BMWs haven’t ever impressed me. I’ve driven a few, flipped a 328i (buy/sell type of flipping, not an accident) and raced against a nice 5 Series with my Audi. They were always just “meh” to me.
That was until I rode in my buddy’s 7 Series. I was blown away! The newest lineup of BMW’s top-of-the-line cars is really nice and leaves you speechless.
That’s usually the first impression for most individuals who have driven one of the automobiles in the BMW 7 Series. Each model has elevated the definition of luxury automobiles.
The BMW 7 Series reaches the level of elegance that few vehicles have ever achieved. The company’s engineers have anticipated the needs of car owners by exceeding their expectations.
The Origins of The BMW 7 Series
The original concept of the BMW 7 Series became reality in 1977. Designers were looking to replace the company’s large sedan, but they wanted to keep the same design with a sporty coupe look. BMW was confident that the debut of the 7 Series would help them compete with Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar for high-end clientele.
Critics loved everything about the BMW 7 Series. It offered a fuel-injected engine that produced more horsepower than expected. And that statement still holds today.
The five-speed manual transmission provided a smooth ride with very little effort. Since the late 1970s, the company’s advanced technology showed how far ahead they were from their competitors. Through the years, BMW Group has updated the look of their automobiles and all have been revolutionary.
Those changes have never changed the vehicle’s road handling, comfort and overall performance level.
The Meaning of The 7 Series
BMW has a very complex numerical naming system for its auto series. The odd numbers (Series 3,5 and 7) are reserved for four-door sedans. Keep in mind, the higher the number, the bigger the vehicle.
The 7 Series is a full-size luxury automobile that has four doors. It comes with either a short or long wheelbase and an elegant frame. If you’re sitting in the front seat or the rear seats, the ride is comfortable and smooth. You’ll recognize right away that you’re in a top-of-the-line luxury car.
The Production and Sales Projections For The BMW 7 Series
Thankfully, the production of the BMW 7 Series is back in full force. The company’s goal moving forward remains the same as they want to provide luxury automobiles to prospective buyers worldwide. This formula has produced quality to a high volume of buyers for many years.
Since the production of the BMW 7 Series, the company has sold over 1.9 million cars globally. However, the yearly sales in the United States have dwindled. It went from 18,165 in 2005 to 5,985 last year. There are no clear-cut answers to the poor sales numbers.
But another bad year could raise some eyebrows and put BMW 7 Series in serious trouble. The main competition for the BMW 7 series is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (you can read up on the E-Series here). If Mercedes gains more market share then the 7 series could be in trouble.
Inside The BMW 7 Series
Currently, there are five trim models (740i, 740i xDrive, 745e xDrive and M760i xDrive) available on the market today. The major difference between all the models is the size of the engine and whether the vehicle has all-wheel drive (called xDrive by BMW).
You may have other features that are specifically designed for certain models. All of this information will help to choose the right BMW 7 Series vehicle that meets your specific needs in an automobile (but be prepared to pay more for maintenance, repairs and service – BMW has specific requirements for the quality of products you use in their cars, including oil.).
Standard Features of the Current 7 Series:
Here are standard features found in all BMW 7 Series models – even the base models in the 7 Series line up:
- Adaptable air suspension
- LED highlights, which help improve night vision.
- 10.2-inch navigational information screen
- Heated front seats
- Power adjustable front seats (16 positions)
- Keyless car entry and ignition
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Automatic climate control
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Power glass roof
What makes BMW special is the popularity of the 7 Series. Each car has been the company’s flagship brand for decades. Owners love the car’s style and elegance. Plus, BMW’s modern technology offers more spacious seating without the loss of the vehicle’s horsepower.
The Difference Between The European and American BMW 7 Series
It should not be a big surprise that the BMW 7 Series has both a European model and an American counterpart. Here are the major differences between the two models:
American Model
The American base model aside from being lefthand drive has the following changes:
- Larger bumpers (federal law requirement)
- Larger airbags
- Different styles of headlights
- Softer air suspension
- No rear fog lights
European Model
The European models are mostly the same, with the exception of UK versions which will have righthand drive, and will include these changes from the American version:
- Smaller engine
- Additional features not available on all models
- First Aid kit (legal requirement)
- Open and close windows while the doors are open
- Electric windows and sunroof added to the base cost
The BMW 7 Series Engine
One of the most asked questions is what engine does the BMW 7 Series have? Well, the base engine for all BMW 7 Series vehicles have a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder design. All engines have 335 horsepower through an eight-speed transmission that can send power to the rear wheels.
The xDrive 7 Series models have the same engine, but each offers an all-wheel-drive feature. The hybrid (745e xDrive) model combines the turbocharged engine with an electric motor and battery pack that increases the vehicle’s horsepower to 389. The 745e xDrive’s fuel capacity increases to 16 miles.
The 750i xDrive has a V8 engine (523 horsepower) with an all-wheel-drive feature as well. The M760i xDrive has a turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine with a 601 horsepower capacity. However, all the BMW 7 Series models come with different feature packages available to all buyers.
Which is Better: 740i or 760i?
Is the BMW 7 Series the top of the line in luxury vehicles? The answer to that question is yes. In the full-size sedan market, you have plenty of options available. New buyers believe the difference between the 740i and 760i is razor-thin in the road performance category.
The 760i is your standard luxury vehicle that provides better efficiency inside a traditional sports sedan design. The car is built with carbon fiber that makes the vehicle lightweight and ideal for fast-moving driving. The reason is the low center of gravity.
The design of the 740i goes for comfort first but do not discount the vehicle’s capacity to cruise on the open road. The turbocharged engine and transmission provide more horsepower, but not at the sacrifice of a smooth ride.
No matter which BMW 7 Series model you choose, the drive will be enhanced than most vehicles on the road today.
BMW Revamps The Design of The 7 Series
In 2020, the BMW Group revamped the design of the 7 Series from the exterior look to the mechanical features. The series has a new V8 engine (523 horsepower) that allows the car to from 0 to 60 miles-per-hour (MPH) in an astounding 3.83 seconds. And you will feel every bit of the energy needed to achieve that threshold.
The engine power gets transferred to the wheels via a selection of eight-speed automatic transmissions. They vary based on whether it’s in an all-wheel drive or rear wheel drive vehicle.
The 750i vehicle pushes the limit on most roadways. It reaches a high-performance level with little effort needed by the driver. It could become one of the most thrilling rides in your life. Whether as the driver or a rear passenger, the experience is amazing.
Is The 730d The Fastest BMW Car?
The fastest car in the BMW 7 Series is the 730d. It is powered by a six-cylinder, 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine that goes from 0-60 MPH in 3.1 seconds. And the vehicle has a top speed of 155 MPH on most roadways.
No other luxury BMW model has ever touched this performance level – the BMW i8, which looks like a very fast supercar but is all-electric, is too heavy to match these numbers with a 0 to 60 of 4.6 seconds. And, the 730d is incredibly fast for a big sedan out of all passenger cars.
The Cost of Owning a BMW 7 Series Car
Most BMW owners feel their cars are built for road performance, but their bank account may not be ready to pay for maintenance work on the vehicle. However, driving at a high level will take its toll on your car. Still, the numbers do not lie on the maintenance cost of the BMW 7 Series models.
The original price tag is just under $15,000 for all maintenance and repairs during the car’s first 10 years of service. The cost for other luxury sedans is under $3,000 for the same amount of years of service. Mechanics will tell you the price difference is attributed to the availability of auto parts for BMW vehicles.
Finally, longtime BMW owners will suggest to prospective buyers to refrain from buying a new 7 Series model. And they would not be incorrect as the difference in sales price between a new and used BMW car is significant. The primary reason is the technology between the two vehicles.
A used BMW 7 Series model is considered outdated by dealers. However, most previous owners will not pay top dollar for a newer model.
We hope you enjoyed this exploration of a series of facts about the BMW 7 Series.