Car comparison

BMW 7 Series (E38) 740ivsBMW 7 Series (E38) · Facelift 1998 740i

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 (E38) · Facelift 1998

740i

286 hp4398 ccGasolineRWDAutomaticNaturally aspiratedSedan1998-2001

Comparison overview

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

Best choices

BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i Manual

  • 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
  • Lightest
    1,800 kg
    3,968 lb
  • Best power-to-weight
    159 hp/t
    118 kW/t
    6.3 kg/hp
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
    12.5 L/100 km
    18.8 mpg US
    22.6 mpg UK
  • Lowest highway consumption
    8.9 L/100 km
    26.4 mpg US
    31.7 mpg UK
  • Best estimated range
    680 km
    423 mi
  • Largest trunk
    500 L
  • Best overall score
    66/100
  • Best performance score
    61/100
  • Best economy score
    73/100
  • Best practicality score
    76/100

Specification comparison

Specification comparison
ModelBMW7 Series (E38)740iManualBMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
Power
286hp213kW
286hp213kW
Torque
420Nm310lb-ft
440Nm325lb-ft
Curb weight
1,800kg3,968lb
1,850kg4,079lb
Gross weight
2,335kg5,148lb
2,385kg5,258lb
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Calculated
To 99% top speed
69.6s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
74.6s99% target: 257 km/h / 160 mph
Calculated
0-100 km/h
6.6s
7.0s
0-200 km/h
21.0s
Calculated
22.4s
Calculated
0-60 mph
6.3s
Calculated
6.7s
Calculated
Fuel consumption
12.5L/100 km18.8mpg US22.6mpg UK
12.5L/100 km18.8mpg US22.6mpg UK
Fuel consumption city
18.6L/100 km12.6mpg US15.2mpg UK
18.1L/100 km13mpg US15.6mpg UK
Fuel consumption highway
8.9L/100 km26.4mpg US31.7mpg UK
9.2L/100 km25.6mpg US30.7mpg UK
Quarter mile
14.5s
Calculated
14.9s
Calculated
Power-to-weight
159hp/t118kW/t72hp/1000 lb
Calculated
155hp/t115kW/t70hp/1000 lb
Calculated
Torque-to-weight
233Nm/t156lb-ft/ton
Calculated
238Nm/t159lb-ft/ton
Calculated
Estimated range
680km423mi
Calculated
680km423mi
Calculated
Displacement
4,398cc268cu in
4,398cc268cu in
Length
4,984mm196in
4,984mm196in
Width
1,862mm73in
1,862mm73in
Height
1,435mm56in
1,435mm56in
Wheelbase
2,930mm115in
2,930mm115in
Front track
1,552mm61in
1,552mm61in
Rear track
1,568mm62in
1,568mm62in
Trunk volume
500L
500L
Doors
4
4
Seats
5
5
Fuel tank
85L
85L

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) 740i ManualBMW 7 Series (E38) Facelift 1998 740i AutomaticPowerTorque
  • BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i Manual: Power / Torque
  • BMW 7 Series (E38) Facelift 1998 740i Automatic: Power / Torque
Dyno simulation data table
VehiclePeak power RPMPeak torque RPMMax engine speed
BMW7 Series (E38)740iManual5,700 rpm3,900 rpm5,950 rpm
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic5,400 rpm3,600 rpm5,650 rpm

Acceleration curve

Estimated speed over time for selected vehicles.

Acceleration and drag-race table
MetricBMW7 Series (E38)740iManualBMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
Acceleration checkpoints
0-60 mph
0-97 km/h
6.3 s
6.7 s
0-100 km/h
0-62 mph
6.6 s
7.0 s
0-200 km/h
0-124 mph
21.0 s
22.4 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Likely limited
Drag race simulation
60 ft
18 m
2.6 s
2.7 s
330 ft
101 m
6.6 s
6.7 s
1/8 mile
201 m
9.7 s
9.9 s
1000 ft
305 m
12.3 s
12.6 s
1/4 mile
402 m
14.5 s
14.9 s
Trap speed
1/4 mile
402 m
167 km/h
104 mph
164 km/h
102 mph

Power comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740iManual
286 hp
213 kW
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
286 hp
213 kW

Torque comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740iManual
420 Nm
310 lb-ft
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
440 Nm
325 lb-ft

Curb weight comparison

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

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740iManual
1,800 kg
3,968 lb
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
1,850 kg
4,079 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)740iManual
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 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)740iManual6.6 s
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic7.0 s

The biggest 0-100 km/h difference is between BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i Manual and BMW 7 Series (E38) Facelift 1998 740i Automatic: 0.4 s.

Fuel consumption comparison

Bar comparison chart for Fuel consumption. Lower is better · L/100 km / mpg US / mpg UK

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740iManual
12.5 L/100 km
18.8 mpg US
22.6 mpg UK
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
12.5 L/100 km
18.8 mpg US
22.6 mpg UK

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)740iManual
159 hp/t
118 kW/t
6.3 kg/hp
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
155 hp/t
115 kW/t
6.5 kg/hp

Estimated range comparison

Bar comparison chart for Estimated range. Higher is better · km / mi

Chart data table
VehicleValue
BMW7 Series (E38)740iManual
680 km
423 mi
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
680 km
423 mi

Performance spider chart

Radar chart comparing normalized performance and fuel-consumption scores.

Chart data table
VehiclePowerAccelerationTop speed
BMW7 Series (E38)740iManual
286 hp
213 kW
6.6 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
286 hp
213 kW
7.0 s
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 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)740iManual
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 (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h7.0 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

Performance vs fuel economy

Cars closer to the top-right corner combine stronger performance with better fuel economy scores.

Performance vs fuel economy data table
VehiclePerformance scoreFuel economy score
BMW7 Series (E38)740iManual
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h6.6 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
12.5 L/100 km
18.8 mpg US
22.6 mpg UK
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
Power
286 hp
213 kW
0-100 km/h7.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
12.5 L/100 km
18.8 mpg US
22.6 mpg UK

BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i Manual is closest to the top-right balance target for performance and fuel economy.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption

Cars closer to the lower-left corner offer a better mix of quick acceleration and low fuel consumption.

Acceleration vs fuel consumption data table
VehicleFuel consumption, L/100 km0-100 km/h, s
BMW7 Series (E38)740iManual
12.5 L/100 km
18.8 mpg US
22.6 mpg UK
6.6 s
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
12.5 L/100 km
18.8 mpg US
22.6 mpg UK
7.0 s

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption

The shaded area favors higher power-to-weight with lower combined fuel consumption.

Power-to-weight vs fuel consumption data table
VehiclePower-to-weight, hp/tFuel consumption, L/100 km
BMW7 Series (E38)740iManual
159 hp/t
118 kW/t
6.3 kg/hp
12.5 L/100 km
18.8 mpg US
22.6 mpg UK
BMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
155 hp/t
115 kW/t
6.5 kg/hp
12.5 L/100 km
18.8 mpg US
22.6 mpg UK

Detailed score breakdown

Detailed score breakdown
VehicleBMW7 Series (E38)740iManualBMW7 Series (E38)Facelift 1998740iAutomatic
Power
286 hp
213 kW
286 hp
213 kW
Torque
420 Nm
310 lb-ft
440 Nm
325 lb-ft
Acceleration
6.6 s
7.0 s
Top speed
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Unrestricted
260 km/h162 mph
Restricted
250 km/h155 mph
Lightness
1,800 kg
3,968 lb
1,850 kg
4,079 lb
Fuel consumption
12.5 L/100 km
18.8 mpg US
22.6 mpg UK
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
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Length
4,984 mm
196.2 in
Height
1,435 mm
56.5 in
Range score
680 km
423 mi
680 km
423 mi
Trunk score
500 L
17.7 cu ft
500 L
17.7 cu ft
Power-to-weight score
159 hp/t
118 kW/t
6.3 kg/hp
155 hp/t
115 kW/t
6.5 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 ManualBMW 7 Series (E38) Facelift 1998 740i Automatic
Consumption12.5 L/100 km18.8 mpg US22.6 mpg UK12.5 L/100 km18.8 mpg US22.6 mpg UK
Cost / 100 km21.88 LC100 km21.88 LC100 km
Cost / 100 mi35.20 LC100 mi35.20 LC100 mi
Annual fuel used1,875 L495 US gal412 UK gal1,875 L495 US gal412 UK gal
Annual fuel cost3,281 LC/year3,281 LC/year

Head-to-head comparisons

BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i Manual

  • Is 50 kg lighter
  • Is 0.4 s quicker from 0-100 km/h
  • Has 4 hp/t better power-to-weight

Pros

  • Quickest 0-100 km/h in this comparison
  • Highest top speed
  • Most powerful
  • Lightest
  • Lowest combined fuel consumption
  • Best power-to-weight ratio
  • Best estimated range
  • Largest trunk

Choose cars to compare

Brand
Model
Generation
Engine or modification
BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i
BMW 7 Series (E38) 740i
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