E32 (1987 to 1994)

The BMW E32 7 Series (1987–1994) is the car that famously "threw down the gauntlet" to Mercedes-Benz, introducing the first German V12 since WWII and pioneering features like Electronic Damper Control and dual-zone climate control. In the 2026 Australian market, the E32 has shed its "old limo" image and is now a sought-after executive classic for a buyer pool of enthusiasts who value its peak-BMW build quality and understated, wide-kidney-grille aesthetic. While the 735i (powered by the bulletproof M30 straight-six) remains the most practical choice for local drivers, the high-desirability crown belongs to the 750iL, featuring the 5.0-litre M70 V12—a car that sold for a massive $220,000 AUD when new. Market values in Australia have strengthened as survivors become rare: a tidy 735i typically trades between $18,000 and $28,000 AUD, while a well-preserved 740i (the 1992+ V8 model) fetches between $25,000 and $40,000 AUD. The flagship 750iL is now a collector's piece, with pristine, local-delivery examples commanding $55,000 to $85,000 AUD. For the Australian buyer pool, desirability is driven by "originality" and a documented history of electrical health, as cars that have avoided the dreaded "Trans Program" errors or interior leather shrinkage (common in our harsh sun) are the ones that maintain a serious resale premium in 2026.

The BMW E32 7 Series (1987–1994) is the car that famously "threw down the gauntlet" to Mercedes-Benz, introducing the first German V12 since WWII and pioneering features like Electronic Damper Control and dual-zone climate control. In the 2026 Australian market, the E32 has shed its "old limo" image and is now a sought-after executive classic for a buyer pool of enthusiasts who value its peak-BMW build quality and understated, wide-kidney-grille aesthetic. While the 735i (powered by the bulletpr… Read more