BMW

The BMW 7 Series…

Because driving isn’t much fun unless you look like a gangster.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We’ve always been a fan of the BMW 7 Series, or E38 if you want to use nerdy BMW terminology. And can you blame us? As big, executive saloon cars go, this one is a corker. Handsome, fast and rewarding to drive despite being the size of a rural village, it’s a fantastic vehicle. Plus, we used to own one, so it’s the perfect excuse to post pictures like this…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1024″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]

This is our actual old car, would you believe?

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The E38 7 Series is the third generation of BMW’s flagship, luxury car. The E23 and E32 before it had made a hell of an impression on the market and for BMW, business was booming. The thing is, the new car had to be nothing short of spectacular if was going to carry on this success. While the first incarnations of the 7 were indeed great cars, BMW had to be aware that businessmen are a fickle bunch, who would jump to a rival Audi or Merc in a heartbeat should the newest 7 not satisfy.

The pressure was on, so the designers got penning. What they came up with was a car that looked incredible in mid ’90s and that also still looks great today – nearly 20 years later. We wish we could say the same for our faces. We look rough.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”7275″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]

Hey there good looking! 

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The E38 took the executive-arse-chauffeuring baton from the E32 in 1994. The executives in question were sad to see their E32s leave, but they were over the moon as soon as their cheeks hit the E38’s leather – and it was always leather in an E38. Cloth wasn’t even an option. Swanky.

Of course it wasn’t all about leather, nice though cow skin is. It was the whole package. It was a world away from the E32, yet at the same time still familiar. The front end still sported the famed BMW ‘kidneys’ and the rear doors still housed the ‘Hofmeister Kink’ (click to find out what that is, fact fans). The overall silhouette wasn’t a million miles off its predecessor. Its real clout, however, came from its specification and range of engines.

Inside you had that leather, air-con, a 14 speaker stereo system, gigantic sunroof, comfortable seating for 5 adults, electric windows, a mobile phone in some cases, steering wheel mounted controls, cruise control and a little thing under the dash that went “BONG!” if you left the keys in the ignition after getting out. Fancy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”7274″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The E38 wasn’t popular solely because it had leather and some fancy electronic stuff. No, it was also a popular beast because it came with some cracking engines. There was the straight-six 2.8 which, while not the fastest, still managed to hustle the E38’s bulk along nicely. At the other end of the scale there was the 5.4 litre V12 (with over 300bhp) for executives in a hurry, and then, right in the middle, there were the V8s.

From 3.0 through to 4.4litres in capacity, there was an engine for everyone. Everyone apart from the economically minded, that is. The Europeans got a diesel. We didn’t though, nor did the U.S market. Apparently we can’t be trusted with diesel. Still, bugger’em, we like snorty, fuel-hungry V8s. In your FACE, diesel.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1027″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On the road – and we can vouch for this – the E38 is great. Considering it’s a bit of a fat old Hector it doesn’t half motor. Not just on the M6 while on your way to powerful board meeting at I’m A God-Damn Executive INC, either. No, this sucker will lap up the twisty stuff with gusto. To coin BMW’s very own tagline, it really is the ultimate driving machine.

It was so good in fact, that when the new, aesthetically challenged E65 7 Series hit the dealerships in 2002, sales of the E38 actually went up! Companies bought them in huge numbers before they ran out. A rare achievement in the automotive world.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1028″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]

E38 – bottom right, sexy. E65 – bottom left, not sexy

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]So, there you go, the E38 7 Series. One of the best luxury cars ever made. We had one (well, we had two actually, but the other one blew up. Long story) and we loved it. If you get one, you’ll love it too. Plus, you’ll be able to pretend you’re Jason Statham from The Transporter. He had fancy kicking fights with Ninjas you know?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1029″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][vc_column_text]

DRIVE, SKID, GRRRR, FIGHTY FIGHT FIGHT, GRRRR, DRIVE, OILY MAN LOVE, PEW PEW PEW, FREEDOM, THE That’s just an abridged version of the film for those of you haven’t seen it

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Facebook Comments