7 Series 2010ish

[edition]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of the last shape 7 series. I've noticed that they are approx. 15-20k for a decent looking one from a main dealers.

What are they like to run? Similar to a 530d or way more? This would be a family car, they seem a lot cheaper than a similar 530d touring to buy.

I have seen a fair few 750's but think that might be a silly move.

Thanks any advise would be great.

[jboy72]

I can't help with the 7 series but having owned a 550i I wouldnt say a 750i would be a silly move at all. The cost of fuel was a relatively minor expense versus other costs for me doing 6,000 - 8000 miles a year and one I was delighted to pay at each visit to the petrol station. Personally, I never have a problem with low mpg if you can feel it being deployed. It's cars like the 15mpg Renault Espace and 18mpg Saab I had that really get my goat. I really, really miss the v8 despite owning an equally grunty diesel BMW now (remapped 40d). The engines are just worlds apart.

[Vroomer]

Don't agree with the poster above.

Unless you were exceptionally lucky, there would be a very big difference in running costs between a 730d and a 750i. It's not just fuel, it's tyres, servicing, insurance, VED, etc, etc.

[jboy72]

Vroomer said:

Don't agree with the poster above.

Unless you were exceptionally lucky, there would be a very big difference in running costs between a 730d and a 750i. It's not just fuel, it's tyres, servicing, insurance, VED, etc, etc.

My 550i cost me less to insure than my current e46 330d, the wheels were smaller, servicing cost peanuts and the VED for me was low as pre March 2006. And it barely depreciated over 3 and a half years.

As I said though, I can't speak for the 7!

Edited by jboy72 on Friday 14th April 12:28

Edited by jboy72 on Friday 14th April 12:29

[Pioneer]

My 650i was pretty cheap to insure but tyres were expensive, RFL was too plus had very regular trips to the petrol station. You don't really choose this engine if you worry about those kind of things. Last year I was looking at buying either a new G11 730d or a 2013/14 740d. On the older models the 740d seems to be the one to have for all round performance with half-decent mpg. Huge jump in price between the new 7 and old. When I considered a G11 an ex-demonstrator was 60k. Now they're £40k about 10 months later These hemorrhage money. 2010 models will have done most of their money now so you shouldn't lose too much when it comes to selling it.

Edited by Pioneer on Saturday 15th April 18:17

[rayyan171]

Vroomer said:

Don't agree with the poster above.

Unless you were exceptionally lucky, there would be a very big difference in running costs between a 730d and a 750i. It's not just fuel, it's tyres, servicing, insurance, VED, etc, etc.

The tyres on a 730d are the exact on a 750i if they are the same size. 20" tyres are the same on the 730d as they are on the 750i. They are the same load, same speed rating etc and importantly they are star marked. BMW would lose out on them making tyres just for the 750i, they generalise a lot of tyres on their car, especially as the big cars are star marked and most are staggered set ups.

Fuel will be marginally more on the 750i but that engine deals with the weight of the 7 much better. I'd be a bit concerned about the reliability, however i've heard that they are solid engines (the 50i and the 30d). If anything, i've heard of there being more issues with the N57 engine in the 730d as that had more issues than the previous M57 engine.

Tax is different and it doubles, but that is expected of a V8. The only parts that are more expensive are parts regarding the engine itself as it's a V8 versus a straight six, but otherwise all parts are the same and thus reliability stretches across all 7 series of the F01 generation. Servicing is more for the engine but brakes and inspection are all the same price. A good independent is all you need, but dealers are OK, and I emphasise OK as they missed out important things for us, so tread carefully.

Insurance groups are the same or about one group up or down, depending on which spec. There really is no difference, they are all high group i.e. 45 and upwards.

Honestly, the only thing I would worry about is the engine. Do close research on the N63 engine as there may be some issues to look at. The LCI 50i engine is more reliable. However, the internet only shows the cars with bad engines and 90% of the time they are solid. In general, engines by BMW are always very good when maintained, its mainly electrics and other stuff really that is quite minor.
Transmission oil changes are a must too.

You are taking the plunge by buying a 7 series anyway, the only thing you should really worry about is fuel costs when looking at these cars. The tide is turning against diesels, especially recently, so a petrol is a wise choice as they have less issues to worry about anyway as a petrol car (no DPF, no issues with injectors etc).

I'd go for the 750i if i had the chance to.

[Pioneer]

Just go the whole hog and not think about the running costs

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[Helicopter123]

Pioneer said:

Just go the whole hog and not think about the running costs

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

That's still dropping like a stone however and has scope to be financially ruinous even if nothing breaks. Lovely spec though, but why on earth have it in recession white? Wedding car perhaps?

[eliot]

I've got an E65 750 - fuel consumption on the motorway is in the mid/high 20's.
Round town and short journeys is more like 17's - but you wouldn't buy such a car for such journeys.

[turbobloke]

eliot said:

I've got an E65 750 - fuel consumption on the motorway is in the mid/high 20's.
Round town and short journeys is more like 17's - but you wouldn't buy such a car for such journeys.

Even if it had to make some trips for budgie seed, very rapid wafting in total comfort at other times would make up for it.

[Vroomer]

Pioneer said:

Just go the whole hog and not think about the running costs

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Long wheel base!!! Try parking that in a multi-storey!! Very limited re-sale opportunities, so price always lower than standard wheelbase.

[bennyboydurham]

I had an E65 for years and recently moved it on a for a low mileage non-LCI F01 730d M Sport. So far I love it and even though the F01 as a model was born in 2009, it feels like a thoroughly modern car.

Handling, performance, economy, refinement and on board tech all a huge step above the E65. Only thing I miss is the steering wheel that retracts rearwards into the boss to allow my beer gut to swing behind the controls when getting in and out - the F01 only goes up - and the high beam assistant in the F01 likes to stay on high beam too long which annoys truck drivers. Also if I was being picky I'd say the E65 felt screwed together a little more tightly, but it's too early to tell yet.

I've driven both a 740d and a 750i and both felt quick but the 730d is all the car you'll ever need. It's too big to really hustle around on smaller roads, although like all 7ers it hides its bulk well. The F01 sits a little lower than the E65, with a less barge like driving position and the cabin is angled towards the driver in a more sporty fashion which I would say feels more like the E38.

Get one, they're great.

[rayyan171]

bennyboydurham said:

I had an E65 for years and recently moved it on a for a low mileage non-LCI F01 730d M Sport. So far I love it and even though the F01 as a model was born in 2009, it feels like a thoroughly modern car.

Handling, performance, economy, refinement and on board tech all a huge step above the E65. Only thing I miss is the steering wheel that retracts rearwards into the boss to allow my beer gut to swing behind the controls when getting in and out - the F01 only goes up - and the high beam assistant in the F01 likes to stay on high beam too long which annoys truck drivers. Also if I was being picky I'd say the E65 felt screwed together a little more tightly, but it's too early to tell yet.

I've driven both a 740d and a 750i and both felt quick but the 730d is all the car you'll ever need. It's too big to really hustle around on smaller roads, although like all 7ers it hides its bulk well. The F01 sits a little lower than the E65, with a less barge like driving position and the cabin is angled towards the driver in a more sporty fashion which I would say feels more like the E38.

Get one, they're great.

Your 730d looks really nice. The prices have really plummeted and early 2009 models with a reasonable spec go for around £10k now with reasonable miles. But I guess that you would have to tread carefully.

[bennyboydurham]

rayyan171 said:

Your 730d looks really nice. The prices have really plummeted and early 2009 models with a reasonable spec go for around £10k now with reasonable miles. But I guess that you would have to tread carefully.

Yes. There are plenty around at sensible prices so it's not too hard to find a good one. Any F01 that looks like it's been abused will almost certainly have been. Mine is absolutely mint. A good indie is the key to it not being too ruinous.

[rayyan171]

bennyboydurham said:

rayyan171 said:

Your 730d looks really nice. The prices have really plummeted and early 2009 models with a reasonable spec go for around £10k now with reasonable miles. But I guess that you would have to tread carefully.

Yes. There are plenty around at sensible prices so it's not too hard to find a good one. Any F01 that looks like it's been abused will almost certainly have been. Mine is absolutely mint. A good indie is the key to it not being too ruinous.

I think you're right about having a good independent. We have a Williams garage right around the corner and they aren't the best. Premium quality blah blah and expensive canned drinks in the fridge that are complimentary blah blah but they are a bit lazy and charge for anything. £69 to look at the iDrive to make sure that the scratched disc is the reason why the sat nav won't work! They also failed to inform us of a sticking brake and that led to a dangerous failure with a risk of a fire.

May just stick to them for the sake of stamps in the book but it will be independents for repairs.

[bennyboydurham]

I wouldn't worry too much about the stamp in the book. I spent months looking for a 7 and half the time if the service book was even present you were doing well and these were once very expensive cars that were only a year or two out of factory warranty. Call me old fashioned but I had a wallet stuffed with 9 years of bills and paperwork for the E65 which I strongly suspect would have ended up in the bin had I traded it in. The MOT history check is often more helpful!

My indie kept my old 7 running for Mondeo money as the chunky cost of keeping these inside the dealer network is the labour rate. The parts are really no more than you'd be paying for similar items on a 320d or 520d. Yes if the iDrive spectacularly dies then it's going to be a bottom pillaging but that would be the same of a 120d...

[rayyan171]

Labour rates definitely ramp up the cost of servicing, pretty annoying really as they are as equipped as most good indies.

OP did you make a decision?

[edition]

Thanks for the help and advise.

I do fancy a 750i but the one that I've seen wasn't to my liking. A silver SE what looked really basic (for a 7!).

There is a 730d at a local dealers which looks lovely. In a 09plt, do these all have the 8 speed autos?

Thanks!

[bennyboydurham]

edition said:

Thanks for the help and advise.

I do fancy a 750i but the one that I've seen wasn't to my liking. A silver SE what looked really basic (for a 7!).

There is a 730d at a local dealers which looks lovely. In a 09plt, do these all have the 8 speed autos?

Thanks!

No only the LCI models (2012 on) get the 8 speeder. My car has 6.

[AB]

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

The likes of this seem an awful lot of car for the money!!!