Review: 2001 BMW 740iL
Chad Rawson, a luxury enthusiast, has owned a Buick Roadmaster and a 1999 Mercedes S320. He recently took a 2001 BMW 740iL (E38 chassis) for a drive, and I agree that among BMWs, this is their best-ever full size sedan in terms of style.
The E38 is massive, especially in long-wheelbase form, but grips the road like a freight train hugging a set of rails.
When Chris Bangle’s gaudy E65/E66 debuted in 2002, there was a brief uptick in demand for late-model E38s. Loyal owners were disgusted by the “Bangle Butt” trunklid, scalloped headlights, and bizarre curves and arches, but BMW maintained its sales supremacy by toning down these characteristics on the volume-selling 3-series.
The 7-series has evolved (or devolved) into a posh, luxurious highway cruiser, mimicking Mercedes-Benz rather than carving out its own identity. In the pursuit of sales volume, BMW has spurned some of its loyal customers, with the Porsche Panamera, Maserati Quattroporte, and new Jaguar XJ filling its former role as a sport-oriented super sedan.
A few years ago I spent an afternoon driving a V12 750iL around town. I’ll post that review some time in the future.
Chad’s review:
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