Category: Large Executive 
Price Range: £53,695 to £68,800
A technological showpiece, huge and refined performance, amazing mix of comfort and agility, quality feel, groundbreaking design.
Some of the technology isn't standard, styling is very controversial, steering-wheel gearchange buttons badly placed.
BMW wanted to make a bold new statement, and has succeeded. No other luxury car does so much so well. But if the styling's still a bit much, the new-generation model - with the wilder edges smoothed off - went on sale in April 2005.
The 7-Series is so quiet that you find yourself criticising the wind noise, because there's little other aural intrusion unless you rev the engine hard. The seats are very comfortable (a massaging system and suction-fan ventilation are options) and the air-conditioning is unobtrusively efficient. In comfort mode, the optional adaptive suspension feels a little floaty on undulating roads, but this is a good setting for smooth main roads or low-speed town travel. The sport setting is clearly firmer, but never harsh enough to trouble passengers. The no-roll Dynamic Drive suspension option keeps everyone on an even, lurch-free keel, too.
A car as big as this should be very spacious, and rear passengers certainly have ample lounging space in their electrically reclining seats, especially in the cavernous long-wheelbase version. Those sitting in the centre rear position won't be as comfortable, but the front edge of the centre armrest becomes a headrest when the armrest is stowed upright - which helps a bit. Up front, the centre tunnel encroaches into the passenger's footwell and the door pockets are quite small. Ahead of the front centre armrest/storage box are two cup-holders that convert into shallow trays. The boot-lid opens automatically via the keyfob; optionally, it can close itself at the touch of a button on the lid's lower inner edge.
The standard stereo sounds excellent, although switching between the sound sources via the iDrive isn't entirely convenient. Options available included a six-CD autochanger built into the facia, a Minidisc player, and a Professional LOGIC7 hi-fi with digital sound processing and seven subwoofers, as well as a DVD changer and TV screen for the rear passengers, with individual headphones. Full-screen sat-nav is standard, operated through iDrive.
Latest Readers' Drives About the BMW 7-Series
wrote on 20 03 2007