by Jonathan Shen

Created on: June 08, 2010   Last Updated: July 10, 2010

Thirteen years after the much loved E38 7-series had discontinued, BMW had made a few redesign changes I was not a big fan of the E65/E66 version back in 2002-2008.  The front end was a bit high, and the back end was sort of…how can I put this…Bleh.  Now the 7-series came out with another redesign for 2009, called the F01/F02 (i/Li respectively).  The front end sits a little bit lower, and the stance is not really that subtle, compared to its German doppelganger and arch-rival, the Mercedes-Benz S550.   This car delivers the best of both worlds in terms of both luxury and performance.

The trunk space is massive for a car like the 7-series, and I am really pleased that BMW had done so much to make an effort of improving the car seven years after the E65 version of the 7-series.  Both the headroom and the legroom of the 7 are above par, even if you are not considering the longer Li version, which is five inches longer than the base 7-series.   The wood grain tends to be a bit on the cheap side, and I was surprised that Chris Bangle would do such a thing to make a perfect-looking car look so not-so-perfect, at least from the interior.  The gear lever is way too big, and the iDrive, is, I think, still not that user-friendly.  Another thing about this 7-series I really cannot stand is how the iDrive system plays your iPod.  Once you plug in your iPod into the USB adapter, it does not let you play the song where you left from the day/night before, and it goes all the way up to the first song that begins with “A” (or “B”, etc.).  Other convenience features include a navigation with built-in Real-Time traffic, a camera package for both rearview and side-view cameras, and an automatic closing trunk.

As far as performance and handling goes on this BMW, the 7-series uses a double wishbone as opposed to a front strut, rear-link suspension that was used on the E65.  This 750 cannot really outrun the S63 or CL65 AMG, but it does have a powerful engine to back up this myth.  The 400bhp Twin-Turbo V8 is the very first engine to ever be put into a highly respected sedan, unlike the S-Class which has its own hand-built engine for the S63 AMG.  This Twin-Turbo V8 engine also produces 400 lb-ft. of torque, which makes the 7-series pounce from 0-60 mph in 5 seconds flat; that is almost as fast as a stock 135i.

Okay, so it may not have the “oomph” or the grunt like a Mercedes AMG, and it may not have the performance of a BMW M-Car, but the 7-series can make some competition.  The ride is very smooth and the handling at the corners is superb thanks to its tuned suspension.  The 400 horsepower Twin-Turbo V8, is powerful as it can be, and I really do not think it needs anymore.  This current 750i can even catch up to the E65 760Li with the more powerful V12 with no problem, since they both have similar 0-60mph times.

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