BMW 7-Series 2006 and earlier

in BMW
topic, look here for the link next week for our
First Drive: 1999 BMW 740i Sport, on the front page
of www.edmunds.com
"Quite Possibly the Finest Sedan in Existence"
according to Christian J. Wardlaw...
Read it and tell us what you think!
Community Manager
First Drive: 1999 BMW 740i Sport, on the front page
of www.edmunds.com
"Quite Possibly the Finest Sedan in Existence"
according to Christian J. Wardlaw...
Read it and tell us what you think!
Community Manager
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Comments
Having never owned anything beyond a Jeep and Volvo, this was new territory and I went into it with nearly zero experience or information on BMW. At the outset I wasn't even sure I'd test BMW and would certainly have put it last on the list for the likely winner.
Long story short: the 740i was robust, subtle, and rich in feel beyond the others. Each was impressive. The LS400 is especially silky. But adding it up and taking the gut check, the 740i captured me and my wife. It even overcame our distaste for the BMW sales rep, who in this particular episode, was the least impressive we dealt with.
May I suggest a thread on the 740i vs. LS400 vs. S-class? I am interested in how others size this up.
It's here:
HIGH END LUXURY? 7-Series vs. S-Class vs. LS400?
Bruce. your Sedans co-host.
1999 BMW 740i Sport
Bruce.
Bonnie Rick
Town Hall Community Manager, Edmunds.com
Chris
It was literally love at first drive and brings back fond memories of earlier BMWs I have owned and driven. I plan on a road trip this weekend to shake it out and will post an update if appropriate.
This is the first time I have bought the same car twice in a row (I am on a second 'vette but that's a toy not a car)-- so many cars to own and so little time in life. But, the 7 Series is the best car I have ever owned and there is just no competition out there. The new MB S Class is downright ugly and has that awful command center; Lexi are for people who really don't like cars; Infiniti wussed up the Q45 (I owned a '90 -- a great car) and Audi, well it's Audi and I'm not ready to give them the benefit of the doubt just yet (maybe in two years).
Chris
I've signed up for 740i -- the only negative I've heard is that the 740 design is getting old. Hard to argue with that, although the E design is hardly new either (the 2000 E class cosmetic changes are minor). I'm not sure I agree on your opinion on the S-class -- I have mixed feeling, and I think its a design that may grow on you. The profile and rear views are nice, not crazy about the front end. I do agree on the AUdi - drive an A6 now, and no problems, just just not a very interesting car. I think the A6 with a V8 could provide the uumpph, but you're right, its still an Audi...
-Drew
This is a terrific automobile at a great price.
Chris Pflaum
Also, more importantly. What is the chip your dealer is talking about, and what kind of HP/Torque improvement can you get from it?
Did a web search, but came up blank.
www.dinanbmw.com
http://www.bimmer.org/m5/messages/
As to comparison to Lexi; no one has put a gun to my head recently so I haven't driven one. It has a lot more road feel and handling than either the new Mercedes S or E.
Seriously guys, with a chip to pick up a few tenths this critter is one mean beast. I can't take delivery until March 1 but the order is going in (dealer thinks that I should wait for an M5 to see if I like that better but I can't imagine how it would be possible to like any car better. Until I drove this one, I thought that my 740iL was the perfect car. Now I know that it is only the second most perfect car.)
Chris
I drove the E430. The accleration was good, but nothing to write home about. The pedal felt a bit heavy and delayed. The cars also felt kind of "floaty" -- less road fell. I didn't really push it on the handling front.
The M5 I'm sure is in a different class -- a rocket ship. I've heard wait in 1-2 years though. My 740i sport comes in 7-8 weeks, can't wait...
On color, I order black (actually the metallic black) because of the blacked out ground effects. Wish they had gotten with it and made the ground effects same color as the body like pretty much everyone else (including the 3 & 5 series). I think black looks good anyway, but woulda preferred a lighter color car...
The car and the dealer are superb! My dealer's service department is like having a good pit crew. Not a wasted minute!
I now have 29,000+ miles - the car still feels as tight as the first day. This is my first BMW product. Its not cheap, but well worth every penny!!!
I plan on keeping this one until the wheels won't turn - when you find a good thing, stay with it!
Last winter in Michigan/Detroit area was pure hell - but the big Bimmer was unstoppable with Blizzaks all the way around! I have driven through 24 Michigan winters in all kinds of vehicles-4x4, cars, trucks,etc. Nothing felt as secure or surefooted as the big Bimmer on the gummy-soled Blizzaks. I pushed by Jeep Cherokees that were stuck when the snow was 22" deep! The most amazing experience was when I crept up my ice covered driveway with ease! I got out and could not stand up on the driveway! This car is the ultimate 4 wheeled all-weather interceptor. Hmmm...do they make a front blade package?? I might be able to pick up some spare change from cleaning out parking lots/driveways! heheh!!!
The GPS nav/electronic systems works superbly! It will get you in and out of wherever you tell it you want to go! If you miss your turn, etc. it instantly gives you a new nav solution, complete with female voiced audio commands!
Nothing on this car is without well thought out purpose. The DSP/deluxe sound system gives me eargasms.
Those guys in Munich know how to make cuckoo clocks and cars!
P.S. My dealer throws a great Christmas/reunion party for all his clients!! These car people are great!
Crazy in love with my 98 740iL If you like cars, love driving and can raise the cash, get one - you won't be sorry!
moon roof produces a whistle sounds at high speed.
The dealer informs that this is a known factory
problem and therefore there is nothing they can do.
It is kind of annoying. Anybody experience the
same problems.
Any solutions. ?
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/9323/new7.htm
As for the timing, its anyone's guess at this point. Judging from the fact that it looks like BMW has not finalized the design (3 versions on this site), my personal opinion is that it will not be out in summer of 2000, probably not available until late 2000 or early 2001. Even then, it will be hard to get one early, unless you pay up. Right now you can some pretty sweet deals on the 7 series, practically for the price of a 5 series or the MBZ E class.
I agree that I don't like having a car that is quickly outdated. For this reason, I am going to lease the car shorter term (24-30 months). BMW still supports the residual and gives good lease terms, so the cost is not pretty good if you negotiate well. I am personally getting the sport package, because I think the lower body and bigger/sportier wheels give it a fresh look. In the time frame the lease is up, MBZ will have the new E class and the BMW will be more easily/cost effectively attainable.
Hope this is useful.
A local dealer has offered me a BMW lease at 65% residual for 3yr/36K mile lease with a money factor of 0.00265. He does not tell me what cap value he is using, he just gives me a final lease monthly payment. Doing some reverse calculations, I found that he is discounting the car by about $1500 off MSRP.
Comments ?
Thinking about taking shipment in Germany and spending 2 weeks breaking it in over there. Anybody have experience with this?
Carorder.com and others (carsdirect) offer some pretty aggressive prices. Interstingly, I just checked it out and the base 740i was offered at $500 *under* invoice, but when I added the sport package it went to $2K over invoice. Wierd.. Alot of these car purchase web sites are using VC money to subsidize purchases and help their IPO's. My take on them is that if you can afford to wait (could get it in a week, could be 3 months), and can deal with some level of frustration (you have to call them constantly to keep abreast of progress), then you can get a very good deal. Personally, I'm not so inclined...
I was offered the following,
740iL with rear sunshade: MSRP $67710
Payment $821/mth plus taxes
Down payment: $2500 plus taxes
Residual: $44011
Term: 36 mths/36K miles
Dealer claims to have given me a lease factor of 0.00265. If his claim is true, he is offering the car to me for $65,850.
nikhilmodi, regarding your deal, my take is you should be able to do better than <$2K off list. Good luck negotiating.
I really want a 740i but the only way I can afford that (and eat) is by buying a -93. These are generally in the $15-20K Range with 80-120K miles.
Should I be afraid to do that?
Please advise
P.
I now have 95k on it and she's running very well. I plan to sell shortly too. If you want further info about this car or just my general experience email me at c21robdav@aol.com
Anyone know where the M badge will be on the car? Sure hope I can get one to go on my pre- September car!
I test drove the XJR and while I found it quite powerful and comfortable when driving straight down a road it certainly does not handle like a 740. I drove the 740IL yesterday and will be trying my neighbors 740I Sport today. In working with the Jaguar dealer the best they would offer is 9% above dealer invoice.
I found the 740IL to offer superior handling and decent enough power. I did find that if I have the seat all the way back, when I look out the left window (and look back slightly) that I'm almost looking at the rod between the two windows. The seats are not quite as comfortable as the XJR and in sitting in a A8 it appears the A8 is a bit more comfortable also vs the 740. Did not get a chance to drive it due to the showroom being packed. The A8 has the navigation system right on the dashboard vs off to the right which will be interesting to test out.
I'm going to try the Audi A8 this morning and will post an update later.
Anyone try the A8 and have input to share?
Thank you.
Mike
Dealers say Edmonds pricing is not inline with regional (Southern Cal) market and quote Kelley Blue book instead which conveniently tend to be 10 to 20 percent higher.
Any thoughts on this?
Interesting comment on the M badge for the 7 series sport package. I am getting a MY 2000 sport package delivered in the next 2 weeks and will let you know if its true. Although not a big deal, I kind of hope you're right.
system can be used as a television when parked? I read this in a post somewhere and find it hard to believe. I placed an order for 740i about a month ago and expect to take delivery in about 2 weeks. Any information is appreciated. Thanks.
I also have a A6 quattro, and am getting the 740i sport package (lower/stiffer suspension, bigger M class wheels, slightly faster). My Audi's actually been a real good car - no major problems. The quattro is great too, I'm going to miss that. I love the quattro in rain - never have to worry about flooded areas or losing control in corners.
So why am I getting the BMW? I like the more room. I agree that the 540 is small, but so is the A6. The Audi may be a little bigger, but not much. Second, the BMW is a more fun car to drive IMHO. Kind of hard to describe, but its got more soul. You should take a test drive -- you may diagree, everyones different. The A6 I have is *way* underpowered. This is probably solved with the 4.2 engine. Third, I don't like the way the new A6's look. The rear end just doesn't appeal to me -- again personal preference. Alot of people also think the 7 series look is getting old. I think the sport package gives it a very cool look though. Fourth issue is price. I was originally looking at the Mercedes E430, but you can get some really good deals on the 7 series right now. Some have been getting them even close to invoice. Given price was roughly the same, I decided I'd rather to step up to a higher class of automobile. And finally, the prestige factor. Sure BMW isn't any huge prestige, certainly not like the Mercedes, but I do think its a higher level than the Audi. Again just my opinion.
My car comes in about 1 1/2 weeks.
so i went down to test drive an audi a6 4.2 today and afterwards headed straight to the bmw dealer with an open mind and ready to drive....but they didn't have a 7 in stock. so i guess i will have to wait for another day.
and you are right that the a6 2.8 is slllooowww but i must say that with both the 2.7t and the 4.2 , it is no longer a problem.
Thanks,
Regarding the TV (getting TV reception from the dashboard LCD), I can't figure out how it works. There is no TV option as far as I can see, and I can't change language. Anyone in the US have any luck with this?
Also, anyone have any experience with performance upgrades? Here's what I know -- "stage 1" cost almost $600 (all in cost) and is just a software (EPROM?) upgrade. Decent HP/Torque boost on paper, but the feedback I hear is that its not that noticeable. "stage 2" (another $600) is software plus an air intake system? Outcome is the throttle reponse is a lot "snappier." ANyone have any experience with this?