BUYER’S GUIDE: BMW 7 Series
FROM £22,000 BMW’s flagship saloon blends luxury with sharp handling, and can be a fine buy
Richard Dredge
BMW was founded more than 100 years ago, and has since focused almost solely on making premium cars that are great to drive. The firm faced bankrupcy back in the fifties, but has since gone on to produce some of the most desirable, dynamic and premium cars on the road.
While the 3 Series and 5 Series and, lately, the X3 and X5 SUVs have been at the heart of this success, a host of supporting models have played their part, including the 7 Series luxury saloon. This first went on sale in 1977, and is in its sixth generation now. Packed with tech and offered with fine powertrains, it’s one of the key players in its market, and is definitely worth considering.
History
THE Mk6, or G11 (G12 for the longwheelbase version) 7 Series arrived in October 2015. At launch there were 261bhp 730d and 315bhp 740d diesels, or a 321bhp 740i petrol, all with a 3.0-litre sixcylinder engine; a 442bhp 4.4-litre V8 750i soon joined the range and, in July 2016, the 321bhp 740e plug-in hybrid arrived, with a 2.0-litre petrol engine and an 83kW electric motor, plus standard four-wheel drive. The M760Li xDrive joined at the end of 2016, sitting at the top of the range with a 592bhp twin-turbo 6.6-litre V12 engine.
A facelift in spring 2019 brought a bold new nose with an over-sized grille, plus extra standard equipment and refreshed instrumentation. At the same time, the four-cylinder 740e was replaced by the sixcylinder 745e, which is capable of driving in electric-only mode for 36 miles; its predecessor could only manage 29 miles.
Which one?
IN terms of economy, running costs and purchase price, the diesels make the most sense, especially as they’re all Euro 6-compliant, so shouldn’t be penalised for entering any Clean Air Zones. These engines are the best for lots of long-distance highspeed motorway driving, but the plug-in hybrids can also make sense, although they’re rarer and you’ll pay more for one. The petrol-engined models are harder to justify because they’re thirsty, and not much more refined than the diesels.
Equipment varies according to which model you buy, but all 7 Series are well equipped, with items such as four-zone climate control, an eight-speed automatic transmission, LED headlights, plus heated front and rear seats all being standard.
Alternatives
THE Mercedes S-Class is the go-to luxury saloon for many, thanks to its cutting-edge comfort and safety. The big Merc is hard to fault, adored by the chauffeur industry, and the most readily available luxury car.
The Audi A8 also gives the 7 Series a hard time with its aluminium construction,
four-wheel drive and superb ergonomics, as well as its efficient engines and high-tech cabin. Another aluminium-bodied rival is the Jaguar XJ, which is now out of production and never sold in large numbers, but is still desirable thanks to its distinctive looks, wonderful interior and engaging handling. Finally, don’t overlook the Lexus LS, which is packed with equipment and tends to be incredibly reliable, but is usually somewhat harder to find on the used market.
Verdict
THE Mercedes S-Class often gets the most plaudits in this class, and while they are undoubtedly very well deserved, the BMW 7 Series is also worthy of admiration.
This flagship saloon features efficient engines, is beautifully built, and packed with the latest high-tech gadgetry. And, thanks to the heavy depreciation that hits every luxury saloon, you can buy a four-year-old 7 Series for a seemingly bargain price. However, while purchase costs are one thing, running costs are quite different, so consider how much you’ll have to pay to insure and maintain one of these impressive beasts.
Having said that, the 7 Series stands ahead of both the S-Class and A8 for driving dynamics, while easily competing with them in terms of luxury. So if you fancy a large saloon with a sporting edge, look no further.