BMW 7-Series

The BMW 7-Series is a line of full-size luxury vehicles produced by the German automaker BMW since 1977.

1995
BMW had completely redesigned its 7-series cars for 1995. Every body panel was new, although it still looked very much like the second generation models. The 740i with its 282-hp 4.0-liter V8 competed with Jaguar's XJ6 and Mercedes' S420. This was the same drivetrain used in the smaller BMW 540i. However, the 740i was a bigger, more luxurious car with a more spacious interior.

The 750iL, with its 322-hp 5.4-liter V12, competed with the Jaguar XJ12 and the Mercedes S600. In other words, it was among the top luxury sedans in the world, and significantly cheaper than the equivalent Mercedes.

There were actually three separate 7-series models; the short-wheelbase 740i, plus the 740iL and 750iL, which each had 5.5 in. added to rear-seat legroom. The V8 had double-overhead cams and a 5-speed automatic, the big V12 used only a single overhead cam for each bank of cylinders but, new for 1995, now had a 5-speed automatic transmission as well. 

As expected, all three 7-series models came with standard luxury-car features like leather upholstery, automatic climate control, power seats (the driver's seat has a computerized memory) and automatic dimming mirrors. The only options were heated front seats, AST traction control, electronic damping control and a ski sack that can be expanded into the passenger compartment from behind the rear seat's center armrest and allows you to put long objects (like skis) into the trunk without messing up the interior upholstery. The 750iL came standard with everything except an optional computerized suspension system. Even the ski sack was standard.