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The E32 was introduced in 1986, with the 730i and 735i featuring 3.0 L and 3.5 L straight-6 engines respectively, and a new, 5.0 L, 300 horsepower (220 kW) V12 engine for the 750i. In 1992, 3.0 L and 4.0 LV8 engines were added to the lineup (730i and 740i). All models were also available in a stretched L version, which had 10 centimetres (3.9 in) of extra legroom for the rear passengers. This was the last 7 series generation to be available exclusively with gasoline engines (in Europe).

The E38 generation (1994–2001) had a five-speed automatic. The engine variants in Europe were 725tds, 728i, 730i, 730d, 735i, 740i (4.0 and 4.4 L Both included Stock Turbo option), 740d and 750i (with a 5.4 L V12 346 hp (258 kW; 351 PS) engine, as was used in the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph).

In America, the models were sold as the 740i, 740iL and 750iL. The 740i and 740iL shared the same 4.0 L V8 engine in model year 1995, but the next year the V8 grew to 4.4L while stated power stayed at 267 hp (199 kW), though torque grew from 295 to 310 lb·ft (400 to 420 N·m). Then again coinciding with the 1999 facelift, the V8s power again stayed the same but now torque grew further to 324 lb·ft (439 N·m), due to new variable valve timing. The 740iL is essentially a long-wheelbase 740i (the "L" is from the German word for long, "lang"). The considerably rarer 5.4 L V12-powered 750iL was only available as a long-body; there was no E38 750i in the US lineup. The E38 was the first car in the world to feature Xenon headlights. BMW was also the first European car manufacturer to offer an integrated satellite navigation screen which featured on the E38 7 Series.

The 750i was BMWs flagship sedan. It was featured in the 1997 film Tomorrow Never Dies as the car driven by James Bond (Pierce Brosnan). The 735i featured in the film Transporter driven by Jason Statham with manual transmission

The fourth generation was available in four different variants: the standard-wheelbase E65 (2990 mm, 118 in), the extended-wheelbase E66 (3130 mm, 123 in), the High Security version E67 and the hydrogen powered versionE68. It dropped the manual transmission entirely.

The E65/E66/E67/E68 7 Series featured BMWs first of a kind iDrive system, consisting of a video screen in the dashboard and a controller mounted on the center console that is used in a similar way to a computer mouse. Using a system of eight menus, most of the cars climate, audio, navigation, suspension and communication settings are controlled via iDrive. However, the system has been criticized by many automotive writers as being too complex and not intuitive enough.

"Active" Seat continuous passive motion technology was made standard equipment on the 750/760 models and included in the Luxury Seating Package with heated and ventilated seats for driver and front passenger on the 745 models.

The car was available in thirteen variants—of those, 11 were on sale in Europe, with five available in the U.S. since diesel models were not available there.

*0–62 mph
**Performance numbers for the 735i and 735Li are identical, and those for the 745i and 745Li are identical.
***All roadgoing BMWs have an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

In America, only the 750i, 750Li and 760Li were available from BMW dealerships. The 730i, 730d, 740i, 740d Turbodiesel and their long wheelbase counterparts were available in the rest of the world, in addition to the short wheelbase 760i. Alpina B7 was available for order through BMW dealerships only in United States and Canada, everywhere else it was available through Alpina dealerships.

In US:

The 7 Series was facelifted in 2005 with a restyled front and rear and a larger range of engines, the N62B48.

The twice-refreshed 7 Series sports a new taillight and reduced height for the trunk lid. The front headlight and the kidney grille was also raised somewhat, as well as a new front air dam and fog light assembly.

*0–62 mph
**All roadgoing BMWs have an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). This limitation does not however apply to the GCC specification models.

The 4.4 L V8 was replaced by a 4.8 L unit producing 367 hp (274 kW) and 361 lb·ft (489 N·m) . The new model with the enlarged engine is now known as 750i and 750Li (for the long wheel-base model). The 750i and 750Li replace the 745i and 745Li in all world markets. The 745d, powered by a 4.4 L turbodiesel producing 329 hp (245 kW) has replaced the 740d. As before, a six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic is standard on all models.

In 2007 the 7 series received minor updates both inside and out. On the exterior, new wheel designs were made available and power folding mirrors became standard. On the inside, an update to the iDrive system (but still no RTTI: Real Time Traffic Info) was also made standard. 2007 also saw the installation of an auxiliary input for connecting an audio source. Engine options remained the same as with the 2006 model, but the short wheelbase 760i, was no longer available for the North American market.

BMW plans to offer a car that runs on both petrol and hydrogen, to be called the Hydrogen 7. Since the infrastructure for refueling a hydrogen-fueled engine is not widely available, the V12 engine also runs on petrol. Drivers will be able to switch what fuel they are using with the push of a button. However, only 100 units have been built up to now for a limited edition. For example, the mayor of Munich, Christian Ude, received one of them. BMW has also developed a newer, more efficient hydrogen combustion engine, now on par with some of the most efficient diesel engines.

BMW also built armoured versions of the 7 series vehicles. The models have protection levels VR6/VR7. Security features include laminated windows, carbon fibre reinforced armour plating, under body armour, emergency front windscreen exit, lowered door windows, run flat tires.

BMW has developed a parking-assist technology that can automatically park the car while the driver stands outside and watches as the internal robotics park it using a combination of sensors. A prototype of the system has been completed and was recorded using a BMW 730i.

The 5th generation F01/F02 was introduced in July 2008 and first went on sale on November 15, 2008. The F01/F02 heralded the introduction of the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. Five variants are showcased at debut, 750Li, 740Li, 750i, 740i, and 730d.

Numerous engines also power the 7 Series worldwide. BMW offers diesel, straight 6, V8 and V12 motors. An all-aluminum 3.0-liter straight-six-cylinder diesel engine produces 245 hp (183 kW; 248 PS). The peak torque figure of 540 N·m (400 lb·ft) comes in at 1,750 rpm up through 3,000 rpm. Its 194g/km emission figure is class-leading for conventionally powered luxury cars, as is its 38.7 mpg fuel consumption figure.

BMW switched from a MacPherson strut front suspension to a double wishbone design for improved handling. The F01 is also available in a bulletproof version.

In April 2009, BMW announced plans for a 760Li, which will be BMWs new flagship model. The 760Li will be equipped with a twin-turbocharged V12 producing 544 horsepower, which will propel the car from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds.

In 2010, all-wheel-drive (BMW xDrive) became available on the 7-series.

The new F01/F02 is equipped with a more intuitive iDrive system with a full featured web browser.

The BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008. In August 2009 BMW announced the production versions of the ActiveHybrid 7, together with BMW ActiveHybrid X6.

The 2011 ActiveHybrid 7 is a mild hybrid and features a 0.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. The electric motor is combined with BMW’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 and new 8-speed automatic transmission to accelerate from 0 – 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. Estimated EPA fuel economy is 17 miles per US gallon (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg_-imp) city and 26 miles per US gallon (9.0 L/100 km; 31 mpg_-imp) for highway, which represents almost an 18% improvement over the non-hybrid 750i/Li.

US sales began in June 2010 with a base MSRP price of $103,125 for the ActiveHybrid 7 and $107,025 for the long wheelbase ActiveHybrid 7L. The ActiveHybrid 7 initially qualified for a $900 U.S. Federal Tax Credit. Since 2009 only 657 units were sold in the U.S. through September 2012.

BMW introduced a new hybrid powertrain generation with the 2013 model year that improved the fuel economy as compared with the previous version. The 2013 ActiveHybrid 7 share the hybrid powertrain of the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 and the ActiveHybrid 5. The EPA rating for the 2013 ActiveHybrid 7 is 22 miles per US gallon (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg_-imp) in city driving and 30 miles per US gallon (7.8 L/100 km; 36 mpg_-imp) on the highway. The 2013 ActiveHybrid 7 also has a lower price than the previous generation and starts at US$84,895.