G11 (2016-2019) 7 Series. Brave?

[Testaburger]

Hi all,

I’m considering a return to the UK by Spring next year, and in need of a comfy cruiser. Budget is anywhere in the 20s. I’m leaning towards a G11 730D or S350.

Having been in both, I prefer the interior of the 7, both are very nice to drive. The equivalent S class seems 4-5k more on the market.

As far as the 7 goes, they are popping up at mid 20s from car supermarkets. Generally low miles (12-22k), and the specs seem loosely similar.

Does anyone have any pointers about what to look out for? Specific weaknesses or gremlins? Service interval gotchas?

Also, with a car supermarket vehicle, will I be able to buy an extended warranty for a 3 year old car, assuming it has FBMWSH?

I had a 1995 740i that was ten years old with 145k on the clock which was pretty much faultless. It gave me the impression of being just about bombproof. Am I naive in expecting the same 20 years further forward? FWIW I’ll be doing about 9-10k a year in it, mostly 2 hour motorway cruises.

It just seems like such a lot of wafty luxury for the price of an uninspiring Eurobox.

Thanks in advance!

[cgauk]

You should be able to put the registration into the bmw warranty site to see if you can get cover. Assuming fbmwsh I think you can normally get it; you might not be covered for 30days to begin with to prevent misuse.

I like the pre-big grill 7’s, they’re a sharp looking car and don’t look massive compared to a 5 and look quite tight compared to an S. A lot of car for the money and while I prefer the interior of the S i would also lean toward the 5.

Have you driven one and tried to park it? I had one for a week as a hire car and I’m not sure I’d want to live with something 7/S/A8 sized on a daily basis given how small spaces are and how badly everyone else parks.

[Wills2]

I have a G11 740d great cars but the systems are a bit buggy but that's often sorted with a firmware flash at the dealers.

[Testaburger]

cgauk said:

You should be able to put the registration into the bmw warranty site to see if you can get cover. Assuming fbmwsh I think you can normally get it; you might not be covered for 30days to begin with to prevent misuse.

I like the pre-big grill 7’s, they’re a sharp looking car and don’t look massive compared to a 5 and look quite tight compared to an S. A lot of car for the money and while I prefer the interior of the S i would also lean toward the 5.

Have you driven one and tried to park it? I had one for a week as a hire car and I’m not sure I’d want to live with something 7/S/A8 sized on a daily basis given how small spaces are and how badly everyone else parks.

Thanks for the info regarding the warranty website. Very useful.

I’ve considered a 5 or an E Class also, for some of the practicality points mentioned, but it’s not really going to be used for trundling to the shops or office every day - more for a run out or my weekly 100m motorway journeys. I do take your point though. As mentioned, I did have an old 7 before and I used to find myself parking at the far end of the Sainsbury’s car park!

Wills2,

Thanks for that. Any info on what systems you know to be buggy? Good to know it’s an easy one.

[Pioneer]

Spent a while choosing between a 7 or a SClass. We ended up with a G12. Usually my 'go to' car when I leave the house now. Love it to bits. Did have an intermittent problem with the phone switch assy on the steering wheel but they just swapped it out under warranty. That's the only issue in 3 years. Infotainment has been fine on ours with no glitches. Considering this one is a LWB it handles amazingly (why I didn't go for a SClass) - carbon core tech helps - and with the cameras, parking is fine, even down my local gym where spaces are small. It can remember GPS settings and will swap to overhead view as you're parking in usual spots. I just let it hang over a touch either end. Never had any problems. Will be easier on std 7. Combination of air sus, massage, ambient air, blinds, gesture ctrl etc makes it a perfect barge. Ours is only the 730 but it's plenty quick enough. Even the wife likes driving it

[Wills2]

Testaburger said:

Wills2,

Thanks for that. Any info on what systems you know to be buggy? Good to know it’s an easy one.

Nothing specific however the car can come up with random errors and glitches (various functions can be shown to be not working or popups on the idrive screen when you're not actually using it etc...) I had it flashed to latest istep level (firmware version) available and the issues went away.

In terms of the oily and mechanical bits it drives like a dream after 46k and 3 years old and feels and looks fresh, they really are fabulous cars as pioneer says I love driving it and that's after 5 M cars as a reference point.

Edited by Wills2 on Wednesday 25th September 09:02

[rassi]

Wills2 said:

Nothing specific however the car can come up with random errors and glitches (various functions can be shown to be not working or popups on the idrive screen when you're not actually using it etc...) I had it flashed to latest istep level (firmware version) available and the issues went away.

In terms of the oily and mechanical bits it drives like a dream after 46k and 3 years old and feels and looks fresh, they really are fabulous cars as pioneer says I love driving it and that's after 5 M cars as a reference point.

Edited by Wills2 on Wednesday 25th September 09:02

As I am also contemplating a 740d, does yours have the executive pro suspension upgrade or "just" the normal adaptive one? 19" or 20" wheels?

[Wills2]

rassi said:

As I am also contemplating a 740d, does yours have the executive pro suspension upgrade or "just" the normal adaptive one? 19" or 20" wheels?

No it hasn't I believe it's quite a rare option, it has the standard air suspension and adaptive dampers, it's on 20" but I had a 730d on 19" for about 5 weeks and the 19" with their deeper sidewalls deal with high frequency pot holes better than the 20's.

[Testaburger]

Great info, thanks very much folks.

Sounds like a go if we do return. As for model, I’d be after the diesel or smaller petrol versions. I’m more concerned about mileage/condition and the right interior, so I’m glad to hear they’re generally robust on either end of the fuel pump machine.

Anyone any ideas how the new ones are selling with the more ‘China-focussed’ front grill? The G12 is a fabulous looking car in my opinion, but this new thing is slightly controversial.

[wivenhoe]

I haven’t seen many - I am talking to a dealer about a built to order 745e and there is over £ 25k discount to be had so I presume they are not selling too well !

To put the price into context I have ordered a 530e M Sport with £13k of options and got £ 10k off so cost of £ 53k. The 745e SE with options is a list of £ 86k less £ 25k is £ 61k only £ 8k more.

[Testaburger]

wivenhoe said:

I haven’t seen many - I am talking to a dealer about a built to order 745e and there is over £ 25k discount to be had so I presume they are not selling too well !

To put the price into context I have ordered a 530e M Sport with £13k of options and got £ 10k off so cost of £ 53k. The 745e SE with options is a list of £ 86k less £ 25k is £ 61k only £ 8k more.

Crikey, that is telling! I hope you thoroughly enjoy it. I’ll be honest and say I’ve only seen the new one once in the flesh from a distance. That probably suggests something too.

Still, a magnificent car for that cash! I’ve seen some new ones advertised on autotrader with 15-18k off, but that isn’t 25k, and it isn’t built to order!

[Wills2]

The deals are no better or worse than they have ever been on the 7.