Get the Best Priced BMW 740i Parts

Built on the E38 platform, the BMW 740i was part of the German automaker's "7 Series" of luxury sedans. The 7 Series was first introduced in 1978, and has remained BMW's top-of-the-line flagship model. It remains the choice of those looking for a deluxe, high-end sedan with a lot of room inside, offering class and a bit of high status appeal.

Although there are other luxury sedans in this class that give the BMW 740i a run for its money, the 7 Series has performance and handling characteristics that sets it a cut above others, since the initial introduction of the 733s back in the 1970s. Whereas other car makers focus strictly mechanical characteristics such as handling, BMW strives to provide drivers with that psychological and emotional connection. Even though its not the only luxury sedan on the market, it continues to be a primary choice for driving aficionados.

The 740i is powered by a turbocharged 3.0 liter inline six, generating 315 horsepower. Like others of this series, an eight-speed automatic is standard equipment. It's enough to take this Bimmer from zero to 60 in just under six seconds.

Inside, the 740i has plenty of room and features genuine leather upholstery and finished wood trim throughout the cabin. Front seats are fully adjustable, able to accommodate a range of body shapes. Although there are fewer options in this regard for rear seat passengers, they'll still ride in comfort. Much of this is due to BMW's "Dynamic Driving Control" system, which allows the driver to select from four different settings in order to adjust the vehicle's handling characteristics.

For hard-core technophiles, there's an array of gadgets that make it easier to navigate in heavy traffic, including a night-vision camera and sideview cameras for those annoying (and dangerous) blind spots. The iDrive system still has its detractors - novices will feel like those who learned to drive in a 1920s-vintage Model T encountering a hybrid vehicle for the first time - but in recent years, designers and engineers at BMW have been simplifying the layout, making it more user-friendly. For the uninitiated, the iDrive system, first introduced in 2004, combines a number of vehicle functions into one console-mounted dial with a central display. In the beginning, it confronted new drivers with a steep learning curve, it has undergone numerous refinements and upgrades over the years, making it more user-friendly than in the past.

No machine is perfect, but in keeping with BMW's tradition of legendary German precision engineering, the BMW 740i has historically had very few serious problems. What few complaints that have been registered center around the 1997 model. Some vehicles made that year have an issue with the cooling system. Parts for the Bimmer tend to be expensive, but these maintenance and repair costs can be kept in check by purchasing BMW 740i parts from online sources like PartsGeek.com, which also offer new BMW 740i parts for sale at a discount.