Ever since BMW’s much-vaunted chief designer Chris Bangle produced a rather un-appetising-looking 7 Series sedan in the early 2000s, the top-line sedan from Munich seems to have lost some cred amongst those who value motoring of the ultra-luxurious, magic-carpet-ride variety.
In most shoot-outs in this super-limo-league, it is Mercedes-Benz’s S-Class that reigns supreme against the 7 Series, the Lexus LS500 and the Jaguar XJ series. However, production of the XJ has recently been discontinued and is no longer available here, while Jaguar management is a bit vague about what course a successor will take.
Used 7 Series can be had at good prices
There is a core of BMW 7 Series fans that still swears by these cars. However, because of their complexity, they don’t retain their re-sale value well over the longer term, and consequently, you can buy a superb example of a pre-owned 7 Series for very attractive money. AutoTrader currently lists some 72 examples of New and used BMW 7 Series premium sedans for sale.
The SUV threat to large luxury sedans
Whereas a decade ago the large limo-type sedans were considered to be the ultimate motoring statement of class and elegance, similarly luxurious versions of SUVs from the world’s premium motor manufacturers have diminished the status of cars like the 7 Series. Even such supreme luxury brands as Bentley and Rolls-Royce have recently introduced SUVs.
The face-lifted BMW 7 Series launched in April 2019
As a reaction to the encroachment of SUVs on luxury sedan sales, BMW produced a face-lifted version of its current 7 Series, which was originally introduced here in January 2016. The most notable feature of the April 2019 facelift was the very imposing new grille, which is much larger and much more brash-looking than before. The thing is, this grille echoes the front-end of the recently-introduced BMW X7 SUV, and the thinking is that these big sedans needed to claw back some of the presence that they once nonchalantly garnered amongst the super-wealthy.
Latest BMW 7 Series engine line-up
The current range of engine options in the BMW 7 Series comprises one diesel, three petrol and one petrol-electric plug-in hybrid power unit. Prices range from (gasp!) R1 849 630 for the entry-level model to R3 318 06 for the top-of-the-range car. These are identified by the model nomenclature as follows:
BMW 740Li. This features a 6-cylinder in-line engine, a configuration of engine that has been used in the BMW 7 Series since the very first generation of the 7 Series some four decades ago. BMW 6-cylinder engines are noted for their sweet, smooth running and this latest turbocharged version produces 250 kW and 450 Nm of torque. If it’s merely the smooth ride and status of a 7 Series that you are after, you really don’t need more engine than this classic 6-cylinder.
BMW 740Ld.This version uses a 3,0-litre in-line 6-cylinder diesel with BMW’s TwinPower variable volume turbocharging technology. It is one of the smoothest diesel engines on the market and powerful too. It produces 195 kW and 620 Nm of torque and its 0-100 km/h of 5,6 seconds is only half a second shy of that of the 740Li petrol model. All BMW 7 Series models, by the way, have a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h.
BMW 745Le xDrive. This is the technically-advanced plug-in hybrid model, which features a 210 kW 6-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine pretty much as per the 740iL, as well as an 80 kW electric motor. Total output is 290 kW (with the special battery fully-charged) and 600 Nm of torque. Performance is quite dramatic, with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 5,1 seconds. Even more dramatic is the petrol consumption, claimed to be as low as 2,8 litres/100 km. The car is also claimed to have an electric-only range of 46 km. Drive is to all four wheels, as denoted by the xDrive nomenclature.
BMW 750iL xDrive. This is where performance on the 7 Series enters the very serious realm. The petrol engine employed here is a twin-turbocharged V8 producing 390 kW and750 Nm. The 0-100 km/h time is claimed at 4,1 seconds and fuel consumption is claimed at 9,6 litres/100 km.
BMW M760Li xDrive. This model features the ultimate petrol engine available in the BMW 7 Series range, at least as far as numbers are concerned. It has a 6,6-litre V12 engine with twin turbochargers that produces 430 kW and 850 Nm of torque. The claimed 0-100 km/h time is 3,8 seconds, and while the standard top speed is limited to 250 km/h, this can be raised to 305 km/h by ordering the M-Division Drivers Package. Fuel consumption is claimed at 12,5 litres/100 km, but in reality, is likely to be around 15,0 to 18,0 litres/100 km.
Which engine is best?
BMWs are noted for their involving handling, even in such large luxury-orientated models as the 7 Series. But the men and women from Munich also produce superb engines in every configuration. You would probably be very content with the base-model 740iL as its turbocharged straight-6 motor is more than adequate. The same goes for the diesel in the 740Ld model.
The hybrid is interesting and offers the lowest potential fuel consumption of all. But right now, we would forgo the chore of plugging the car into the grid every day. Also, we feel that a 7 Series is a complex machine in any form, so why go for even more complexity?
The turbocharged V8, all the way
This leaves the two high-performance petrol models, the twin-turbo V8 in the 750Li xDrive and the twin-turbo V12 in the M760Li xDrive. Our overall choice would be for the V8 model every time. The V12 is quicker, but only marginally so, and to the writer’s mind, the so-called “charisma” of any V12 engine is rather over-rated. Driving the V12 you would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the sound of a V12 and a straight-6 engine.
The turbocharged V8 is the one for us. The V8 engine is lighter than the V12, which means better handling. A V8’s sound takes a lot of beating. And even more satisfying, the V8 model saves you over R600 00 if you chose this rather than the V12.
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