BMW 7 Series: history, nicknames and how to spot one

At a glance

143–650 hpPower

3.6–10.8 s0–100 km/h

204–330 km/hTop speed

215–1,100 N·mTorque

1,470–2,689 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.^{2,3,5,10,16,17}

Engine: 2.0–6.6 L gasoline/diesel I4, I6, V8 and V12; hybrids; dual-motor i7^3,10
Layout: Combustion: front engine, RWD or AWD; i7: dual-motor AWD^3,10
Gearbox: Manual; 3–8-speed automatic; i7 M70: fixed-ratio single-speed^3,5,10
Built at: Dingolfing plant, Germany (birthplace since 1977)^7,10
Units built: E23: 285,029; E32: 311,068; E38: 340,242; E65: 343,073^2,4,5,16

The story

Built to succeed the E3 New Six in 1977, BMW's flagship sedan previews the brand's next moves: the E65 introduced iDrive, and the G70 brought the electric i7 in 2022.^1,4

GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones^{1,2,4,5,10,15,16,19,25}

Show the numbers

Year	What happened
1968–1977	BMW New Six (E3)
1977–1986	BMW 7 Series (E23) (E23)
1986–1994	BMW 7 Series (E32) (E32)
1994–2001	BMW 7 Series (E38) (E38)
2001–2008	BMW 7 Series (E65/E66) (E65/E66/E67/E68)
2008–2015	BMW 7 Series (F01/F02) (F01/F02/F03/F04)
2015–2022	BMW 7 Series (G11/G12) (G11/G12)
2022–present	BMW 7 Series / i7 (G70/G73)
1977	E23 arrives with Check/Control
1987	750i revives the German production V12
2001	E65 puts iDrive at center stage
2011	740i outsprints the V8-powered 750i
2015	Carbon Core and Gesture Control arrive
2017	Key-fob parking and Edition 40 Jahre
2022	G70 brings i7 as the V12 bows out
2023	650 hp for the i7 M70 xDrive
2026	Neue Klasse tech for the 2027 7 Series

1977
E23 arrives with Check/Control
The first 7 Series replaces the E3 New Six. Its 730 introduces Check/Control to monitor fluid levels, lights and brake-lining wear.^5,6,7
1987
750i revives the German production V12
The E32 750i debuts a 5.0-liter V12 with 296 hp and 450 Nm, Germany's first postwar production V12.^2,8
2001
E65 puts iDrive at center stage
The E65 debuts iDrive, gathering climate, navigation, seat heating and telephone controls around a central knob.⁴
2011
740i outsprints the V8-powered 750i
The 315-hp 740i beats the 750i to 60 mph, 5.1 versus 5.2 seconds. EPA city/highway: 17/25 mpg, versus 15/22 for the 750i and 17/26 for ActiveHybrid 7.⁹
2015
Carbon Core and Gesture Control arrive
The G11/G12's Carbon Core mixes carbon fiber, steel and aluminum; Gesture Control debuts, while lightweight design cuts up to 86 kg versus its predecessor.^10,11
2017
Key-fob parking and Edition 40 Jahre
The 7 Series gains optional key-fob remote parking; Dingolfing builds 200 Edition 40 Jahre cars.^7,12
2022
G70 brings i7 as the V12 bows out
The G70 adds the all-electric i7; BMW also ends its production V12 era with The Final V12, a 12-car M760i xDrive send-off for the US.^1,13,14
2023
650 hp for the i7 M70 xDrive
The 2024 i7 M70 xDrive offers 650 hp, estimated 0–60 mph in 3.5 seconds, 101.7 usable kWh, 195-kW DC charging and up to 475 km of estimated EPA range.³
2026
Neue Klasse tech for the 2027 7 Series
The 2027 range opens with i7 50 xDrive, i7 60 xDrive, 740 and 740 xDrive. Dingolfing production starts in July; 750e xDrive follows in Q1 2027.¹⁵

Every generation

E31968–1977
E231977–1986
E321986–1994
E381994–2001
E65/E66/E67/E682001–2008
F01/F02/F03/F042008–2015
G11/G122015–2022
G70/G732022–present

Power over the years

From 168 hp to 650 hp in 47 years.

^{2,3,4,5,10,14,17,18,19,20}

Show the numbers

Year	Horsepower	Model
1977	168	728
1980	248	745i turbo (Europe)
1987	296	750i V12
1995	282	740i: third of five, 8.4s 0–60 mph
1999	424	Alpina B12 6.0
2004	493	Alpina B7, supercharged V8
2009	536	760i/Li, twin-turbo V12
2011	500	Alpina B7, twin-turbo V8
2017	600	Alpina B7 xDrive
2019	389	745e/745Le hybrid
2022	601	M760i xDrive Final V12 (US)
2024	650	i7 M70 xDrive

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

Standard

E38 728i / 740i / iL / L7

1994–2001
Performance

E23 745i Turbo (Europe)

1980–1986

248 hp
Performance

i7 M70 xDrive

2024

650 hp
Performance

Alpina B7
Performance

E32 Alpina B11 / B12

1987–1994
Special

740iL Protection

2000–2001

282 hp
Performance

Alpina B12 5.7 (E38)

1995–1998

382 hp

202 built
Limited

Edition 40 Jahre

2017

200 built
Limited

Hydrogen 7 (E68)

2007

260 hp

100 built
Performance

Alpina B12 6.0 (E38)

1999–2001

424 hp

94 built
Limited

M760i Final V12

2022

601 hp

12 built

How to spot one

Look for

E32 V12s use wide kidneys and rectangular exhaust tips; V8s also have the wide grille.²
E65: a high, projecting trunk lid gives the rear its Bangle Butt profile.^4,23
G11/G12: the front-fender Air Breather links to a chrome strip along the lower doors.¹¹
G70: split headlights place slim light strips above dark, recessed main headlamps.^1,13

Year by year

E23: September 1982 / 1983 MY
Kidney grilles become wider and more angular, with revised bumper bars and front valance.⁵
E38: 1999 (from Sep. 1998)
Slimmer headlights, revised taillights and new wheel designs distinguish the facelift.^16,24
E38: 2001 (US)
Clear turn-signal lenses replace amber, while side skirts and bumper faces become body-colored instead of black.¹⁶
E65/E66: March 2005
The facelift reshapes both ends, changes the lights and tones down the raised trunk lid.⁴
G11/G12: 2019 / 2020 MY
A 40% larger grille, sleeker headlights and a central stripe linking the rear lamps mark the update.¹⁰
2027 model year
A slimmer, more upright grille gains a horizontal graphic; smaller lower headlights sit vertically near the outer edges.¹⁵

Don’t confuse it with

7 Series
Mercedes S-Class
Mercedes S-Class
Both can have a raised, layered trunk; the E65 has BMW's twin kidneys and hooked rear side-window line.²³

Against its rivals

7 Series vs Infiniti Q45 (1995)

0–97 km/h lower is better

7 Series8.4 s

Infiniti Q45 (1995)7.8 s
¹⁷
7 Series vs Jaguar XJ6 (1995)

0–97 km/h lower is better

7 Series8.4 s

Jaguar XJ6 (1995)8.1 s
¹⁷
7 Series vs Mercedes-Benz E420 (1995)

Price as tested lower is better

7 Series$66,837

Mercedes-Benz E420 (1995)$55,130
¹⁷

Prices

Value today $7.7K–$8.2K^28,29

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale

^{9,11,13,14,16,17,19,28,29,31,32,33,34,35,36}

Show the numbers

Year	Price	Amount	Detail
1995	Price when new	$60,952	US 740i base
2001	Price when new	$64,420	US 740i, optioned window sticker
2011	Price when new	$81,625	US 740i, as tested
2013	Price when new	$159,695	US 760Li V12 25th Anniversary
2016	Price when new	$82,295	US 740i base, incl. destination
2016	Price when new	$98,395	US 750i xDrive base, incl. dest.
2022	Price when new	$200,000	US M760i Final V12, excl. dest.
2023	Price when new	$93,300	US 740i base, excl. destination
2023	Price when new	$113,600	US 760i xDrive base, excl. dest.
2023	Price when new	$119,300	US i7 xDrive60 base, excl. dest.
2025	Auction sale	$8,200	1983 733i 5-speed, 118k mi on replacement odo, BaT
2025	Auction sale	$4,900	2004 745i, 62k miles shown, BaT
2025	Auction sale	$58,500	2018 Alpina B7 xDrive, 42k miles, BaT
2025	Auction sale	$21,000	2014 750Li M Sport, 39k miles, BaT
2025	Auction sale	$9,733	1982 733i, 79k miles shown, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$7,740	2001 740i, 121k miles, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$4,507	1988 735i 5-speed, 298k shown, TMU, BaT
2026	Auction sale	$13,253	2000 750iL, 93k miles, BaT
2026	Value today	$7,740–$8,200

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

Versions
- Why each of the 11 versions matters
Legend
- 14 stories from its legend
- “A 745i won South Africa's Group One title”
- “The phone-driven 750iL hid a back-seat driver”
Generations
- The story of each of the 8 generations
Market
- 6 things to check before buying one
- Where prices are heading, and why

Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 36 sources

BMW 7 Series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
BMW 7 Series (E32) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
The BMW i7 M70 xDrive. press.bmwgroup.com
BMW 7 Series (E65) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
BMW 7 Series (E23) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
Luxury and elegance: 30 years of the BMW 7 Series. press.bmwgroup.com
Luxury, elegance and dynamism by tradition: The BMW 7 Series Edition 40 Jahre. press.bmwgroup.com
25 years of BMW 12-cylinder engines: setting new standards in the luxury class. press.bmwgroup.com
BMW 7-series Review: 2011 BMW 740i Test  Car and Driver caranddriver.com
BMW 7 Series (G11) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
The All-New BMW 7 Series press.bmwgroup.com
Used BMW 7 Series (Mk6, G11, 2015-2022) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
The new BMW 7 Series. press.bmwgroup.com
The 2022 BMW M760i Final V12. press.bmwgroup.com
The New BMW 7 Series. press.bmwgroup.com
BMW 7 Series (E38) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
1995 Luxury Car Comparison Test: Hedonistic Hustle caranddriver.com
Alpina B12 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
BMW 7 Series (F01) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
Power, Dynamics and Luxury combined for class-leading performance and a superior driving experience – the all-new 2017 BMW ALPINA B7 xDrive. press.bmwgroup.com
BMW 740iL Protection — Car and Driver caranddriver.com
BMW INTRODUCES WORLD'S FIRST HYDROGEN-DRIVE LUXURY PERFORMANCE CAR FOR EVERYDAY USE - THE BMW HYDROGEN 7 press.bmwgroup.com
Chris Bangle, BMW's Design Chief - Interview - Motor Trend motortrend.com
BMW E38 7 Series Trouble- Drive-My Blogs - Drive drive-my.com
BMW E3 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
Legendary BMW 745i Winfield race cars make a special appearance at the BMW M media track experience in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. press.bmwgroup.com
The Transporter made many young BMW fans bmwblog.com
No Reserve: 2001 BMW 740i for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,740 on May 13, 2026 (Lot #242,312) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
No Reserve: 1983 BMW 733i 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,200 on October 17, 2025 (Lot #215,302) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
Buying an E32 BMW 7 Series? Things to Look For bmwblog.com
No Reserve: 1988 BMW 735i 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $4,507 on October 7, 2026 (Lot #267,049) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
2018 BMW Alpina B7 xDrive for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $58,500 on November 14, 2025 (Lot #219,750) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
Single-Family-Owned 1982 BMW 733i for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,733 on June 18, 2025 (Lot #196,725) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
No Reserve: 2000 BMW 750iL for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,253 on June 19, 2026 (Lot #248,567) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
No Reserve: 2004 BMW 745i for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $4,900 on December 30, 2025 (Lot #225,411) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
No Reserve: 39k-Mile 2014 BMW 750Li M Sport for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $21,000 on September 10, 2025 (Lot #209,335) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com

en.wikipedia.org
press.bmwgroup.com
caranddriver.com
autoexpress.co.uk
motortrend.com
drive-my.com
bmwblog.com
bringatrailer.com

At a glance

The story

E23 arrives with Check/Control

750i revives the German production V12

E65 puts iDrive at center stage

740i outsprints the V8-powered 750i

Carbon Core and Gesture Control arrive

Key-fob parking and Edition 40 Jahre

G70 brings i7 as the V12 bows out

650 hp for the i7 M70 xDrive

Neue Klasse tech for the 2027 7 Series

Every generation

Power over the years

Versions

E38 728i / 740i / iL / L7

E23 745i Turbo (Europe)

i7 M70 xDrive

Alpina B7

E32 Alpina B11 / B12

740iL Protection

Alpina B12 5.7 (E38)

Edition 40 Jahre

Hydrogen 7 (E68)

Alpina B12 6.0 (E38)

M760i Final V12

How to spot one

Look for

Year by year

Don’t confuse it with

Mercedes S-Class

Against its rivals

Prices

The rest of the story is in the app

Versions

Legend

Generations

Market

Sources

Photo credits

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