No common rail yet
BMW waited until 1996 to deliver a diesel BMW 7-series. The 725 TDS got the six-cylinder, which made the 325 TDS a really fast self-igniter for that time. However, the direct injection turbodiesel fell short for the top model. Wouldn’t BMW have been better off waiting until its first common rail six-cylinder arrived? We ask ourselves that when we go out with the diesel-powered limo that came because diesel was booming at the time.
Look, in the almost 400 kg lighter BMW 325 tds (the E36, for connoisseurs), this 143 hp straight-six comes into its own. However, that is a different story in a large, heavy 7 Series, let alone in the two-ton Range Rover in which this engine was also delivered. Now it is true that in a large limousine like this you have to go into relaxation mode anyway. Enjoyment is central here. Traveling instead of racing, sitting in an armchair instead of a glorified garden chair. Anyway, the 725 TDS needs some time to get going.
Don’t ask too much of the 725 TDS
Certainly, it can be done quite quickly, but then you are always pushing the mighty six-cylinder to the limit. You should not want to. No, touch the accelerator with respect, use maximum torque and let the automatic transmission shift smoothly. At 100 km/h, the big diesel runs at approximately 1,900 rpm and even at 150 km/h the noise level is still very acceptable. If everything is at the right temperature, you only hear a good-natured diesel grunt in the background. This allows you to travel to Trento for a good cappuccino without a stopover. Because this BMW loves long journeys.
Better a 728i
In the city, where he is not allowed to go everywhere anyway, he does not feel very at home, partly because of his size. The type of engine is also not suitable for stopping and accelerating all the time. Then the diesel drone starts to irritate and you wish you had taken that 728i. Something you might also do when the road tax bill arrives. You can donate almost €500 per quarter to the state! The interior of the E38, as this 7 is called, is beautiful and fully equipped. We see a lot of buttons, a simple but beautiful instrumentation and a lot of space. Nowadays you have to dare to buy such an old diesel, but after the first long trip that doubt makes way for pure love.
With the 730d, which came in 1998, the diesel was certainly a lot smoother and more economical. Another year later, the strongest 7 Series with diesel could compete completely with the Mercedes S-class, which was available in diesel much earlier than the BMW. In 1999 the 740d was introduced, with a 238 hp V8.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl