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BMW 7 Series Problems

Are you having problems with your BMW 7 Series? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest BMW 7 Series issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the BMW 7 Series in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Used BMW 7 Series review: 2002-2013
By Ewan Kennedy · 17 Oct 2013
The BMW 7 Series is a large, prestigious German saloon aimed at travelling long distances while pampering its passengers with a smooth ride and near silent interior.
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Used BMW 7 Series review: 2009-2010
By Graham Smith · 09 Feb 2012
The BMW 7-Series launched in 2009 was a return to the finer things in life after previous models had diverted down a side road on which performance was a premium.The F01 and its long wheelbase F02 sibling echoed the old ethos of elegance and driving enjoyment that marked the old BMW flagship out from its great rival from Stuttgart.With its carefully crafted lines and timeless proportions the new 7- Series returned to the elegance of old; it was certainly less confronting then the earlier model. Inside, it was a mix of classic style and modern practicality. It was quiet, comfortable, refined, and the driver was surrounded with all the mod cons, including BMW's iDrive system, Bluetooth, voice commands, and useful systems like active cruise control and a heads- up speedo display as well as all the expected features.There was plenty of choice of engines, from the 3.0-litre turbo- diesel, through the twin-turbo six, the twin-turbo V8 and the mighty V12. All were turbocharged, BMW's thinking being that a turbocharged engine could be economical and environmentally friendly when tootling along, but would still have plenty of punch when you planted your right foot. The six-speed auto that is mated to all but the V12, which has an eight-speed auto, has tough shifting and adaptive shift programming.Less visible were the stiffer, but lighter body and the lightweight aluminium suspension. More obvious were features like night vision, lane-change warnings, heads-up display, improved run-flat tyres and variable light distribution.IN THE SHOPThe F01/F02 models are still relatively new out of the box, most will have done less than 50,000 km, and so failures and issues are few and far between. While solidly built BMWs are not immune to problems, particularly as they age, but it's fair to think the 7-Series will be relatively trouble-free for another 100,000 km or so. Servicing is important to keep on top of any problems that do crop up, so check for a service record for proof of regular oil changes.IN A CRASHThere is no ANCAP rating for the 7-Series, but it's fair to assume it would come in at the top end of the five-star scale if it were tested. With dual front, side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes and electronic stability control it has the best of everything in the safety world.UNDER THE PUMPThe big Beemer is a heavyweight of the auto world and that has to be reflected in the fuel consumption. The turbo-diesel is the one to go for if fuel economy is your priority. It returns a claimed average of 6.8 L/100 km, impressive for such a big car. The petrol options aren't as thrifty when it comes to fuel economy, the twin-turbo six averages 9.9 L/100 km, the twin-turbo V8 averages 11.4 L/100 km, and the V12 averaged 13.0 L/100 km. All petrol engines require premium unleaded.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $198,800 to $386,000Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbo-diesel, 180 kW/540m Nm; 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder, 240 kW/450 Nm; 4.4-litre turbocharged V8, 300 kW/600 Nm; 6.0-litre turbocharged V12, 400 kW/750 Nm.Transmission: 6-speed auto, 8-speed auto (V12); RWDEconomy: 6.8 L/100 km (730d), 9.9 L/100 km (740i), 11.4 L/100 km (750i), 13.0 L/100 km (760i)Body: 4-door sedan (LWB), 4-door sedan (SWB)Variants: 730d, 740i, 740Li, 750i, 750Li, 760LiSafety: N/A.VERDICTA return to greatness after the 7-Series had lost its way.
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Guide to long wheelbase cars
By Stuart Innes · 05 Jul 2010
No, it doesn't mean a luxury version for the models they are based on are more than luxurious already. The L means long, or more correctly long-wheelbase.
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Used BMW 7 Series review: 1994-2014
By Ewan Kennedy · 15 Apr 2015
Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 1994-2014 BMW 7 Series.
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What is the most expensive BMW?
Answered by Lily Murray · 15 Mar 2019

Currently, the most expensive BMW is the 750Li, listed at $318,710. For more info on the latest model, check out our 7 Series pricing and specs page.

What should I know before buying a 2004 BMW 7 Series?
Answered by David Morley · 14 Feb 2024

Some of these older luxury cars are tremendous bargains. Or, at least, they look like it in the classified adverts. There are a couple of reasons they're so cheap second-hand. The first is that people are (often rightly) scared of them going bang in an expensive way and requiring lots of pricey repairs. The second is called the funnel effect and happens when a luxury car like the 7-Series is bought brand-new usually by corporate customers. But, when the car is ready to be traded in a few years later, there simply isn't the volume of private buyers waiting for one to hit the market. So prices plummet. The same thing happens to Mercedes-Benzes, Audis and other luxury brands, too; it's not just a BMW thing.

Meantime, the rules of engagement are the same for any used car. The most important thing is not the distance the car has covered, but how well it's been maintained over the years. You need to see a stamped, up-to-date service handbook with no glaring gaps in the service history. Without that document, you could be buying an abused car that will let you down and empty your wallet.

The other thing to be a bit wary of in a 7-Series BMW of this vintage is the ex-hotel courtesy car. Back in the day, BMW had plenty of 7-Series to shift and a relative lack of takers, so the company offered them to hire-car and limousine taxi operators for about the same (leased) cost as a Holden Caprice. That's how so many of them wound up wearing a groove from the city to the airport.

A good, well maintained ex-hire car should be okay, but bear in mind a lot of them led pretty hard lives. That included a variety of drivers who may or may not have cared very much and long hours idling in gridlock traffic. Check the condition of the backseat to see whether it's been used often (does the wear in the back match that in the front?) and check the area around the rear bumper. This was often damaged as a million suitcases were loaded and unloaded from the boot.

At home on the grange
Answered by Carsguide.com.au · 08 May 2008

THE HSV and the BMW are quite different cars, which makes it hard to compare them realistically. The BMW has lots of badge cred and is a good car in all respects. The HSV has limited badge appeal and isn't as good a car. That said, the HSV will cost less, be less expensive to service and Holden parts are far less expensive than BMW parts.

Genesis G90 - Any chance for Australia?
Answered by Byron Mathioudakis · 21 Apr 2021

Both the existing Genesis G90 (and its closely related Kia K9 sedan) are flagship models not available in Australia due to the tiny pool of buyers that swim in the upper-luxury segment dominated by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The main stumbling block is probably the prohibitive cost of engineering these left-hand-drive market models for right-hand-drive. At over 5.2 metres long (and counting if you include the limo version), these are way too large for British roads, and the expected sales volumes from the rest of the right-hand-drive countries combined including Australia just doesn't make a viable business case for them.

Plus, big luxury SUVs are where the customers are heading, so a luxury crossover flagship from fledgling Genesis would make much more sense anyway. Sorry, but please don't hold your breath for a G90 in Australia any time soon.

However, the all-electric G80 – Genesis' big 5 Series-priced rival – is said to be heading Downunder inside the next 12 months. The EV limo is the brand’s first fully electric model and will have “more than 500km range” to take on the coming Mercedes-Benz EQS electric luxury flagship sedan.

Gassing up a bmw
Answered by Carsguide.com.au · 15 May 2008

FEW 7 Series BMW have been converted to LPG, so there's little experience in the industry. It could be an expensive conversion and probably not worth doing.

How much is a 2011 BMW 7-series worth?
Answered by Graham Smith · 01 Jun 2018

The value depends on the particular model, whether it’s a short or long wheelbase, six, eight or diesel engine etc., hence the value is a broad one, from $30,000 to $50,000.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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