BMW 7 Series (2002 – 2009) Review
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BMW 7 Series (2002 – 2009) At A Glance
Brisk or rapid performance, depending on model. Handles well. Looks improve with familiarity.
The iDrive control system takes a lot of learning. Ride on big wheels with low profile tyres is un-limo-like.
Reviews for BMW 7 Series (2002 – 2009)'s top 3 rivals
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BMW 7 Series (2002 – 2009) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 5039–5179 mm |
| Width | 1902 mm |
| Height | 1484–1491 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2990–3128 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1880–2255 kg |
| Boot Space | 500 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | - |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £48,725–£85,550 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | - |
| Official MPG | 21.1–33.2 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
On sale until May 2008
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 730i SE Auto | £53,500 | - | - |
| 730i Sport Auto | £57,125 | - | - |
| 730Li SE Auto | £56,150 | - | - |
On sale until March 2008
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 730d SE Auto | £51,860 | - | - |
| 730d Sport Auto | £55,485 | - | - |
| 730Ld SE Auto | £54,560 | - | - |
| 740i Auto | £57,900 | - | - |
| 740i Sport Auto | £61,530 | - | - |
| 740Li Auto | £60,700 | - | - |
| 750i Auto | £62,450 | - | - |
| 750i Sport Auto | £66,080 | - | - |
| 750Li Auto | £65,200 | - | - |
| 760i Auto | £83,350 | - | - |
| 760Li Auto | £85,550 | - | - |
On sale until April 2006
| Saloon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 730d Auto | £48,725 | - | - |
| 730i Auto | £50,120 | - | - |
| 730Ld Auto | £51,325 | - | - |
| 730Li Auto | £52,720 | - | - |
Model History
January 0001
All-new Chris Bangle designed 7 Series. 5,029mm (16' 6") long x 1,902mm (6' 3") wide. L is 5" longer at 5,169mm (16' 11") and is better proportioned.
Has then-new 'iDrive' dashboard ergonomics which separate the cabin into a 'comfort area' and a 'driving area'. Most secondary functions are operated by a single central controller and the result is a big reduction in the number of buttons and switches. A central monitor displays the various functions and chosen settings. All the controls in the 'comfort area' of the car can be operated by either driver or front seat passenger.
Gear selection of new six-speed automatic is controlled via a steering column stalk plus Steptronic buttons on the steering wheel rim. The ignition switch is controlled by a new electronic key and the engine is started and stopped by a button.
Launch choice of two V8s: a 272bhp 3.6 with 256 lb ft (360Nm) torque, or a 333bhp 4.4 with 332 lb ft (450Nm) torque. Combining VANOS variable valve timing with new Valvetronic technology and variable intake manifolding improves both power output and economy. Combined fuel consumption for the 735i is 26.4mpg and for the 745i is 25.9mpg. Both cars are speed limited to 155mph with the 735i getting to sixty in 7.3 seconds and the 745i managing it in 6.1 seconds.
Other engines from 2003 include 331bhp 3.0 straight six and 218bhp 3.0 straight six and a top of the range 6.0 litre 400bhp V12. Prices are £52,750 for 735i, £56,950 for 745i, £46,850 for the 730i and £44,555 for the 730d. 730d does 0-60 in 7.7 seconds, goes on to 146mph, delivers 33.2mpg combines and puts out 227g/km CO2.
One-off 'tlc' fee of £500 covers servicing and maintenance for the first 5 years or 75,000 miles. Price includes engine oil and filters, wiper blades, brake pads and discs, spark plugs, air filters, cabin filter, brake fluid and coolant. Improved unlimited mileage two year full manufacturer warranty followed by one year full dealer warranty, making total three year unlimited mileage warranty.
March 2003
218bhp six-speed automatic 730D in UK March 2003. Offers useful 500Nm (369lb ft) torque between relatively high 2,000 - 2,750rpm, 146mph top speed and 7.7 second 0-60mph, so is quicker than Mercedes S320 CDI.
Totally awesome Alpina B7 has supercharged 500bhp 4.4 V8 and 6-speed autobox with steering wheel pushbutton change. Gets to 60 in under 5 seconds and on to nearly 200mph. 160mph plus in 5th. 7-Series Facelift from February 2005, with cleaner, smoother, 'friendlier' look. 730d best seller of the range.
January 2005
Facelifted January 2005. New self-cleaning Xenon headlights, bumper and grille. More power.
'Hydrogen 7' demonstrated in 2007. Petrol or hydrogen 'Bivalent' engine. Emits only water vapour running on hydrogen. 12-6-07 Hydrogen 7 presented to London Deputy Mayor of London and London Hydrogen Partnership Chair, Nicky Gavron (but only for a week).
3 year UNLIMITED MILEAGE warranty from 2005.
What to watch out for
Build date shown on engine compartment label on top of front nearside wheelarch.
GPS failures.
Perforation of alloy wheels.
730d can suffer same turbo failure at 330d. Also inlet manifold swirl actuators can break off and be ingested by the engine necessitating a new engine at enormous cost.
One reader's experience of a 730d: "My current car is a 730d Sport first registered in March 2004 which I bought in March 2005. It is by far the worst (7-Series) I have ever had and has never been right since I first had it. Twice I have had complete engine failure (due to fuel pump failure) and on the first occasion had to be transported home. Currently I am waiting for parts for the boot lid struts to come through and when my local dealer fits them he will also sort faulty air bag system and faulty drivers seat belt mechanism. The dealer I bought the car from has already repaired the drivers seat belt mechanism twice and hasn't got to the bottom of the problem. I wrote to BMW UK on 12 October asking if they new of any other 730d cars which could not be repaired to last from one service to the next but they have not yet answered me." Another reader's list of problems with a used 26k mile 04 reg: "At roundabouts, auto box clutch appears to snatch causing a jolt. Garage says a "Characteristic" related to "A" clutch and emission control? Bonnet catch pops from time to time. Garage says no adjustment and tests OK? Electrically operated boot lid slow to rise sometimes and drops on occasions?"
General Warning about Automatic Transmissions: Many BMWs have "sealed for life" automatic transmissions. Regardless of whether you have a full BMW service history, the dealer will never change the auto fluid. Many of these boxes are failing around the 120-150k mark - often well outside of warranty and to a cost of £3.5k plus VAT. A good independent or automatic transmission specialist can and will change the fluid for you (and any good BMW independents will recommend this anyway). This is commonplace in the US and means the 'box should last the life of the car rather than being the cause of it being written off. General advice is ensure the fluid is flushed out every 60k or more preferably at each Inspection II.
'5th Least Reliable European badged 3 - 7 year old car' in 2011 Warranty Direct Reliability Survey, with a 45% incident rate and a £514.40 average cost of repair. More at: www.reliabilityindex.co.uk
24-01-2012:Another incidence of inlet manifold swirl flaps of 730D breaking off, damaging the turbo and being ingested by the engine, though in this case the engine was saved at some considerable cost.
15-10-2012:Report of 132,000 mile 2005 730D coking up; apparently also common on 6 cylinder BMW diesels in X3s and X5s used for the school run.
