BMW 7 Series

mehuk · 7 Jul 2010 at 18:23

Seems like a lot of BMW owners on here so ill give asking the following questions a shot:

Firstly and most importantly, would the rear seating space be big enough and capable of hosting; 1 baby car seat (rear facing 1st seat), 1 front facing child seat and 1 child booster seat (basically the foam or whatever it is, base).

So thats 3 seats at the same time, with each then evolving to the next stage alongside each other.

Secondly if economy/running costs was not an issue and a car of sufficient spec was available in the 6.0Li edition of the series, is this a wise purchase or is that 'version' of the 7 series not the best so to speak.

Thats it thanks.

[TW]Fox · 7 Jul 2010 at 18:46

Obviously in a world where money isnt an issue the 760Li is the best 7 Series.

But such a world doesnt exist and if it did, you would not be buying a used 7 Series. So clearly there are financial considerations and without knowing the circumstances its hard to advise whether its the best choice. You did, after all, say this of the diesel Touraeg:

the running costs make my wallet a baron wasteland

It's rare that the 760Li is ever the best choice for anyone which is why they are so rare.

mehuk · 7 Jul 2010 at 18:53

Its not for me, when I say money is not an issue I meant in terms of running the car etc Fuel, Insurance, Repairs, Service.

I believe one has been seen on the used BMW website for circa 30k which is within purchasers budget - ive not looked myself, its just cropped up and as there will be 3 grandchildren for said potential owner, if the seating situation is not possible with comfort then the car is out of the question anyhow.

The reason for the 6.0Li, well all I know is purchaser wants top of the range (used) so OK cant afford 50-60k without dipping into 'non car budget' conditions and probably dosent want to spend that sort of cash. But at the same time, for 30k or so does want the best possible. Again which is why I asked if the 6.0Li is the best, because I dont know any different other than it has a bigger engine and probably has more as 'default'.

[TW]Fox · 7 Jul 2010 at 18:57

mehuk said:
Its not for me, when I say money is not an issue I meant in terms of running the car etc Fuel, Insurance, Repairs, Service.

I dont beleive this is ever the case, really, especially not in the context of something like a 760Li. They are hugely complicated and very few if any indys will touch them as they rarely see them so never get to develop skills in working out whats wrong with them. So you end up confined to BMW dealers and lets just put it this way, a 760Li doesnt qualify for value servicing!

You could easily eclipse the overall cost of just buying a more expensive less mental car by buying and running a 760Li.

The reason for the 6.0Li, well all I know is purchaser wants top of the range (used) so OK cant afford 50-60k without dipping into 'non car budget' conditions and probably dosent want to spend that sort of cash. But at the same time, for 30k or so does want the best possible. Again which is why I asked if the 6.0Li is the best, because I dont know any different other than it has a bigger engine and probably has more as 'default'.

Obviously the 760Li is the best. It has a simply gloriously smooth V12 engine and is the ultimate in waftability. None of the other engines are as good, full stop. But thats in isolation, in the real world the 760Li is irritating for most.

It's absolutely enormous, it guzzles fuel at a rate that as well as not being funny even ends up giving you quite pathetic fuel ranges for a luxury cruiser, is hugely complicated and most people dont know how to fix them and, in reality, although its technically the best, doesn't really offer enough over the 'lesser' models to justify all the hassle unless you are simply so rich you can simply throw it at the dealer and say 'Just make it work before I get back from Monaco'.

I hate to say it but the 730d makes a very good case for itself.

mehuk · 7 Jul 2010 at 19:10

OK thats fair enough.... but they would like to do 0-60 as quick as they can

Seriously though...seats, it could have wings and fly but if the seats wont fit... it wont matter. How big is the back and would it be comfortable with 3 child seats of varying stages?

Thanks for the pointers.

[TW]Fox · 7 Jul 2010 at 19:15

mehuk said:
OK thats fair enough.... but they would like to do 0-60 as quick as they can

It's a 7 Series, its a complete barge not a sports saloon. I think they are missing the point somewhat and should consider a 550i instead.

Joshy · 7 Jul 2010 at 19:22

Surely 3 car seats in the back is people carrier territory?

Booner! · 7 Jul 2010 at 19:29

Why would they want to do 0-60 really quick that many kids in the back? :confused:

Moeks · 7 Jul 2010 at 19:50

I will just agree with Fox about the 760Li ...yes it's the best but you are suffering quite harsh diminishing returns over the lesser models in the range at that point really.

I wouldn't personally bother with the 730D ...tractor engines do not belong in luxuary cars imo (yes I know it's very good and all) ....but consider a 750Li ...my Dad had one of these for over 2 years, was an excellent car ...and the V8 engine in it is still very smooth and powerful, it has something like 360bhp, even then it's still no sports car mind but it goes in a straight line plenty well enough. I think the 750 is a much better car to actually own than a 760 ...although if money really is no object then yes, the 760 is the best. The V12s can for various things be a good deal more expensive than the V8s though, because they are so rare and also difficult to work on ...I'm not sure about the newer V12s but the old ones such as the M73 have so little space to work around them that even changing the rear spark-plugs can be a challenge.

I don't know if it will fit the necessary child seats, I would think so though ...they have a lot of space in the back, big boot too.

Joshy · 7 Jul 2010 at 20:01

Moeks said:
I'm not sure about the newer V12s but the old ones such as the M73 have so little space to work around them that even changing the rear spark-plugs can be a challenge.

I've found that the stories of working on the M73 to be bit exaggerated, at least in the configuration I'm used to. I really do enjoy working on them.

I wouldn't like to attempt the rear plugs on the road side, but with a ramp they are fairly easy to do.

paradigm · 7 Jul 2010 at 20:11

Joshy said:
I wouldn't like to attempt the rear plugs on the road side, but with a ramp they are fairly easy to do.

Could you please enlighten me as to how it's easier with a ramp to do the plugs which are on the top of the engine?

Stupot_ · 7 Jul 2010 at 20:33

Haven't looked at 7 series recently, didn't realise they had such large capacity engines now (740, 750 and 760). My dad used to have an e38 735i which was a really lovely place to be, fantastic interior... was about to go off on one about how surely all the new ones aren't great for bmw's environmental credentials but after checking on parkers his old 735i apparently gives the same fuel economy as a current 760Li! Madness!

Joshy · 7 Jul 2010 at 20:44

paradigm said:
Could you please enlighten me as to how it's easier with a ramp to do the plugs which are on the top of the engine?

The plugs aren't "on top" of the engine...

The rearward plugs are easier to get to from underneath, thus the advantage of the ramp

.

The Mad Rapper · 7 Jul 2010 at 20:47

Joshy said:
Surely 3 car seats in the back is people carrier territory?

Yes, my thoughts exactly. An S-Max would be far more suitable IMHO.

Saytan · 7 Jul 2010 at 20:53

dont know about the E65, but the E38 only really seats two in the back properly. 3 for short trips, but meant for two really.

not sure how well a kiddie seat would fit in the middle

Jez · 7 Jul 2010 at 20:55

E65 would fit three child seats for sure, the back is large enough for 3 large adults to sit in relative comfort.

To the OP though, he is looking at the wrong car! If he wants a comfy wafter then the E65 is not as good as the the W220 S-Class let alone the W221 S-Class which he would achieve for the budget.

NVP · 7 Jul 2010 at 21:15

Just to spice things up (Or maybe dull things down...)

mehuk · 7 Jul 2010 at 21:55

Booner! said:
Why would they want to do 0-60 really quick that many kids in the back?

My safety wink didnt work, of course they dont need to do 0-60 as quick as they can.

The Mad Rapper said:
Yes, my thoughts exactly. An S-Max would be far more suitable IMHO.

They will have 3 grandchildren maybe 2/3 times per month, an S-Max is not on their radar at all given that this will be their car to use.

Jez said:
E65 would fit three child seats for sure, the back is large enough for 3 large adults to sit in relative comfort.

To the OP though, he is looking at the wrong car! If he wants a comfy wafter then the E65 is not as good as the the W220 S-Class let alone the W221 S-Class which he would achieve for the budget.

Im not sure what a E65 is, but if its a different name for the 7 series then that sounds good. The Merc S-Class was looked at and snubbed I believe.

Cheers all, they will take a look at one I believe and ill probably have to go along with the seats and see whats what for them.

Wicksta · 7 Jul 2010 at 22:00

Saytan said:
dont know about the E65, but the E38 only really seats two in the back properly. 3 for short trips, but meant for two really.

not sure how well a kiddie seat would fit in the middle

I can get a childs ISOFIX seat and two adults in the back of my smaller E60 no problem.

[TW]Fox · 7 Jul 2010 at 22:04

Joshy said:
I've found that the stories of working on the M73 to be bit exaggerated, at least in the configuration I'm used to. I really do enjoy working on them.

I am confused. I have a question.

How come you get to work on the M73 frequently? It's an incredibly rare engine - even in its most common form, the E38 750i! Perhaps my knowledge is patchy as it's mostly BMW but I didnt think it was found in anything else except one model of Rolls Royce that was only made for about 3 years and sold in very small numbers.

:confused: