BMW 7 Series (E32)

In July 1986, BMW introduced the second generation of the 7 series, known internally as the E32. Aimed at the high end of the luxury market, the car offered some of the latest innovations in automotive technology, and (beginning in 1987) a new, top-of-the-line V12 engine. Some luxury options featured on the E32 included integrated telephone and fax machines, a wine cooler, double glazing, traction control system, and a system that automatically increased spring pressure on the windshield wipers, to keep them firmly pressed on the glass at Autobahn speeds. The E32 (750i) was the first car adhering to BMW's self-imposed speed limit of 250 km/h (155.37 mph).

The car was also available in a stretched version (indicated by an 'L' from German Lang, after the model number), in which case an extra 11.4 centimetres (4.5 in) of leg room was available to the rear passengers by stretching the rear doors, and the body at this point.

Notable versions

750iL Highline

The BMW 750iL Highline was the top-of-the-line model of the E32, with lots of added luxury for the rear passengers like full leather, dual radio controls, dual climate control with coolbox mounted in the center console, electrically heated and adjustable rear seats, walnut veneer folding tables, two crystal glasses neatly placed in the coolbox, legrests, and sun shade all around the rear/side windows. Complete with independent heating and ventilation, it also added a second battery in the trunk and a second alternator to provide power for all these luxuries. The 'Highline' option package cost more than €10,000, and was only available on the 750iL, bringing the total price to well over twice that of a 'basic' 730i ('basic' to be taken in context).

767iL Goldfish prototype

The 767iL Goldfish was a single prototype of E32 car powered with V16 engine. It was conceived in 1987 and built by the end of 1988. Because of the length of the engine cooling system (radiator) was moved to the trunk and additional vents were added at the rear.

Alpina models

German tuning company Alpina was manufacturing 3 main models based on the E32 series cars. Those were B11 3.5 (3 engine versions), B11 4.0 and B12 5.0. In addition to tuned up engines and suspension they were distinguishable by bodykit, pinstripping and trademark Alpina wheels.

Powertrain

The E32 7-series cars were offered with 5 gasoline engines.

At the car's introduction, the 730 and 735 used the straight-6 M30 engine, while the 750 featured the all-new M70 V12 engine which produced 300 bhp (224 kW; 304 PS).

In 1992, a new 32-valve V8 engine was introduced, the M60. The 730i got this engine in a 3-liter version, while the new 740i got the 4-liter version. Both versions were coupled to a new, 5 speed automatic transmission made by ZF.

In some countries (notably in the USA and UK), there were problems with the M60 engine because of exscessive sulfur amount in gasoline, causing corrosion problems in its Nikasil cylinder block. The cylinder lining would quickly wear, causing the engine to lose compression, which caused rough idling and eventually the engine would fail to start. Engines were replaced under warranty; the problem was corrected by using a different material, Alusil. In the USA and UK sulfur rich fuel is being phased out. Nikasil engines are unlikely to be a problem today, as cars with affected engines are off the road or have received replacement engines.

Externally, the BMW 'kidney' grille indicated which engine was present under the hood: all 6-cylinder models had a narrow grille, and all 8- and 12-cylinder models had the wider version. This feature was not seen on later models (the E38 used a wide grille for all models). The narrow grille was available as an option on the 8 and 12 cylinder E32 models.

BMW E32 735i (note narrow grille)

BMW E32 740i (note wide grille)

The 740i speed was electronically limited at 240 km/h (149 mph) to distinguish it from the flagship vehicle 750i. The 740i E38 which used the same engine as 740i E32 had speed limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

Engines specifications and performance

Model	Engine Code	Engine Type	Displacement (cc)	Bore/Stroke (mm)	Comp. Ratio	Power	Torque	0–100 km/h (s)	Top Speed (km/h)	Years made
730i	M30B30	I6 12V SOHC	2986	89/80	9.0:1	188 PS (138 kW; 185 hp) @ 5800	260 N·m (190 lb·ft) @ 4000	10.6 (auto) 9.3 (manual)	223 (manual)	1986–1994
735i	M30B35	I6 12V SOHC	3430	92/86	9.0:1	211 PS (155 kW; 208 hp) @ 5700	305 N·m (225 lb·ft) @ 4000	9.1 (auto) 8.3 (manual)	228 (auto) 231 (manual)	1986–1992
730i V8	M60B30	V8 32V 2×DOHC	2997	84/67.6	10.5:1	218 PS (160 kW; 215 hp) @ 5800	290 N·m (210 lb·ft) @ 4500	9.3 (auto) 8.5 (manual)	233	1992–1994
740i	M60B40	V8 32V 2×DOHC	3982	89/80	10.0:1	286 PS (210 kW; 282 hp) @ 5800	400 N·m (300 lb·ft) @ 4500	7.4	240*	1992–1994
750i	M70B50	V12 24V SOHC	4988	84/75	8.8:1	300 PS (220 kW; 300 hp) @ 5200	450 N·m (330 lb·ft) @ 4100	7.4	250*	1987–1994
767i	Goldfish	V16 32V SOHC	6651	84/75	8.8:1	408 PS (300 kW; 402 hp) @ 5200	637 N·m (470 lb·ft) @ 3900	6.0	280	1988
* = electronically limited         Performance figures may differ for long models and gearing

Transmissions specifications

BMW M30 I6 engine

BMW M70 V12 engine

	730i I6	735i I6	730i V8	740i V8	750i V12
Speed (gear) ratios
Manual	Getrag 260	Getrag 260	Getrag
1	3,83	3,83	4,20
2	2,20	2,20	2,49
3	1,40	1,40	1,66
4	1,00	1,00	1,24
5	0,81	0,81	1,00
Rear axle	3,46	3,46	3,89
Automatic	ZF 4HP22	ZF 4HP22	ZF 5HP18	ZF 5HP30	ZF 4HP24
1	2,48	2,48	3,67	3,55	2,48
2	1,48	1,48	2,00	2,24	1,48
3	1,00	1,00	1,41	1,54	1,00
4	0,73	0,73	1,00	1,00	0,73
5			0,74	0,79
Rear axle	2,09	2,09	4,10	3,68	2,09
Fluid capacity (L)
Manual	1,25	1,25	1,25
Automatic	3,0	3,0	3,0		3,5
Rear axle	1,7	1,9	1,7	1,9	1,9

Related cars

The E34 5 series, introduced in 1989, has design clues to the E32, some engines and other parts are shared between the two cars.

The E31 8 series features some of the E32 engines: M60 V8 and M70 V12.