Model year guide

1998 BMW 740il

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 BMW 740il is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1998 BMW 740il — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 BMW 740il at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints37
Combined18 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 BMW 740il recalls 1

Steering:linkages:drag:link:connection NHTSA Campaign #10E021000 · 27/05/2010

FCP GROTON IS RECALLING CERTAIN STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS, P/N 32 21 1 096 057, SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2001 BMW 740I, 740IL, AND 750IL PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHAFT OF THE STEERING CENTER TIE ROD MAY SHEAR OFF.

Fix: FCP GROTON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE TIE ROD WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FCP GROTON TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-634-0063.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 BMW 740il common problems

Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

1998 BMW 740il MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,700
EPA size classLarge Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd
Passenger volume107 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 BMW 740il costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,500
Fuel only$18,500
Per mile$0.25

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1998 BMW 740il trims & engines on record

Engines
4.4L 8-cyl 282 hp

1998 BMW 740il vehicles on record

1998 BMW 740il 1998 BMW 740ilWBAGJ8329WDM10785

Other BMW 740il model years

2001

1998 BMW 740il — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 BMW 740il have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 BMW 740il. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 BMW 740il?

Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are fuel system, gasoline, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW 740il get?

The 1998 BMW 740il has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 22 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.