The current BMW 740iL is 201.6″ long, 75.2″ wide, on a 120.9″ wheelbase, weighing 4,200 lb. Since 1994 it has grown 2% in length and gained 4% in weight. At 16.8 feet it fits a standard garage and fits a street parking space.
Every BMW 740iL generation, measured
One row per generation. Watch the weight column — that is where most of the change happens, and it is the number that decides fuel use, tyre wear and how far the car takes to stop.
| Generation | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 197.6″ | 72.8″ | 55.1″ | 116.1″ | 4,057 lb |
| 1995–2001 | 201.6″ | 75.2″ | 56.3″ | 120.9″ | 4,200 lb |
From 1994 to today the 740iL gained 3.9″ of length (2%) and 143 lb of weight (4%). A modern compact often outweighs the mid-size car of a generation before.
740iL year by year
Measured every model year, not just at generation changes — 8 years on record. Small moves inside a generation are facelifts; the jumps are new platforms.
| Model year | Length | Width | Wheelbase | Curb weight | Body styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 201.6″ | 73.2″ | 120.9″ | 1 | |
| 2000 | 201.6″ | 73.2″ | 120.9″ | 1 | |
| 1999 | 201.6″ | 73.2″ | 120.9″ | 1 | |
| 1998 | 201.6″ | 73.2″ | 120.9″ | 1 | |
| 1997 | 201.6″ | 73.2″ | 120.9″ | 1 | |
| 1996 | 201.6″ | 73.2″ | 120.9″ | 1 | |
| 1995 | 201.6″ | 75.2″ | 120.9″ | 1 | |
| 1994 | 197.6″ | 72.8″ | 116.1″ | 1 |
Will a 740iL fit
The practical question behind every dimensions search. A single-car garage in the US is typically 20 feet deep; a street parking space is about 18. We allow a foot of clearance in both — nobody parks to the millimetre.
| Space | Typical size | This car | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single garage | 20 ft deep | 16.8 ft | Fits, with room to open the door |
| Street parking space | 18 ft | 16.8 ft | Fits comfortably |
| Standard parking bay width | 8.5 ft wide | 6.3 ft | Room to open doors both sides |
Against cars of the same length
Compared with 645 vehicles within ten inches of the same length — a fair proxy for «cars of this size», regardless of what the marketing calls them.
| Measure | This car | Typical car of this length | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 75.2″ | 74.4″ | +0.8″ |
| Wheelbase | 120.9″ | 116.1″ | +4.8″ |
| Curb weight | 4,200 lb | 4,255 lb | -55 lb |
A longer wheelbase for the same overall length means shorter overhangs — usually more cabin space and a steadier ride. Lighter than typical for its size generally means better fuel economy and shorter stopping distances.
Specs vary by trim. Yours decodes from the VIN.
- Exact build, engine and factory options for one VIN
- The original window sticker as it left the factory
- What that specific configuration is worth today
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we measure
Dimensions come from NHTSA vPIC and Transport Canada vehicle records — manufacturer-declared figures, held in metric and converted to inches and pounds for display.
One row per generation, not per model year: manufacturers rarely change the body between facelifts, and a table of forty near-identical rows helps nobody. Where a generation offered several body styles, the figures are the base measurements for that generation.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
How long is a BMW 740iL?
201.6″ (16′ 10″) in its current generation, 75.2″ wide and 56.3″ tall.
How much does a BMW 740iL weigh?
4,200 lb at the kerb, which is 4% more than the first generation we hold from 1994.
Will a 740iL fit in a garage?
At 16.8 feet it fits a standard 20-foot single garage with room to spare. A street parking space of 18 feet is comfortable.
Has the 740iL got bigger over the years?
Yes — 3.9″ longer and 143 lb heavier since 1994, across 2 generations. Weight grew 4%, far faster than length.