Tuesday 7th February 2017

BMW 760Li: Spotted

It might be a while until the new 7 Series is down here, but they do like to depreciate...

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Regardless of how much technology, luxury and power is thrown at the latest BMW M760Li, it's most certainly going to depreciate. We don't yet know how far or how quickly, but this is not a car that will be changing hands above list price for many months as online quarrels erupt about availability. In BMW's defence, this is the same for the big saloons from Jaguar, Audi and Mercedes too. You pay a lot of money too for a lot of car, but then have to be prepared to lose a lot of money.

Of course though, that's all rather good news for the used buyer. Incredibly good news in fact, if you're after a huge luxobarge with a big engine. This sort of purchase always comes with the usual caveats about running an expensive car when they've become cheap - usually around fuel, or prohibitive repair costs - but that doesn't stop them from being tremendously tempting.

Take this 7 Series, two generations and just over 10 years old now. Back in 2005 it cost its first owner somewhere in the region of £100,000, yet here is just 64,000 miles later for £10,000. Ten grand!

It's a great spec too; it's a V12 760 long-wheelbase, the most lavish 7 Series available back then. The black with beige leather works well, the wheels are standard and in good condition (as opposed to kerbed rip-off Alpinas) and the interior that we can see (there isn't a driver's seat pic, for example) looks very nice indeed. There are rear screens, a heated steering wheel, reclining massage seats, sunblinds, a fridge... it's even double glazed! In-car tech aside, this must surely fulfil the super limo role very nicely. And if you give everyone an iPad (and a decent data allowance), isn't it basically like a new saloon anyway?

This 760 looks to have been cared for too, with 19 main dealer stamps and seemingly decent paintwork. Dare it be said, the E65 Bangle generation of 7 Series is ageing quite well also; certainly this looks far more modern now than many saloons originally launched in 2001 will do.

Which brings us onto the alternatives. That old 7 Series nemesis, the Mercedes S-Class, is also available in megabucks spec but doesn't appeal quite as much: this S500 is just a V8 and has more miles, while this V12 S600 doesn't look as well looked after despite just 16,000 additional miles. It is cheap though...

A more appealing alternative right now in the PH classifieds comes from Audi in fact, with a W12 A8 on sale at exactly £10,000. Look at those picnic tables! And for more sporting tastes, there's an old XJR in budget too.

Plenty of rivals then, but this particular 7 Series' combination of luxury, condition and value seems especially tempting. Bear in mind that it will continue to lose money, plus that there probably will be a large bill or two along the way, and this 7 Series could provide some first-class big saloon motoring.

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BMW 760LI (E65)
Engine: 5,972cc, V12
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 439@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 443@3,950rpm
MPG: 20.8
CO2: 330g/km
First registered: 2005
Recorded mileage: 64,000 miles
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £9,995

See the original advert here

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It should also be said that you can quite easily upgrade the infotainment system to the later 2015+ system without much hassle (it's costly at around £2k all in). But then realistically you've got a mega barge for a fraction of the cost with all the toys (read bluetooth/MP3/Internet/TV/3D maps/etc.)

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Remagel2507 said:

The way E65 prices are at the moment they're an extremely attractive option for a big barge, although pretty much everyone I've ever been in (bar the one owned by a BM specialist himself) has had at least a couple of faults with it. That being said as long as you choose the right place for repairs you shouldn't really have a problem.

exceed said:

It should also be said that you can quite easily upgrade the infotainment system to the later 2015+ system without much hassle (it's costly at around £2k all in). But then realistically you've got a mega barge for a fraction of the cost with all the toys (read bluetooth/MP3/Internet/TV/3D maps/etc.)

Are you sure that is possible ? I know the CIC retrofit is now available for pretty much every other BMW but from what I can remember the E65 has a completely different I Drive system to the other models and don't currently know anyone who has done the retrofit in an E65 - happy to be proved wrong though

I know tell me about it, it's tremendous value for money!

You MAY be right... However, the site states E6x... It would be worth asking the question as you're onto a winner if you can: http://www.bimmerretrofit.com/store/index.php?rout...

I bought CIC for my 335i through them and they were amazing.