The BMW 740iL is a full-size car built from 1993 to 2001 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in Germany — 100% of those on record. Between 1994 and 2001 it grew 10 cm longer and gained 65 kg. Engines offered: V8. Worth buying? It holds up well, with the usual caveat about model years at 4.0/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the 740iL is
The BMW 740iL is a full-size car that BMW built from 1993 to 2001 — 9 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 1995. It has been offered with V8 power. Its closest siblings in the BMW range: X1, i7, 740i.
Where the 740iL is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 109 740iLs on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | WBA | 1993-2001 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a BMW VIN decide which of these 2 lines your 740iL belongs to. What every character in a 740iL VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a BMW 740iL adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
740iL generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the 740iL's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the 740iL that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 502 cm | 295 cm | 1840 kg | - | - |
| 1995-2001 | 512 cm | 307 cm | 1905 kg | +10 cm | +65 kg |
Between 1994 and 2001 the 740iL gained 10 cm in length (+2.0%) and 65 kg in weight (+3.5%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the 740iL that is 65 kg against 10 cm. Full dimensions by year →
BMW 740iL tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment 740iL owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the BMW 740iL have? Power & range
The BMW 740iL is offered with 1 powertrain — 4.4L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the BMW 740iL, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 4.4L · 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The 740iL by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the BMW 740iL. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | 740iL | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 16 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 145 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.0 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Insurance | $4,458/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 36 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the BMW 740iL?
The 740iL is a full-size car, built from 1993 to 2001 across 2 generations. Engines offered: V8.
Where is the BMW 740iL made?
Across 109 cars in our records the split is: Germany (100%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the 740iL have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1995. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the 740iL grew 10 cm longer and gained 65 kg.
What is the BMW 740iL warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the 740iL reliable?
It scores 4.0/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific 740iL?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
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