Performance Review: BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto - [1998]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 7 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1998. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the .This particular BMW 7 Series has a 4398cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 7 Series shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 7 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1750 kgs (3858 lbs) this makes the BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 7 Series shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4398cc 32V V8 engine produces 286 bhp (213 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 325 lb-ft (440.6 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 7 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport 2d (188.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 7 Series.

The BMW 7 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 163.4 bhp per ton and 185.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1998 7 Series competing with the 2006 BMW Z4 3.0si Sport 2d (188.4 bhp per ton) or the 1990 Mercedes E Class 500 W124 (188.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 7 Series generating around 185.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1961 Jaguar E Type 3.8l Coupe (210.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (210.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.2 secs, this made the BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto as fast as the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs). This BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the and the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 7 Series and the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 2

When talking about the performance of the BMW 7 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.09 secs @ 90.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 (15.03 secs), the 1988 BMW 3 Series M3 Evolution E30 (15.04 secs), and the 2003 Nissan 350Z Coupe (15.04 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1998 version of the BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 1998 7 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1998 BMW 7 Series 740i E38 Auto then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

1998 7 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison