[Jason]

This is 2020 BMW 750Li, and it meets its grandfather, the E38 2001 740i, which costs far less and is rear wheel drive. Both are V8s, and both are BMW flagships of their time. But can the old one stack up, and is the new one worth the massive premium? James and Thomas jump behind the wheel of both to experience them and discuss them inside and out.

[Bahn360Photo]

Unfortunately 2001 740 is so ridiculously unreliable that it's not even worth owning, besides just looking at it sitting pretty.

[Cortexiphan]

Old one: Passable on the outside, awful in the inside.
E46 from that era looks much better in and out.

The new 7 series is an amazing monster. With the new grills, it looks sublime, imposing and almost scary for whoever is blocking you on the left lane.

[Salty Dog]

The Grill.....

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Bahn360Photo

Unfortunately 2001 740 is so ridiculously unreliable that it's not even worth owning, besides just looking at it sitting pretty.

Perhaps but it can be driven via remote while you hide in the backseat protected from gunfire!!

[Al Pinã]

Originally Posted by Salty Dog

The Grill.....

Yeah, this things looks so hideous......

[Staszek]

Since I own both I am eager to watch and see their opinion! Well, 2019 not 2020.

Here's a few shots. I maintained the hell out of this car, its been awesome.

[M_Six]

I had a 2001 740iL. Loved it when it was running properly. Unfortunately that was not common. It seemed it needed repairs monthly.

[Hasser]

got the 728i to go with my M5.

spent more on the 7 than the 5 over the time to keep it going.

[OnlyGerman]

Originally Posted by Staszek

Since I own both I am eager to watch and see their opinion! Well, 2019 not 2020.

Here's a few shots. I maintained the hell out of this car, its been awesome.

Old is gold

[MUFCbmwbear]

E38 740i Msport 🥰

[Amacher]

[IMG][/IMG]

This is my beauty, under 79k miles, pristinely maintained and has never missed a check up or tune up. Birarritz Blue individual paint and Grau leather interior. What do you all think of her?

Rhein

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by Amacher

[IMG][/IMG]

This is my beauty, under 79k miles, pristinely maintained and has never missed a check up or tune up. Birarritz Blue individual paint and Grau leather interior. What do you all think of her?

Rhein

Is that a custom fit M5 bumper?

[TboneS54]

Beautiful. BMWs from the 90s are pure class (at least aesthetically )

[Germanauto]

Anybody else feel that the past two generations of 7-series never recaptured the glory of the E38 and dare I say...E65?

I know the Bangle model was shocking to say the least, but in hindsight it was very innovative and after the LCI I found it to be quite stunning. The 7er seems to have fallen behind the S-class ever since.

[KevinM]

I love the E38. Such a timeless luxury sedan. A guy on M5Board dropped an S62 engine and a manual transmission from an E39 M5 in one...fantastic stuff.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

100% agree, S-Class has been very far ahead for a while now. The S-Class has the elegant design inside and out that the 7-series lacks (especially with the new front end, which doesn't work as BMW is trying to mix two different eras of design language onto one car), and just feels more special and different from the other Mercedes. A new S-Class is coming out next year I believe and it will likely further the gap between the two. BMW just needs to do something different with the 7-series, the current formula just doesn't seem to make it a better car than the rest of the class, and clearly it isn't the handling king it once was so BMW needs to refocus their efforts.

This generation has always felt like a lazy effort overall. It's certainly a good car and improved over its predecessor, but it's lacking that X factor which the Merc brings to the table. I still remember revealing spy shots of this car being panned on this forum. It really doesn't look much different from the F01 generation or the smaller 5-series. Interior design is also quite boring. The tech and materials/build quality are first class, but that's not enough when the Merc just "feels" more special overall.

They had to do something radical with the LCI because nobody really paid any attention to this generation. At least they got people talking about it now. The 7er is really the weak spot in BMW's portfolio, as the rest of their vehicles are among the best in their respective segments.

[adc]

I would love to have a 740iL with the E39 M5 drivetrain, manual gearbox included. Would be an interesting drive, and a real conversation starter...

I hear UUC did a 750i 6sp conversion many years ago...

[AKSteve]

My Dad has a 1991 BMW 750iL that he refuses to sell because it has a V12 engine in it. I told him once that the car basically has two inline 6 cylinder engines joined at the crank. So...he got pulled over for speeding once and his excuse was, "But officer, of course I was speeding. I couldn't help it. My car has TWO engines!" He still got a ticket.

Btw, that car's engine makes the coolest "ZIIIING!" sound when you start it up.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Perhaps but it can be driven via remote while you hide in the backseat protected from gunfire!!

You need one of these for the controller..

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Anybody else feel that the past two generations of 7-series never recaptured the glory of the E38 and dare I say...E65?

I know the Bangle model was shocking to say the least, but in hindsight it was very innovative and after the LCI I found it to be quite stunning. The 7er seems to have fallen behind the S-class ever since.

Disagree. The E65 was and still hideous. I know it was the best selling 7er of all time but that car was just an eye sore.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

This generation has always felt like a lazy effort overall. It's certainly a good car and improved over its predecessor, but it's lacking that X factor which the Merc brings to the table. I still remember revealing spy shots of this car being panned on this forum. It really doesn't look much different from the F01 generation or the smaller 5-series. Interior design is also quite boring. The tech and materials/build quality are first class, but that's not enough when the Merc just "feels" more special overall.

They had to do something radical with the LCI because nobody really paid any attention to this generation. At least they got people talking about it now. The 7er is really the weak spot in BMW's portfolio, as the rest of their vehicles are among the best in their respective segments.

G11 7er rides and drives much better than current and out going S Class.

The Mercedes fanboy is strong around here.