Tuesday 16th August 2016

BMW 750i L (E32): Spotted

A classic slice of V12 BMW luxury that's still reasonably affordable

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It's quite hard to define exactly what it is that makes this BMW 750i L so alluring. As an E32 generation car (first introduced in 1986), it's not the first 7 Series introduced. It's arguably not the most significant either; its E38 replacement sold in greater numbers, for example, and the Bangle designed E65 introduced a wealth of new technology to the 7 Series. Furthermore, even though it's fairly old by car standards, hailing from 1990 hardly makes it notable for its age.

And yet there's something incredibly appealing about this 750. The red must have something to do with it, as it's such an unusual colour for a luxury saloon and yet suits it so well. A V12 will also have its own charm too, even if there's probably a fairly significant bork factor associated with running one. And would you just look at those wooden picnic tables?!

Perhaps more than anything else it's the style that sells this 7 Series so well. Of course these points are always up for debate, but the late 80s and early 90s does now appear to have been a real high point of BMW design. Think of the models around back then: 6 Series became 8 Series, E28 5 Series became E34 and the E30 was looking just as good as it did earlier in the 80s.

There was nothing especially complex about the look of any of them, and the same is true for the 7 Series. It's simple, well proportioned and very well executed. A classic saloon - with an amazing set of wheels - that's aged rather well. Well, in our opinion at least.

This generation of 7 Series is from a rather strange time in the history of the luxury saloon, introduced a few years before the game changing W140 S-Class; that car moved things on so far from the W126 that the 7 Series after this one had to match it. So this car, despite being a 90s 7 Series, is still rather old fashioned, trading on space and materials for a sense of luxury rather than gadgets. Or perhaps we're being too favourable on it.

Regardless, if you want an E32 7 Series, it seems unlikely that you will find one better than this. It has covered just 68,000 miles with one owner and is said to be in perfect condition. It even has a sunroof, for that full retro luxury vibe.

No doubt this was cheaper just a few years ago (name a car that wasn't), but it does look jolly tempting at just over £7K. You're looking at similar money for a late W126, with not that many nice W140s apparently remaining. What else to consider? A Jaguar XJ perhaps? An early Lexus LS400? There are possibilities...

Despite the alternatives, the 750 remains a very attractive proposition. Perhaps it's the V12. Perhaps it's the style. Perhaps it really is just the red. Whatever the reason, it looks a damn cool big saloon. And who doesn't want one of those?

BMW 750i L (E32)
Engine: 4,988cc, V12
Transmission: 4-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 300@5,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 332@4,100rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1990
Recorded mileage: 68,000miles
Price new: N/A
Price now: £7,450

See the original advert here.

[VF7]

VERY nice!! Even in red, it looks stunning. Immagine that in dark blue or dark grey!!

How great would that car be with a manual 5-speed box.... (and in dark blue...)

[FN2TypeR]

This is much, much cooler than the sad looking Bangle 7 series that was on here a wee while back.

Although that's a good car too, I admit, just pig ugly.

[kambites]

I have no idea E32s were worth so much. I assumed they'd be shed money.

Lovely thing but you'd probably need a decent contingency fund and a lot of petrol if you were going to use it much and it would seem a waste to own a barge like this and no use it.

[greghm]

What would be the price of just the V12 engine today ?

[kambites]

greghm said:

What would be the price of just the V12 engine today ?

There are complete E38 750i engines on ebay for ~£800. I guess the E32 is rather rarer, especially at such a low mileage.

[Leins]

Wasn't so long ago when 4 Star had this for sale for quite a while asking only slightly more than that

[OldGermanHeaps]

The handling on the e32 was superb, much more sure footed and grippy than the same generation 5 series, parts must be dwindling now though, it was a pain to get some suspension and exhaust parts 10 years ago, never mind now.

[peter450]

kambites said:

I have no idea E32s were worth so much. I assumed they'd be shed money.

Lovely thing but you'd probably need a decent contingency fund and a lot of petrol if you were going to use it much and it would seem a waste to own a barge like this and no use it.

I saw a black B12 version of this car up for grabs at ML for around 11k a few years back, people were saying that was overpriced but I liked it and being an Aplina I felt it was a fair price considering the rarity and extensive nature of the conversion. This makes that car look like a bargain (wish I'd bought it now)

A lot of money for a standard 7 series at the end of the day.

[JD2329]

Desirable, certainly, but not mega low mileage...you couldn't use it much without entering a rather steep level of depreciation (and maintenance).
Magnificent and under stressed engine though, one that reputably enjoys few issues.
A really good low mileage E38 is around 4-5k, I'd see this at the same level though rarity is obviously on its side.

[spreadsheet monkey]

kambites said:

I have no idea E32s were worth so much. I assumed they'd be shed money.

Lovely thing but you'd probably need a decent contingency fund and a lot of petrol if you were going to use it much and it would seem a waste to own a barge like this and no use it.

As mentioned in the article, good W126 Mercs go for similar money. With all the endless complaining on the internet that modern BMWs and Mercs are too detached and sophisticated for their own good, it's not a surprise that the older ones are in demand.

You can still get six cylinder E32s in good (but not mint) condition with higher mileage for £3k or so, although the 750 is rare and commands a premium.

The very latest E32s are 24 years old now - they've gone through the shed phase and are now on the "appreciating classic" price trajectory. Presume they are easier to maintain than an E38 in some ways. Surely less electrical horrors to worry about.

[londonbabe]

I assume numbers of these have diminished due to being the engine donors for Parallel Designs Diablo replicas.

[Bencolem]

My father had one on an 'H' (albeit not LWB). I remember it being very, very fast (I was a kid!), marveling at the gearbox (the rev counter seemed like the only way to tell it had changed gear) and that, again, the only way to tell the engine was idling was to look at the rev counter. It was impossibly quiet and smooth.

Contrary to the above post, I also clearly remember him borrowing a new 530i (perhaps a courtesy car?) and raving out its 'go-cart like' handling and how big and flabby it made the 7 series feel.

[chrislloyd81]

I read somewhere that the 750iL was the first car in the world to have HID headlamps?

[nicholasm]

VF7 said:

How great would that car be with a manual 5-speed box....

How about a six-speed manual and a 6.7L V16? http://www.zorro.milk-maid.de/scans/e32_v16.pdf

Totally agree that this was a high point for BMW design. As others have said here, this is strong money for a 1990 750iL, even if it is an 'investment'.

Slightly off topic, but does anyone else find certain terms in adverts immediately off-putting? Mine would have to be "best colour combination", "appreciating classic" and, of course, "POA"!

[pSyCoSiS]

That is lovely - Brilliant Red really suits it - a proper 80s colour (imagine seeing the latest 7 Series in that colour!).

I love the subtle differences of the V12 model: the wider kidney grill, the oil cooler vent in the lower lip, and those lovely square shaped exhaust tips.

Engineered to last forever, and with the right maintenace, they will do just that.

I recently sold my Cirrus Blue 735i SE. That was a lovely old thing, and no doubt they will just increase in value.

In terms of the competition - well, there isn't a direct rival apart from the Jaguar XJ12. The W126 only had the v8 in the 560, Lexus was a V8 and IIRC Audi had the V8 saloon at the time. But only BMW were really selling V12s on the mainstream market.

Jags are lovely old wafters, but I agree that the chassis on the E32 is good for it's size and you can drive it harder than it should be driven.

[dotgillingham]

Love this and would love to know how it drives. Those tray tables are WAY out of place though!

[daveco]

VF7 said:

VERY nice!! Even in red, it looks stunning. Immagine that in dark blue or dark grey!!

How great would that car be with a manual 5-speed box.... (and in dark blue...)

You might find this barn find and restoration of a blue 750il interesting!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nk2-E1gkdQ

[jaykay42]

If I remember this correctly then one USP of the E32 750 was that BMW was offering the first German premium segment 12 cylinder engine for donkeys years, since the war I believe. Before Audi and in particular before Mercedes!
Maybe that is still adding to its appeal...

[Ozzie Osmond]

pSyCoSiS said:

That is lovely - Brilliant Red really suits it

....looks like a fire engine to me. Very wrong colour for a big saloon.

[Matt UK]

The e32 is nice, but I'd rather track down a 750i in e38 flavour. Just a nicer looking car imho.