V8, 4.4 L M62B44 V8, 5.4 L M73B54 V12, Turbodiesel:, 2.5-2.9 L M51/M57 I6, 3.9 L M67 V8

Layout

Rear-wheel drive

Transmission

5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 5-speed ZF 5HP automatic

Length

SWB: 4985 mm , LWB: 5124 mm

Width

1862 mm

Height

1425 -

Kerb weight

1710 -

Wheelbase

SWB: 2930 mm , LWB: 3070 mm

Related

Alpina B12 (E38)

Predecessor

BMW 7 Series (E32)

Successor

BMW 7 Series (E65)

Model years

1995–2001

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1141639CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_7_Series_(E38)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1374743734 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BMW_E38_(1994)_DSC_8991.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Alexander Migl · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

More from BMW