BMW_E38 The BMW E38 represented the flagship 7 series model from 1994 to 2001. It replaced the BMW E32 and itself was replaced by the BMW E65/E66 in 2002.
The E38 models were offered with either a five-speed automatic or manual transmission. The engine variants in Europe were 725tds, 728i, 730i, 730d, 735i, 740i (4.0 and 4.4 L), 740d and 750i (with a 5.4 L 322 bhp (240 kW) engine, as was used in the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph).
In the Americas, the models were sold as the 740i, 740iL and 750iL. The 740i and 740iL share the same 4.4 L V8 engine, although the first year of e38 production in the 1995 model featured a 4.0L V8 Engine. This is where the e38 received its name of 740, BMW uses the first number "7" to indicate which chassis line and the next two numbers as displacement size of the engine "40" which was a 4.0L. In 1996 BMW started producing the e38 7 series with with a larger 4.4L engine but did not change the model number. The 740iL is essentially a long-wheelbase 740i (hence the "L" in the model name, also referred to as "limousine" in the BMW literature). The considerably rarer 5.4 L V12-powered 750iL was only available as a long-body; there was no E38 750i in the US lineup. The 750iL was BMW's flagship sedan.
The e38 was introduced as a 1995 year model with glass headlight lenses, in 1999 BMW face lifted the cars with a newer style scalloped headlight lens. Navigation and Xenon headlights became available as options in the 1997 Model year and remained an option until 2000 where all the vehicles came with navigation standard. The Face lifted e38's also included a redesigned motor which included VANOS which is the German term "variable Nockenwellensteuerung", meaning variable camshaft control.
Features of the E38 7 Series included high-pressure headlight washers, auto-leveling xenon HID headlamps, power moonroof, a sound system with 14 speakers and four subwoofers as well as 6-disc CD changer, onboard satellite navigation and rain-sensing wipers. Other features included an automatic climate control system with separate controls for the driver and passenger, a three-position memory system for the driver’s seat, automatic safety-belt height adjustment, new steering wheel with button controls for the radio and phone, and outside heated mirrors. Front seat and rear seat side airbags, a new Head Protection System (HPS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) also became standard through the production years. The US cars featured an all-leather interior with burl walnut trim where the Euro cars were cloth interior with optional leather. The continuous-motion Active Comfort Seat technology was introduced in 1998 to improve comfort and reduce fatigue for the driver and front passenger.
The base prices in 2001 were
US$62,900 for the 740i US$66,900 for the 740iL US$92,100 for the 750iL. 740iL and 750iL Protection Line light-armored vehicles were built from 2000-2001, and cost US$99,100 and US$124,400, respectively. These models included body armor, bullet-resistant glass and run-flat tires.
A rare executive V12-powered stretch limousine was also produced, called the BMW L7.
The last E38 (a silver 740i with black leather interior) rolled off BMW's assembly line on July 27th, 2001 to make way for the new E65. The E65 was received so poorly by consumers that sales of E38s increased noticeably in the car's final months of production as people moved to buy the car before it went out of production and used E38s increased in value.
Summary of model years:
1995 First model year of e38 production, 740i featured a 4.0 liter engine with a block made of Nikasil. Very important, if you are considering a 1995 V8, please see this link for the Nikasil Issue 
http://www.koalamotorsport.com/tech/article-m60v8.asp
1996 New 4.4 liter engine. Horsepower remained the same but torque went up from 295@4500 rpm to 310@3900 rpm. Standard steel sunroof changed, glass moonroof instead.
1997 Side impact airbags standard for front seat passengers. Navigation system became available but fitted into few cars.
1998 DSC became standard. HPS head airbags also standard and rear-seat side airbags optional. Navigation system more available. New AC control panel as well (although this was retrofitted to many pre-98 cars).
1999 Mild face-lift with scalloped headlights, crystalized taillamps, door scoop illumination, and chrome strip on the trunk. The 4.4 liter engine receives VANOS variable valve timing and torque rises from 310 to 324. Updated side skirts without the round hole plugs for the jack. Sport package consisting of 18-inch rims, blackout trim, lower gear ratio, and vavona redwood interior trim became available on the 740i.
2000 Features as standard that were options before. Xenon lights, rain sensing wipers, headlight washer nozzles, Navigation (MK2), DSP stereo with cassette in the dash and 6 disk changer in the trunk. Sport package became available on 740iL/750iL models, sans the lower gearing,sport springs and steptronic transmission(740iL only). The crystal clear turn signals were added for both the 2000 and 2001 model years.
2001 For the last year, they added body colored side skirts, and front and rear air dams (all were black until 2001) and crystal clear turn signals. The front,side and rear markers went from yellow to clear. Features as standard that were options before, Star tac phone with mayday system, 16 way comfort seats, side airbags with head protection skirts. Mid year (9/00 production and later) they changed to a wide navigation screen.
Owner: davidc Last edited on February 12, 2008 12:39 am by "ibew595"
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