BMW E38

    The BMW Generation E38 is the third generation of the BMW 7 Series luxury cars and was produced from 1994 to 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 with curtain airbags and the first european car with sat-nav. 340,242 models were produced from 1994 through 2001.

    Petrol Engines: * issues

       728i - 2.8L M52 I6 (190hp) * cooling system and vanos

       730i - 3.0L M60 V8 (215hp) * cooling system, timing chain and nikasil (long gone)

       735i - 3.5L M62 V8 (235hp) * cooling system, timing chain, valve cover gasket leak, vanos 

       740i - 4.0L M60 V8/4.4 M62 V8 (282hp) * cooling system, timing chain 

       750i - 5.4L M73 V12 * far more reliable than the M62

    Transmissions:

       5-speed AT (ZF 5HP) - all models

       5-speed MT - 725tds, 728i, 730i, 735i

       6-speed MT - 740i