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[1] 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.
Development
In early 1988, development began on the third generation of the 7 Series.[2] From 1988 to 1990 styling work was done initially under design director Claus Luthe[3] (through April 1990, taken over by Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle), when Boyke Boyer's concept design was chosen and further refined into production form.[4]
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.[2] On 27 April 1993, German design patents were filed featuring a pre-production prototype as a design representation.[5] Patents were later filed on 27 October 1993 in the United States.[6]
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.[7] 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.[8][9]
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.[9]
Engines
Petrol engines
Diesel engines
Transmissions
A 5-speed ZF 5HP automatic transmission was available on all models.[13] In many markets, a 5-speed manual transmission was available for the 725tds, 728i,[14] 730i,[15] and 735i,[16] while a 6-speed manual was on offer for the 740i.[17]
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.[18][19] "Active Comfort Seats" were introduced in 1998, to improve comfort and reduce fatigue for the driver and front passenger.[20] This system uses two fluid-filled bladders which alternate in height.[21]
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
In-car electronics
The E38 was one of the first European cars to be available with satellite navigation,[27] a system called CARIN jointly developed by BMW and Philips.[28]
The in-car entertainment (radio, audio system, satellite navigation, television and communications systems) are part of an automotive communication system called I-bus.[29]
A multi-function steering wheel included controls for the audio, phone, cruise control and air recirculation.[30][31]
Special models
L7
From 1997 to 2001, BMW marketed an extended wheelbase limousine model called the L7.[32][33] The wheelbase was extended by 250 mm over the "iL" models, resulting in an overall length of 5.37 m.[34] Features included electrically adjustable rear seats, rear footrests, fold down rear trays, a fridge, rear television screen, video player and a fax machine.[34][35]
Based on the 12-cylinder 750iL, the L7 has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.[36]
Alpina B12
The Alpina B12 5.7 and Alpina B12 6.0 models were based on the BMW 750i and 750iL respectively.[53]
Model year changes
1995
- E38 production begins in 1994, for the 1995 model year. Initial models were the 725tds, 730i/730iL, 740i/740iL and 750i/750iL.
- V8 models use a Nikasil bore coating, which experiences failures in countries with high sulfur petrol (see M60 article).[54][55]
- DSC III (Dynamic Stability Control) becomes optional on the 740i/740iL and 750i/750iL.
- 740i/740iL models use differential ratio of 3.15,[56] compared with 2.92 for following years.
- Standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control
In popular culture
In the 1997 James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, the 16 E38 cars used during production were modified so they could be driven from the backseat, making it appear that Bond actor Pierce Brosnan was controlling the car using his mobile phone. The car type is actually a BMW 740iL but they were re-badged as the 750iL.[72] One survives today and can be seen at the exhibition “TOP SECRET” at Museum Industriekultur, Nuremberg.
Besides the E38 saloons, BMW also supplied a $14,000 R1200C motorcycle. BMW received the rights to use movie clips from the film in its multimillion-dollar campaign, and during the 1997 holiday season they offered a special promotion that included the R1200C with the purchase of the 750iL.[73]
2002’s The Transporter starred the 1995 E38 735i as co-star to Jason Statham.
Rapper Tupac Shakur and Death Row Records CEO Suge Knight were gunned down in a black 1996 750iL. Shakur succumbed to his injuries but the car itself later was bid at auction in
References
- Dirk Gulde. 20 Jahre Navigation: Was ist aus ihnen geworden? auto-motor-und-sport.de/, 15 July 2014, retrieved 4 May 2017^
- BMW 7 Series - A Look Back TopSpeed.com, 8 May 2015, retrieved 7 April 2017^
- BMW car designers www.bmwism.com, retrieved 7 April 2017