Filed under unintended consequences: BMW's current 7 Series (e38) is so controversially styled that it's ballooned the value of its predecessor. Not that the old car is unworthy. The '95-'01 740/750 Series are spacious and luxurious, but also deep down driver's cars that mix good reflexes with expected levels of refinement and comfort. Great cars, in other words.

The previous-gen 7 arrived in '95 after a visual freshening that logically made it look like the 5's bigger brother. As before, the 7 could be had with the 4.0-liter/282-horse V-8 shared with the 5 Series or a newly enlarged 5.4-liter/328-horsepower V-12. There were two wheelbases, the 5.5-inch-longer version reserved for the 740iL (V-8) and 750iL (V-12), with the additional length making the rear-passenger area positively cavernous. The short-wheelbase model came only with the silky V-8. For one year, '96, just the long-wheelbase cars were imported.

BMW continually developed E38 model, enlarging the V-8 to 4.4 liters in '96 (horsepower remained at 282, but torque increased to 310 lb-ft) and adding active safety equipment through the years.

For enthusiasts, the big year was '99, when BMW introduced the Sport package for the E38 740i. Consisting of M-Sport 18-inch wheels, a more aggressive suspension, less chrome, and tighter-fitting seats, the Sport option cost just $2600, which also paid for the Steptronic five-speed automatic and its manual-shift mode. BMW's Dynamic Stability Control, which debuted on the 750iL E38, was standard across the board in '99. By '01, BMW had made the Sport option available on the long-wheelbase 740iL and 750iL; on any model, this is a prized package. But in any configuration, we prefer the '99-and-later models for their comprehensive standard features.

Maintenance reports show the early cars had niggling problems that should've been fixed under warranty. Check the records of the example you're considering for evidence of regular maintenance, preferably by a BMW dealer. On the '99 E38 740iL, ensure that recall 99V005 (regarding premature transmission wear) has been performed. When examining a prospective purchase, take the time to make sure all the subsystems--navigation, telephone, Active Comfort seat, etc.--work properly, as they're expensive fixes. Remember that the 740i was a $60,000 car when new and the V-12 cost $90,000. Don't expect parts and repairs to be inexpensive, but the driving experience will continue to reward.

1995-2001 7 Series
Body type	4-door sedan
Drivetrain	Front engine, rwd
Airbags	Driver, passenger, side
Base curb weight, lb	4145-4905
Base engines	4.0L/282-hp DOHC V-8 ('95 only); 4.4L/282-hp DOHC V-8
Optional engine	5.4L/328-hp SOHC V-12
Brakes, f/r	Disc/disc, ABS
Price range, wholesale/retail	$12,900/$18,820 ('95 740i); (per Intellichoice)	$44,290/$56,910 ('01 750iL)
Recalls	Cracking rear-axle carrier	('95 750iL); differential pinion shaft ('98 750iL); transmission-ring gear wear ('99 740i, 740iL, 750iL)

Source: http://www.motortrend.com