BMW 7 Series 2016 Review

What’s it all about?
The sixth-generation BMW 7 Series flagship sedan has been with us for around 12 months now, drawing strong reviews for its luxury, refinement and techno wizardry.

Here we’re catching up with the 740Li, which is the ‘cheapest’ model in the range you can buy with the longer 3210mm wheelbase and 5219mm overall length.

It comes powered by a new-generation 240kW/450Nm inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that drives the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

There are both cheaper and more expensive versions of the 7 Series now on offer, starting with the turbo-diesel 730d at the entry point and topping out with the V8 750Li.

How much does it cost?
Using the word ‘cheap’ in connection with the 740Li isn’t really appropriate considering it starts out at a $237,955.

Mind you, it could have been worse as its claimed combined fuel consumption of 7.0L/100km means it qualifies for the Luxury Car tax exemption – although it doesn’t help significantly bring the price down because the price before taxes is so high anyway.

There is a huge amount of standard equipment. Highlights include adaptive LED headlights; adjustable ambient lighting ; a display key that displays information such as fuel range; gesture control, which allows infotainment system control by wiggling and waving your fingers in front of sensor; touch command, a tablet that controls various comfort and infotainment functions from any seat or even outside the vehicle; a panoramic glass sunroof; harmon/kardon surround sound; surround view; voice control and BMW’s Connected Drive, that includes internet access and concierge services.

Of course, there are myriad options and our car was laden down with almost $50,000 of them, including $5100 laser headlights, a $9900 Bowers and Wilkins sound system and rather ostentatious $10,200 ‘Tartufo’ upholstery.

What’s missing? Well, there are no rear side airbags (there are head airbags though) and there’s no spare tyre because this car rolls on Bridgestone Potenza run-flat tyres.

The 7 Series comes with a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a condition-based servicing plan that covers the cost of parts and labour for all recommended oil services and inspections.

Three years roadside assistance is also part of the plan.

Why should I buy it?
If you are after superb refinement and comfort interwoven with a sophisticated level of technology, then the 7 Series is your kind of car.

And that tech is not only in the gadgetry, it’s in the core building blocks of the new 7 series too, as it utilises carbon-fibre extensively to chop kerb weight by up to 130kg compared to the old model.

Oh yeah, it drives pretty well too. The engine is a superbly smooth and responsive device that meshes brilliantly with the auto, while the air-sprung independent suspension delivers a ride and handling balance that can be adjusted to suit your mood via the four-mode driving experience control. Even the low profile 20-inch Bridgestone Potenza run-flats aren’t notably intrusive.

Thanks to its various sensors and cameras the 740Li also has the capability to brake, accelerate and even steer itself. That adds up to a limited autonomous capability, which means its happy to cruise down the freeway at 100km/h hands-off, eventually dinging quietly and asking the driver to take a grip.

The latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class does the autonomous thing slightly better, but such is the onrush of technology this is a constantly changing benchmark.

Around town beautifully tuned electric-assist steering makes wheel twirling light and easy, although the sheer size of the 740Li means you’re always conscious of tight spaces. Braking those beautiful alloys on gutters is a constant concern.

If your bottomline is value then the 740Li doesn’t really stack up, but then you could say the same things about any of its rivals too. At this price it’s about want not need.

When is it available in Australia?
The 740Li is on-sale now, sitting at the heart of a six-model range of short and long wheelbase (the short’s still over 3.0m!), petrol and diesel, six-cylinder and V8 and even a hybrid.

Who will it appeal to?
The 740Li will be particularly attractive to captains of industry because of its capacious rear seat. They can do business back there and then take the wheel when the mood takes them.

The increasing number of chauffer/Uber drivers popping up around the place will also find this car appealing, although in the latter case it’s all about the deal rather than badge allure.

The 740Li is in reality a four-seater, although there are five seats. The boot is huge at 515 litres, but a split-fold rear seat is an $800 option. In the case of our test car it was compromised by a large optional ($3000!) and removable cool box. I’ll take the split-fold thanks, gotta be able to carry the mountain bike!

Where does it fit?
The 7 Series fits into the VFACTS Upper Large Passenger Car above $100,000 category and into the motoring.com.au prestige cars over $100,000 segment.

Obvious rivals include the Audi A8, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS, Maserati Quattroporte and Mercedes-Benz S-Class,

2016 BMW 740Li pricing and specifications:
Price: $237,955 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 240kW/450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 164g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA

Also consider:
>> Audi A8 (from $198,855 plus ORCs)
>> Jaguar XJ (from $201,615 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz S-class (from $199,455 plus ORCs)

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