BMW 730d: Thoughts

Housey · 25 Nov 2011 at 13:58

OK, I collected a 730d this morning for the weekend so I can evaluate it as a potential for my day to day dagdag. So far amazingly I am impressed with it and feel it's a huge move forward from the last model, feeling both smaller and much sharper than that and the A8 I borrowed a few weeks back. It pulls well for such a big car and coming from my RS4 feels like a magic carpet ride. It's an M Sport version, Carbon Black with big wheels so looks OK too, like a slightly bigger 530d actually. I will stick some pics up in due course and write a full review when I have time.

At this point, so far so good.

Maz · 25 Nov 2011 at 14:01

Not driven one, but the new ones are just gorgeous!

Had a sit in one at my local BMW dealer and everything was so well laid out and felt very well built.

I'd have one over an A8, but if you're considering a 730D you need to go an drive an S350 CDI.

Housey · 25 Nov 2011 at 14:06

I can't make my mind up what I want, it's why I am still in my RS4, which is about to cost me over 2K as it's in for a service (indi (£170 compared to £410 at Audi) and needs rear discs and pads.....and 4 new boots as they are shiny and mirror like. I am going to borrow a 1M, really growing on me and a mate just took delivery of one and got me thinking and I shall also try a 5 again and maybe an E class. The 730d is only on the radar as the deals are very strong when all things considered and one needs to manage outgoings in the current climate...relatively.

Maz · 25 Nov 2011 at 14:08

Housey said:
I can't make my mind up what I want, it's why I am still in my RS4, which is about to cost me over 2K as it's in for a service (indi (£170 compared to £410 at Audi) and needs rear discs and pads.....and 4 new boots as they are shiny and mirror like. I am going to borrow a 1M, really growing on me and a mate just took delivery of one and got me thinking and I shall also try a 5 again and maybe an E class. The 730d is only on the radar as the deals are very strong when all things considered and one needs to manage outgoings in the current climate...relatively.

Are you in the market for a petrol car or diesel?

There are some really good deals out there, you just need to go looking in the right places.

E Class deals represent really good value for money at the min, something which you won't get with S Class.

Housey · 25 Nov 2011 at 14:10

Not fussed on diesel or petrol really.

Maz · 25 Nov 2011 at 14:14

There doesn't seem to be much in terms of finance deals on 5's right now, but plenty on MB Range, and some good deals on Audi range aswell.

A7 looks really good value for money at current advertised deal on the Audi website.

Housey · 25 Nov 2011 at 14:16

Now is the time to purchase I think as it's quiet, end of quarter, end of financial year for many and some new models due, so the deals across many ranges are strong right now.

Maz · 25 Nov 2011 at 14:26

Housey said:
Now is the time to purchase I think as it's quiet, end of quarter, end of financial year for many and some new models due, so the deals across many ranges are strong right now.

Very true, little happens in the motor trade in these 2 months

That A7 deal is very good, nice big diesel lump and the shape has really grown on me.

Suppose it's quite similar to the new CLS.

You need to decide what you want first I reckon, because everything will be so different to your RS4.

Not fancy a X5/X6, ML, or Q7 maybe a Q5?

Housey · 25 Nov 2011 at 14:33

ML, Q7 and Q5 nah, X5 is an option.

Maz · 25 Nov 2011 at 16:00

Rangey?

Housey · 25 Nov 2011 at 16:28

Can't have a Rangy, my dad's got one.

Bear · 25 Nov 2011 at 18:35

For that sort of range it would be worth looking at an XJ ? The new ones are fantastic IMO of course

rG-tom · 25 Nov 2011 at 23:54

can you not get good deals on petrol 7 series if you're not bothered about the fuel type?

Although id imagine if you do go diesel the TT diesel would suit the 7 series really well i'd imagine

Rotty · 26 Nov 2011 at 01:26

Housey said:
Not fussed on diesel or petrol really.

sacrilige

actually I can just about see where tractor juice works in this sector

Housey · 26 Nov 2011 at 10:53

Well I took a run out last night and was seeing 41mpg across a mixed range of driving. Impressive for such a big lump and the steering, for such a big car is really impressive and much much better than the A8. It pulls well too and is up to sensible motorway speeds in seconds. For the type of driving I do it's a good car, just not sure if it's me really but got a long drive to Oxfordshire and back tomorrow so will get a better view then.

ajgoodfellow · 26 Nov 2011 at 16:12

Definitely try an XJ

The 3 litre TDV6 is one of the best 6 cylinder diesels IMO and the interior is lovely

If it was my money I'd personally get the V8, preferable the Supersport. Had a go in one of those at the beginning of the year and it goes like the clappers (as you'd expect from a 5 litre supercharged V8!)

Housey · 26 Nov 2011 at 16:33

3L D is plenty quick enough, it doesn't want for power really I can't see why you need a bigger lump in this car I really can't. Very impressed with how it goes, I expected lumbering but it makes progress really well and has plenty to get around stuff.

[TR]SweetSpotOz · 26 Nov 2011 at 17:13

Housey · 1 Dec 2011 at 21:30

Bit of a half ass review here and some even more half ass'd pictures too. I only remembered to take some pictures when sitting in my home office looking out the window whilst in a moment of deep contemplation, nice and toasty so buggered if I was going outside and then 1 mile from the BMW dealers taking it back on Monday. David Faily watch out!

On drive, I think the detail shines through here doesn't it, I was going to Photoshot it but I didn't know how so gave up. Proper Nazi staff car I feel.

Now some really excellent quality interior shots, I spent a lot of time in Lightroom with these, I think it shows.

This I feel is quite arty

Now the best bit is the Sat Nav, it's gone all Googly

I did actually do a video on the toll road, but it showed the speedo and it might have nudged up to 71mph so can't be too careful.

So what's it like I hear you not ask?

Loved it!

Very very impressed with it, really much more than I had expected. It was a 530D M Sport and for such a big car it really hid its mass well and didn't feel cumbersome or heavy with nicely weighted steering for such a car. The engine is very impressive, it pulls the car really well up to big motorway speeds and also allows you to get around things well for such a large bus and it also stops well too, though it did protest a little and smelt a bit 'used' after my run back from Oxford on Sunday.

I have read reviews where people suggest its not as comfortable or smooth as an A8 or S Class but I have to say I thought it was excellent. Having an RS4 and MX5 probably means I am used to stiffer cars but the 730D felt like it soaked up the road nicely, a little fidgety but nothing to worry about, though the tyres could be a big noisy on some surfaces. HiFi wasn't great, TV's at the side were cool for around 30 seconds as you went wow....and then never used them again, rear sensors were useful and the BMW Sat Nav is really nice with maps and all sorts once scaled to the right level.

I was impressed, can see me living with one, we will see over the next few days what I do next.

ash_scotland88 · 1 Dec 2011 at 21:37

From this distant those wheels look like some chav boy's addition in attempts to turn out a clapt out old three series in an m3 rep. Big wheels, elastic bands for tyres. It just doesn't suit the car.