Car comparison

BMW 7 Series (E38) 740ivsBMW 7 Series (E23) 735i

Compare specs, acceleration, fuel consumption, dimensions, practicality, and estimated running costs side by side.

New comparison

BMW 7 Series (E38)

740i

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1996-1998
VS

BMW 7 Series (E23)

735i

217 hp3430 ccGasolineRWDManualNaturally aspiratedSedan1982-1983

Comparison overview

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Best choices

BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h
    6.6 s
  • Fastest top speed
    260 km/h
    162 mph Unrestricted
    250 km/h
    155 mph Restricted
  • Most powerful
    286 hp
    213 kW
  • Highest torque
    420 Nm
    310 lb-ft
  • Best power-to-weight
    159 hp/t
    118 kW/t
    6.3 kg/hp
  • Best overall score
    66/100
  • Best performance score
    61/100
  • Best economy score
    73/100

BMW 7 Series (E23) 735i

  • Lightest
    1,530 kg
    3,373 lb
  • Lowest city consumption
    16.8 L/100 km
    14.0 mpg US
    16.8 mpg UK
  • Best practicality score
    78/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW7 Series (E38)740iBMW7 Series (E23)735i
Power
286hp213kW
217hp162kW
Torque
420Nm310lb-ft
305Nm225lb-ft
Curb weight
1,800kg3,968lb
1,530kg3,373lb
Gross weight
2,335kg5,148lb
2,000kg4,409lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
212 km/h
132 mph
To 99% top speed
69.6s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
61.6s99% target: 210 km/h / 130 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.6s
8.0s
0-200 km/h
21.0s
Calculated
37.9s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.3s
Calculated
7.6s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
12.5L/100 km18.8mpg US22.6mpg UK
-
Fuel consumption city
18.6L/100 km12.6mpg US15.2mpg UK
16.8L/100 km14mpg US16.8mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.9L/100 km26.4mpg US31.7mpg UK
-
Quarter mile
14.5s
Calculated
15.8s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
159hp/t118kW/t72hp/1000 lb
Calculated
142hp/t106kW/t64hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
233Nm/t156lb-ft/ton
Calculated
199Nm/t133lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
680km423mi
Calculated
-
Displacement
4,398cc268cu in
3,430cc209cu in
Length
4,984mm196in
4,860mm191in
Width
1,862mm73in
1,800mm71in
Height
1,435mm56in
1,430mm56in
Wheelbase
2,930mm115in
2,795mm110in
Front track
1,552mm61in
1,502mm59in
Rear track
1,568mm62in
1,524mm60in
Ground clearance-
132mm5in
Trunk volume
500L
-
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
85L
100L

Performance charts

Use the estimates as comparison hints and verify exact figures before making decisions.

Dyno simulation

Estimated stock-style power and torque curves by engine speed.

BMW 7 Series (E38) 740iBMW 7 Series (E23) 735iPowerTorque
  • BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i: Power / Torque
  • BMW 7 Series (E23) 735i: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW7 Series (E38)740i5,700 rpm3,900 rpm5,950 rpm
BMW7 Series (E23)735i5,500 rpm4,000 rpm5,750 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW7 Series (E38)740iBMW7 Series (E23)735i
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.3 s
7.6 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.6 s
8.0 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
21.0 s
37.9 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
212 km/h
132 mph
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.6 s
2.8 s
330 ft
101 m
6.6 s
7.1 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.7 s
10.5 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.3 s
13.4 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.5 s
15.8 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
167 km/h
104 mph
150 km/h
93 mph

Power comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power. Higher is better · hp / kW

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
286 hp
213 kW
BMW7 Series (E23)735i
217 hp
162 kW

BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i has 69 hp more than BMW 7 Series (E23) 735i.

The biggest power difference is between BMW 7 Series (E23) 735i and BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i: 69 hp (51 kW).

Torque comparison

Bar comparison chart for Torque. Higher is better · Nm / lb-ft

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
420 Nm
310 lb-ft
BMW7 Series (E23)735i
305 Nm
225 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Curb weight. Lower is better · kg / lb

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
1,800 kg
3,968 lb
BMW7 Series (E23)735i
1,530 kg
3,373 lb

Top speed without limiter comparison

Bar comparison chart for Top speed without limiter. Higher is better · km/h / mph

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW7 Series (E23)735i
212 km/h
132 mph

0-100 km/h comparison

Bar comparison chart for 0-100 km/h. Lower is better · seconds

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740i6.6 s
BMW7 Series (E23)735i8.0 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i and BMW 7 Series (E23) 735i: 1.4 s.

Power-to-weight comparison

Bar comparison chart for Power-to-weight. Higher is better · hp/t / kW/t

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
159 hp/t
118 kW/t
6.3 kg/hp
BMW7 Series (E23)735i
142 hp/t
106 kW/t
7.1 kg/hp

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
286 hp
213 kW
6.6 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW7 Series (E23)735i
217 hp
162 kW
8.0 s
212 km/h
132 mph

Most attractive quadrant

Scatter chart with performance score on the X axis and practicality score on the Y axis.

Chart data table
VehiclePerformance scorePracticality score
BMW7 Series (E38)740i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Length
4,984 mm
196.2 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 in
BMW7 Series (E23)735i
Power
217 hp
162 kW
0-100 km/h8.0 s
Top speed
212 km/h
132 mph
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,860 mm
191.3 in
Height
1,430 mm
56.3 in

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW7 Series (E38)740iBMW7 Series (E23)735i
Power
286 hp
213 kW
217 hp
162 kW
Torque
420 Nm
310 lb-ft
305 Nm
225 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.6 s
8.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
212 km/h
132 mph
Lightness
1,800 kg
3,968 lb
1,530 kg
3,373 lb
Fuel consumption
12.5 L/100 km
18.8 mpg US
22.6 mpg UK
-
Practicality
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Length
4,984 mm
196.2 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 in
Doors/seats
4 doors
5 seats
Trunk-
Length
4,860 mm
191.3 in
Height
1,430 mm
56.3 in
Range score
680 km
423 mi
-
Trunk score
500 L
17.7 cu ft
-
Power-to-weight score
159 hp/t
118 kW/t
6.3 kg/hp
142 hp/t
106 kW/t
7.1 kg/hp
Overall
Fixed score
Fixed score

Fuel cost and annual usage

Estimate running costs from combined consumption, your annual distance, and the fuel price in your local currency.

Enter the fuel price in your local currency, for example €/L, $/gal, £/L or any other local currency.

LC = Local Currency

Fuel cost and annual usage
VehicleBMW 7 Series (E38) 740i
Consumption12.5 L/100 km18.8 mpg US22.6 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km21.88 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi35.20 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,875 L495 US gal412 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,281 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i

  • Has 69 hp more
  • Has 115 Nm more
  • Is 1.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 48 km/h (30 mph) higher top speed
  • Has 17 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Highest torque
  • Best power-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Heaviest

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i
BMW 7 Series (E23) 735i
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2 vehicles selected

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