BMW E32

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1992 BMW E32 740i
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1992 BMW E32 740i

[edit] Introduction

In 1986, BMW introduced the second generation of the 7 series, known internally as the E32. Aimed at the high end of the luxury market, the car offered some of the latest innovations in automotive technology, and a new, top-of-the-line V12 engine. Some luxury options featured on the E32 included integrated telephone and fax machines, a wine cooler, double glazing, heated door locks and windshield washer nozzles, electronic stability control, and a system that automatically increased spring pressure on the windshield wipers, to keep them firmly pressed on the glass at Autobahn speeds. Incidentally, the E32 was the first car adhering to BMW's self-imposed speed limit of 250 km/h.

The car was also available in a stretched version (indicated by an 'L' after the model number), in which case an extra 10 centimeters of leg room was available to the rear passengers.

The BMW 750iL Highline was the top-of-the-line model of the E32, with lots of added luxury for the rear passengers like full leather, dual radio controls, dual climate control, electrically heated and adjustable rear seats, and walnut veneer folding tables. It also added a second battery in the trunk and a second alternator to provide power for all these luxuries. The 'Highline' option package cost more than €10.000, and was only available on the 750iL, bringing the total price to well over twice that of a 'basic' 730i ('basic' to be taken in context obviously) [1]

[edit] Engines

The E32 was offered with several different engines, all petrol. At the car's introduction, the 730 and 735 used the straight-6 M30 engine, while the 750 featured the all-new M70 V12 engine which produced 300 bhp. In 1992, a new 32-valve V8 engine was introduced, the M60. The 730i got this engine in a 3-liter version, while the new 740i got the 4-liter version. Both versions were coupled to a new, 5 speed automatic transmission made by ZF. In some countries, there were serious problems with the M60 engine because of sulfur corrosion problems in its nikasil cylinder block. The cylinder lining would quickly wear, causing the engine to lose compression, which caused rough idling and eventually the engine would fail to start. Many engines were replaced under warranty; the problem was corrected by using a different material.

BMW continued to offer the 730 with the straight-6 M30 engine (as well as the V8) in Europe until 1994, when the E38 was introduced.

Externally, the BMW 'kidney' grille indicated which engine was present under the hood: all 6-cylinder models had a narrow grille, and all 8- and 12-cylinder models had the wider version. This feature was not seen on later models (the E38 used a wide grille for all models)

[edit] Engine specifications and performance by model number

Model Engine Code Engine Type Displacement (cc) Bore/Stroke (mm) Comp. Ratio Power (BHP) Torque (NM) 0-100 km/h (s) Years made
730i M30 L6 12V 2986 89/80 1:9.0 188 @ 5800 260 @ 4000 9.3 (man) / 10.6 (aut) 1986-1994
735i M30 L6 12V 3430 92/86 1:9.0 211 @ 5700 305 @ 4000 8.3 (man) / 9.1 (aut) 1986-1992
730i V8 M60 V8 32V 2997 64/68 1:10.5 218 @ 5800 290 @ 4500 8.5 (man) / 9.3 (aut) 1992-1994
740i M60 V8 32V 3982 89/80 1:10.0 286 @ 5800 400 @ 4500 7.4 (aut) 1992-1994
750i M70 V12 24V 4988 84/75 1:8.8 299 @ 5200 450 @ 4100 7.4(aut) 1987-1994

Figures may differ slightly for stretched and/or international versions (for instance, the 750i was rated at 296 BHP in the USA)

[edit] Related Cars

The E32 replaced the first generation 7 series, the E23. The E32 itself was replaced by the E38 in 1994, although the engines developed for the E32 continued to be used in updated form. The E34 5 series, introduced in 1988, is externally very similar to the E32, and many parts are shared between the two cars. The two-door 8 series E31 features the same engines (840i, 850i).

[edit] Competition

Placed in the high end of the market, the E32's main rival was the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (models W126 and W140 from 1991). Other competitors were the Jaguar XJ40 and the Lexus LS400. More distant competitors were the Cadillac Fleetwood, Opel Senator, and the Audi V8.

[edit] External links

BMW | BMW M | Category | road car timeline, 1960s-present -  v • d • e 
Type Series 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5
Compact 1 Series LS/700 E87
3 Series 1602,2002 E21 E30 E36 E46 E90-E93
Mid-size 5 Series 1500,1800,2000 E12 E28 E34 E39 E60/E61 F10/F11
Full-size 7 Series E3 E23 E32 E38 E65/E66 F01/F02
Coupé 6 Series 2000CS E9 E24 E63/E64
Roadster Z Series Z1 Z3 Z4 Z2
Supercar/GT   E26 E31 E52 Z10
Crossover X3 E83
X5 E53 E70
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