E38 735i Vs 740i
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).
Compare BMW E38 7 Series 740i 1994 vs BMW E38 7 Series 735i 1996 282 HP / 286 PS / 210 kW @ 5800 rpm. 1994 electronics are more dependable (unless the car was attacked by a DIY owner). Normally I' say 740i all the way.
However given some of the dubious things listed above, there is a strong case for 735i. In any case have the car checked by a knowledgeable mechanic before buying. Either of them will be a money drain, but try to get the lesser one.
Basically my concerns are that the 740iL will be too loose in the suspension and handling department compared to the shorter 740i. I am in love with the look of the 740iL, love that rear door, but still I thought I would entertain the though of buying a 740i. The V8's were increased in capacity to 3.5 Litres and 4.4 Litres for the 735i and the 740i respectively and renamed M62, the 730i model was dropped to be replaced by the 728i.
V8s re-engined in early 1996. 238bhp M62 3,498cc 735i replaced 218bhp 2,997cc M60 730i and 286bhp M62 4,398cc 740i replaced 286bhp 3,592cc M60 740i (same power output, more torque). 326bhp M73 5,379cc 750 V12.
The E38 was the first 7 Series to offer diesel engines, with inline 6 and V8 options. The variants for the E38 were the 725tds, 728i, 730i, 735i, 740i, 730d and the V12 powered 750i and Alpina B12. The range included the 728i and 728iL with six-cylinder engines, 730i, 730iL, 735i, 735iL, 740i, 740iL with V8 and, of course, the top models 750i and 750iL with V12.
BMW 7 Series (E38) timeline 1994 BMW 7 Series E38 launched in 730i and 740i guises. Flagship 750i arrives later that year. 1995 728i and 725tds added to the range.
1996 735i added alongside revised 740i; 730i dropped. 1997 The BMW 750iL stars in James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies. BMW actually supplied 740iL models for filming which were then rebadged.
1998 Facelift arrives with jeweled. The car BMW 7 series E38 was executed in several variants: BMW E38 730d, 725tdi,, 730i, 735i, 740i, 740iL, 750iL, 740iL Protection and 750iL Protection. These modifications differed by installed power units and equipment.