BMW really went from making cars that looked confident of itself to cars that looks as if it's unsure if it's about sneeze or cough... I miss this beauty.
0:18 I don't get the hate towards cloth seats. The only real things in the favor of leather seats are that they're easier to clean and look nicer; comfort wise I'd actually say cloth are nicer. Cloth seats stay warm in winter and don't get blisteringly hot in the summer, they also grip you better so you don't slide around in corners. Before people say I've never experienced good leather seats just know I've been in a Maybach and own an Audi A8 (with leather seats). Leather just seems overly hyped to me.
@@Lemingtona-x5g I was going to mention in my comment that velour seats are best. Obviously cheap cloth seats feel like crap but nicer cloth or even materials like velour or alcantara feel way better than leather in my opinion.
I have leather seats in both my current vehicles and the one before that and I hate seating on them in the summer and winter. Too hot and too cold when you first get in the car.
amen. The e39 5 series of the period as well is one of the greats in terms of design. Elegant and sporty. No design bmw puts out today touches those 2 models.
I absolutely love the interiors on that era of BMW. The way the controls feel, the orange lighting and LCD backlit displays and the overall design is just so classy and timeless.
Cloth seats are more comfortable, don't get scaldingly hot, don't get freezing cold, and I'd assume give better sound deadening so the car interior should be quieter with them. Leather is just better for wiping them down if you're messy, but that's it.
Here’s something that I wish more new high-end cars had. Small wheels as an option. The car rides so well because it’s not on 21 inch wheels with no sidewall. The E46, E39, and E38 generation is so inherently satisfying to drive, from the build quality to how they look to how they drive.
@@mortensenvick5711 You dont need carbon ceramics on a street car. You dont need larger brakes than can fit under an 18" wheel either. Heck, even 17" is enough for way above any legal speed outside Germany, and really even inside Germany as well.
@@GoldenCroc I guess I'm quite picky. I'm currently considering my future vehicle, a 2017-2020 vehicle but ceramic brakes, awd, no sunroof and good weight distribution are a must for me. And need to get a 0-150 mph in about 20-23 seconds. Not gonna be speeding, but I need a fast car, just in case. I'm considering everything from 2018 XE project 8 to porsche 991.2 4S to alfa romeo stelvio QV. I'll just get the better deal. I'm probably the worst car salesman nightmare ever, lol. btw you guys in Germany are lucky enough to have the bmw M3 touring that would fit my list; too bad I moved to Canada so I can't buy one
I was hoping that the push for efficiency, particularly with EVs, would reverse the massive wheel trend but alas not. Unless it's a corner carver, a car doesn't need rubber band tires. Sidewall is good.
That's quite small for a V8 though (if I heard that right), at least in the US. The 2.8L V8 in the early Ford Taurus SHO is the only other small V8 I can think of in a US car. Or maybe that was a 3.2l.... I can't remember. 4.8 to 6L is where the bulk of V8's range in the US.
I had a 735i. Hated getting close to home from work, I just wanted to keep driving. It had a pin light near rear view mirror to give soft illumination lighting across car dashboard etc. Absolutely stunning, like a jet cockpit at night. So beautiful. Loved this car.
There was a 725 TDS with a 6 cylinder diesel and 150 hp, huge mileage and a manual gear box, I know a guy who have one, and he drive's it since he bought it. And never fails the mandatory inspection!
@@servissop151 It is a low number these days, but not so much back then. Certainly not in europe. People in europe have very little fascination with stoplight racing as far as I can tell, its mostly an American thing. To be honest, I dont think Americans are all that fascinated with it really either, I think its mostly the number on the paper they want a lot of the time.
Am I the only one who loves videos about these cars a lot more than reviews about yet another million dollar plus super car which we're never going to see in real life?
Metallic green actually was quite popular in the 80s and 90s in Germany. And in contrast to today, there was a market for base models of luxury sedans. Of course these customers were rather old.
In the US, for many decades, there was a very significant market segment of large cars that were NOT luxury cars. It’s interesting to finally find out that the concept also existed somewhere in Europe.
@@kc9scott Doug describes it very well: You get the benefits of the large, high level car, like the space, the build quality, the ride comfort, but you don‘t want to spend extra money for not needed stuff. I don’t even think that the market has changed first, it have been the offers of the manufacturers.
@@Skyisthelimit4me Yes, I "got it", since thats exactly what I assumed he meant. And my comment still stand, since even since the 1980s and onwards, BMW didnt follow that "logic" anymore. Perhaps you didnt know this when you made your comment, because otherwise it makes even less sense as a reply...
Check out the early eighties E23 745i. 3.4 liter six with turbo. BMW claimed it was "equivalent" to a 4.5 liter, but it was a lie, and they did get grief from it.
@@GlennC789 Yep exactly regarding model number, but I wonder in what way was it a lie that it wasnt "equivalent" do you think? Or do you mean just the model numbering in itself was seen as a "lie"?
Smarter times than today. These executive sedans with normal power engines were great: you had the build quality and smooth ride of the more expensive versions, but with much lower running costs (insurance, maintenance, taxes, fuel consumption) and fewer things likely to break. I hope these sensible times return, and the current posing and ostentation will end.
As a Spaniard, it's very amusing to me how cloth seats can be a surprise, even in this type of car; honestly, having leather and automatic seats is still a luxury today in my country, even more so 30 years ago. Its nice that they offered a wide variety of the product, in case you wanted this model but you didn't wanna spend so much for a 740 or a 750
What's so great about leather anyway? I'd take cloth seats any day. They also age better on average. Most 30+ year old leather interiors are in terrible shape.
Spaniards love base models. I'm portuguese and we use to spend a lot of money in top trim models and extra equipment but Spanish people are a lot more frugal.
@mortensenvick5711 well, for European consumers, to have on that time automatic climate control or leather seats, was way less important than having a perfectly finish cars that can do thousands of KM and still look new. And this is also for new cars.
Up until about 2010 in the Netherlands there were many taxis in this model. You saw them everywhere. 730 740 (and even 750's) 735d 740d. Most of them in amazing spec. Midnight blue, chrome trim, M wheels, wood and black leather interior. We are blessed with a generous amount of german cars on the road. Porsche is basically the go to sportscar brand if you make it. Fun fact. A zero options base 911 is € 186.900 / $203.516. 80 grand more expensive compared to the US, dispte te fact that the factory is 300 miles from our border.
I bought a black 2001 740il M Sport almost a year ago - I paid $13,500 CAD & it gets more looks at car shows than new $100,000+ sports cars. On coil overs & factory M-Parallel wheels. People really love & respect the E38. Sure it needs maintenance, but it’s an over all reliable car for a German that has nearly 200,000km now. I’m inlove.
This is one of the coolest BMWs I’ve seen in a long time, I love how simple and easy to use everything is. There is no complicated electronics to fail or unnecessary electronics. That is not necessary. Such a cool car!😅
This car makes perfect sense to me! As others have said, leather seats are cold in winter, hot and sticky in summer: I'm happy with cloth. I much prefer manual seats; it may only be seconds, but waiting for electric seats to adjust just seems a waste of time when moving them yourself is actually very little effort ( TBH I never found manually winding down windows to be an unbearable chore!) Removing the weight of power seat motors and other luxury items, together with the improved efficiency of a manual gearbox means the smaller engine is adequate for drivers who don't feel they have something to prove every time they get behind the wheel!
The 728i (!) was the E38 base model here in Germany. An in-line 6 cylinder with 193 HP. These BMW six-cylinders were very popular back then. Really great engines. The 728 was even available as "iL" / long version.
My first car that my mom bought for me in high school was a 1995 740il e38. It was smooth and a fun car to drive despite how heavy it was. She got it for a deal in 2010 for $2800. One of the best cars I’ve ever driven.
I test drove one with the 4.4 v8. was a 97, selling for 4400$ in 2009. Was concerned with the gas mileage so I stuck with my old honda for an extra year but what a car! It had a corded phone in the central armrest, beautiful interior and the mirrors would lower automatically when reversing, very comfortable too.
The US models were also pretty much fully loaded as well. Automatic transmission, leather seats, a bigger V8 (or a V12 if you so choose), a sunroof and a trip computer. This one was imported from Europe.
It's a car from Spain. I noticed they didn't sell the 725tds/725d in the UK, however you got the E38 730d in the UK, but its rare. This is an 'individual' and was probably bought by someone old, who didn't wanted all the fancy gimmicks, but wanted a reliable car.
I owned a 1990 735i back in the day, right off the show room floor, bronze in color. It had a 208 horsepower straight six, and while not a tire burner, built speed quickly, like an Acela. It was quiet and smooth, and I loved it. Years later I traded it with 208,000 miles a lot of seller's remorse. What a great car.
As a European I’d say it’s plenty luxurious enough. It’s got everything you need and nothing superfluous. Cloth seats don’t get hot like leather. It might not be quick but it’ll still sit at a 100mph all day long. What more is actually needed? Also little v8’s are the nuts, less weight moving around very quickly means it can all move more quickly and easily.
I’m a bit of an E38 nerd but fun fact there were a VERY few manual E38s sold in the states between 95 and 97. Once BMW realized they weren’t selling well/E38 owners want to be driven in it and not driving it, they stopped selling manual cars. But I’ve actually found only 1 or 2 manual E38s for sale ever
I loved the cabin air recirculation button on the steering wheel (my e39 had this). Simply a beautiful car, inside and out. Don't need the "luxury" options. Just give me a comfortable, solid, good looking car. With a manual, of course.
You have to remember this car was sold new back then with a BMW sticker price. I would want to get more for the higher price if you ask me. It's like now saying I would LOVE to pay 50k for a 1.2L 3 cylinder F150
@@GoldenCroc It probably won't even get out of its own way. That's the thing with most people, I want more if I pay more. I want a luxury car with luxury options that has a luxury car price. I am not gonna settle with a brokie spec when I pay top dollars.
@@Yvaneify Yes, but you are not paying top dollar. Its cheaper than the higher spec 7 series. For those that want and need more, well that choice is still there. This is for those that dont care. Havent you seen lots of comments that say "just more stuff to break, I dont need it!"? Car review videos are often littered by them. More choice is a good thing.
Mercedes S280, be it W126 or W140 - I saw and drove a 140 with pretty much the same bare minimum equipment as the 7 series in this video. Also, it had manual wind windows in the back.
You have to remember this car was sold new back then with a BMW sticker price. I would want to get more for the higher price if you ask me. It's like now saying I would LOVE to pay 50k for a 1.2L 3 cylinder F150
@@Skyisthelimit4me Hence why the brokie specs are super popular now? It no longer exists because most people buying these cars NEW want the luxury features when they are already paying top dollars for the brand logo. Personally, I want luxury if I buy luxury car, I want all the capabilities of a offroad car if I want to go offroad. If cost is my main concern, I would get a toyota
@@Yvaneify Wrong answer. First off, a "brokie" wouldn't be car shopping in a BMW showroom. Those older BMW's were more expensive than these new ones adjusted for inflation, because they were built better. That's why there's more of them on the road than any BMW's built between them and now. Second, you people don't control what auto manufacturers manufacture or how they manufacture it. The automotive media controls what they manufacture. Come back with some facts if you want to converse with me. Otherwise, you will be schooled over and over and over.
Doug, E38 Shorty sporty owner here, the glovebox opens in two stages so the content is reachable from the driver’s seat. Also, the rear seat belts are designed like so to avoid two rear passengers from heads bumping in a side collision. I agree, the most beautiful sedan there is!
Re: the reversed rear seatbelts: I was always told it was to prevent rear passengers from hitting their heads together during an accident: providing maximum shoulder support in the center would cause your body to deflect away from the center, and therefore away from other rear seat passengers.
About the seatbelts in the rear: the brochures back then also described it as a safety feature that the rear passengers would not bump into each other in a side impact, as the seatbelt would keep them in place 🙂
That's the car my dad wanted to buy and hoped come to the US. He ended up getting the 740il to replace his 1st gen STS. I didn't understand the appeal and I appreciate you explaining it's as he passed away. I also appreciate you sharing our opinion that the that gen 7 series is the most beautiful luxury sedan ever. His previous BMW was the first 2002 model bought in Ohio new that he ended up rolling with no serious injuries
Yes, I remember. I had a 1986 730i BUT with the straight 6. while I lived in Munich Germany. And it was considered VERY luxurious at the time. We even tought of it reasonable quick with its 188hp. And later I had the same as a 750i.
brillant! I happen to own the same idea as E39 5 series: 1997 520i german base model, 150HP base engine, manual transmission, oxford green, automatic A/C - that's it, the germans call this "Buchhalterausstattung" - accountant's configuration -> as cheap as possible. Love it :)
For the people confused as to why this car exists: BMW and Mercedes may be “luxury” brands in America but in Germany they are “mainstream,” just like Ford and Honda is to us. For us, a cloth seated stick shift 7 series would never sell (As dealers wouldn’t stock them even if such a trim existed here) but in Europe if you didn’t care about leather or power seats but wanted something with a bit more room that is why they offered this trim over there. I wouldn’t be surprised if the A/C was an extra cost option.
Disagree. Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche are premium brands in Europe too. And the fact that we have smaller engines in cars like 7 series or S class is because of EU eco regulations, taxes for big engines, in the past it was due to fuel prices. Budget brands in EU are, VW, Opel, Peugeot, Ford, Renault, Citroen, Fiat, Alfa Romeo (this one has always wanted to be premium), Skoda, Dacia, plus Asian brands. And if you compare the prices of cars in EU you notice, they are higher than in US, this is why cheap versions of premium cars exist. And last but not least back in the 90’s people you Europe used to pay by cash for the cars, so the price was important.
spot on, in europe if you decided to buy a big car is cuz you need the room, and most of the times that's the main purpose. In usa poeple just buy huge cars even if they don't need em cuz fuel is cheaper and there is plenty of room for parking.
Yes and no. In 1980's Germany those big base models BMW's and Mercedes had maybe the target group like Buick or Lincoln in the USA back then. Wealthy elderly people who didn't care about features but had enough money saved to buy a decent car. A BMW 7 series was not considered as a basic car like a Honda even in Bavaria.
@@p0sitiv467I was born in Germany, and Mercedes and BMW were like Ford and Chevy in the states. Most all my German relatives had a Beamer or a Benz and most were just base econo models with no bells and whistles. The Bigger Benz’s and Beamers were definitely considered luxury cruisers. But the smaller ones were just every day cars. Most all the taxis and police vehicles back then were Benz and Beamer. When I moved to the states I was never interested in Mercedes or BMW because in my mind they were “common” and boring. That was until I got smoked by an M3 in the 90’s while in my Camaro 😂. Well, things have definitely changed over the years. I’ve had 6 Mercedes over the years and own 2 currently. But from my recollection, they weren’t anything special at the time. Just good quality transportation.
Cloth war actually a option in germany not the base. It was called "Wollvelours" and the idea was that cloth does not crumple your suit as much as leather did.
Seems like the advantage this car has over other BMWs is there is so much less to go wrong. Cloth seats are vastly superior to leather in extreme weather. The green color was popular on Lexus and Infiniti sedans of the era.
Peak BMW, Period. I still own a BMW from that area, runs like a charm. No defect in the last 15 Years, only Oil, Breaks, Filters. Comfortable, Fun to drive, reliable, manual...everything you need.
I love my 735i. Engine is a little bigger than this example. And I actually have almost all options. Soundproof windows massage seats sunroof etc etc. In the same color as this 730i and with matching green leather interior.
The steering and handling is infinitely more communicative in the e46 and e39. That said, the e38 feels like a pin sharp sports car compared the the newer 7s.
@@theodor12and built better. The E39 has the same sturdy construction as the E38. Everything feels very solid and well put together. The E46 feels a little cheaper in some areas.
Get a 6 cylinder E39, best one being the 530i. Smaller engine in a bigger car, so it’s a little easier to work on. I have one, it has almost 175k miles, and still feels like a new car. The 6 cylinder engines from that era are some of the most reliable engines BMW has ever made. With that said, they do have their little issues, but most issues are already well documented and easily addressed.
3:46 This green was a very common colour E38’s were sold with here in Europe. I think Doug’s perspective about black/gray/silver were just the paints commonly chosen in North America. I have never seen a white E38 7-series for instance.
I assume such base model full size German sedans were also designed for families because a 3 or 5 series sedan was pretty tight on rear legroom, especially with tall German families haha
It was usually old people who wanted a big but reliable car, without any electronic crap to break; kinda like how americans used to buy large but cheaply made sedans until the crossover boom
Absolutely loved my 2000 728i here in the UK when I owned it early 2010 to late 2011 - first ever BMW too! Ok it needed a full suspension overhaul; a sill replacing and a full brake overhaul. But got those done quickly (lowered it slightly on BC coilovers, but had them fitted and set up professionally); retained the 18" Style 32 staggered alloys with chunky tyres. The car drove & handled superbly Might have only been the straight 6 M52 engine; but it soon got to license losing speeds here in the UK and would sit on the motorway at 80 with zero issues Such a great car and a superb way to get into BMW 👌🏼
I had such a car (1994) in Calypso red, albeit an automatic. Not a rocket ship but a lovely old cruiser. Whilst I own and cherish an E32, for me the early E38 is the best looking 7 Series. In the UK all E38's were automatic and leather+electric seats were standard. The previous E32 was available with cloth+manual on 6 cylinder cars. That one has a 99 model year front grille fitted.
Back then, not the gadgets made this a luxury car, i'm happy that Doug realized this driving it. Models with so few extras are extremely rare, i only spot 2 optional extras, the xenon lights and the walnut trim (the free option was Californian redwood). These wheels also given away for free by E38 parting shops where i live, this was the most common on pre-fl cars, nobody wants them, but the color has nothing to do with engine and equipment, Oxford is very common among 750i's.
The panel to conceal the radio must have been a security measure to prevent radio head unit theft. If potential radio thieves didn't see it, they wouldn't bother breaking in.
My '97 540i Sport had the same cover. I always thought of it as a design element. It continued the wood from the door across the dashboard in a more or less uninterrupted line. BMW stereos were basically useless unless you had the code to reactivate it after the power was interrupted. You didn't want to lose that code.
I've had my '94 E38 730i from 2007 to 2012, for sure the best car I've ever owned. Mine had leather seats, sunroof and the phone in the armrest, so despite being 730 was not such base model. Engine was great, especially with the manual transmission. The rear seatbelts were really great for securing child seats, really comfortable in this arrangement.
As a big fan of European car brands like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, this basic idea always frustrated me as an American. When I first visited family friends in Europe in 1997 as a teenager, I was surprised to see that my friends had a Mercedes with a cloth interior and basic features. It was still a beautiful well-engineered car, but in the U.S. it seems like it’s not deemed worth it to import more basic models of these brands. If they come over, I think the company assumes that if something in the U.S. is going to buy that brand, they want ALL of the bells and whistles so to speak. In as nice as those are, I for one would love to buy some more affordable models like this. I guess it’s just weighing the economics of it for the car companies, and thinking that basic models wouldn’t sell in the U.S. And overall, they’re probably correct. But personally I’d be one who would buy one.
Yeah, that's probably the reason. Also, their profit margins are higher on the fully-loaded models. It probably costs them $5-10k more to make the fully loaded model, but they charge $20-30k more for it.
Hi Dough. I am a car enthusiast from Spain, specially BMW (until very recently...). I have seen the manual books in spanish. The thing is BMW during those years sold their entire range only with automatic climate control. Those manual air conditioning controls never made it here. It is a great car. Cloth is not so bad in hot weather. My dad had an e32 735i manual. I could drive it in my early years. It was a delight. Thanks for your videos!
Well, this was a 90s German car...back in those days everything was optional on those, you'd be lucky to get 4 wheels without having to pay extra. I mean, the base model S-Class in the late 80s didn't have power windows nor mirrors, no radio, no central locking doors, no alloy wheels (15" steel with covers), no A/C at all, no tinted windows, nothing like that. And don't even think about true luxuries like leather, cruise control or power seats. It did have ABS standard, which was quite unique at the time. And at least it did have a 5-speed manual gearbox, while on the E-series (W124) you'd only get a 4-speed in the base model... As for the engine, it's still kinda ironic that in the US where speeds are generally low and it's all about comfortably cruising around everyone is obsessed with big, powerful engines, while over in Germany you'll see this lowly 730i going 200+ at the Autobahn.... Beautiful car still. the 7-series never looked better than this. Rare proof that Germans are actually capable of designing elegant cars.
All S-classes of late 80's had right mirror with power, 4 power windows and central locking as standard. Even a base w123 had central locking as standard. At least the later ones. The earlier pre facelift w126 could be had with manual rear windows though as you say. The w124 could be had with a 5 speed from its launch. Was standard here in Sweden even on the 200.
@@martinsvensson6884 It might just differ from country to country even within Europe, just like the US version clearly did. Not to long ago there wa an article in a Dutch car magazine about a guy who bought a brand new W126 back in the 80s with metallic paint being the only option.....and he's still driving it almost four decades later. He wanted a car that would last, and back in the day didn't trust anything electric. Apparently they even offered him a few options for free since it was kinda a hassle to get a car without those (no one ever orders a stock S-Class after all....), but he didn't budge.... So yes, he still had a W126 with 4 cranks to open the windows. Which might just be the only one ever in the country...
This is true for European market. I'd look at W124s from time to time and A LOT of them had 4 speed transmissions, like, Yugos in the late 80s abandoned 4 speed and were all 5 speed, and then you have a Mercedes that costs 20 times as much and has a 4 speed transmission. Weird
Exactly. You have to remember this car was sold new back then with a BMW sticker price. I would want to get more for the higher price if you ask me. It's like now saying I would LOVE to pay 50k for a 1.2L 3 cylinder F150
It’s not, cloth was also standard on the S class. Personally much prefer cloth. My current V60 Volvo has the optional wool/cloth interior, an option from the standard leather.
@@Lorentz_DriverElectric seats are a scam...slow, and more prone to failure...I can instantly get my seat to the correct position if it is manual, electronic seats are for chumps
I just love the color, and most importantly the manual transmission. The Europeans always seem to get the better cars. Cloth seats are much better in the summer time as they don't stick to your skin. I much prefer the smaller wheels, as larger tire sidewalls makes for a much better ride, and your much less likely to curb a wheel. This generation is BMW is my favorite. I would buy this if I could afford it. Thank you.
These coins in the armrest are called "cents". I come from Germany and even for us Germans it is rather rare to see an E38 with a manual transmission. very interesting
Back in the day, you had that relative (great uncle, grandfather etc.) that was from the "Silent Generation". They drove a base (but late-model) car, pinched every single penny, and always cheaped-out during gift giving season. But, you knew they were absolutely loaded ($$$). _THIS_ was their ideal car.
If you have seen the newer ones, I would take those two flaws over a new one any day. That being said, I would never own a BMW, Mercedes Audi, VW etc. Endless money pits.
Back in those days, BMW was known in Europe for having very basic entry-level trims for their cars compared to their main rivals, Audi and Mercedes. Nowadays it's probably the same for all of them but if you put that together with the fact that the Spanish car market is extremely competitive in price (it is the second largest car manufacturer in Europe after all), most brands have great incentive releasing an even more basic entry-level trim compared to Germany or the UK for instance.
Go see this very special BMW auction HERE - crsnbds.com/730i
Probably a much more reliable 7 series due to less electronics
Those are not €2 coins but 2-cent coins
A BMW that definitely has a trip computer… old school push button in the dial cluster, but it’s there DOUG… do better
More of this Doug, this is what the OG fans want to see.
Try to find Lancia Kappa
BMW really went from making cars that looked confident of itself to cars that looks as if it's unsure if it's about sneeze or cough... I miss this beauty.
I was just sitting here saying the same thing, the 90's BMW's are dope. I love the rear of this car*
@@iamatlantis1 Well said, I loved the E34 M3 in high school, the E36 looks great too from every angle.
I'd rather just pay half as much and drive a Camry. And I don't even want a Camry.
Allergies bro
@rickthomas422 yeah, mostly for guys that can work on them themselves.
Honestly, despite being a basic 7 series, this means that there are less things that break/malfunction, and easier to fix.
0:18 I don't get the hate towards cloth seats. The only real things in the favor of leather seats are that they're easier to clean and look nicer; comfort wise I'd actually say cloth are nicer. Cloth seats stay warm in winter and don't get blisteringly hot in the summer, they also grip you better so you don't slide around in corners. Before people say I've never experienced good leather seats just know I've been in a Maybach and own an Audi A8 (with leather seats). Leather just seems overly hyped to me.
velour seats are good the current cheap hard cloth seats are crap
@@Lemingtona-x5g I was going to mention in my comment that velour seats are best. Obviously cheap cloth seats feel like crap but nicer cloth or even materials like velour or alcantara feel way better than leather in my opinion.
Leather is nicer until a car is 10+ years old. Then cracks appear and eventually expensive tears. Cloth and leatherette on classic cars FTW!!
I have leather seats in both my current vehicles and the one before that and I hate seating on them in the summer and winter. Too hot and too cold when you first get in the car.
Finally someone said it, cloth seats in my opinion are waaaaaaay better and more comfortable than leather seats
No sunroof means no sunroof drain leaks - Bonus! This car is awesome like all E38s. One of the most beautiful saloons ever.
And quite possibly more headroom.
Sunroof drain’s aren’t hard to fix if you know what you’re looking at .
And about 10 cm more headroom.
Also less wind noise, which i find important in a premium car.
@@kc9scott definitely more headroom. A sunscreen can actually perform your car from "suitable for everyone" to "for Italians only"
The E38 7 Series still the best looking 7 Series ever
amen. The e39 5 series of the period as well is one of the greats in terms of design. Elegant and sporty. No design bmw puts out today touches those 2 models.
I totally agree
nope the 2020 7er is the more beautiful
Agreed
The newer 7 series BMWs lost me on the oversized kidney grills
I absolutely love the interiors on that era of BMW. The way the controls feel, the orange lighting and LCD backlit displays and the overall design is just so classy and timeless.
Cloth seats are more comfortable, don't get scaldingly hot, don't get freezing cold, and I'd assume give better sound deadening so the car interior should be quieter with them. Leather is just better for wiping them down if you're messy, but that's it.
Very true - I'm actually avoiding updating my car because I can't even find a recent large car without the awful leather.
Most leather interiors are some kind of vinyl anyways. And “Alcantara “ is now a fancy word for “suede”😂
@@andoletubefifth generation ford explorer (2011-2019) can be had with cloth seats and it’s a great car. Not sure how large you need
Google w221 cloth seats and fall in love. Sadly, they were on the 6cyl only.
@@Wargasm54 Not even. Suede is real leather while Alcantara is synthetic. "Vegan leather" is an upmarket rebranding of vinyl though.
Here’s something that I wish more new high-end cars had. Small wheels as an option. The car rides so well because it’s not on 21 inch wheels with no sidewall. The E46, E39, and E38 generation is so inherently satisfying to drive, from the build quality to how they look to how they drive.
small wheels can't clear carboceramic brakes, that's why I wouldn't consider every size under 19-20'
I've replaced my 2003 E46 318i for a 2008 Ford Focus 1.6 Ti-vct. I don't really feel any differences. Maybe the Focus is slightly better to drive.
@@mortensenvick5711 You dont need carbon ceramics on a street car. You dont need larger brakes than can fit under an 18" wheel either. Heck, even 17" is enough for way above any legal speed outside Germany, and really even inside Germany as well.
@@GoldenCroc I guess I'm quite picky.
I'm currently considering my future vehicle, a 2017-2020 vehicle but ceramic brakes, awd, no sunroof and good weight distribution are a must for me.
And need to get a 0-150 mph in about 20-23 seconds. Not gonna be speeding, but I need a fast car, just in case.
I'm considering everything from 2018 XE project 8 to porsche 991.2 4S to alfa romeo stelvio QV.
I'll just get the better deal.
I'm probably the worst car salesman nightmare ever, lol.
btw you guys in Germany are lucky enough to have the bmw M3 touring that would fit my list;
too bad I moved to Canada so I can't buy one
I was hoping that the push for efficiency, particularly with EVs, would reverse the massive wheel trend but alas not. Unless it's a corner carver, a car doesn't need rubber band tires. Sidewall is good.
"Small displacement 3 litre..." made me laugh. Taxes in a lot of Europe rose dramatically over 2l.
That's quite small for a V8 though (if I heard that right), at least in the US. The 2.8L V8 in the early Ford Taurus SHO is the only other small V8 I can think of in a US car. Or maybe that was a 3.2l.... I can't remember.
4.8 to 6L is where the bulk of V8's range in the US.
For a V8 that is really small. I think it's the biggest quirk of the car.
@@volvo09pretty sure it was a 3.4, still small though
@@nateb7793 you are right, I had to look it up after.
@@volvo09 it's quite impressive they got 215/215 out of those 3 liters back in the early 90s... My 95 caddy only has 250, with 5.7L 😬😬
I had a 735i. Hated getting close to home from work, I just wanted to keep driving. It had a pin light near rear view mirror to give soft illumination lighting across car dashboard etc. Absolutely stunning, like a jet cockpit at night. So beautiful. Loved this car.
There was a 725 TDS with a 6 cylinder diesel and 150 hp, huge mileage and a manual gear box, I know a guy who have one, and he drive's it since he bought it. And never fails the mandatory inspection!
actually 143hp lol, so rounded to 140, which is such a low number for a 7 series it's crazy
Yup, but the 730d was alright
@@servissop151 Almost 1000 miles tank. Ok its slow, but it moves.
@@servissop151 It is a low number these days, but not so much back then. Certainly not in europe. People in europe have very little fascination with stoplight racing as far as I can tell, its mostly an American thing. To be honest, I dont think Americans are all that fascinated with it really either, I think its mostly the number on the paper they want a lot of the time.
The M51D25 runs forever!
P.S: There's also the 740d V8 ❤️
Hi Doug, just a correction. Those aren't 2 Euro coins , they are 2 cents of an Euro coins which are worth nothing these days
Well, they total up to 35 cents in this case.
@@Beethoven80 no the 2 cent coins are literally not in circulation any more. They're literally not currency
@@DutchManticore in Germany they still are used everyday
@@DutchManticore that's not even true, they still are in circulation. maybe u dont see them as often though.
Buiten nederland om kun je ze gewoon gebruiken, hier zijn ze idd niet meer in de roulering@@DutchManticore
Am I the only one who loves videos about these cars a lot more than reviews about yet another million dollar plus super car which we're never going to see in real life?
Metallic green actually was quite popular in the 80s and 90s in Germany.
And in contrast to today, there was a market for base models of luxury sedans. Of course these customers were rather old.
In the US, for many decades, there was a very significant market segment of large cars that were NOT luxury cars. It’s interesting to finally find out that the concept also existed somewhere in Europe.
I’m rich, but not SO rich…
@@kc9scott Doug describes it very well: You get the benefits of the large, high level car, like the space, the build quality, the ride comfort, but you don‘t want to spend extra money for not needed stuff. I don’t even think that the market has changed first, it have been the offers of the manufacturers.
@@kc9scottI’m not from the us but I kind of know several American cars,which cars would you say were “large cars that were not luxury cars”
Accountant spec
Ahh, when BMW had a logical naming convention. I miss the 90s.
To be fair even back then there were a lot of models that didnt have it (according to what you likely mean by logical, at least).
@@GoldenCroc
Logical = 730i
"(7)"-Series
"(3).0" liter engine
"(i)" fuel injected gasoline
Got it?
@@Skyisthelimit4me Yes, I "got it", since thats exactly what I assumed he meant. And my comment still stand, since even since the 1980s and onwards, BMW didnt follow that "logic" anymore.
Perhaps you didnt know this when you made your comment, because otherwise it makes even less sense as a reply...
Check out the early eighties E23 745i. 3.4 liter six with turbo. BMW claimed it was "equivalent" to a 4.5 liter, but it was a lie, and they did get grief from it.
@@GlennC789 Yep exactly regarding model number, but I wonder in what way was it a lie that it wasnt "equivalent" do you think? Or do you mean just the model numbering in itself was seen as a "lie"?
Old school Doug filming location moment
Old school Demuro always deliver epicness everytime.😅
3:59 This green colour was veery famous on those 90s BMWs and very common here in Germany
Boston Green too
in finland the only colors i saw when was young was black red and silver and poormans color aka silver, british racing green is a rare color here
metallic green is just lovely
@@wishandwatchif i remembered, Opel Speedster also has Metallic Green colour.
Oxford green is one of my absolutely favourite BMW colours. Looks superb on the 7 series, but also the 8 series (E31) and 5 series (E39).
Smarter times than today. These executive sedans with normal power engines were great: you had the build quality and smooth ride of the more expensive versions, but with much lower running costs (insurance, maintenance, taxes, fuel consumption) and fewer things likely to break. I hope these sensible times return, and the current posing and ostentation will end.
As a Spaniard, it's very amusing to me how cloth seats can be a surprise, even in this type of car; honestly, having leather and automatic seats is still a luxury today in my country, even more so 30 years ago. Its nice that they offered a wide variety of the product, in case you wanted this model but you didn't wanna spend so much for a 740 or a 750
Those are 2 cents of a Euro coins. So you have around 20c there. Indead, no need to bother 😂😂
What's so great about leather anyway? I'd take cloth seats any day. They also age better on average. Most 30+ year old leather interiors are in terrible shape.
that's why european market is way below american and chinese. it's more on pair with south american market
Spaniards love base models. I'm portuguese and we use to spend a lot of money in top trim models and extra equipment but Spanish people are a lot more frugal.
@mortensenvick5711 well, for European consumers, to have on that time automatic climate control or leather seats, was way less important than having a perfectly finish cars that can do thousands of KM and still look new. And this is also for new cars.
Up until about 2010 in the Netherlands there were many taxis in this model. You saw them everywhere. 730 740 (and even 750's) 735d 740d. Most of them in amazing spec. Midnight blue, chrome trim, M wheels, wood and black leather interior. We are blessed with a generous amount of german cars on the road. Porsche is basically the go to sportscar brand if you make it. Fun fact. A zero options base 911 is € 186.900 / $203.516. 80 grand more expensive compared to the US, dispte te fact that the factory is 300 miles from our border.
About 86 taxis are actually from 730i.
The Dutch government also used E38's for a long time
How much is the tax and registration for a USA import 911?
@@YOCOSMINMAX16 Good point. $120.000 usa 911 will be about $55.000 extra to import to the netherlands
@@MegaM563 Not bad, romanians use your ports for USA imports, you have a lower tax for that.
728iA is the best one. 2.8l inline six. Wonderful machine.
I was going to buy one, would've been a big upgrade over my Mazda.
I daily a 728i, owned for 6 years. Great on fuel, plenty of power surprisingly and it drives like a 7 series! Perfect!
A friend owned a manual 728i, and surprised me a lot how well the E38 went with the "small" six cylinder. The M52 2.8 is an awesome engine.
@@alfacorse728i MT worked better than AT.
@@alfacorseit went well because of manual. M52 does not belong in e38.
@@alfacorseit’s not that heavy of a car these days. Less than 1.7 tonnes!
I bought a black 2001 740il M Sport almost a year ago - I paid $13,500 CAD & it gets more looks at car shows than new $100,000+ sports cars. On coil overs & factory M-Parallel wheels. People really love & respect the E38. Sure it needs maintenance, but it’s an over all reliable car for a German that has nearly 200,000km now. I’m inlove.
Nice, I like those wheels, they look great on those cars.
My favorite BMW model.
E38 on MPARs are fantastic looking cars
This is one of the coolest BMWs I’ve seen in a long time, I love how simple and easy to use everything is. There is no complicated electronics to fail or unnecessary electronics. That is not necessary. Such a cool car!😅
Gorgeous car. This would be the 7 series I would get. No bs. Just four doors and a V8 and a 5 speed. No electronic screen nonsense. Yes please.
This car makes perfect sense to me! As others have said, leather seats are cold in winter, hot and sticky in summer: I'm happy with cloth. I much prefer manual seats; it may only be seconds, but waiting for electric seats to adjust just seems a waste of time when moving them yourself is actually very little effort ( TBH I never found manually winding down windows to be an unbearable chore!) Removing the weight of power seat motors and other luxury items, together with the improved efficiency of a manual gearbox means the smaller engine is adequate for drivers who don't feel they have something to prove every time they get behind the wheel!
The 728i (!) was the E38 base model here in Germany. An in-line 6 cylinder with 193 HP. These BMW six-cylinders were very popular back then. Really great engines. The 728 was even available as "iL" / long version.
My first car that my mom bought for me in high school was a 1995 740il e38. It was smooth and a fun car to drive despite how heavy it was. She got it for a deal in 2010 for $2800. One of the best cars I’ve ever driven.
Really like it when Doug finally does the outside-of-studio style review again
This car doesn't have all the electronic modules that can break. These are the best survivor cars to keep.
Owned one 730i with manual gearbox back in the day! Perfect car for daily use
I test drove one with the 4.4 v8. was a 97, selling for 4400$ in 2009. Was concerned with the gas mileage so I stuck with my old honda for an extra year but what a car! It had a corded phone in the central armrest, beautiful interior and the mirrors would lower automatically when reversing, very comfortable too.
are you talking about the 740i? that's the one my brother has, it's a ton of fun and actually has decent mileage for a 4.4 v8
Never heard of this model. In England the smallest 728i had all the toys. Crazy to see a stripper version in the USA.
The US models were also pretty much fully loaded as well. Automatic transmission, leather seats, a bigger V8 (or a V12 if you so choose), a sunroof and a trip computer. This one was imported from Europe.
It's a car from Spain.
I noticed they didn't sell the 725tds/725d in the UK, however you got the E38 730d in the UK, but its rare.
This is an 'individual' and was probably bought by someone old, who didn't wanted all the fancy gimmicks, but wanted a reliable car.
Really? I've never seen a diesel e38 in the UK. They must be rare.@@GoalSquad666
@@GoalSquad666You know how many right steering wheel cars are in eastern Europe. From UK. This is why you don't see them very often.
Depends on what you mean by "all the toys". If you mean literally all options, then no. No car did as standard, even the long wheel base v12
I owned a 1990 735i back in the day, right off the show room floor, bronze in color. It had a 208 horsepower straight six, and while not a tire burner, built speed quickly, like an Acela. It was quiet and smooth, and I loved it. Years later I traded it with 208,000 miles a lot of seller's remorse. What a great car.
Nice to see Doug out and about. Much less sterile than the concrete bunker.
He listened to the comments!
As a European I’d say it’s plenty luxurious enough. It’s got everything you need and nothing superfluous. Cloth seats don’t get hot like leather. It might not be quick but it’ll still sit at a 100mph all day long. What more is actually needed? Also little v8’s are the nuts, less weight moving around very quickly means it can all move more quickly and easily.
I’m a bit of an E38 nerd but fun fact there were a VERY few manual E38s sold in the states between 95 and 97. Once BMW realized they weren’t selling well/E38 owners want to be driven in it and not driving it, they stopped selling manual cars. But I’ve actually found only 1 or 2 manual E38s for sale ever
I loved the cabin air recirculation button on the steering wheel (my e39 had this). Simply a beautiful car, inside and out. Don't need the "luxury" options. Just give me a comfortable, solid, good looking car. With a manual, of course.
You have to remember this car was sold new back then with a BMW sticker price. I would want to get more for the higher price if you ask me. It's like now saying I would LOVE to pay 50k for a 1.2L 3 cylinder F150
@@Yvaneify If thats all you need, its fair enough I say.
@@GoldenCroc It probably won't even get out of its own way. That's the thing with most people, I want more if I pay more. I want a luxury car with luxury options that has a luxury car price. I am not gonna settle with a brokie spec when I pay top dollars.
@@Yvaneify Yes, but you are not paying top dollar. Its cheaper than the higher spec 7 series. For those that want and need more, well that choice is still there.
This is for those that dont care. Havent you seen lots of comments that say "just more stuff to break, I dont need it!"? Car review videos are often littered by them. More choice is a good thing.
@@Yvaneify When this car was new it was one step up from a Ford Scorpio with just a V6 but maybe more gadgets.
I am obsessed with base model luxury cars! So neat to see. For others around the world, bmw is just a normal car
Mercedes S280, be it W126 or W140 - I saw and drove a 140 with pretty much the same bare minimum equipment as the 7 series in this video.
Also, it had manual wind windows in the back.
You have to remember this car was sold new back then with a BMW sticker price. I would want to get more for the higher price if you ask me. It's like now saying I would LOVE to pay 50k for a 1.2L 3 cylinder F150
@@Skyisthelimit4me Hence why the brokie specs are super popular now? It no longer exists because most people buying these cars NEW want the luxury features when they are already paying top dollars for the brand logo. Personally, I want luxury if I buy luxury car, I want all the capabilities of a offroad car if I want to go offroad. If cost is my main concern, I would get a toyota
@@Yvaneify Wrong answer. First off, a "brokie" wouldn't be car shopping in a BMW showroom. Those older BMW's were more expensive than these new ones adjusted for inflation, because they were built better. That's why there's more of them on the road than any BMW's built between them and now. Second, you people don't control what auto manufacturers manufacture or how they manufacture it. The automotive media controls what they manufacture. Come back with some facts if you want to converse with me. Otherwise, you will be schooled over and over and over.
Just say you are broke.🤣🤣
Doug, E38 Shorty sporty owner here, the glovebox opens in two stages so the content is reachable from the driver’s seat.
Also, the rear seat belts are designed like so to avoid two rear passengers from heads bumping in a side collision.
I agree, the most beautiful sedan there is!
Re: the reversed rear seatbelts: I was always told it was to prevent rear passengers from hitting their heads together during an accident: providing maximum shoulder support in the center would cause your body to deflect away from the center, and therefore away from other rear seat passengers.
I always understood it was to help emergency response people freeing people from the rear seats.
About the seatbelts in the rear: the brochures back then also described it as a safety feature that the rear passengers would not bump into each other in a side impact, as the seatbelt would keep them in place 🙂
Some people just want the look/size without all the toys. This BMW is just about perfect; green, ‘small’ wheels, cloth seats and all !
That's the car my dad wanted to buy and hoped come to the US. He ended up getting the 740il to replace his 1st gen STS. I didn't understand the appeal and I appreciate you explaining it's as he passed away. I also appreciate you sharing our opinion that the that gen 7 series is the most beautiful luxury sedan ever.
His previous BMW was the first 2002 model bought in Ohio new that he ended up rolling with no serious injuries
Yes, I remember. I had a 1986 730i BUT with the straight 6. while I lived in Munich Germany. And it was considered VERY luxurious at the time. We even tought of it reasonable quick with its 188hp. And later I had the same as a 750i.
E32?
brillant! I happen to own the same idea as E39 5 series: 1997 520i german base model, 150HP base engine, manual transmission, oxford green, automatic A/C - that's it, the germans call this "Buchhalterausstattung" - accountant's configuration -> as cheap as possible. Love it :)
For the people confused as to why this car exists: BMW and Mercedes may be “luxury” brands in America but in Germany they are “mainstream,” just like Ford and Honda is to us. For us, a cloth seated stick shift 7 series would never sell (As dealers wouldn’t stock them even if such a trim existed here) but in Europe if you didn’t care about leather or power seats but wanted something with a bit more room that is why they offered this trim over there. I wouldn’t be surprised if the A/C was an extra cost option.
Disagree. Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche are premium brands in Europe too. And the fact that we have smaller engines in cars like 7 series or S class is because of EU eco regulations, taxes for big engines, in the past it was due to fuel prices. Budget brands in EU are, VW, Opel, Peugeot, Ford, Renault, Citroen, Fiat, Alfa Romeo (this one has always wanted to be premium), Skoda, Dacia, plus Asian brands. And if you compare the prices of cars in EU you notice, they are higher than in US, this is why cheap versions of premium cars exist. And last but not least back in the 90’s people you Europe used to pay by cash for the cars, so the price was important.
spot on, in europe if you decided to buy a big car is cuz you need the room, and most of the times that's the main purpose.
In usa poeple just buy huge cars even if they don't need em cuz fuel is cheaper and there is plenty of room for parking.
I think E36 is the last BMW that you could buy AC-less
Yes and no. In 1980's Germany those big base models BMW's and Mercedes had maybe the target group like Buick or Lincoln in the USA back then. Wealthy elderly people who didn't care about features but had enough money saved to buy a decent car. A BMW 7 series was not considered as a basic car like a Honda even in Bavaria.
@@p0sitiv467I was born in Germany, and Mercedes and BMW were like Ford and Chevy in the states. Most all my German relatives had a Beamer or a Benz and most were just base econo models with no bells and whistles. The Bigger Benz’s and Beamers were definitely considered luxury cruisers. But the smaller ones were just every day cars. Most all the taxis and police vehicles back then were Benz and Beamer. When I moved to the states I was never interested in Mercedes or BMW because in my mind they were “common” and boring. That was until I got smoked by an M3 in the 90’s while in my Camaro 😂. Well, things have definitely changed over the years. I’ve had 6 Mercedes over the years and own 2 currently. But from my recollection, they weren’t anything special at the time. Just good quality transportation.
This is one of the most elegant sedans ever built. Very timeless and therefore aged so well
The Transporter 1 Car!!!! 😎😎😎😎
Came here to say this!
No, he drove a 735i
He drove 740 disguised as 735
Cloth war actually a option in germany not the base. It was called "Wollvelours" and the idea was that cloth does not crumple your suit as much as leather did.
Back when BMW was decent
They went overboard with the generation that followed, and haven't gone back ever since.
I always associate this generation with Frank Martin from the first Transporter movie and 007 from Tomorrow never dies.
Back when they were truly the Ultimate Driving Machine
they were still nothing like Mercedes back in the days for built quality
Back when BMW wasn't selling SUVs to people who run over curbs and decorative rocks in the Starbucks drive thru
Appreciate you making videos on old cars and outside. Brings me back to your great olden days
Those are 2cent coins, several countries don't even use them here since they got basically no value, we just round everything to 0 or 5.
We are said to be getting rid of the penny here I think. Costs too much more to make than it's actual value.
I always collect them once a week from all my pockets and put them in a jar. 2019 I got around 50 €/$ after 1 year.
@@thepainter3575 I do the same for all the coins, rarely use cash thou, but it's several hundred euros per year.
@@iamatlantis1The penny will never go away in the USA unless coins go away full stop
Seems like the advantage this car has over other BMWs is there is so much less to go wrong. Cloth seats are vastly superior to leather in extreme weather. The green color was popular on Lexus and Infiniti sedans of the era.
The feeling when entry level 730i had a V8 engine... nowadays 750i only has a 6-cylinder
entry level was 728i or 725TDS
@@Krzysztof_88 true, so except for the entry level words the comment is true
wut? The 750i has a 4.4 V8, the 740i is the 6-cylinder (which has nearly twice the power of this V8)
@@Kenman884 that's previous generation. The latest gen G70 only the highest model 760i has a V8
There was also the 730d, my 80 year old father has his for the past 25 years. Little over 680000kms on the clock, still driving it daily.
The shape of the 7-series in the late 1990s was so much better looking than later models.
Peak BMW, Period.
I still own a BMW from that area, runs like a charm. No defect in the last 15 Years, only Oil, Breaks, Filters.
Comfortable, Fun to drive, reliable, manual...everything you need.
I love my 735i. Engine is a little bigger than this example. And I actually have almost all options. Soundproof windows massage seats sunroof etc etc. In the same color as this 730i and with matching green leather interior.
The e38 never had a 3.5 straight six. Mine has a 3.5 v8. Basically the same engine as the 740i. But just less displacement.
Nice
@@bryanhermens5244
My bad model before
Nice, never clicked faster on a video. Got a 735i. The even weirder V8 that’s sorta hidden in the lineup and succeeds the 730i. Got 235hp, 3.5 Litre
Thinking of getting a e39 or e46, but mannnn the e38… The prettiest of them all, I just don’t know where would I park it lol..
Controversial opinion: the E39 looks better
The steering and handling is infinitely more communicative in the e46 and e39. That said, the e38 feels like a pin sharp sports car compared the the newer 7s.
@@theodor12and built better. The E39 has the same sturdy construction as the E38. Everything feels very solid and well put together. The E46 feels a little cheaper in some areas.
@@theodor12 NAAAAAAHHHH
Get a 6 cylinder E39, best one being the 530i. Smaller engine in a bigger car, so it’s a little easier to work on. I have one, it has almost 175k miles, and still feels like a new car. The 6 cylinder engines from that era are some of the most reliable engines BMW has ever made. With that said, they do have their little issues, but most issues are already well documented and easily addressed.
Finally, the outdoor review again😍 makes all the interior beauty shine again🤣👍🏻
this generation 7er and the w140 were peak German flagships
I had this same 3.0 v8.
1995 530i went to this engine.
Its actually a blast and you can barely tell the difference between the 4.0
Those "small" wheels suit the car perfectly.
3:46 This green was a very common colour E38’s were sold
with here in Europe. I think Doug’s perspective about black/gray/silver were just the paints commonly chosen in North America. I have never seen a white E38 7-series for instance.
I took a drink every time Doug said, "de-contented." Just woke up on the floor with an empty bottle.
I’m from the Middle East and I have a relative who bought a brand new 1997 Mercedes S 280 with cloth seats and steel wheels with wheel covers 😃
I assume such base model full size German sedans were also designed for families because a 3 or 5 series sedan was pretty tight on rear legroom, especially with tall German families haha
It was usually old people who wanted a big but reliable car, without any electronic crap to break; kinda like how americans used to buy large but cheaply made sedans until the crossover boom
Absolutely loved my 2000 728i here in the UK when I owned it early 2010 to late 2011 - first ever BMW too! Ok it needed a full suspension overhaul; a sill replacing and a full brake overhaul. But got those done quickly (lowered it slightly on BC coilovers, but had them fitted and set up professionally); retained the 18" Style 32 staggered alloys with chunky tyres. The car drove & handled superbly
Might have only been the straight 6 M52 engine; but it soon got to license losing speeds here in the UK and would sit on the motorway at 80 with zero issues
Such a great car and a superb way to get into BMW 👌🏼
Today I heard the word "de-contented" more than any other day
I had such a car (1994) in Calypso red, albeit an automatic. Not a rocket ship but a lovely old cruiser. Whilst I own and cherish an E32, for me the early E38 is the best looking 7 Series.
In the UK all E38's were automatic and leather+electric seats were standard. The previous E32 was available with cloth+manual on 6 cylinder cars.
That one has a 99 model year front grille fitted.
Also the 735i with a manual transmission it was featured on the 1st Transporter movie with Jason Statham
Back then, not the gadgets made this a luxury car, i'm happy that Doug realized this driving it. Models with so few extras are extremely rare, i only spot 2 optional extras, the xenon lights and the walnut trim (the free option was Californian redwood). These wheels also given away for free by E38 parting shops where i live, this was the most common on pre-fl cars, nobody wants them, but the color has nothing to do with engine and equipment, Oxford is very common among 750i's.
The panel to conceal the radio must have been a security measure to prevent radio head unit theft. If potential radio thieves didn't see it, they wouldn't bother breaking in.
My '97 540i Sport had the same cover. I always thought of it as a design element. It continued the wood from the door across the dashboard in a more or less uninterrupted line. BMW stereos were basically useless unless you had the code to reactivate it after the power was interrupted. You didn't want to lose that code.
I've had my '94 E38 730i from 2007 to 2012, for sure the best car I've ever owned. Mine had leather seats, sunroof and the phone in the armrest, so despite being 730 was not such base model. Engine was great, especially with the manual transmission. The rear seatbelts were really great for securing child seats, really comfortable in this arrangement.
As a big fan of European car brands like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, this basic idea always frustrated me as an American. When I first visited family friends in Europe in 1997 as a teenager, I was surprised to see that my friends had a Mercedes with a cloth interior and basic features. It was still a beautiful well-engineered car, but in the U.S. it seems like it’s not deemed worth it to import more basic models of these brands. If they come over, I think the company assumes that if something in the U.S. is going to buy that brand, they want ALL of the bells and whistles so to speak. In as nice as those are, I for one would love to buy some more affordable models like this. I guess it’s just weighing the economics of it for the car companies, and thinking that basic models wouldn’t sell in the U.S. And overall, they’re probably correct. But personally I’d be one who would buy one.
I saw a Mercedes-Benz W140 S280 manual with cloth seats and that orangery wood trim.
Yeah, that's probably the reason. Also, their profit margins are higher on the fully-loaded models. It probably costs them $5-10k more to make the fully loaded model, but they charge $20-30k more for it.
BMW and MC did not want to "devalue the brand image" in America.
@@fortheloveofnoise The brand image of BMW in the U.K. is that indicator bulbs are an optional extra 🙂
Hi Dough. I am a car enthusiast from Spain, specially BMW (until very recently...). I have seen the manual books in spanish. The thing is BMW during those years sold their entire range only with automatic climate control. Those manual air conditioning controls never made it here. It is a great car. Cloth is not so bad in hot weather. My dad had an e32 735i manual. I could drive it in my early years. It was a delight. Thanks for your videos!
Well, this was a 90s German car...back in those days everything was optional on those, you'd be lucky to get 4 wheels without having to pay extra. I mean, the base model S-Class in the late 80s didn't have power windows nor mirrors, no radio, no central locking doors, no alloy wheels (15" steel with covers), no A/C at all, no tinted windows, nothing like that. And don't even think about true luxuries like leather, cruise control or power seats. It did have ABS standard, which was quite unique at the time. And at least it did have a 5-speed manual gearbox, while on the E-series (W124) you'd only get a 4-speed in the base model...
As for the engine, it's still kinda ironic that in the US where speeds are generally low and it's all about comfortably cruising around everyone is obsessed with big, powerful engines, while over in Germany you'll see this lowly 730i going 200+ at the Autobahn....
Beautiful car still. the 7-series never looked better than this. Rare proof that Germans are actually capable of designing elegant cars.
All S-classes of late 80's had right mirror with power, 4 power windows and central locking as standard. Even a base w123 had central locking as standard. At least the later ones. The earlier pre facelift w126 could be had with manual rear windows though as you say.
The w124 could be had with a 5 speed from its launch. Was standard here in Sweden even on the 200.
@@martinsvensson6884 It might just differ from country to country even within Europe, just like the US version clearly did. Not to long ago there wa an article in a Dutch car magazine about a guy who bought a brand new W126 back in the 80s with metallic paint being the only option.....and he's still driving it almost four decades later. He wanted a car that would last, and back in the day didn't trust anything electric. Apparently they even offered him a few options for free since it was kinda a hassle to get a car without those (no one ever orders a stock S-Class after all....), but he didn't budge....
So yes, he still had a W126 with 4 cranks to open the windows. Which might just be the only one ever in the country...
@@WizardOfOss Yes but it was probably a pre-facelift.. But yes some stuff differ between different countries.
@@martinsvensson6884 honestly can't remember if it was a pre or post facelift model. Should have a look if I can find that particular magazine...
This is true for European market. I'd look at W124s from time to time and A LOT of them had 4 speed transmissions, like, Yugos in the late 80s abandoned 4 speed and were all 5 speed, and then you have a Mercedes that costs 20 times as much and has a 4 speed transmission. Weird
Just look how BEAUTIFUL that side profile looks. I'm commenting on the thumbnail only. That's how a car should look for me
You had me at manual transmission, and I love the color.
Luxury to me means build quality, comfortable ride, elegant style and quietness so this spec makes perfect sense.
8:05 The panel is a stylish way to keep dust/grime out of the cassette deck. Dust/grime on pickups is still a bad thing.
Back when BMW made good and good looking cars!
This is good looking? That's just sad.
The missing display was not an OBC, it was for the DSP (sound) settings, like different room presets. The OBC was in the headunit/MID
Manual cloth seats on a 7 Series is crazy
Exactly. You have to remember this car was sold new back then with a BMW sticker price. I would want to get more for the higher price if you ask me. It's like now saying I would LOVE to pay 50k for a 1.2L 3 cylinder F150
It’s not, cloth was also standard on the S class. Personally much prefer cloth. My current V60 Volvo has the optional wool/cloth interior, an option from the standard leather.
@@MaximilianvonPinneberg No one cares. Luxury is true leather and electric seats.
@@Lorentz_DriverElectric seats are a scam...slow, and more prone to failure...I can instantly get my seat to the correct position if it is manual, electronic seats are for chumps
@@Lorentz_Driver I disagree. Unless it’s Connolly or Poltrona Frau. Most leather feels like plastic and doesn’t wear well.
I just love the color, and most importantly the manual transmission. The Europeans always seem to get the better cars. Cloth seats are much better in the summer time as they don't stick to your skin. I much prefer the smaller wheels, as larger tire sidewalls makes for a much better ride, and your much less likely to curb a wheel. This generation is BMW is my favorite. I would buy this if I could afford it. Thank you.
These coins in the armrest are called "cents". I come from Germany and even for us Germans it is rather rare to see an E38 with a manual transmission. very interesting
Those are 2 Cents coins , not 2 Euro coins.
Back in the day, you had that relative (great uncle, grandfather etc.) that was from the "Silent Generation".
They drove a base (but late-model) car, pinched every single penny, and always cheaped-out during gift giving season.
But, you knew they were absolutely loaded ($$$).
_THIS_ was their ideal car.
Here before "Doug is the kind of guy...." Jokes
The mental asylum hasn’t woken its patients yet
It looks gorgeous in that green, lovely classic BMW styling. It's a bit like a British Racing Green.
2 Euro coins... 😭
5:34 broken plastic on seat controls, 9:51 shattered plastic around corners and serious cracking
If you have seen the newer ones, I would take those two flaws over a new one any day. That being said, I would never own a BMW, Mercedes Audi, VW etc. Endless money pits.
And the car is 30 years old and comes from a hot country.
These are the kinds of cars we need today. Absolutely base versions of larger luxury cars. Id by this all day long.
Back in those days, BMW was known in Europe for having very basic entry-level trims for their cars compared to their main rivals, Audi and Mercedes. Nowadays it's probably the same for all of them but if you put that together with the fact that the Spanish car market is extremely competitive in price (it is the second largest car manufacturer in Europe after all), most brands have great incentive releasing an even more basic entry-level trim compared to Germany or the UK for instance.
Reminded me of the ( Transporter) movie
We loved that manual transmission car
I love this car so freaking much. I could drive it forever and be happy every day.
What you have to remember is that at home in Germany many BMWs (& Mercs) were common as muck due to popular usage as taxis