The third iteration of the BMW luxury car, the E38 7-Series hit the market with many first for the automotive industry.
The first car with curtain airbags, and the first model to feature satellite navigation and an in-built screen on the options list.
This particular 730i from 1995, from the car’s first model year does away with these options, instead opting for a more traditional specification inside. Beige leather seats decorate the cabin while a deep green paint colour adorns the long, body that is the 7-Series.
In great condition overall and with plenty of service history and invoices, this car looks great on the road and should perform just as well as it looks.
A relatively long MOT until March of next year means there is plenty of driving ahead for this model. IMG_4186.jpg235.44 KB
Inside this large BMW saloon, the electronically adjustable seats are finished in lovely tan leather, as are the door cards with the carpets matching the colour beautifully. On the dashboard, you will find a darker shade covering the majority of the plastic surface.
Wood trim lining the length and width of the cabin provides the perfect barrier between the two shades of beige that adorn this car.
Extending its way out of the sea of brown is the black steering wheel complete with several infotainment-controlling buttons. The gear selector seemingly grows from the centre console with a wood trim cover. An electric hand brake can be found to the right of the steering wheel.
Overall, the interior is in very good shape. A few creases in the front row of seats is to be expected while slightly sagging headlining towards the rear is a common issue among 7-Series BMWs from this era.
The boot also presents itself in excellent condition with the original BMW toolkit fully accounted for in its compartment in the boot lid.IMG_4187.jpg150.01 KB
The Exterior
Elegant E38 7-Series styling
Deep green paint colour
BMW 7-Series models from 1998 onwards would suffer from the softer headlight design brought in by the facelift of the same year.
This particular 730i built in 1995 though benefits from the original look with square headlights making for a more aggressive look.
That great design is reinforced by this model’s great paintwork. In great condition, the deep green paint accentuates the car’s shape brilliantly. There are very few marks throughout the body work to mention on this car and the panels all look square and present.
The wheels also look good. We struggle to notice any scuff marks to the rims and the tyres reportedly have good tread left. Underneath, the owner says the car is excellent.IMG_4185.jpg208.01 KB
The Mechanics
3.0-litre M60 V8 engine
ZF 5HP automatic 5-speed gearbox
Drives just as it should
Sending a modest 215 horsepower to the rear wheel, the 3-litre V8 engine sits happily within the engine bay under the bonnet.
A ZF automatic gearbox came as standard with the 730i back in the day and that is what’s fitted to this car ensuring a pleasant and relaxing drive.
According to the owner, the car stops and accelerates well. The M60 V8 reportedly sounds as it should and there don’t seem to be any apparent issues with the running gear.
With lots of service history, it’s clear this car has been well taken care of and the odd invoice shows proof of small jobs done over the years.
As such, this BMW 730i should be in great shape, ready for a nice drive home from its current dormitory in Buckinghamshire.IMG_4199.jpg187.56 KB
Summary
Presenting itself nicely, this luxury BMW saloon has seemingly been well looked after over the course of its nearly 30 years.
The dark green paintwork looks great on the car’s long body and the interior is in excellent shape with a bright tan specification. Not many fully original models from the mid-1990s look this good.
Mechanically, the model should be sound thanks to great history and robust running gear.
The M60 heart is ready to be released once more on long cross-country trips.
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