Photo: nakhon100, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: nakhon100, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: nakhon100, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: nakhon100, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Grande berline de luxe de 500 litres de coffre. Les propriétaires interrogés par Fiches-auto saluent sa fiabilité générale, mais les retours publiés ne viennent que d'un site et restent peu nombreux (74 avis). Points cités : système de refroidissement un peu fragile, fuites moteur, bloc ABS et corrosion. Aucune note Euro NCAP n'a été trouvée.
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Price
- Unknown
- Euro NCAP
- Rating not found
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 730d 183.
728i 193
Petrol · Automatic · 193 hp · Crit'Air unclassified
6 cylindres M52 de 193 ch : un propriétaire le juge assez efficace malgré sa boîte automatique lente (Fiches-auto).
730d 183
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Automatic · 183 hp · Crit'Air unclassified
6 cylindres diesel de 183 ch : un propriétaire rapporte 43 000 km sans aucune panne après achat à 238 000 km (Fiches-auto). Vignette Crit'Air 5 mentionnée par un autre.
740i 286
Petrol · Automatic · 286 hp · Crit'Air unclassified
V8 essence de 286 ch, boîte automatique à 5 rapports (Fiches-auto).
740d 245
Diesel · Automatic · 245 hp · Crit'Air unclassified
V8 diesel de 245 ch, boîte automatique (avis Fiches-auto, 2000).
Market prices
Price unknown: not enough online listings for a reliable estimate. Compare several listings before negotiating.
Importing this model
Prices abroad
Yearly medians of each country's listings (AutoScout24, in euros; United Kingdom: cinch dealer, in pounds), over years with at least 3 listings. Useful to judge an import (add transport, inspection and registration).
| Country | Range | Median | Gap vs France | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €7,700 – €16,400 (1994 to 2000) | €10,995 | — | 54 |
Median gap shown only when the country's estimate covers the same years as the French one. Add transport, roadworthiness test and registration.
You are importing the car to:
Import penalty (malus) in France
- The CO₂ malus follows the scale of the year the vehicle was first registered, in France or abroad (WLTP or NEDC scale depending on its registration certificate).
- For an imported used car, it is reduced by a flat-rate discount based on its age in months (scheme in force since 1 March 2025). The weight malus also applies on first registration in France.
- Production ended in 2001: a car first registered before 1 January 2015 has no malus.
Source: BOFiP (French tax doctrine), CO₂ and weight malus · CO2 malus and weight malus: imported used car in France
Paperwork and procedures
- Importing a used car from another EU country: the step-by-step process
- Importing a car from an EU country: all the documents to gather
- Carte grise for an imported car: cost, taxes and the official simulator
- CO2 malus and weight malus: imported used car in France
- Importing a used car from outside the European Union: the steps
- Buying a used car in Germany and bringing it back to France
Importing and registering in Belgium: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing and registering in Switzerland: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing a car into Switzerland: customs, tax and registration
Importing and registering in Luxembourg: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing and registering in the United Kingdom: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Check an imported car's history
HistoVec only covers the vehicle's life in France. For a car coming from abroad, a VIN-based report helps spot inconsistent mileage or a reported accident.
Check the car's history: 20% off → (new tab)Partner link
Known faults
Note: some faults below are cited by a single source only. They are still to be confirmed and the reliability score is only indicative.
Système de refroidissement fragile
Severity 2/3 · CostlyUn propriétaire de 728i cité par Fiches-auto juge le système de refroidissement un peu fragile.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 728i 193
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Fuites d'étanchéité moteur et direction assistée
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingUn propriétaire de 740i signale à Fiches-auto des fuites des caches culbuteurs et des durites de liquide de direction assistée malgré les colliers.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 740i 286
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Voyants ABS/ASC et bloc ABS
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingUn propriétaire de 728i dit à Fiches-auto que les voyants ABS/ASC reviennent, le bloc ABS étant mal situé.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 728i 193
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Corrosion des ailes et du coffre
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingUn propriétaire de 740i 1996 signale à Fiches-auto de la corrosion des ailes et du coffre, au niveau de la poignée d'ouverture.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 740i 286
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “BMW Série 7”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Inspection checklist
BMW Série 7 III (E38) — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Contrôler le circuit de refroidissement et l'absence de surchauffe.
- Chercher des fuites autour des caches culbuteurs et des durites de direction assistée.
- Vérifier les voyants ABS/ASC au démarrage.
- Inspecter la corrosion des ailes, du coffre et des bas de caisse.
- Exiger l'historique d'entretien complet : les retours publiés sont rares.
Questions to ask the seller
- Le système de refroidissement a-t-il été refait ?
- Le bloc ABS ou les voyants ont-ils déjà posé problème ?
- Pouvez-vous montrer les factures d'entretien ?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the BMW Série 7 III (E38) (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Quel est le volume du coffre de la Série 7 E38 ?
500 litres, selon la fiche technique Fiches-auto et la fiche Auto-Data de la 740iL.
La BMW Série 7 E38 est-elle fiable ?
Les propriétaires de Fiches-auto la jugent fiable, mais les retours sont peu nombreux et d'une seule source : contrôlez l'historique.
Combien de places propose la Série 7 E38 ?
5 places, selon Auto-Data (Fiches-auto indique 5 ou 4 places selon la version).
Found a listing?
Soon, we will analyse your BMW Série 7 listing: price, mileage, watch points.
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