Plan d’maintenance BMW 7 Series Long (E38, facelift 1998)

Arriving in late 1998, the facelifted BMW 7 Series Long E38 brought subtle yet definitive enhancements to the flagship limousine. Scalloped headlights inspired by the E46 3 Series, standard side curtain airbags, and an upgraded sat-nav display refreshed the cabin while retaining the car's lean, dignified silhouette. Ensuring its continued reliability requires attentive BMW 7 Series maintenance, particularly addressing the cooling system and engine timing gear.

Mechanical updates included the introduction of the torquey M57D30 turbodiesel (730d), single-VANOS M62TU V8 engines (735iL, 740iL) and the updated M73N V12 in the 750iL. The ZF five-speed automatic gearbox gained Steptronic manual control. On M62TU engines, the plastic U-shaped timing chain guides represent a critical wear item that must be monitored closely for deterioration, while the pressurised cooling circuit demands proactive renewal.