2005 BMW 750li Reviews

While it seems a little numb at first tramp of the throttle, the reality is there is a lot of metal to cart around.With a couple of average-sized occupants and a few kilos of luggage, the 750i sport cracks two tonne on the scales.It is porky but is definitely no loafer.After gaining a mid-life spruce up, the 7-series has grown from 4.4 to 4.8 litres, a rise of 25kW after the previous E65 and a jump in newton metres of 40 to 490.The chassis and suspension have been enhanced with the Adaptive Drive suspension now combing the Dynamic Drive with the continuously adjustable damper system.Pushed hard through the twisty bit of road leading to the notorious Mineshaft stage used in the Rally of Canberra, the 7-series protested.It squirmed and became a bit floaty in the rear through mid-corner bumps.But, hey, how many people are going to be driving BMW's finest saloon as if they are going for a stunt driving job in the Ronin sequel?You're right, no one.So getting back to reality and the changes made for this model upgrade, there are a few but not a lot of them are visible.The rear track has been widened by 14mm and axle control has been enhanced.The 7-series is supreme in its environment which provides luxury for the diplomat or managing director where it remains blissfully quiet and offers a silken ride.It is effortless to drive around town and offers the levels of comfort you would expect from a $200,000-plus limo (as tested the 750i with the sport package is $209,400).Changes also have been made to the nose with new double kidney grille, headlamps and modified bumper.Other cosmetic changes include a light contour in the side sills, new indicator lights, new taillight cluster, boot lid and rear bumpers.These changes make little difference to a casual observer in what originally was a confronting design.What defines the upgrade is the software.This car is now online.Available across the range is ConnectedDrive which uses TeleAssist and Online concepts.The car is now connected to the Net through a bespoke BMW portal.Limited text e-mails can be received or sent and you can track share prices or tap into news, sport and weather briefs via an AAP-based service.The TeleAssist function links up occupants via the onboard telephone with a dedicated call centre that can be used for emergency situations and to request directions or details of a particular service.Data including a destination address can be transmitted to the car where it is identified by the satellite navigation system.The SatNav instantly plots a route once the driver selects the address as the destination.When testing these systems at the launch recently some software bugs surfaced affecting data and route guidance.The TeleAssist operator was unable to transmit a requested address to the car and a separate previously plotted route sent a couple of cars several kilometres off course.

Controversy over driver distraction by the car's email system has overshadowed some subtle yet impressive tweaking to the Bavarian luxury bus.The 7 Series is no stranger to public outcry and has been one of the most talked about, and often unfairly, reviled members of the BMW stable. It was used to carry Chris Bangle's radical design language into the public forum almost five years ago and opinion remains split on whether it is beast or beauty.Refinements of the styling, aided by familiarity, have made subsequent versions on the 3, 5, 6 Series and Z4 less affronting and given a sense of purpose to Bangle's original plan. The fresh styling changes to the 7 Series have taken the car to a new level of acceptance and wound back some of the more "unusual" design elements.Surgery around the nose with a wider and higher-set grille and a bonnet "powerdome" induce a less confronting and more sporting look. The flat, high-set bootline, originally criticised as looking like a taxi advertising board, has also been softened and an integrated spoiler added. There is also a larger range of technological changes for the two V8 engines – the 4.0-litre and the 4.8-litre – the suspension, interior trim and iDrive.The makeover for the 7 Series is timely considering there is an all-new Mercedes-Benz S-class due later this year and Audi's A8 is making a strong impression.Capacity, output and performance have all been increased in the V8s with a marginal improvement in fuel consumption. The electronic throttle is precise, to the point of taking a little getting used to before being able to launch the big car smoothly. On the move, however, the seamless power delivery from both engines is impressive.The six-speed automatic with steptronic (manual) function is smooth and the ratios well-sorted.At the heart of the suspension is the melded Adaptive Drive technology. The program brings together dynamic drive (active roll stabilisation) with EDC-C (continuously variable electronic damping). The two technologies work in milliseconds to retain a flat, plush ride for the body of the car despite the most enthusiastic movements of the chassis. It can feel a little detached from the driver's seat but while it has the agility to be pushed hard, the 7 Series is best enjoyed as a refined tourer.At the top of the engine range for Australia is the 327kW 6.0-litre V12, unchanged from the current model.Adding polish to the interior of one of the most polished of models was always going to be incremental. Two new three-spoke steering wheels are the visual clue but the most useful change has been a refining of the iDrive.The most welcome change is taking some of the more basic and commonly used controls back and returning them to a button operation. As is expected from BMW – and any $200,000-plus car for that matter – occupant safety is well catered for. There are dual front airbags, front and rear curtain bags as well as front and rear side bags.The array of electronic minders within the vehicle is impressive. That includes ABS with dynamic brake control, automatic stability and traction control, dynamic stability control and adaptive drive (750Li and 760Li).