The old BMW is one solid weak spot. Rude? Excuse me. This is the opinion of the hardened owner of the "sevens" E32 and E38. But something makes even experienced people step on this Bavarian rake again. What? Meets the 730i in the E32 body.
E34 or E39 is a question on the level of hamlet's "to be or not to be". With "sevens" everything is easier-there is "the same "Boomer" " (E38) and all the others. I didn't decide that, but the market did. There are few offers for E32: less than a hundred across the country. Mostly-6-cylinder 730i and 735i. 5-speed "mechanics" - in priority. In Europe, "time capsules" cost from 8000 euros and up to the price of a new mid-size crossover. Our average price for a second-generation seven is 350,000 rubles. And you can become a proud owner of the likeness of the coolest BMW 30 years ago for the amount of five times less. Similarly, the entrance ticket to the world of E34 costs, but the" five", other things being equal, is one and a half times more expensive. About the price tags on the E38 and the more 126-th Mercedes in General, it is better to keep tactfully silent. One of the most significant Executive sedans in the history of not only BMW, but also the entire automotive industry, it definitely did not deserve it. Hence the life hack for those who are crazy about the big-eyed "Boomers" of the Klaus Lute era-look for the "seven". It's a little more complicated, but cheaper.
If you find a good copy, be happy and take care of it, you will hardly want to sell it. This particular 730i in 1993 saw only three owners in its life: a German who, until 1997, drove it, judging by the 100-thousandth mileage, apparently on weekends to Church, and two Russians. The first of them owned a sedan for 14 years. The current owner, for whom this is the fourth E32, the car has been living since 2011 and brings only joy. Replacement of disks with pads, oil in the "automatic" and the crankshaft oil seal — that's all the repairs for nine years. The remaining costs are for equipping the missing branded options like the headlight washer and trunk closer, plus detaling. After restoration, the skin in the salon looks much younger than the real age. Now on the odometer 260,000 km, when buying it was 235,000. Cost "seven" expensive-200,000 rubles by the standards of 2011 were the top of the market, even taking into account the factory color.
Athleticism and healthy Bavarian arrogance E32 does not take. Almost five meters long; wider and lower than the"five". With all due respect to the E34, the flagship is the flagship. In details, the E32 looks more interesting-wide branded " nostrils "(a sign of eight or more cylinders under the hood), slightly further spaced circles of lights, chrome trim on the bumper, another form of"fog lights". Plus a more embossed hood, which gives rise to associations with the unsurpassed "shark" of the sixth E24 series. And still slim, and regardless of the length of the wheelbase. Even an additional 114 mm could not destroy the harmony of the image. This is not a fat modern "seven".
Two versions of velour, three types of leather — from the variety available in different colors, the first owner chose the banal black version. But who can blame him? So good is the Bavarian classic, inlaid with Bubinga wood with thick semi-aniline skin of the Indian water Buffalo Arnie (Water Buffalo) on the seats. If you grew up in the 80's and 90's, you can play with a wooden cassette holder forever. The front armrests, independent of each other, are height — adjustable in several positions-you definitely want to take them with you. Soft nappa on the door panels and center console, as well as a wooden steering wheel-a gift from the current owner. Stolen for spare parts E32 in the Highline version died for good reason.
There are few purely electric strays, seat adjustments and mechanical ones. For youngtimer, this is a definite plus. Although it is a pity that there is no way to evaluate the work of, for example, "winter" options. To order, the "seven" could be equipped with heating not only mirrors, but also washer nozzles, lock larvae, and a Webasto programmable system. For the first time in BMW's history, special modules — light, comfort, main module, etc. - were responsible for all E32 electronic systems. This later became the standard for all bayerns.
Youngtimer is valuable not only for its condition, but also for the presence of branded accessories. A convenient tool tray is attached to the trunk lid. A canister was attached to the center of the spare wheel. The original first aid kit is hidden under the front passenger seat.
It turns out that confusing people with their nameplates is a long — standing Bavarian tradition. The 730i icon on the E32 could mean either six or eight cylinders, as in our case. Under the forward-leaning long hood is hidden the novelty of 1992-the M60 engine, not just a V8, but the first" eight " BMW for more than 25 years. In addition to the younger 3.0-liter version, there was a 4.0-liter version. And with the advent of this engine, the 6-cylinder 730i has not gone anywhere. Until the E32 was removed from the Assembly line, both versions were sold in parallel.
In terms of pure characteristics, the engine is not particularly strong. Only 215 HP and 290 Nm, plus an automatic transmission-only the 6-cylinder E30 is weaker and slower. In addition, my previous experience with the E32 was limited to the 740il with automatic transmission and the short-base 735i on the "mechanics". What if I don't get 730?
Fully independent suspension never gave reason to doubt its representative nature. "Seven" is stable on a straight line and gently, almost impressively overcomes bumps. Let not as indifferent as Mercedes, but the desire to change to the W126 can only arise on a very bad surface. And this is a standard suspension, without the optional electronic shock absorber stiffness adjustment (EDC) system.
One of the reasons for the deathly silence in the cabin — double glazing. Such double-glazed Windows, which do not let in any cold or sound from the outside, appeared on E32 in 1991. It was necessary to somehow spoil the mass of the W140, which had a similar solution in the basic configuration. An interesting detail: the blowing nozzles of the front side Windows are located in the window sills of the doors, which allows you to warm the glass a couple of moments after starting the engine. An innovation in aerodynamics is the electric pressing of "wipers" depending on the speed of movement. The system automatically increases the pressure on the windscreen wipers to keep them firmly pressed against the glass when flying on the highway.
Rust on such an age-old car is normal. Rotting wings, door bottoms, thresholds under the plastic and the opening of the gas tank hatch, but this is not a reason to refuse to buy. Much worse, if there are seams in the engine compartment and rust on the rear suspension supports and rear beam mounting. Checking the number units is strictly mandatory.