BMW 7 Series

The BMW 7 Series is a luxury sedan made by BMW. It replaced the "New Six" models in 1977. It is BMW's flagship car.

See Wikicars' comprehensive BMW 7 Series Review.

Recent Changes

 * For 2011, BMW collaborated with high-end piano maker Steinway & Sons to create the Individual 7-Series Composition. Available in white or black, the Composition features a hand polished paint job with three-stage (layers) clear coat, high-gloss Shadow Line trim, a gold coachline and 20-inch alloy wheels. To mimic piano keys, the interior has a color scheme that contrasts with the exterior (i.e., black models have a white interior and white models have a black interior). Furthermore, the cabin is elegantly appointed with Merino leather, piano black trim, lambswool floor mats, an Alcantara headliner, and headrests embroidered with the Steinway & Sons logo.


 * In 2005, a mid-cycle facelift was shown with different headlights and also different taillights. The car also featured new rims, new bumpers, colors, interior colors and a simplified iDrive. The 4.4 V8 N62B44 engine was replaced with a 4.8 V8 N62B48. Another facelift is also due in 2008 with different rims and new features, such as RealTime Traffic with a simplified iDrive and a standard electric folding mirror.

Styles and Major Options
750i and 750Li

760i and 760Li

750Li and 760Li High Security

STANDARD:


 * BRV 2009 VR7 and VR9 Bulletproofing
 * reinforced suspension
 * reinforced dampers
 * reinforced suspension strut top mountings
 * armor plated doors
 * armor plated roof
 * armor plated pillars
 * armor plated front footwell
 * armor plated separation wall between passenger and luggage compartment
 * bomb-proof undercarriage
 * 2.4 inch thick safety glazing

OPTION:
 * intercom system with concealed microphones and speakers
 * assault alarm
 * fire extinguishing system with temperature sensor (incl. engine compartment and undercarriage)
 * irritant gas sensors

OPTION (Special options for Governments and Embassies):
 * flag holders
 * arrangements for radio installations
 * center console located gun case for two machine guns
 * roof-installed external beacon and grille-mounted integrated LED flashing lights

Pricing
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Gas Mileage
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As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Engine and Transmission
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Performance
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If using information gathered from Road Test articles from a reputable automotive source, then please make sure to cite the quote.

Reliability
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Safety
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Photos
740i

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Colors
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Main Competitors
The 7 Series' competitors include the Lexus LS, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the Jaguar XJ, the Volkswagen Phaeton, the Audi A8, and the Maserati Quattroporte. Cadillac has showed interest in introducing a 7 Series competitor, dubbed the "ULS" (Ultra-Luxury Sedan) in the near future.

Hydrogen / Hybrid Models
At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW revealed the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid 7 sedan. Based on both the standard and long-wheelbase variants of the 7, the hybrid luxury car utilizes a mild hybrid co-developed with Mercedes-Benz that combines an electric motor (powered by a 120V lithium ion battery pack) and a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8, producing 455 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, all mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy yields 19-20 mpg figures while still accelerating from 0-60 mph in about 4.8 seconds.

In the US, buyer of the ActiveHybrid7 are entitled to a $900 (€735) federal tax credit under the Alternative Motor Vehicle provision. 

Unique Attributes
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Interior
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Resale Values
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Criticisms
Criticisms have been directed towards the most recent generation of the 7 series the E65/E66. These criticisms have centred around the styling of the car and in particular the rear quarter panel and bootline. This styling was developed by current BMW design chief, the American Chris Bangle. Some users also find the iDrive complicated to use and distracting.

Generations
There have been four generations of the 7 Series:
 * BMW E23 (1977–1986)
 * BMW E32 (1987–1994)
 * BMW E38 (1995–2001)
 * BMW E65/E66 (2002–2008)
 * BMW F01/F02 (2009+)

Current Generation (2009-present)
Codenamed F01/F02, the current generation 7-Series was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

Fourth Generation: (2002–2008)


The current 7 Series is available on two different platforms: the standard-wheelbase E65 (2990 mm, 118 in) and the extended-wheelbase E66 (3130 mm, 123 in).

This car was also the first production BMW to be styled by Chris Bangle. The styling is controversial and has received mixed reviews.

The E65/E66 7 Series features BMW's 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 car's climate, audio, navigation, suspension and communication settings are controlled via iDrive. However, the system has been criticized by some for being too complex and for distracting the driver from the road.

"Active" Seat continuous passive motion technology is 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 is available in eleven variants:

* 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.

Also, note that in the Americas, only the 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i and 760Li are sold and that the 740d is only available in mainland Europe.

2005
The 7 Series was refreshed for 2005 with tweaked front and rear styling and a larger, more powerful V8 engine.

Considerable work went into the rear quarter of the car to reduce the "Bangle Butt" design. The refreshed 7 Series sport a new taillight and reduced height for the trunk lid. The front headlight and the kidney grille was also raised a tad, as well as a new front air dam.

* 0–62 mph ** All roadgoing BMWs have an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

The 4.4 L V8 was replaced by a 4.8 L unit producing 360 hp (269 kW) and 360 ft·lbf (488 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 diesel producing 295 hp (220 kW), replaces the 740d. As before, a six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic is standard on all models.

Pricing (MSRP) for the 750i begins at around $71,800 USD and for the 750Li at $75,800 USD.

Third generation (1995–2001)
The E38 generation (1995-2001) had a five-speed automatic or manual transmission. The engine variants in Europe were 725tds, 728i, 730i, 730d, 735i, 740i (4.0 and 4.4 L), 740d and 750i (with a 5.4 L 322 bhp [240 kW] engine, as was used in the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph).

In the Americas, the models were sold as the 740i, 740iL and 750iL. The 740i and 740iL share the same 4.4 L V8 engine. The 740iL is essentially a longer wheelbase 740i (hence the "L" in the model name). 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 750iL was BMW's flagship sedan.

A performance-enhancing sport package was available in the 740i as well; cars with this package are called the 740i Sport. A separate sport package was finally offered in the 740iL and 750iL in 2001, the final year of E38 production.

Features of the E38 7 Series included high-pressure headlight washers, auto-leveling Xenon low-beam headlamps, power moonroof, a six-CD changer with 14 speakers and four subwoofers, onboard navigation and rain-sensing wipers. Other features included an automatic climate control system with full left/right controls and a 3-position memory system for the driver’s seat, safety-belt height, steering wheel and outside mirrors. Front side airbags and a Head Protection System (HPS) were also standard. The car featured an all-leather interior with burl walnut trim. The continuous passive motion "Active" seat technology was introduced in 1998 to improve comfort for the driver and front passenger.

The 5-speed automatic transmission came with Adaptive Transmission Control, Sport and Manual modes for responsive handling.

The base prices in 2001 were US$62,900 for the 740i, US$66,900 for the 740iL and US$92,100 for the 750iL.

740iL and 750iL Protection Line light-armored vehicles were built from 2000-2001, and cost US$99,100 and US$124,400, respectively. These models included body armor, bullet-resistant glass and run-flat tires.

A rare executive V12-powered stretch limousine was also produced, called the BMW L7.

Second generation (1987–1994)
The E32 was introduced in 1987, with the 730i and 735i featuring 3.0l and 3.5l straight-6 engines respectively, and a new, 5-liter, 300 horsepower V12 engine for the 750i. In 1992, 3.0l and 4.0l V8 engines were added to the lineup (730i and 740i). All models were also available in a stretched 'L' version, which had 10 cm of extra legroom for the rear passengers. See BMW E32 article for more information.

First Generation/Origins (1977–1986)
Models offered were the 725i, 728, 728i/iS, 730, 730i, 732i, 733i, 735i, 745i Turbo, 745i South Africa, and L7. (More information about the BMW E23)

Worldwide
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Design quirks and oddities
The BMW 7 Series topped the luxury car category at the most secure according to the 2003 RACV Vehicle Security Rating with the score of 106 points out of 120.

Awards
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