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BMW 7 E38 Series
BMW 7 E38 Series
5-speed manual
6-speed manual
Transmission
5-speed automatic
Dimensions
SWB: 2,930 mm (115.4 in)
Wheelbase
LWB: 3,070 mm (120.9 in)
SWB: 4,984 mm (196.2 in)
Length
LWB: 5,124 mm (201.7 in)
Width 1,862 mm (73.3 in)
SWB: 1,425 mm (56.1 in)
Height
LWB: 1,435 mm (56.5 in)
Curb weight 1,710–2,085 kg (3,770–4,597 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor BMW 7 Series (E32)
Successor BMW 7 Series (E65)
Produced from April 1994 to 2001, the BMW E38 was the third generation of the BMW 7
Series. The flagship represented an attractive evolution in design language of the prior E32
generation. The new 7 was available with straight-six, V8 and V12 petrol and straight-six and
V8 diesel engines. In 2001, the E38 was replaced by the E65 7 Series.
The E38 was the first car available with curtain airbags. It was also the first European car to
offer satellite navigation[4] and the first BMW to offer an in-built television. The E38 was the
first 7 Series to be available with a diesel engine.
Contents
1 Development
2 Production
3 Equipment
4 In-car electronics
5 Transmissions
6 Engines
o 6.1 Petrol engines
o 6.2 Diesel engines
7 Special models
o 7.1 L7
o 7.2 Protection line
o 7.3 Security line
o 7.4 Hydrogen 750hL
o 7.5 Alpina B12
8 North American model range
9 Model year changes
o 9.1 1995
o 9.2 1996
o 9.3 1997
o 9.4 1998 mid-life facelift
o 9.5 1999
o 9.6 2000
o 9.7 2001
10 Film
11 References
Development
In early 1988, development began on the third generation of the 7 Series.[5] From 1988 to
1990 styling work was done initially under design director Claus Luthe[6] (through April
1990, taken over by Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle), when Boyke Boyer's concept design was chosen
and further refined into production form.[7]
In February 1991, the final production design for the new 7 Series was approved by the board
36 months ahead of scheduled start of production for February 17, 1994.[5] On April 27, 1993
German design patents were filed featuring a pre-production prototype as a design
representation.[8] Patents were later filed on October 27, 1993 in the United States.[9]
Production
Production started on July 23, 1993 on pilot production models and US specification variants
on January 13, 1994, with series production commencing in April 1994 for June 1994
domestic German launch with the 730i and 740i.[1] US-specification cars entered production
in September 1994, for November 1994 launch. On February 18, 1994, the E38 BMW 7
Series was unveiled for the 1995 model year via a BMW press release. The 750i production
began in November 1994, in advance of its January 1995 launch.[10][11]
The last E38 (a silver 740i with a black leather interior) rolled off BMW's assembly line on
July 27, 2001[12] to make way for the replacement E65 7 Series.
Equipment
Safety features include ASC+T traction control, headlight washers and auto-leveling low
beam xenon HID headlamps. Side tubular airbags (called "Head Protection System") were
fitted as standard equipment.[13][14] "Active Comfort Seats" were introduced in 1998, to
improve comfort and reduce fatigue for the driver and front passenger.[15] This system uses
two fluid-filled bladders which alternate in height.[16]
Other equipment includes Electronic Damper Control (called EDC III), power moonroof,
rain-sensing wipers, dual zone climate control, electric drivers seat adjustment and electric
steering wheel adjustment.
Double glazed windows were available (called "dual pane glass").[17] 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.[17][18][19] Bullet-resistant glass was used for the Protection model, with even
thicker glass used for the Security model.[17]
The Sport Package included a sport steering wheel, sports seats, sports suspension,
"shadowline" exterior trim and unique wood trim for the interior.[20] Some sports models also
included a shorter differential ratio and higher stall speed for the torque converter.[21] This
allowed for a 0–97 km/h (60 mph) acceleration time of 5.9 seconds.
In-car electronics
Navigation monitor
The E38 was the first European car to be available with satellite navigation,[22] a system called
CARIN jointly developed by BMW and Philips.[23]
The in-car entertainment (radio, audio system, satellite navigation, television and
communications systems) are part of an automotive communication system called I-bus.[24]
A "multi-function" steering wheel, with controls for the audio, phone, cruise control and air
recirculation,[25] was standard equipment.[26]
Transmissions
A 5-speed ZF 5HP automatic transmission was available on all models.[27]
In some markets, a 5-speed manual transmission was available for the 728i,[28] 730i,[29]
735i[30] and a 6-speed for the 740i.[31]
Engines
Petrol engines
Diesel engines
Model Engine Power Torque Years Production[32]
M51D25
725tds 105 kW (141 hp; 143 PS) 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) 1995–2001 9053
I6 turbo
M57D30
730d 142 kW (190 hp; 193 PS) 410 N⋅m (302 lb⋅ft) 09/1998–2001 12336
I6 turbo
M67D40
740d 180 kW (241 hp; 245 PS) 560 N⋅m (413 lb⋅ft) 09/1998–2001 3450
V8 turbo
Special models
L7
From 1997 to 2001, BMW sold an extended wheelbase limousine model called the L7.[33][34]
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).[35] Features included electrically adjustable rear seats, rear
footrests, fold down rear trays, a fridge, rear television screen, video player and a fax
machine.[35][36]
Based on the 750iL with a 12-cylinder engine, the L7 has an electronically limited top speed
of 250 km/h (155 mph).[37] The L7 was only available in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and
Europe, and 899 examples were built.[32] The 2000-2001 models had an optional "privacy
window" glass partition to separate the driver from the rear passengers.[38]
L7 front
L7 rear
L7 interior
Protection line
The armoured "Protection Line" vehicles were built from 2000–2001 and were based on the
740iL and 750iL models.[39] Security features include body armor, bullet-resistant glass and
run-flat tyres.[40][41] An intercom system is provided to communicate with people outside the
vehicle while the windows and doors are shut.[42]
Security line
A High-Security version with protection up to B6/7[43] was also available in Europe,[44] 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[45][46] Features include explosive cord around
the windshield allowing removal of the windshield facilitating escape through it in case of a
rollover crash[46] and Hydraulically actuated windows.[46] A gas sensor can detect irritants like
CS gas and respond by turning the blower motor off closing the fresh air flaps and all
windows.[46] 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.[46][47] A breathing air
system is also available which delivers air from a cylinder in the trunk,[46] up to three firearms
cases designed to fit a Heckler & Koch MP5K were also optionally available[46] as well as
spherical gunports in the doors.[46]
Hydrogen 750hL
On May 11, 2000, BMW presented a fleet of fifteen 750hL's in Berlin.[48] Its twelve-cylinder
hydrogen combustion engine can be operated on both hydrogen and petrol. In operation on
hydrogen, it delivers 150 kW (201 hp; 204 PS), accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in
9.6 seconds and slowing the car to attain a top speed of 226 km/h (140 mph).[49]
The production of the hydrogen engine was integrated into the regular engine production at
the Dingolfing plant. It differs from the conventional petrol engine essentially only in regards
to the intake tract with additional injection valves for hydrogen.[50] The hydrogen is stored
cryogenically at a temperature of minus 253 degrees Celsius in a double-walled steel tank
behind the rear seat back. The hydrogen tank holds 140 litres and allows an additional range
of 350 km (217 mi).[49] In addition, the 750hL has a fuel cell rated at 5 kW (7 hp; 7 PS) at 42
volts. This is not used as a drive unit, but as an auxiliary power unit (APU) for power supply
to the electrical system.[51]
During the Expo 2000 in Hanover the vehicles were used as shuttles. From February to
November 2001 the vehicles were part of the "CleanEnergy WorldTour 2001" in the cities of
Dubai, Brussels, Milan, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Berlin. By November 2001 the 750hL had
achieved a mileage of over 150,000 km.[52] On the Nürburgring the 750hL recorded a time of
9 minutes and 53 seconds while powered by hydrogen.[53]
Alpina B12
Main article: Alpina B12 § B12 5.7 and 6.0 E-KAT (E38)
Based on the BMW 750i and 750iL, Alpina introduced the B12 5.7 in 1995 and the B12 6.0
in 1999. In contrast to the cars they are based on, these models are not electronically limited
to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph), but can attain top speeds of more than 280 km/h
(174 mph) and 291 km/h (181 mph), respectively.[54] According to Alpina the B12 5.7 was the
world's first vehicle with an electrically heated metal catalyst as standard.[55] The B12 5.7 has
a 5.7 litre V12 and the B12 6.0 has a 6.0 litre V12.
Pre-facelift model
Interior (pre-facelift)
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).[64][65]
DSC III (Dynamic Stability Control) becomes optional on the 740i/740iL and
750i/750iL.
740i/740iL models use differential ratio of 3.15,[66] compared with 2.92 for following
years.
Standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control, electric front seats with a
three-position memory for the driver’s seat, front-seat side tubular airbags, a six-disc
CD changer, and satellite navigation.[5]
1996
1997
Front passenger head airbags introduced. In late 1997, E38 7 Series and E39 5 Series
became the world's first cars available with side impact head airbags.[67] These are
known as "Inflatable Tubular Structure"[68] or "Head Protection System", and were
available as optional equipment.[69] These airbags are designed to offer head protection
in side impact collisions and also maintained inflation for up to seven seconds for
rollover protection.
The 750iL (actually a re-badged 740iL)[70][71] is extensively featured in the 18th James
Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies starring Pierce Brosnan .
Interior (post-facelift)
The E38 facelift (also known as Life-Cycle Impulse) models were introduced in the 1999
model year (produced from September 1998). The major changes are:
1999
The 750 now includes Electric Catalytic Converter, or "E-CAT", assemblies. Heating
coils inside the catalytic converter assemblies are electrified just after engine start,
bringing the catalyst up to operating temperature very quickly to qualify the vehicle
for Low emission vehicle (LEV) designation.[74] This system required the use of a
two-battery system. This electric catalytic converter had been fitted since 1995 by
Alpina to their B12 5,7 E-KAT saloon based on the BMW 750i, as it had been
developed jointly by Emitec, Alpina and BMW.[75]
From March, features such as Xenon headlamps, rain-sensitive windshield wipers,
headlight washers, GPS navigation, and upgraded audio became standard for US
models.[citation needed]
2000
Display for satellite navigation upgraded in September to 6.5 inch 16:9 screen.[76][77]
Navigation upgraded to MKIII in September, therefore maps for satellite navigation
switch to CD format.[78][79]
A radar-based adaptive cruise control (called Active Cruise Control) became available
as an option.[80][81][82]
2001
Cosmetic changes including body-colored side skirts and bumper facias (previously
black), clear turn signal lenses (previously amber).
Sport package becomes available on 750iL.
Additional standard equipment, including a Motorola StarTAC or TimePort mobile
phone, with BMW Assist telemetry system.
Film
A BMW 740iL from Tomorrow Never Dies, seen at an exhibition at Museum Industriekultur,
Nuremberg.
Contributing to the E38's continued popularity was its appearance in several films such as
Tomorrow Never Dies (750iL), Bumer "Бумер" (750iL), Enemy of the State (740iL), Invictus
(740iL), Bad Santa (740iL), Fun with Dick and Jane (740iL), Valley of the Wolves (TV series)
(L7), Showtime (740i), The Transporter (735i) which was a one off manual 750i badged as a
735i,[83] Live Free or Die Hard (740i), Transformers (740iL), The Game (740iL), The Sum Of
All Fears and Les Anges gardiens (740i). Even though it was the only featured car in the
series to be replaced the following year, the E38 (740i) featured in the BMW Film Ambush
which was released in fall 2001.
In the 18th James Bond feature film Tomorrow Never Dies, the sixteen 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.[84] One survives today and can
be seen at exhibition “TOP SECRET” at Museum Industriekultur, Nuremberg. Besides the 7
Series 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.[85]
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