F01 7 Series owners
Discussion
ArchEnemy said:
They just seem such great value when compared to things like an F10, which is pretty similar, just smaller (and ultimately worse). Size isn't a concern.
Not sure what "ultimately worse" means. You can buy an early F01 and it'll still have a legacy ZF 6 speed automatic. Auto F10s has the better ZF 8 speed from day 1, which certainly isn't worse. But as you're looking at the LCI, it'll be an 8 speed anyhow.This aside, F01s are very spec dependent. If it was me I would look for:
- 740d M Sport
- Comfort Seats
- Sunroof
- HUD
- Active Cruise (seems to be rare though)
I have had a 2009/59 F01 730d since March 2019 and have covered 20k in it in that time. I really like the car and with a private plate people seem to think its a £30k car rather than a £6k old BMW. Mine has 20" alloys (which do nothing for the ride), along with runflats and it has H&R lowering springs on as well (added by a previous owner). I'd remove the springs but the car does look good with a small drop. The ride is 'firm' to say the least.
I over service my cars (approx 3oil changes a year) and try and find something to do on it each month to keep it running as intended. I've renewed the side cameras in the front bumper. Done the gearbox fluid twice, repaired a small leak on the rear diff, had a new oil filter housing due to a oil leak, removed the swirl flaps, fitted Brembo 2 piece discs and pads all round and a couple of other jobs. I think they are the kind of car that if you only get in the garage once a year for the MOT that you could have a large bill at the end of. I only use BMW parts in the main and run it on Shell V Power diesel. It has never broken down or left me stranded.
Its worth finding one with the Logic 7/Harmon Kardon sound system as its great in the 7 series. I'd much rather have the stereo than soft close doors etc. but i would like Comfort seats and a heated steering wheel.
I will change it later this year for another post 2012 example with the 8 speed ZF 'box.
I over service my cars (approx 3oil changes a year) and try and find something to do on it each month to keep it running as intended. I've renewed the side cameras in the front bumper. Done the gearbox fluid twice, repaired a small leak on the rear diff, had a new oil filter housing due to a oil leak, removed the swirl flaps, fitted Brembo 2 piece discs and pads all round and a couple of other jobs. I think they are the kind of car that if you only get in the garage once a year for the MOT that you could have a large bill at the end of. I only use BMW parts in the main and run it on Shell V Power diesel. It has never broken down or left me stranded.
Its worth finding one with the Logic 7/Harmon Kardon sound system as its great in the 7 series. I'd much rather have the stereo than soft close doors etc. but i would like Comfort seats and a heated steering wheel.
I will change it later this year for another post 2012 example with the 8 speed ZF 'box.
BFleming said:
Not sure what "ultimately worse" means. You can buy an early F01 and it'll still have a legacy ZF 6 speed automatic. Auto F10s has the better ZF 8 speed from day 1, which certainly isn't worse. But as you're looking at the LCI, it'll be an 8 speed anyhow.
This aside, F01s are very spec dependent. If it was me I would look for:
- 740d M Sport
- Comfort Seats
- Sunroof
- HUD
- Active Cruise (seems to be rare though)
I am just looking at LCI models.This aside, F01s are very spec dependent. If it was me I would look for:
- 740d M Sport
- Comfort Seats
- Sunroof
- HUD
- Active Cruise (seems to be rare though)
That's a great spec, but to be honest the majority aren't 740d's and very few have comfort seats. At least south of £18k.
dhibbert said:
I have had a 2009/59 F01 730d since March 2019 and have covered 20k in it in that time. I really like the car and with a private plate people seem to think its a £30k car rather than a £6k old BMW. Mine has 20" alloys (which do nothing for the ride), along with runflats and it has H&R lowering springs on as well (added by a previous owner). I'd remove the springs but the car does look good with a small drop. The ride is 'firm' to say the least.
I over service my cars (approx 3oil changes a year) and try and find something to do on it each month to keep it running as intended. I've renewed the side cameras in the front bumper. Done the gearbox fluid twice, repaired a small leak on the rear diff, had a new oil filter housing due to a oil leak, removed the swirl flaps, fitted Brembo 2 piece discs and pads all round and a couple of other jobs. I think they are the kind of car that if you only get in the garage once a year for the MOT that you could have a large bill at the end of. I only use BMW parts in the main and run it on Shell V Power diesel. It has never broken down or left me stranded.
Its worth finding one with the Logic 7/Harmon Kardon sound system as its great in the 7 series. I'd much rather have the stereo than soft close doors etc. but i would like Comfort seats and a heated steering wheel.
I will change it later this year for another post 2012 example with the 8 speed ZF 'box.
Thanks. Sadly very few have an upgraded stereo, I haven't seen any HK's, but have seen one B&O.I over service my cars (approx 3oil changes a year) and try and find something to do on it each month to keep it running as intended. I've renewed the side cameras in the front bumper. Done the gearbox fluid twice, repaired a small leak on the rear diff, had a new oil filter housing due to a oil leak, removed the swirl flaps, fitted Brembo 2 piece discs and pads all round and a couple of other jobs. I think they are the kind of car that if you only get in the garage once a year for the MOT that you could have a large bill at the end of. I only use BMW parts in the main and run it on Shell V Power diesel. It has never broken down or left me stranded.
Its worth finding one with the Logic 7/Harmon Kardon sound system as its great in the 7 series. I'd much rather have the stereo than soft close doors etc. but i would like Comfort seats and a heated steering wheel.
I will change it later this year for another post 2012 example with the 8 speed ZF 'box.
Regarding the Hi-Fi system there is a good article on here:
https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/item/39-harman-ka...
The early F01's with the 'Top' Hi-Fi system have the same speaker layout as the 'HK' option (HK is S688a and mine is S677A IIRC) If you have the 7 Logic with surround sound in the idrive menu then you have the 'Top' Hi-Fi option. Both option codes seem to relate to the same 16 speaker layout. The B&O/Individual Hi-Fi seems to be very rare indeed and seems to be found on the 760 variants. If you have the After having a car with such a great sound system I couldn't go back to a standard affair. As per the article above it does seem relatively straightforward to upgrade using aftermarket speakers etc.
https://www.bimmer-tech.net/blog/item/39-harman-ka...
The early F01's with the 'Top' Hi-Fi system have the same speaker layout as the 'HK' option (HK is S688a and mine is S677A IIRC) If you have the 7 Logic with surround sound in the idrive menu then you have the 'Top' Hi-Fi option. Both option codes seem to relate to the same 16 speaker layout. The B&O/Individual Hi-Fi seems to be very rare indeed and seems to be found on the 760 variants. If you have the After having a car with such a great sound system I couldn't go back to a standard affair. As per the article above it does seem relatively straightforward to upgrade using aftermarket speakers etc.
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