Is the BMW 7 Series a good car?

With a refined look, advanced technology and decent pace, the BMW 7 Series ticks a lot of boxes. And with its choice of engines, you can choose a trim that suits your lifestyle and desired running costs. Cheaper than its rivals by Mercedes and Audi, it's also equipped with ample safety features. And although BMW isn't one of the top-rated car manufacturers for reliability, reported problems with the 7 Series are few. These include issues with the diesel engines, gearbox and interior trims.

Which BMW 7 Series is the best?

When it comes to speed, the M760Li xDrive is top of the range with its 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 engine. Producing 602bhp, it reaches 62mph in just 3.7 seconds. However, if you're looking to save on fuel, the 740 and 750 trims handle brilliantly for their size with their carbon fibre giving them a lighter feel.

Is the BMW 7 Series expensive to maintain?

If you're looking to keep running costs down, you'll want to stay away from its petrol engines. The plug-in hybrid 745e is the most economical BMW 7 Series trim, boasting a fuel economy of 141mpg and low CO2 emissions of 46g/km. Thanks to its fixed emissions, it also gives you free access to certain cities with low emission zones. You'll also need to keep in mind the BMW 7 Series' high insurance groups as a result of its powerful performance and complex engineering - even the 740i and 730d sit in insurance groups 48 and 49. Annual road tax ranges from £165 to £580, while repairs can be expensive.

Where is the BMW 7 Series manufactured?

Since its launch in 1977, the BMW 7 Series has been manufactured at the BMW Group Plant in Dingolfing, Germany.

189 Used BMW 7 Series cars for sale

BMW 7 Series2021 (21) - 3.0 730d M Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£29,100

Finance available £628 pm

3L
72.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

BMW 7 Series2015 (15) - 3.0 730d M Sport Exclusive Saloon 4dr Diesel Auto (stop/start) (258 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,250

Finance available £296 pm

3L
62.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

RDM Direct

01283241526 *

4.5/5 Stars

BMW 7 Series2014 - 730d M Sport Exclusive 4dr Auto

£9,895

3L
110.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

The Motoring Point

01482422765 *

BMW 7 Series2018 (68) - 3.0 740d M Sport Saloon 4dr Diesel Auto xDrive-Factory Extras Worth £

Low Mileage

£28,950

Finance available £574 pm

3L
37.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Rix Motors

01925917564 *

BMW 7 Series2005 (05) - 3.0 730d SE Auto Euro 3 4dr

Low Mileage

£2,290

3L
139.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Prestigio Cars Ltd

01908767389 *

4.8/5 Stars

BMW 7 Series2016 (66) - 3.0 740d M Sport Saloon 4dr Diesel Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (320 ps)-Factor

Reduced

£23,900

Finance available £470 pm

3L
44.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Rix Motors

01925917564 *

BMW 7 Series2016 (66) - 3.0 740Ld M Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Reduced

£20,995

Finance available £411 pm

3L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Derbyshire Performance

01332419213 *

0/5 Stars

BMW 7 Series2020 - 745Le xDrive M Sport 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£36,999

3L
35.5K
Miles
Not Supplied
Automatic
Saloon

Stratstone BMW Leeds

01134676295 *

BMW 7 Series2016 - 3.0 740d M Sport Saloon 4dr Diesel Auto Xdrive Euro 6 s/s 320 Ps

Low Mileage

£25,999

3L
44.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Tustain Motors Cramlington

01670335009 *

BMW 7 Series2014 (14) - 730d M Sport 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£7,950

3L
85.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Jayden Motors Ltd

01782390968 *

BMW 7 Series2015 (15) - 3.0 730d SE Exclusive Saloon 4dr Diesel Auto Euro 5 (s/s) (258 ps)

Low Mileage

£11,990

Finance available £246 pm

3L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Derby Trade Cars

01332315433 *

4.3/5 Stars

BMW 7 Series2015 (65) - 3.0 730d M Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£18,000

Finance available £349 pm

3L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

S AND T MOTOR CO LTD

01913002236 *

BMW 7 Series2021 (21) - 3.0 745Le 12kWh M Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£34,000

Finance available £678 pm

3L
93.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

BMW 7 Series2017 - 730d M Sport 4-Door

£17,990

Finance available £349 pm

3L
85.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

R L Motor Services

01752987299 *

BMW 7 Series2018 - 740d M Sport 4-Door

£23,000

Finance available £452 pm

3L
75.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Unit One Automotive

01403338912 *

BMW 7 Series2018 (68) - 740d xDrive M Sport Saloon 4-Door

Low Mileage

£27,000

3L
35.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

John Clark BMW Tayside

01382238686 *

BMW 7 Series2011 - 730d SE Luxury Edition 4-Door

£3,995

3L
147.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Phoenix Car Centre

01962670197 *

BMW 7 Series2016 - 730d M Sport 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

3L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

3 Bridge Car Sales

02871221749 *

BMW 7 Series2001 (Y) - 728i Sport 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£2,890

2.8L
155.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Saloon

J and S Autos Ltd Trade Car Centre

01623703507 *

BMW 7 Series2016 (16) - 3.0 740Ld M Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£16,490

3L
132.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Exclusive Motor Group

01733978045 *

Why buy a used BMW 7 Series?

If you're in the market for a car that's large, comfortable and refined, then a used BMW 7 Series is a great choice. This premium saloon comes with a large amount of kit and is designed to impress even the most discerning passenger. With its extensive range of powertrain options, including a long-range PHEV, there's a 7 Series for any need.

Used BMW 7 Series snapshot review

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

Pros

Extremely refined
Fabulous interior
Surprisingly low running costs

Cons

It's a big car
Expensive options
Standard equipment not generous

Read our BMW 7 Series review

BMW 7 Series video review

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Used BMW 7 Series buying guide

Engines and transmissions

BMW has offered petrol, hybrid and diesel configurations, with a manual or an automatic gearbox and rear- or four-wheel drive. Currently, the new 7 Series is only available as a petrol-hybrid model.

Petrol

750e xDrive plug-in hybrid creates a combined 482bhp and provides up to 55 miles of travel on electric-only
760e xDrive plug-in hybrid increases the output to 563bhp with a similar electric driving range of 52 miles
Older 740i uses a 3.0-litre engine to produce 321bhp and 41mpg, while the 750i uses a 4.4-litre V8 engine to generate 443bhp and 35mpg
This 750i was later upgraded to 522bhp, but the fuel economy was reduced to 27.2mpg
Range-topping M760Li has a 6.6-litre V12 engine that rivals supercars with power at 601bhp, and a fuel economy of 22mpg

Diesel

725d has a 2.0-litre engine to output 227bhp and features efficiency of up to 46.3mpg
730d increases the output to 261bhp with a 3.0-litre engine, and the fuel economy could rise to 51.4mpg, depending on the model variant

740d boosts the rating to 315bhp, making it one of the more powerful diesels offered, with a fuel economy of up to 47.1mpg

Practicality

With ample space for all passengers, the BMW 7 Series is a practical executive saloon designed to keep everyone comfortable during the drive.

Interior space

Driver can easily get comfortable with a soft headrest and an adjustable backrest
Rear seating space is perfect for taller adults
Large glass roof allows for a brighter, more inviting cabin space

Boot space

525-litre boot is big and square with a low-loading lip
PHEV boot remains the same, which isn't the case with rivals such as the Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S580e
Under-floor storage space allows for smaller items to be carried

Safety

Euro NCAP hasn't safety tested the 7 Series
Standard kit includes the BMW Active Protection System, which monitors driver distraction and takes preventative measures if an accident is imminent

Technology

12.3-inch driver display and 14.9-inch infotainment screen appear to be one under the curved glass, even though they are separate
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offer quick connections
Available Bowers & Wilkins stereo can be fitted with equipment to vibrate and pulse the rear seat for an immersive experience
An 8K 31-inch theatre screen with built-in internet connection that flips down from the roof can also be included

Different generations of used BMW 7 Series

The 7 Series first hit the roads back in 1977 with the E23. It was met with such success that a second generation (E32) was needed by 1986, and there was also the option of a long-wheelbase model. Since then, there have been a total of seven generations, with BMW adding more technology, refinement and comfort with each update.

Seventh Generation (2022 to 2023)

Over four decades since its introduction, BMW launched a seventh-generation 7 Series with its first-ever electric configuration (the i7). The vehicle had a new design with a wide, tall grille and LED daytime running lights were installed higher up. New air intakes were also added along with a new lower grille for added cooling.

Several updates were made inside the cabin, including a new 12.3-inch driver display and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen - both were featured under glass, making them look like they were part of one display. A standard Panoramic Sky Lounge LED roof contained a fixed, single glass surface encased within a steel frame.

Fuel type:: Hybrid - Petrol/Electric
Engine Size:: 3
MPG:: 33 - 2824
Acceleration:: 4.3 - 4.8 seconds
Boot space:: 525 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: stars

Greenest
M760e xDrive 4dr Auto
Cheapest
750e xDrive Excellence 4dr Auto
Fastest
M760e xDrive 4dr Auto

Sixth Generation (2015 to 2023)

BMW updated the 7 Series platform with a carbon-fibre reinforced polymer design. Nearly every design element was brand new with this generation, including the exhaust, paint colours, wheel designs and taillights. Even the kidney grille was larger.

In 2019, BMW offered an update with new headlights, and a new grille and bonnet. New vents were added to pull air from the wheel area, thereby reducing the aerodynamic lift of the vehicle. A full-width light strip was also installed in the rear.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 2 - 6.6
MPG:: 21 - 2824
Acceleration:: 3.6 - 7 seconds
Boot space:: 420 - 515 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: stars

Greenest
745Le xDrive 4dr Auto
Cheapest
725d 4dr Auto
Fastest
B7 4.4 Bi Turbo 4dr Switch-Tronic AWD

Fifth Generation (2008 to 2015)

BMW hoped to return to a more traditional style with the fifth-generation 7 Series. The large headlights were placed for a better connection with the bumper, while the long, straight lines were added to the car's design to make it look longer.

By 2012, the 7 Series was ready for a facelift, which included updates for new emissions standards. Most of the design remained, except for some new LED headlights and a redesigned bumper. There were also fewer slats added to the grille.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 3 - 6
MPG:: 21 - 50
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 7.3 seconds
Boot space:: 360 - 500 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: stars

Greenest
ActiveHybrid 7 SE 4dr Auto
Cheapest
730d SE 4dr Auto
Fastest
760Li 4dr Auto

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

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