Here's Why the 2001 BMW 7 Series Is the Best Luxury Sedan Ever 

E38 is two better than E36 ;) ;)

the turn signals feel so solid cause they were never used

Doug, the type of guy to walk into a lamborghini dealership dressed like he's about to cut grass on a Sunday

Perfect 7 series, low beltline, slim, solid and athletic. Unlike the new one

I drive my 1998 740IL every day. 230,000 miles . I used to work on them for a living when they were brand new at the dealer. They looked awesome then and they still do today. Everywhere I go people talk about this car ….do you want to sell it ….I like your car….. a thumbs up at the gas station. There are some things created that will never happen again and this is one of them. All the stars were aligned.

Most elegant BMW ever. A good design goes never out of style.

its amazing how in 2001 bmws were 98% car, 2% grill now in 2020 its 30% car, 70% grill...

This video is one of the most viewed videos made by Doug. I'm glad that people still have a good taste in car design and in cars general. I believe that the E38 was one of the best if not the best model that BMW ever produced and I consider myself lucky to have a neighbor that owns one of them. I always find some time to stare at this beauty...

My mom drove a 740iL like this one when I was a kid, and it was my favorite car my family ever owned. As a child, I could stick my legs straight out and not touch the back of the front seats. I felt like I was getting chauffeured and loved that car.

The "seat massager" was really for when you drive on long trips, it would change the pressure points on your legs etc so you don't get blood clots or driver fatigue. You can drive fo 10 hours and get out feeling pretty good.

Honestly one of the best looking cars ever built IMO.

Oh, I cannot forget seeing E38 for the first time back in the 90s. There was a black one parked outside of a mall. Back then, just a BMW was very rare in my area. Seeing the 7 series in person was sensational. The front light tilted forward looked exotic, and the whole car looked sturdier and classier than any other car I had seen. Why can't BMW design like this anymore?

The proportions are perfect. The headlights are in a perfect size for overall design. Clean lines

I really appreciate it when you do these 10+ year old cars. I'm not a BMW guy, but these 7-Series cars were fantastic.

Doug introducing himself in a party: Thiissss... is me, Doug DeMuro

4 years! I remember seeing this in the date it was posted... one my favorite videos of this channel

I had a 1993 750iL, phone in the console and everything. Loved that car so much...

Rich people can afford a new BMW But super rich people can afford a used BMW

“ Felt so solid, and so thick, and so sturdy, it was so nice to touch” -Doug Demuro

Man my dad had a 2001 Bmw 740i Msport it was the best car i have ever been in. So many memories of the highway in that thing. rip dad

I love your videos Doug. This one was out of the park. Gorgeous vehicle

I don’t care if the interior is aging. It’s gorgeous

This is a lot classier than the modern ones.

Thank you so much because this beautiful video and I really enjoyed.

My wife bought a E32 730i yesterday...Man, those Cars are sooooooooo awesome😍

James Bond drove one in Tomorrow Never Dies. I loved that car.

Guy: hey what cellphone do you have? Other guy: BMW

Doug this is my favorite sedan of all time. Thank you.

This car truly makes Doug happy, you can tell by the way it makes him naturally smile while he is driving.

Dayum that turn signal lever is T H I C C

Those are not massaging seats, they are "active comfort seats," which are designed to make subtle movements to the seat bottom to reduce back fatigue on long trips.

Oh man my dad had one of these back in the day, it really was the smoothest ride of all time. He had one then my grandpa and uncle got the exact same one. Ran for 250,000 miles too, so ahead of it’s time.

I wasn't convinced until you convinced me! Well done sir! 👏👏👏

Doug the kind of guy who uses turn signals in a BMW

The seats were not meant to massage. They were for long trips and the lower seat would change the pressure points. That is why you hardly feel it. I was a technician for BMW when that car was around new. I would argue that the E39 is the perfect sedan, but I agree that this was the best 7 series ever built.

Absolutely perfect optics. I hope that BMW will return to this design soon.

Fantastic review Doug. I have a regular 740i and you nailed every single point to the letter. These cars are a joy to drive at any speed and and still get decent fuel economy for being 2+ tons. Mine still gets 26mpg highway, just like it did when it was brand new. Even lacking the massage option, one doesn't notice they've been driving for 10-12 hours. This particular car looks like an Early 01 model, probably a July or August 2000 build. My E38 was built in September 2000 and got the 16:9 Widescreen setup. Just that touch alone makes it look FAR newer than it is. Add a MkIV DVD Navigation drive and map disc updates can be found through 2016. Quite useful when cell signal isn't available. Mine actually got the MkIV upgrade under warranty and it earned its weight in gold in Middle of Nowhere Indiana.

I love how adding magnetic rear compartments and a warning triangle was “too expensive” but the hydraulic glove box seems reasonable 🥴

If Doug went on a date, he’d say “first let me tell you all of your quirks and features and then I’ll give you a Doug score”

Not quite the same thing but for a few years when I was younger, my mom had a 5 series of the same vintage (1999 or 2000, I believe) and I always loved that car. I wanted to learn to drive in it back when I was like, 12. My dad once took me out on the highway when we first got it and just floored it when there was nobody around, doing 120 or 130 down the open, empty roads late at night, giggling all the way while I was planted in my seat. They sold it to some guy who just wanted the wheels off of it cause it had some sport package or something, and NOW, with me having been through therapy and prepping myself to work for the first time a lot later than I should have, I am considering one of those, or one of these, since they seem pretty attainable at a price of 3 to 6 thousand dollars. I'm honestly pretty hyped for it.

My dad bought one of these in 2004 and still has it today. Even though he's spent a small fortune on maintenence over the years, it's his pride and joy and he will never part with it. Such a beautiful beast of a car.

Doug is the type of guy who USES turn indicators on his BMW

Older cars are awesome. You just don't get the same feeling with new cars. There's something about an older, clean, well kept car that gives you this awesome feeling of enjoyment.

I once owned a 99 750i in Cosmos black, and I adored it. Double glazing, rain sensitive wipers, auto-tilt rear view mirror, heated wing mirrors, television, front and rear phones, memory seats, and tiptronic gear select. The steering wheel moved out of the way, and the seat moved back, to let you enter gracefully. The power was endless, and for the time, the kickdown was awesome. I could drive hundreds of miles and feel like I'd spent the day in my favourite armchair: driver fatigue was never an issue. I still miss her, and her perfect beauty. In a perfect world, I would want to be buried in her, like a Viking chieftain. I'll never own another car that would make me so happy.

The rear seatbelts latch near the doors to make it easy for parents to put seatbelts on children or children's car seats. It was a godsend! My E36 5-Series worked that way too.

I like that you don't just do new and flashy.

I have to say, this example was low spec by comparison to my 2001 750iL in England. Mine had double glazed windows, refridgerator in the back, full seat and audio controls in the back arm rest, plus second phone in the rear arm rest, a powered self opening and closing boot (trunk) lid, blinds all round, lit mirrors in the back of the front head rests for rear passengers and....wait for it... a FAX MACHINE and fax point built into the back of one of the seats. "Fax me in the car" I used to tell people.... I miss that car....

Doug again proving his deep car guy wisdom. Gimme the long wheelbase 12 banger thank you very much. Talk about the BEST used family saloon going. The buzz around this car before it came out was crazy. And it delivered. Love it. 😍

Oh man probably my favorite luxury sedan of all time too. What a beautiful car!

Doug the type of guy that uses blinkers on a BMW

This car just screams German Engineering

Great review. You forgot to mention or demonstrate the closing of the vault door experience though 😀

Had one. Black/black. Was really powerful. Took off like a rocket. Great interior. I had the IL edition. Great sound system too.

I fell in love with this car in Tomorrow Never Dies

Doug the type of guy to drive on the speed limits in forza horizon

Amazing car!! I would bow before the owner! This is impecable! Beyond words! And, I also see a less flashy and more mature Doug. I like it.

Doug is much calmer in these old videos. I kinda like it. ASMR Doug edition

Wow, this car is an absolute credit to its owner, it is in immaculate condition. to me, it looks mint! a medal to the owner well done.

Hey Doug you forgot to mention that the BMW 7series was also a Bond car in tomorrow never dies 007

One of my favourite BMW of all time ! Doug had good taste 👍

A gentleman and a bad guy in one. The best limousine of all time. My unfulfilled dream. A car that still takes your breath away when it passes you by...😍 A combination of elegance and sport. The only thing I would put on this model is B6 Alpina rims..💪

That infotainment screen has less screen lag than most modern cars😂

This is the most beautiful car ever made by BMW and this is my favourite.

I love dougs side comments on everything

As a young child as i was tagging along with my dad to a luxury home, going to a empty garage. Except a new, gleeming, dark blue 2001 BMW 7 Series. I fell in love with it. Most elegant BMW ever made! 😍

I had a 1991 535I, and that feeling of everything being solid is oh so true! If you own a BMW, you know the feeling. If you haven’t, go get one even if it’s an old one you won’t regret it,… Except maybe at the repair shop

I glad so gladDoug finally produced a video review of MY favorite Luxury car of all time. I have owned somewhere over 137 new and used cars in my 55 years and I purchased my 2000 BMW 750iL brand new in 7/2000 for the sum of $104,772. It has all options except executive rear seating options (could not locate one with that option at time of purchase). It came with 16" BBS wheels but I purchased a set of 18" factory wheels as a dealer installed option so I had an extra set for bad weather. The everything still works on the car (including all pixels, cup holders have never been used because i do not allow eating or drinking in any of my cars), and the only thing fixed outside of normal maintenence is replacement of the factory Navigation with a new Mark IV navigation computer after the original quit working this past spring and the fan and shroud and radiator after the fan decided to explode. I have maintained all factory service intervals and any issues were taken care of immediately. The only thing currently at issue is the roof clear coat has started to peel and just the last weekend the check engine light came on and threw a code for "cam positioning sensor" which will be fixed before putting the car away for the winter. Since 2006 the car has been stored Oct 1 through April 1 and since then has never been driven in the rain or snow. From 2000 until 2006 I lived in VA and was never been in snow. The car currently has 131,000. Out of all my vehicles this is by far my favorite and that is why I kept it. The new cars are nice but none have the timeless styling of the newer (98-01) face lift E38s. From the full leather dash to the attention to details, this car is IT! I am reluctant to repaint the roof as the car is otherwise 100% free of even the smallest scratch or dent and I like to keep it all original. It will be a big decision to paint the roof. I actually considered previously asking Doug if I wanted to interview my car, but figured it's better kept a secret now that these are beginning to rise in value. Only about 1,000 V12 E38s were brought to North America each year 98-01 and they are getting more difficult to find. I hope this is because of people realizing the rewards of this car and not because they are not worth fixing. I will keep this car as long as I can drive. I'll sell my 95 S600 (love it because it reminds me of old Mercedes quality)before I sell the BMW and I love that car almost as much.

I had the 740i in British spec for a while and the one thing i remember was how solidly built it was. You knew when you used it it was quality made.

I had a 1998 740i which was great - had an even older style phone included than your model. I don't know if your version has it, but mine had a 6-disk CD changer, located in the trunk (my new car doesn't have any CD player, to my annoyance). Had it for 14 years until it was totaled by a deer. Solid like a tank.

This (and the E39 M5, obviously) is my grail car. Has been since the first day I laid eyes on it. - This generation of BMW's are timeless.

I bet doug can review a Mitsubishi elevator (literally the elevator) and have a lot of quirks and features and also the amazing driving experience .

I had that same phone back in 2001, but not the BMW branded one of course, just the base Motorola StarTac

It's good that you are talking of your preferences.

I always loved the look of that car

Doug the type of guy to call in sick for a doctors appointment.

Doug having a wiper stalk fantasy is probably the funniest thing I've watched all day.

My favourite 7 shape, knew someone on the day who had the shape before this, and that was amazing as hell...

Doug the type of guy to wear his shirts with the hanger still on lol

Doug is the type of guy to truly appreciate a good turn signal stock

Oh my. This… this is beautiful. I love this.

I still remember reading a Car and Driver magazine’s reader’s response to the review of this car that read like this…”No matter how much I sweat and toil, I still can’t afford a BMW 750 IL”. Never forgot that little limerick.

Thanks for making this Doug. I've got one as well and it's amazing how many people adore this car. BY FAR it gets the most views on my channel.

I bought my first BMW back in 2002, it was an E38 740i which was the V8 short wheel base version of this, I remember wishing I had the "iL" long wheel base version instead. It was really cool to have such a car back then especially same year when the very first Transporter movie came out with Jason Statham driving the crap out an E38 Beemer. One thing to note that this definitely wasn't the first car to come with parking sensors, believe it or not back in 1994 Porsche 928gts already had parking sensors.

Circa 2008, my then step dad had an 01 740il in Biarritz blue with tan interior. I loved that car and have admired the e38 since. I’ll definitely own one if I can come across the right combo for the right price.

You want to feel old? That phone there is closer in time to the original iphone than the current iphone is

Doug the type of guy who buys water and set it free in the ocean... 😎

This is the most beautiful car ever made in the history of the cars. I'll never like a car in the future like this one. No word for this MACHINE

I wish BMW made the 750iL in the short wheel base. I owned a 2001 740i with the sport package and it's still my favorite car!!!

I had a 99 750il in Germany in the early 2000's. I got it dirt cheap because of a big oil crisis. Loved it. Drove it for three years and sold it for what I paid for it. Only downside was doing the 100k km service. 4k Euro and there was nothing wrong at all. I laughed about the trunk. I always thought mine was broken! And yes... The Nav system was as bad as you expect. Mine was in German and it took me months to figure out how to get it to stop telling me to go to the last destination that the original owner put in last.

I would like to add to this as many features were missed (i have owned 2 of these cars, and i agree, when pulling in to a carpark NO ONE questioned this car, it looked like you purchased something very limited (only 1032 were ever made). My last one was a black (and was nice, videos below). However parts that were missed on this review. - Outside mirrors could fold in when parked (with a button inside) - The trunk had a Hydraulic open and close feature (not shown here as not fitted to this model), the remote open then would fully open AND close the trunk, however hardly any had this option (the fully open and close) fitted, it needed hydraulic pipe, pump and controller - The 1998 phone was WAY better (but was analog), one in the front and one in the rear was also an option (in the arm rest not shown) - The seats had a "sports" option which added thigh support (not shown in this car but the button position was there and had a blank in it) - Newer (2001) had bluetooth as well - Also had speech control (not showed in this review) but could dial numbers on the phone from your voice actually reading the numbers out to the car (VERY advanced for 2001) - The front seat belt height adjuster were automatic, and would move up and down as the front seat was moved forward or back (this worked in my car and never broke) - It was SILENT in the car, all doors had double door seals, one on the door, one on the chassis - The ash reay showed was replacing with a money holder, as not all people smoked (it had coin slots in it) - The front center arm rest DID have storage its located under that arm rest acess from the front (not shown in this video) - The rear suspension was hydraulic leveling - Also had Dynamic Stability control (not fully shown in this video), via a gyroscope located in the engine bay (that would fail, was in the ABS control unit) - The head lamps were auto levelning (if one front wheel was up a kurb the lights would skew to keep them level on the road) - The front screen was very easy to upgrade to a newer wide screen (16:9) - The navigation was also up-gradable to DVD (see below videos) Videos: - Mk2 (CD) to Mk4 (DVD) navigation upgrade : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kiFtemqvVm4.html - Glovebox hydraulic damper replacement : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wUExPSdlYkQ.html - Side repeaters to LED upgrade : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fdaDRl56TnQ.html - My BMW 750iL when it was on CTV to represent one of the James Bond cars (BMW Canada asked me to borrow it as i was one of the only people in Canada to own one) : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sr1FuVwvEWw.html - BMW Voice control feature (i never fitted this but was on the list to do while i owned the car) : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lgbRUCVTlrA.html

I remember my 2 years with a 96 E38 long wheelbase, nothing I had driven up til then had made me feel connected to the road like that car. You cannot really put it into words either... you have to Drive one to fully understand. That "Impala Brown" paint color is so cool.. like the shade of a freshly minted penny.

I picked one up last Friday 😇 a 1999 3.5L V8. Oh it drives so smoothly. Can't wait to take it thru Europe. I'm from Holland btw

E is for Espanol, Douglas

Doug the type of guy who sees 4 yellow lights and calls them green

Why can’t he be this chill every video?

The first Doug DeMuro video I've watched where his voice doesn't drive me nuts. A slightly relaxed voice does wonders!

Doug, My parents had a 2001 740iL when I was growing up and was the car I learned how to drive on. We always thought it was the most beautiful looking car we ever had! Much agree Doug!

To me, this beemer looks WAY better than any other 7-series, present models included.

My dad had a purple one with 30k miles. I still remember the road trips we took with it. We would cruise on the highway going 130mph+ and it would feel like a cloud.

Tip: when driving around town, ie when not on a highway, to get a little quicker acceleration/response don’t put the gear lever in normal “D”.