7 Series (E32)

The BMW E32 7 Series, launched in 1986, represented a watershed moment for BMW. For the first time, the brand's flagship sedan was powered by engines with more than six cylinders. The new M60 V8 and M70 V12 engines were developed specifically for this car, ending BMW's exclusive reliance on inline engines and signaling the company's determination to compete at the highest levels of the luxury market.

The M70 5.0-liter V12, used in the 750i and 750iL, was particularly significant. It made BMW the first German manufacturer to offer a V12-powered sedan in the post-war era, beating Mercedes-Benz to the punch by several months. Producing 300 horsepower, the V12 was silky smooth and effortlessly powerful, giving the 750iL flagship a character distinct from the S-Class. The V8 models, introduced in 1992, offered a more accessible path to multi-cylinder luxury with the 530-horsepower 3.0-liter and 4.0-liter engines.

The E32 also introduced several important technological innovations. It was one of the first production cars to offer electronic damper control (EDC), traction control (ASC+T), and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The long-wheelbase iL variant, with its extended rear passenger compartment, directly targeted the chauffeur-driven market that had been Mercedes-Benz's exclusive domain. Build quality and materials were exceptional, with extensive use of fine leather, wood trim, and double-glazed windows for noise reduction.

With over 311,000 units produced, the E32 outsold its predecessor and firmly established the 7 Series as a legitimate alternative to the S-Class. Its engineering legacy — particularly the V8 and V12 engines — would influence BMW's product planning for decades. Today, the E32 is appreciated as one of the most elegant and well-proportioned luxury sedans of the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the 750iL V12 being the most desirable variant among collectors.