Very best 50/50 split balanced large car there’s ever been I personally have used one as a close protection person with advanced driving license and I have been in a situation against a much smaller car on a getaway and then we still clean got clear of the threat to live another day . E38 is the only car it’s size that could escape from a rs2 Audi
@@lewis72 I always saw it as the opposite. To me the e39 looked like a stubby version of a e38. The proportions look more natural on the e38 while on the e39 it looked squished. Both amazing looking cars though.
Great video . For years we ran a Bentley continental R and a BMW e65 750i - the 4.8 V8 not a V12 . And I was often asked which I preferred and was hard pressed to answer . BMW more modern / more tech - Conti R more beautiful / less tech We had lockdown and put a SORN on the BMW as that was the car for trips , and so when we needed unexpectedly to do some longer trips I used the Bentley rather more than usual . And I had my answer . The effortless torque of the big 6.75 wins . And so that along with a poor dealership experience means the BMW has gone , and in its place is a 2007 Bentley Arnage R ; not much tech because I don’t want a touchscreen , later version of engine and a six speed box and the stiffer version of the body . It’s goes like a train if asked , but is a lot more relaxing than the BMW ever was .
The 740 and the 750 were the best of the best for getting off home fast on the back roads with ease and stability while also having complete control even when on the limit
Had three E38s back in the day, including two 750iLs, and they were all fantastic. Had their issues of course, most notably being rads, coolant leaks, intake cyclones, fuel tank leak etc… All the usual things. But did 150mph down the autobahn on a trip to Munich and back and was just glorious.
The BMW E38 is an exceptional car! Especially the 750iL. Supremely comfortable, luxurious, refined, powerful, innovative and reliable with a hint of sportiness. Built to last. This was a car built to rival even the very best from Bentley or Rolls Royce. In fact, I would call it the world's best car! It stood head and shoulders above the Mercedes W140 S class. I do also love the Rolls Royce models and Bentleys from that time. Greetings from a BMW L7 owner!
i drive a 1999 E38 728I every day ,Lots of power and just as nice as this inside same colour inside , and will do 140mph all night so quiet , and 45mpg on a run at 70 ,
There's an 98 E38 on the drive at the moment, awaiting new old plates. Even with a small dent on the back it still radiates some sort of glow, and looks a similar or younger in age than the other post 2000/10 cars in the family. They're not without faults or wear and tear, but do seem to be a class above most nice cars.
A friend of mine bought a 1996 'P reg' BMW E38 728i with an intergalactic mileage!! I remember the first time I sat in the back seat thinking this is the most comfortable car In have ever been in!! A true timeless classic!! They don't build them like they used to!!👍🙂
There's no sedan that pulls the hearstrings quite like the E38 7-series. What a fantastic design! I see people electro-swapping these in the future just to be able to admire the beauty and driving it around in comfort.
I guess a fairer comparison would be a later Bentley, Turbo S? 1995. I have one, 50k miles, and it is a big differnce to the earlier Turbo S. But both cars great... Also got a 2019 760i V12! Now thats another level....
That’s quite a choice of cars you have there; for years I said I’d eventually upgrade my 2005 750i one day , that I’d have a V12 before I was done . What put paid to that was the ever declining level of service at my local main dealer . They just didn’t get that a punter with an older vehicle wanted it kept right . And so I decided that I wouldn’t put my head in that noose ever again . As problematic at my Bentley is at least the workshop is on my side .
E38 has always been my favourite 7 series and the only one I would pick over it's s class rival at the time. If I did buy one I would go with the 740i because I prefer the sound of the v8 over the v12
Brilliant job on this comparison. Both are such attractive cars. I wish BMW still could make cars this beautiful and analog. Love those BMW wheels and that glorious V12. The Turbo R really hasn't aged that well compared to the BMW
The E38 is the perfect car. I miss mine, though it was the baby 4.4 740i :) Is that 750i E32 the one that was in the total BMW mag? I think it had Aston martin db7 alloys on it. My father had the E32 B12 back in the early 1990. I miss that car.
I had a 750iL from 1996 and now drive a 1990 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur II. Both have their pros and cons. The Rolls-Royce gives a greater sense of occasion for any journey. I did love my BMW though; it remains the biggest motoring regret that I didn’t keep it.
The Bentley has enormous road presence, mainly because it looks enormous and stately. It is a car in which you will be noticed. The BMW looks like an overgrown 3 series. Though I agree the styling has aged very nicely and it still looks better than later models.
I think a supercharger would have suited the Bentley better because of the low end power. I generally love turbo cars but being a Bentley I wouldn't exactly modify it
Owned a 1998 750il individual in Oxford green 26 mpg on long runs it was a bargain at £3.500 with 98000 mile on the clock it was a good driving big car and it could boogie
I'd have both cars, the e38 looks stunning in that colour combination with the wheels, and I love Bentleys. I would like to see a comparison between an e38 750 and a Mercedes w140 600.
But at the end of the day, it’s still a boring BMW. No matter how old the Turbo R looks, it will always be parked up front at any hotel or restaurant. I have a 1989 and 1997 Bentley Turbo R - and as Jay Leno and many other aficionados have said, “you either get it or you don’t.”
Very interesting and fair review. Our experience with old BMWs is that they are temptingly cheap, but have endless air con problems, rust and electrical issues. S-Class Mercedes is a much better bet, if not as nice to drive in a sporting fashion.
I had 3 of the 7 series ,cars and they were maintained and cossetted from new , one owner each I took the mileage up to 175k on each of them and by that time they were knackered . The rumbles and knocks evertime brakes were applied , and poor quality issues like flimsy seats . ( all 3 drivers seat bases were not up to the job , fixed to the seats by tiny screws and plastic fittings so that the switches all came away in my hands . Could live that but what I couldnt live with was the world of BMW bugs . All 3 cars lost the monitor and everything associated , ABS , Cruise, Wipers , Transmission . and even one the last one , the clock started to speak in German and couldnt be switched off . Even BMW would not guarrantee a fix but there was some geezer a 100 miles away that said he would look at the problem but no promises . So I scrapped all three there and then . Cars that mess me about are useless . I saw sense and bought a beautiful series 3 Japanese imported Daimler V12 Series 3 which is 1000 times better than all 3 BMW's put together and no more reliability issues . and even if there were , they can be fixed easily.
About 10 yrs. ago a friend bought a new 750iL. He thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread until the problems started. It went into "limp home" mode so often that soon his wife refused to get into the thing. I'm sure it was a great ride...when it was working. About 24 yrs. ago, I drove a friends new Bentley Cont. drophead. It was a gorgeous car but had arrived with obvious factory defects. When driving it, the ergonomics were bad to say the least and the suspension was not up to the car's weight or power. There was no antidive geometry, so a lot of pitching and yaw. Steering was very light but the car was grossly misaligned. He tried to keep it for a couple of years then just gave up. He said, "More time in the shop than on the road."
Has anyone ever paid their money before making their choice? Do you not make the choice first then pay for the thing you've chosen? Is that phrase not a bit backwards? Should someone tell the beatles? Is it too late now? Do I ask to many questions? No?
The Bentley is a rare classic. The BMW is a boring mass product that is completely overrated. That's the difference between the two cars. Greetings from Germany
@@Hackett1066 Again. No drug dealer or footballplayer drives a 30 year old Bentley today, I never ever see one. They drive BMW, Mercedes or Audi. The old Bentley is something for a hobby, not for every day. A classic for real men with fine taste. The others drive a 15-year-old junk BMW or a toxic electric car. By the way, old are you - 15 years or less? 😛🤪😂
My Turbo R was a maint nightmare that hydraulic system is rubbish better quality interior though but my old BMW 7 series was great..was a bit of maint problem though not the same as the Turbo R
Beautiful e38 750i msport , in the right colour with the alpina turbines. I’d have the 740i msport, one of the best looking BMWs ever made alongside the e46 330i msport and the e90 m3.👍
No comparison,the bentley any day.proper handbuilt car.a jaguar super v8 would be a better comparison to the bmw,but that would blow the bmw away to,especially if its the x350 version.
Great vid, thanks. You cannot mistake the Bentley for anything else. The BMW is nice but bland. For a future investment I'd have the Bentley but for £15000? I'll stick with my Audi S5 rather than buying the BMW. All the best..........
not sure about that , ive owned bmws over the last 30 years 1 e28 528i 1x e34 540 1xe39 540 1x e31 840 1x e31 850 1x e38 750 , never ever left me stranded never broke down and i found them easy to work on , so i think its a usa thing , i am sure you will find alot more badly made american cars than a 1990 era bmw there built like tanks
The BMW E38 still looks new today. Timeless design, wonderful engineering.
Definitely a high point for BMW!
BMW top dude thinks that you like new XM better
Very best 50/50 split balanced large car there’s ever been I personally have used one as a close protection person with advanced driving license and I have been in a situation against a much smaller car on a getaway and then we still clean got clear of the threat to live another day . E38 is the only car it’s size that could escape from a rs2 Audi
The BMW looks utterly gorgeous. The sharp lines and the Alpina wheels, even the colour is a perfect match for the car!
The E38 7 series was for me the best 7. Best shape, best engine and just enough tech. Hands down, I'd take one of these any day of the week 👌🏻👌🏻
Agreed, it still looks stunning!
Nah. Just looks like a phat E39.
IMO, the E39 had the best styling, the E38 looks too wide.
@@lewis72 I always saw it as the opposite. To me the e39 looked like a stubby version of a e38. The proportions look more natural on the e38 while on the e39 it looked squished. Both amazing looking cars though.
@@georgeyaknowthegeorgeyeathatme
I see where you're coming from. However, I think the 7 Series looks so dull compared to an XJ from the same year..
Great video . For years we ran a Bentley continental R and a BMW e65 750i - the 4.8 V8 not a V12 . And I was often asked which I preferred and was hard pressed to answer . BMW more modern / more tech - Conti R more beautiful / less tech
We had lockdown and put a SORN on the BMW as that was the car for trips , and so when we needed unexpectedly to do some longer trips I used the Bentley rather more than usual . And I had my answer . The effortless torque of the big 6.75 wins .
And so that along with a poor dealership experience means the BMW has gone , and in its place is a 2007 Bentley Arnage R ; not much tech because I don’t want a touchscreen , later version of engine and a six speed box and the stiffer version of the body .
It’s goes like a train if asked , but is a lot more relaxing than the BMW ever was .
The 740 and the 750 were the best of the best for getting off home fast on the back roads with ease and stability while also having complete control even when on the limit
Had three E38s back in the day, including two 750iLs, and they were all fantastic. Had their issues of course, most notably being rads, coolant leaks, intake cyclones, fuel tank leak etc… All the usual things. But did 150mph down the autobahn on a trip to Munich and back and was just glorious.
The E38 is Still worth buying in my opinion than buying today’s cars. Definitely looking to get one.
That 7 is simply stunning.
The BMW E38 is an exceptional car! Especially the 750iL. Supremely comfortable, luxurious, refined, powerful, innovative and reliable with a hint of sportiness.
Built to last. This was a car built to rival even the very best from Bentley or Rolls Royce.
In fact, I would call it the world's best car!
It stood head and shoulders above the Mercedes W140 S class.
I do also love the Rolls Royce models and Bentleys from that time.
Greetings from a BMW L7 owner!
My father had a new e38 740i in 1997 and it was a great car but it depreciated massively in the year he owned it.
i drive a 1999 E38 728I every day ,Lots of power and just as nice as this inside same colour inside , and will do 140mph all night so quiet , and 45mpg on a run at 70 ,
There's an 98 E38 on the drive at the moment, awaiting new old plates. Even with a small dent on the back it still radiates some sort of glow, and looks a similar or younger in age than the other post 2000/10 cars in the family. They're not without faults or wear and tear, but do seem to be a class above most nice cars.
A friend of mine bought a 1996 'P reg' BMW E38 728i with an intergalactic mileage!! I remember the first time I sat in the back seat thinking this is the most comfortable car In have ever been in!! A true timeless classic!! They don't build them like they used to!!👍🙂
There's no sedan that pulls the hearstrings quite like the E38 7-series. What a fantastic design! I see people electro-swapping these in the future just to be able to admire the beauty and driving it around in comfort.
I love this channel I watch the same reviews like reruns on TV great and interesting old school car reviews
I guess a fairer comparison would be a later Bentley, Turbo S? 1995. I have one, 50k miles, and it is a big differnce to the earlier Turbo S. But both cars great... Also got a 2019 760i V12! Now thats another level....
That’s quite a choice of cars you have there; for years I said I’d eventually upgrade my 2005 750i one day , that I’d have a V12 before I was done .
What put paid to that was the ever declining level of service at my local main dealer . They just didn’t get that a punter with an older vehicle wanted it kept right . And so I decided that I wouldn’t put my head in that noose ever again . As problematic at my Bentley is at least the workshop is on my side .
I do agree, they are a generation apart in chronology not a fair comparison.
Asthonising análisis! Greatings from Madrid!!!
That E38 is too beautiful to ignore.
E38 has something more: style. Neither the Bentley nor modern cars do offer that.
E38 has always been my favourite 7 series and the only one I would pick over it's s class rival at the time. If I did buy one I would go with the 740i because I prefer the sound of the v8 over the v12
Brilliant job on this comparison. Both are such attractive cars. I wish BMW still could make cars this beautiful and analog. Love those BMW wheels and that glorious V12. The Turbo R really hasn't aged that well compared to the BMW
The E38 is the perfect car. I miss mine, though it was the baby 4.4 740i :) Is that 750i E32 the one that was in the total BMW mag? I think it had Aston martin db7 alloys on it. My father had the E32 B12 back in the early 1990. I miss that car.
The 7 is a stunning car. But it would have to be the Bentley for me, albeit preferably an Arnage.
Love these cars, it'd be the Bentley for me. A comparison video between the E38 7 Series and X308 Daimler Super V8 would be great!
Funnily enough, we’ve done just that! Have a look back through the videos on our channel to see the Bentley vs the Daimler
@@ClassicsWorldUK I have watched that comparison, and loved it!
I had a 750iL from 1996 and now drive a 1990 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur II. Both have their pros and cons. The Rolls-Royce gives a greater sense of occasion for any journey. I did love my BMW though; it remains the biggest motoring regret that I didn’t keep it.
i got one for sale
The Bentley has enormous road presence, mainly because it looks enormous and stately. It is a car in which you will be noticed.
The BMW looks like an overgrown 3 series. Though I agree the styling has aged very nicely and it still looks better than later models.
But many of those who buy Bentleys rather than RRs do so because they are then less likely to be "noticed".
Easily the best-looking 7 Series to date!!
2:55 omg almost stacked into the trees!!
Driving too quickly IMO 😧
The only real problem that era of 7 series had was that the interior looked little different to that in a decent spec 3 series.
That BMW is so gorgeous.
My all-time favourite BMW!
Thanks to Tomorrow Never Dies XD
The best looking 7 series of all time…arguably one of the best looking modern 4 doors ever. 🙌🏽
I think a supercharger would have suited the Bentley better because of the low end power. I generally love turbo cars but being a Bentley I wouldn't exactly modify it
I have a Mora Violette 750i an early one 97 the repair bill are unbelievable
Owned a 1998 750il individual in Oxford green 26 mpg on long runs it was a bargain at £3.500 with 98000 mile on the clock it was a good driving big car and it could boogie
That example of the e 38 is beautiful 😍
What color is this on the BM? Biarritz blue? It seems too dark to be Avus Blue
Always hated the rear of the E38. What a let down
The E38 on those wheels rides just as well as the Turbo R? Wow!
I'd have both cars, the e38 looks stunning in that colour combination with the wheels, and I love Bentleys. I would like to see a comparison between an e38 750 and a Mercedes w140 600.
BOTH CARS FANTASTIC ---- love the BNT/BMW --...--
iv got a 1987 bentley eight ,,it looks same as the turbo ,,,
The BMW gets my vote though I can see the appeal of the Bentley.
The Bentley R hasn’t aged well, the BMW is timeless in comparison.
But at the end of the day, it’s still a boring BMW. No matter how old the Turbo R looks, it will always be parked up front at any hotel or restaurant. I have a 1989 and 1997 Bentley Turbo R - and as Jay Leno and many other aficionados have said, “you either get it or you don’t.”
7 series all day long 🤗
Very interesting and fair review. Our experience with old BMWs is that they are temptingly cheap, but have endless air con problems, rust and electrical issues. S-Class Mercedes is a much better bet, if not as nice to drive in a sporting fashion.
Thats one lovely 7 😍😍
I had 3 of the 7 series ,cars and they were maintained and cossetted from new , one owner each I took the mileage up to 175k on each of them and by that time they were knackered . The rumbles and knocks evertime brakes were applied , and poor quality issues like flimsy seats . ( all 3 drivers seat bases were not up to the job , fixed to the seats by tiny screws and plastic fittings so that the switches all came away in my hands . Could live that but what I couldnt live with was the world of BMW bugs . All 3 cars lost the monitor and everything associated , ABS , Cruise, Wipers , Transmission . and even one the last one , the clock started to speak in German and couldnt be switched off . Even BMW would not guarrantee a fix but there was some geezer a 100 miles away that said he would look at the problem but no promises . So I scrapped all three there and then . Cars that mess me about are useless . I saw sense and bought a beautiful series 3 Japanese imported Daimler V12 Series 3 which is 1000 times better than all 3 BMW's put together and no more reliability issues . and even if there were , they can be fixed easily.
About 10 yrs. ago a friend bought a new 750iL. He thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread until the problems started. It went into "limp home" mode so often that soon his wife refused to get into the thing. I'm sure it was a great ride...when it was working.
About 24 yrs. ago, I drove a friends new Bentley Cont. drophead. It was a gorgeous car but had arrived with obvious factory defects. When driving it, the ergonomics were bad to say the least and the suspension was not up to the car's weight or power. There was no antidive geometry, so a lot of pitching and yaw. Steering was very light but the car was grossly misaligned. He tried to keep it for a couple of years then just gave up. He said, "More time in the shop than on the road."
Driving a Bentley is an occasion to be savoured, the BMW is a glorified taxi. They are different vehicles doing different jobs.
That E38 was aimed at very niche market. SWB 750i was for the executive who drives himself. No taxi here mate
@@captainhindsight8604 wrong mate. You see loads of Pakistanis in them. 😂😂😂😂😂
👍👍Bang on. There's lots of lads from council estates in the comments.
As you say it’s not a fair comparison….but BMW all the way
Has anyone ever paid their money before making their choice? Do you not make the choice first then pay for the thing you've chosen?
Is that phrase not a bit backwards?
Should someone tell the beatles?
Is it too late now?
Do I ask to many questions?
No?
Hit RR tracks at 100MPH and a 40 degree angle in each car. You will get a turbo R
The Bentley is a rare classic. The BMW is a boring mass product that is completely overrated. That's the difference between the two cars. Greetings from Germany
@@Hackett1066 No drug dealer or young football player anywhere drives a 25 or 30 years old Bentley. May be in your dreams.
@@Hackett1066 Again. No drug dealer or footballplayer drives a 30 year old Bentley today, I never ever see one. They drive BMW, Mercedes or Audi.
The old Bentley is something for a hobby, not for every day. A classic for real men with fine taste. The others drive a 15-year-old junk BMW or a toxic electric car. By the way, old are you - 15 years or less? 😛🤪😂
i'll take the 750 with bentley interior, or a jag xjr
My biggest problem with the BMW, is that everyone else thinks you're pretending to be James Bond. Not a good look.
Grow up.
My Turbo R was a maint nightmare that hydraulic system is rubbish better quality interior though but my old BMW 7 series was great..was a bit of maint problem though not the same as the Turbo R
Ohhhhh yahhhh I found the same problem in my Rolls, thankfully replaced with a new Bugatti. Don’t you find it just drives superior?
@@captainhindsight8604 The Rolls or Bugatti? both different vehicles for sure
Beautiful e38 750i msport , in the right colour with the alpina turbines. I’d have the 740i msport, one of the best looking BMWs ever made alongside the e46 330i msport and the e90 m3.👍
How does that 750 compare to the daimler super v8 from a few video's earlier?
750i is class.
Agreed!
No comparison,the bentley any day.proper handbuilt car.a jaguar super v8 would be a better comparison to the bmw,but that would blow the bmw away to,especially if its the x350 version.
Nice one Ive 👍
It looks like a Alpina B7 to me. Which isn't exactly 750i... but... it does not have Alpina interiour trim & engine badging... hmmmm... tough one!
It’s a factory 750i with Alpina wheels and body kit parts
The BMW now looks really dated, just an old beemer, the Bentley never gets old, sold a really good BMW 740 a few years ago for under a £1000.
Great vid, thanks. You cannot mistake the Bentley for anything else. The BMW is nice but bland. For a future investment I'd have the Bentley but for £15000? I'll stick with my Audi S5 rather than buying the BMW. All the best..........
w140?
If you check the 'Car Wizards' popular youtube channel, he won't even work on BMW's because they are so badly made.
I think it’s a USA issue, in the UK you will find many 200k+ examples, I see more old BMWs in London than any other car of the same era
not sure about that , ive owned bmws over the last 30 years 1 e28 528i 1x e34 540 1xe39 540 1x e31 840 1x e31 850 1x e38 750 , never ever left me stranded never broke down and i found them easy to work on , so i think its a usa thing , i am sure you will find alot more badly made american cars than a 1990 era bmw there built like tanks
Bang on. They're junk.
@@captainhindsight8604true
I think you brought a knife to a gunfight.....
True
Or a Pakistani taxi. 😂😂😂
Bm all day long