BMW E38 review description photo video equipment and specifications. BMW E38 review description photo video equipment and specifications BMW 7 series iii e38 740li

3rd generation BMW sedans The 7-series, designated E38, debuted in June 1994, replacing the previous “seven” E32. The design of the new BMW flagship was determined by the previous model: a low hood, topped with the signature “nostrils” of the radiator grille, large windows. The quality of the bodywork has been brought to perfection, and the gaps between the body panels have become minimal.

The quality is the same inside: the interior is made in a typical German strict and restrained style, the center console is slightly turned towards the driver. He sits as if in the cockpit of a fighter jet - he is surrounded by instruments and buttons for controlling auxiliary systems. But, unfortunately, there was not much free space for the front riders, by class standards.

The main attention was paid to the passengers of the second row - there was so much space that even a tall person could easily cross his legs.

The NR body position control and ASC automatic body stabilization systems took care of passenger comfort while driving. The ECS system electronically controlled the stiffness of the shock absorbers, which, of course, had a positive effect on comfort. The ventilation and temperature control system made it possible to set different climates for the driver and front and rear passengers. rear seats.
All “sevens” had decent basic equipment, which included power accessories, multifunction steering wheel, audio system, ABS, on-board computer, standard alarm with immobilizer, etc. But one of the most richly equipped was the BMW 750iL. In addition to the above, it was standardly equipped with a Park Distance Control system, a 5-speed automatic transmission, a self-adjusting suspension, a cell phone with voice dialing, heated front and rear seats, an audio system consisting of 14 speakers with a power of 440 watts, a navigation system, on-board TV and aluminum wheels.
The choice of additional options was limited only by the imagination and financial capabilities of the customer. Here are just a few of them:
*Sportpack M ( sports seats and steering wheel, special interior color, birch or walnut inserts, 18 inch alloy wheels), except 740iL and 750iL;
*more advanced head unit with CD reading capability and Hi-Hi system;

*Shadow-Line (no external chrome);

*Chrome-Line Interiur (chrome inserts in the cabin);

*monitor for rear passengers;

*optional cell phone for the rear row of seats.

There were versions with a base extended by 140 mm, designated by the letter L.

But the longest “seven” in the E38 body was the L7 model. It was built on a BMW 750i base extended by 390 mm.

The space behind the front seats has been completely redesigned: a partition has appeared separating the driver from the second row of seats, its own audio system, DVD player, especially valuable wood and high-quality leather have been used in the decoration.

Both long-wheelbase "sevens" could be produced in a lightly armored (class B4) version, called "Protection". They were equipped bulletproof glass, parts that enhance the protection of the body, and wheels with the ability to drive after a puncture or shot.
The line of engines was simply huge: 725tds (very rare and produced for only 2 years), 728i, 730d, 730i, 735i, 740d, 740i, 750i. All engines met Euro-3 standards. Even the smallest 3-liter six-cylinder diesel engine could accelerate to hundreds in 8 seconds, with a top speed of 220 km/h.

What can we say about other more powerful engines, and even more so about the flagship 5.4 liter petrol V12 with the factory designation M73 B54, which has 326 horsepower and accelerates the two-ton sedan to hundreds in 6 seconds. The maximum speed, electronically limited, reached 250 km/h.

The engines could be combined with a five-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Sales began almost immediately in the United States. For Americans, the most powerful “sevens” were offered - 740i and 750i and their long-wheelbase versions. They can be distinguished by different optics and trunk lid.

The main reason for the success of BMW in the E38 body was that Bavarian engineers managed the almost impossible - a compromise between handling and comfort.
The popularity of the E38 from year to year was also added to by auxiliary electronic systems, in which it was one step ahead of other competitors. Electronic components include a dynamic stability control system (DSC), an adaptive automatic transmission (AGS), which allows you to change the gear shift algorithm depending on driving modes, electronic system ELM motor control.

Another trump card of the car was its outstanding safety. The car body had programmable deformation zones. All "sevens" were equipped with several airbags for both front and rear passengers. New system The Head Protection System, an inflatable umbrella that unfolds diagonally from the windshield pillar to the roof above the rear door, provided protection for the heads of passengers sitting in front. The safety of those seated in the rear was ensured by airbags built into the doors.

The car was also equipped with locks that prevent children from opening the doors, a Dynamic Stability Control system and built-in sensors that automatically open the doors and turn on the hazard lights and interior lights in the event of a serious accident.

In 1995, the Alpina tuning studio released the most powerful and technologically advanced “seven” -.

Around the same time, no less famous studios Hamann and Schnitzer offered their “charged” versions of the E38.

In September 1998, the car underwent a minor restyling, during which the front part of the car and the interior were slightly changed, and a chrome strip appeared above the number on the trunk.

It is now possible to install Sportpaket M on the 740i version. One of the engines, the 4.4-liter V8 M62, has undergone a slight modernization: new dual-vanos valves have appeared. Power and torque remained unchanged, but their peak began to be achieved at lower speeds.
In 2000, based on the BMW 750iL, a concept car powered by hydrogen cells was built, called the 750hL (CleanEnergy Concept).

The standard V12 engine has been converted to run on hydrogen. The car had a 140 liter hydrogen tank, refueled at a temperature of -250°C, and could travel 400 km without refueling. Acceleration to hundreds took 9.6 seconds, top speed was 226 km/h.

During testing at the Nurburgring, the lap time was 9 minutes 53 seconds. After testing, ten 750hl were sent on a world tour to demonstrate the capabilities of hydrogen units.
The "Seven" in the back of the E38 was very popular in Europe and even starred in films: in one of the Bond films - "Tomorrow Never Dies", and in the cult film by Luc Beson "The Transporter". Residents of Russia remember the car from the no less cult film “Boomer”.

The BMW 7-series E38 was produced until July 2001, when it was replaced by the new seven BMW E65/66 2002 model year, marking the arrival of a new era in design. Prices for the most affordable BMW 728i with manual transmission in the last few months of production in Germany started from 95,300DM (about 48,000€).

In 1993, BMW presented the completely redesigned third generation of the 7 Series luxury sedans at the Frankfurt Motor Show. BMW E38, and since 1994 the car began to be produced at the Dingolfing plant.

The car was produced from 1994 to 2001 and over the entire period 327,560 units of the car were produced.

Design

Interior

The harmonious shapes and special quality of materials in the interior of the E38 have formed their own inner world of mobility and cabin comfort.

The BMW E38 was equipped with an electric sunroof, an audio system with 14 speakers and four subwoofers, a 6-disc CD changer, on-board satellite navigation (on models 1994-1996 based on the VDO Dayton-Carin system, from 1997-2000 based on Phillips systems with a separate Trimble Navigation receiver, 2001 model based on the Phillips system with a built-in Trimble Navigation receiver), automatic system climate control with separate controls for driver and passenger. As an option, it was possible to order air conditioning with automatic climate control in back interior, controls and display were located on the center console.

B standard multifunction steering wheel Control buttons for radio, cruise control and air conditioning recirculation are integrated, allowing you to easily and safely operate the functions without taking your hands off the wheel.

Automatic climate control with automatic air recirculation, micro-filter and activated carbon filter ensures air purification and distribution. The filter purifies the air in the interior from harmful gases and even from many odors.

Standard automatic climate control keeps the air temperature slightly cooler than in the lower part of the car, thereby creating a comfortable atmosphere inside the car.

Technical characteristics of the BMW E38

Engines and model range

The 740th model became the most popular during the entire production of the E38, it was produced in quantities of 129,356 and 740iL - 50,933 copies.

Four months after production began, the top-of-the-line 750i model and the particularly popular long-wheelbase version were launched in September 1994 with a 5.4-litre engine and a ZF 5-speed automatic transmission.

In 1995, a basic version with . The exceptional performance of the 728i has made it one of the most successful models in the series.

In 1996, the first diesel version of the 7 Series was introduced - with two valves per cylinder. Due to the weight of the E38 (from 1905 to 2235 kg), the car was not very productive, but could provide low consumption fuel.

Also in 1996, a limited edition version was introduced, which is more luxurious than the 750iL, but with the same engine as the 750 model - the M73B54. The luxury model had a sliding partition between the front and rear seats, a telephone, and a refrigerator.

In 1996 to replace the 730th version BMW company also produces an extended version of the 735iL with a V8 engine - M62.

In 1998, the E38 joined the E38 model range, equipped with a diesel power unit with a capacity of -.

In 1999, the top-end diesel version was launched with a 3.9-liter TwinTurbo turbo diesel engine.

Transmission

The BMW E38 7 Series was offered with either a 5-speed automatic or manual transmission gears on the 730d, 740d, 740i/iL, and 750i/iL with a 5-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Dimensions

BMW E38 facelift

In 1998, the E38 body was updated. The front part of the car was lifted, updated rear lights, a sports suspension, new wheels and a hydraulic converter are installed.

In addition, the 7 Series received a new Sport package (originally available on the 740i), improved automatic climate control, front side airbags and a standard head protection system.

The E38 7 Series was discontinued in 2001 and was replaced by the 4th generation.

Video BMW E38

This is one of the best and, alas, the last successful BMW 7-Series model, its owner believes. Powerful German engine makes her run away. The body is made in such a way that all passengers feel comfortable and free. And the driver can only enjoy driving.

The pain of searching
It all started after the sale of another car (Renault Laguna second generation). I needed a car. The criteria are as follows: definitely a sedan (station wagons, hatchbacks, etc. are already enough). The color is either black (close to it) or white (white night), you agree, interesting extremes. Decent condition of the car. Oh yes, since my work is related to business and very often I have to meet people with income, I didn’t want to fall face down. The choice fell on the BMW family.

And so the search began, there were so many doubts, temptations to give up and buy some small car, and how much advice there was from relatives and friends, like, why do you need this BMW, not to mention the 7-Series. But, having given up on everything, I decided that I would buy the car that would make my soul sing in unison with its engine.

The search was relatively long. Three weeks without a car! It was terrible. During this time, I looked at seven BMW 3-Series (E46), five BMW 5-Series (E39) and I won’t lie that there were about 20 variants of the BMW 7-Series (E38). It was agony, not a single car evoked emotions in me. I looked at both 3.0 TDI and 4.4i engines, and many, many others.

Friday. The next raid on the cars ended with nothing. We were getting ready to go home, but still I decided to call the last marked number. We agreed to meet. My brother and I are standing at a gas station in the Novinok area. A car appears. It doesn't just drive - it flies, the sound was something, gorgeous 18-inch wheels. She was just great!

V-shaped eight with four valves per cylinder
Believe me, I’m far from one of those people who drool over trinkets, but I was simply shocked by the feeling that I would buy it. We started looking - the engine was purring, the gearbox was super, the suspension didn’t rattle. The owner admitted that the car was hit on the right side. I hired my brother as a technical expert. He gave the go-ahead (although even if he didn’t approve, I would still buy it).

After driving it, I realized that I would definitely buy it. After some bargaining, we agreed that the owner would remove it from the register tomorrow. It was the most sleepless night of my life. It's Saturday. Decor. All I BMW owner 7-Series!

So, what did I get? BMW 7-Series (E38) 2000 Modification - 3.5iL, where L is Long (extended base). Color dark blue, wheels R18. Equipment - electrically adjustable seats, separate climate control, CD changer, seat memory, on-board computer and much more, you can’t even remember it all.

Under the hood is a V-shaped eight with four valves per cylinder, 235 “horses”, 344 H·m of torque and acceleration to hundreds in 8 seconds. Believe me, launching a car weighing 1885 kg at such a speed is super.

When I first got behind the wheel of this car, I couldn’t believe that it was all mine. Because this is a legend. This is a BMW 7-Series - because the car is really cool!

On the way home, I tried not to drive, since I don’t know the car. But the car just asks: just a little more, we’ll overtake that one and that’s it. I know the attitude of the majority towards BMW drivers. But, dear friends, these cars are really on to something.

Service matters
Arriving home, I went to the local service. I had to replace the brake hoses at the rear, the steering end on the left, the braces and the pendulum bushing. The owner also said to change the oil and filter.

A week later I went to the official service. They said the same thing, and also recommended replacing the radiator and cooling pipe. In general, I like the “officials”! They have a replacement pipe because it has come loose and is leaking liquid. I took a screwdriver, loosened the clamp and tightened it, but they couldn’t do it. They looked through the entire radiator, where they were leaking from, but they still didn’t understand. Anyway.

Maintenance cost (all spare parts are German, Belarusian ruble):
Brake hoses - RUB 75,000;
Steering end - RUB 243,000;
Rear stretch - RUB 198,000;
Oil, 8 liters - 840,000 rubles;
Oil filter - 8 cu. e.;
Air filter - 12 cu. e.;
Rear brake discs - RUB 400,000;
The cooling system was also purged and antifreeze was added - 430,000 rubles.
Total: 2,356,000 rubles, or 270 USD. e. The suspension began to knock, replacement and work cost 490,000 rubles.
Consumption of this unit: city - 10-13 liters per 100 km, depending on driving style. In congestion the largest is 13.4 liters.
On the highway at a speed of 120-160 km/h - 8.8 - 10.3 liters, no more.

And now a little about relationships
You know, a strange feeling occurs when you drive this car. Suddenly you notice that everyone is looking at you, yes, that’s right, everyone, she attracts glances, they notice her. She looks like a fit athlete in an expensive suit. At the first command, the car is ready to take off: 235 “horses” are enough for any start and overtaking, and the dynamics are such that they are simply a plague. It picks up speed from both 30 km/h and 160 km/h easily and quickly, and the kick-down is something incredible (when you press the pedal to the floor, release it and press it again, and then it happens... -what a catch!).

Did not take part. It seemed to me that for someone who wants to get a real “member truck” at their disposal, all these thoughts about the cost of operation, breakdowns and engines are completely unnecessary. But it turns out that there is still a demand for information on these machines. There are those who are ready to buy such a car for themselves and are starting to ask the right questions.

And the first car of this class, which we will consider in the “Used Cars” section, will be the legendary “seven” from BMW in the E38 body, which is immortalized not in jokes, like the Mercedes W140, but in films and newsreels. Oddly enough, it was BMW, which always stands apart in its class and often in the shadow of its eternal competitor from Stuttgart, that turned out to be the most in demand at secondary market, when it was no longer hired drivers who got behind the wheel, but fans of these cars.

You can talk for a long time about approaches to handling and comfort for the driver and passengers, but it was the commercially successful W140 that lost the race for sympathy by one goal. By the way, its successor, W220, took this mistake into account and tried to change. But what happened with the Stuttgart team will be discussed in another article, and now – about the E38 in all its guises.

Technique

Talk about comfort and excellent driving performance“Bavarian” is a thankless task. Anyone who knows about all this first-hand will be indignant at the paucity of description. Anyone who is not aware of the matter will be tired of reading all this. This is a car with a capital “B”, in short. In a little more detail, the car is completely classic in design.

Steel body, completely traditional shapes and very stylish design. Three wheelbase options - standard, iL-cars with an increase in the base length of 140 mm and an even longer L7, stretched to the full 390 mm, but because of this the car looks different. The insert between the front and rear doors is clearly visible, while the regular extended version looks much more harmonious - it just has a longer rear door.

The drive is always rear-wheel drive. Pendants and steering also do not contain anything unusual - a MacPherson strut in the front (yes, that’s it, and not a double-lever, as is written on most resources, just check the catalogs and make sure of this) and multi-link suspension with integral lever at the rear. And no racks, just a regular steering gearbox with Servotronic power steering.

Inside is a paradise for the driver and passengers; entire groves of valuable trees and herds of cows are spent on decorating the interior. Of course, already in the base it is very “boho”, but everything was possible to order - from separate rear seats with curtains and Nakamishi music to changers, a cell phone, navigation systems with color display and TV. For the first time, the BMW Assist control system and “safety curtains” appeared here, which serve to prevent head injuries when side impact and a coup.

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The trunk is considered small, but it is enough for both a standard refrigerator and a subwoofer for non-standard music. By the way, the interior acoustics are very good, especially in versions with double glazing, which was offered as an option. In general, at the time of its appearance in 1994 and until the end of production in 2001, the car personified luxury and comfort, slightly restrained by the brand’s traditional driver’s ambitions.

Yes, besides Servotronic there are many others electronic assistants. It was on the “Seven” that a full-fledged stabilization system first appeared, and in the future, the system setup on all Bavarian cars will inherit its character, when “by default” the electronics allow you to “play around” and only catches on at serious sliding angles. Adaptive shock absorbers and a body level control system were also on the options list. And, of course, the car has at its disposal the most advanced five-speed automatic transmissions from ZF with electronically controlled, and later an automatic transmission from GM. How does all this magnificence work 15-20 years after the car leaves the assembly line? This is a very interesting question.

Breakdowns and operational problems

Motors

Bavarian E38 engines are still from that generation, which cannot be called very problematic. The car was only slightly affected by the Nikasil scandal on the M52 and M60, but in our conditions Nikasil is the preferred material for coating the cylinder block, and engines usually break down not due to simple wear.

The main engines on the “Seven” are V8 with a volume of three to 4.4 liters and engines of the M60 and M62 series. I have already written about them several times and I will only note that these are one of the most successful passenger “eights” in principle. And the M60 is slightly more reliable than its successor due to more. The series has also already been reviewed in reviews of earlier models and is similarly considered one of the most reliable.

The main problems of all engines under the hood of BMW are overheating and breakdowns of various sensors. Overheating is usually a consequence of clogged radiators, faulty viscous couplings and generally careless operation of a powerful motor. For the seventh series the problem is more pronounced than for junior cars, because official limousines are often parked idle speed in winter and summer you spend hours waiting for your only passenger, and all the troubles “come out” earlier.

Unfortunately, the consequences are not always completely eliminated, and a significant portion of older cars with V8 engines clearly show signs of several overheats with all the accompanying troubles - stuck rings, swollen and unreliable cooling system pipes... Typical problems All engines have weak ignition modules and limited service life of lambda sensors. Otherwise, you have both a chance to get an excellent engine with a mileage of three hundred thousand kilometers, or a completely “dead” one with scuffed piston and “knee”, although it could only run one and a half hundred.

The 750 and 750iL models were equipped with a previously unreviewed V12 engine of the M73 series, which traces its ancestry to the M70, which, in turn, is suspiciously similar in design to a pair of sixes connected together from the M30 series. Despite its gigantic dimensions and 12 cylinders, the engine is relatively simple in design, there are only 2 valves per cylinder and until 1998 there were no newfangled trends in the form of high-temperature controlled thermostats and “vanos”.

The more recent version of the M73N engine was still equipped with bells and whistles and raised operating temperature, but this did not greatly affect the reliability - the resource is still unlimited, thanks to the low degree of forcing and high quality workmanship.

Diesel engines are relatively rare, and these are again old friends in the form of the 2.5-liter M51 series engine and the very common M57 series turbodiesel. The first one is frankly weak for a heavy car, and its character is not very fighting, but the more voluminous M57 must be admitted as extremely successful engines for these cars. The only bad thing is that they relied on a far from ideal American “automatic” as a gearbox.

Transmissions

There are no surprises here either: manual gearboxes, the cardan shafts and rear gearbox are very reliable. Even a self-locking differential can easily withstand the “forgetfulness” of a number of owners who have not changed the oil in it for years; fortunately, they drift on “Sevens” extremely rarely. A automatic boxes The gears here are mainly from the very reliable ZF 5HP24 and 5HP19 series, which have been used more than once.

These units were at the forefront of progress in their time and still look good today. True, their problems are almost the same as those modern automatic transmissions– and the associated oil contamination, overheating of gearboxes during severe operation and a relatively short oil service life. But most often the boxes fail due to the fault of owners who are afraid to change the oil, and due to “generic” problems. So, conditionally, these automatic transmissions can be considered almost eternal.

But the GM gearbox, which is rarely found on six-cylinder engines, does not please with reliability, and I already wrote why - it does not like the vane pump high speed and dirty oil, and after a loss of pressure the amount possible problems increases significantly. But at the moment, these boxes have been mastered for repair, and their replacement with ZF has also been mastered.

Body

No steel or paint was spared for the flagship sedan, and a good portion of the cars still look very good. The key to good body health is warm parking lots and regular visits to the car wash. The class obliges. If corrosion damage occurs, it is primarily on the sills, doors and wheel arches. And also places where the rear subframe is mounted on powerful cars with top-end engines.

Mostly affected are the specimens that have long been used by private owners or have worked under maintenance, with inevitable grinding, sandblasting and harsh operating conditions. The high price of most body parts with the low price of the cars themselves often forces owners to “cut”, which primarily affects the condition plastic parts body and chrome elements.

A set of exterior plastics in excellent condition can cost more than half the price of an old car, and even with no corrosion and good paintwork, the appearance to the original will force you to spend money. The cost of optics, mirrors, antennas and various covers and hatches can also make you despondent. Prices are lower than new car, but only every one and a half to two times, there is almost no choice of non-originals, the choice of “used” ones during analysis is also small, and the condition of the parts itself usually does not shine. You have to wait for a good set, say, from England, and its price will also be far from lenient.

Interior and electrical

The interior and electrical equipment of the car, on the one hand, are very well designed high level, and on the other hand, they are still the main suppliers of minor and not very problems. Richly equipped examples have a huge number of different interior options, which will inevitably eventually require repairs, and price is not always a question. Often, a replacement for a broken unit simply cannot be purchased in a reasonable amount of time and not very reasonable money.

Fortunately, critical breakdowns here can only occur in the climate control unit, the instrument panel and a couple of control units - the main one and the on-board control system unit, which can still be purchased new for about fifty thousand rubles per pair. But a car with a bunch of non-working electronics doesn’t look like a dream car at all, and the price for it, accordingly, drops, because bringing it to a “live” state will require both effort and money.

Electrical problems include very unpleasant troubles with the “smart” Servotronic steering system, with the ABS unit, which also carries the functions of the dynamic stabilization system, the actual problems with the engine compartment wiring of cars and a number of troubles that arise with engine sensors.

Chassis

The reliability of the suspensions on the "Seven" is, if not exemplary, then very good by the company's standards. The front suspension, after a complete overhaul and careful operation, can last one and a half hundred thousand, and the rear suspension can usually withstand 40-60 thousand, which for a very heavy car with good handling can be considered a worthy result.

However, during hard use, which was typical for company cars, the suspensions performed worse, requiring regular attention, unlike. The cost of components for repair is at a very reasonable level, and only a complete overhaul or replacement of the rear integral arm assembly after an accident or replacement of shock absorbers will require serious expenses active suspension. But instead of them, standard ones are most often installed - due to the extreme high cost original spare parts.

The steering gearbox is unpretentious, but repairs are expensive - most often, when play appears, it is replaced with a contract one. However, the total cost of steering control maintenance is not at all cheap if you use high-quality components. The control module sometimes fails: problems can arise from both the control unit itself and the gearbox valve block, in which the motor and force control valves can break. Fortunately, now they have learned how to repair the module, restoring it “using dealer technology,” i.e. with replacement of the entire steering gear - extremely expensive.

As with all old BMW models, first of all you need to try not to end up with a criminal car - it’s worth checking that all VIN numbers on the body match and that the configuration “according to the VIN” and in fact matches. As well as the presence of traces of welding of the side members and other problems associated with alterations.

Secondly, just decide how many hundreds of thousands you want to spend on a car per year. Yes, yes, hundreds, not tens. If one or two, then at your service are late examples with V8 engines, without any special “bells and whistles” and in good condition. If it’s more, then you just need to take a car with the necessary set of options and not “killed”.

If you don’t have a lot of free money, but you still want to play the lottery, then look for a pre-restyling car with 3-liter M52 or M60 engines or a restyled “American” with M62 3.5 - such versions have minimal taxes, and with expenses for everything else - depending on your luck.

But before purchasing, it is strongly recommended that you familiarize yourself with the knowledge base on the E38 on specialized resources - this will allow you not only to get an idea of ​​how much repairs will cost, but also that the car may already be damaged. And the list is huge; almost all nodes require attention. It is likely that this will save you from a rash purchase, and the dream will remain just a dream.

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In October 1993, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW introduced flagship sedan Third generation 7-Series in E38 body. Despite the fact that the public liked the model, it entered the assembly line only in June 1994. The car was produced until 2001 and gained popularity among car enthusiasts around the world, including in Russia. In total, the Bavarian manufacturer produced 340,242 examples of the BMW E38.

Many believe that the “seven” in the E38 body is the last “correct” model of this series, because the next generation (E65/E66) received a radically new design.

Just by looking at BMW sedan 7-series in the back of the E38, it becomes clear that this is a real flagship. For all its solidity and solidity, the car looks sporty and smart. The lowered hood, slightly “frowning” headlights, as well as the signature “nostrils” of the radiator grille add to the aggressiveness of the appearance.

The profile of the third generation BMW 7-Series is distinguished by a large glass area, an elongated hood and a long tail, as well as an almost flat roof that turns into a powerful rear pillar. The rear of the sedan is massive, and it is topped with small and neat lights.

Now about specific numbers. The length of the “seven” is 4985 mm (for the long-wheelbase version – 5125 mm), and the distance between the axles is 2930 mm (3070 mm). The width and height in both cases are unchanged - 1862 mm and 1425 mm, respectively. Depending on the modification, the curb weight of the car varies from 1905 to 2235 kg.

The interior of the BMW 7 Series in the E38 body fully corresponds to the status of the car - attractive design, ergonomics thought out to the smallest detail, high-quality finishing materials. The dashboard is simple, but at the same time informative and functional. The control units for the entertainment system and dual-zone climate control are located on the center console.

The sedan has spacious interior. The wide front seats have a fairly developed profile, wide cushions and thick padding, and there is enough space for riders of almost any size.

The rear seat of the “seven” with a standard wheelbase hints with its layout that it is designed for two people – this is evidenced by two headrests and a high transmission tunnel. The long-wheelbase car provides truly royal accommodation for rear passengers - here you can easily cross your legs.

Regardless BMW modifications The E38 sports a 500-liter luggage compartment. Its shape is not very convenient, but the loading height is small, which makes loading heavy luggage easier.

Specifications. The third generation BMW 7-Series was equipped with four petrol and one diesel engines.
The gasoline part includes units with 6, 8 and 12 cylinders. With a working volume of 2.8 to 5.4 liters, they produce from 193 to 326 Horse power power and from 280 to 490 Nm of peak torque. Each of diesel engines equipped with a turbocharging system, and with a volume of 2.5 to 3.9 liters they generate 143-245 “horses” and 280-560 Nm of thrust. Combine power units with a “mechanics” of five or six gears, or a 5-speed “automatic”, as well as a rear-wheel drive transmission.
Even with the most low-power engine The executive sedan accelerates to hundreds in 12.2 seconds, and with the top-end sedan it accelerates in just 6.8 seconds. The maximum speed varies from 202 to 250 km/h.
But the standard fuel efficiency You can’t call it a “seven” - a 143-horsepower diesel engine requires 9.5 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km, while a 326-horsepower gasoline unit– 13.6 liters of fuel (passport data).

Fully applied on BMW 7 Series with E38 body independent suspension, represented by a double-lever layout at the front and a four-lever at the rear. Each wheel is equipped disc brakes with ventilation system.

Equipment and prices. The third generation "Seven" is still in demand Russian market. Depending on the modification and level of equipment, prices for a BMW 7-Series in a 38-body (as of 2014) start from 200,000 – 250,000 rubles, and for the most recent and “rich” copies can reach 600,000 – 650,000 rubles . It is worth noting that even basic equipment E38 includes power accessories, dual-zone air conditioning system, multifunctional “steering wheel” and standard “music”.