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.

200 Used BMW 7 Series cars for sale

BMW 7 Series2022 - 740d xDrive M Sport Saloon 4-Door

£34,000

£558/pm (PCP)

3L
56.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Saxtons

01245202306 *

BMW 7 Series2019 (69) - 3.0 740Li Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£27,975

£529/pm (PCP)

3L
74.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

JMV

01634564263 *

BMW 7 Series2020 (70) - 745Le xDrive Auto - £15,000 IN EXTRA'S - SKY LOUNGE - EX EMIRATES BUSINESS 4-Door

£22,995

£452/pm (HP)

3L
120.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Saloon

LEASE CARS DIRECT LTD

01502441581 *

BMW 7 Series2016 - 3.0 730d xDrive M Sport Saloon 4-Door

Reduced

£18,950

3L
58.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Southern Motion Ltd

01227230560 *

BMW 7 Series2021 (71) - 730d MHT M Sport 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£29,200

£424/pm (PCP)

3L
22.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

New Look Motors

01216618627 *

BMW 7 Series2014 (14) - 740d M Sport 4dr Auto

Reduced

£11,850

£228/pm (HP)

3L
98.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

RKD Automotive Limited

01905969850 *

BMW 7 Series2018 (18) - 3.0 730d M Sport Saloon 4dr Diesel Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (265 ps)

Reduced

£23,995

£484/pm (PCP)

3L
35.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Oakwood Specialist Cars

01918237768 *

BMW 7 Series2017 (67) - 3.0 730d M Sport Saloon 4dr Diesel Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (265 ps)

Low Mileage

£20,996

£491/pm (PCP)

3L
58.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Silverstone Cars Limited

01708206414 *

BMW 7 Series2003 (53) - 730d SE 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£2,795

3L
99.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

MK Motors

01494410288 *

BMW 7 Series2016 (65) - 740Li 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£24,950

£492/pm (HP)

3L
38.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Quality Motor Company Ltd

01895544403 *

BMW 7 Series2010 - 730d M Sport 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£6,994

£126/pm (HP)

3L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Apollo cars LTD

02920026903 *

BMW 7 Series2017 (17) - 730d M Sport 4dr Auto

Reduced

£20,495

£400/pm (HP)

3L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Parkside Reading Limited

01184023918 *

BMW 7 Series2021 - 730d M Sport Saloon 4-Door

100

£28,900

£479/pm (PCP)

3L
52.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Saxtons

01245202306 *

BMW 7 Series2012 (12) - 730d SE Luxury Edition 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£10,995

£210/pm (HP)

3L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Maximum Car Supermarket

02392002264 *

BMW 7 Series2022 - 7 SERIES 730d MHT 4dr Auto

£34,990

3L
32.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Marshall Jaguar Newbury

01635959602 *

BMW 7 Series2022 - 730d MHT M Sport 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£36,998

3L
20.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Arnold Clark Kirkcaldy BMW

01592802402 *

BMW 7 Series2002 (52) - 4.4 745I 4d 329 BHP 4-Door

Low Mileage

£6,000

4.4L
91.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Radley Motor Company

01217288665 *

BMW 7 Series2019 - 3.0 740Ld M Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr Automatic

Low Mileage

£26,995

£534/pm (HP)

3L
39.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

BMW 7 Series2015 (65) - 730d xDrive M Sport 4dr Auto

£15,790

£310/pm (HP)

3L
104.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

CANARY CAR STORE LTD

01733977971 *

BMW 7 Series2019 - 3.0 745e 12kWh M Sport Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Reduced

£29,595

£460/pm (PCP)

3L
30.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

SKV Motors

01708202983 *

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

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 2015)

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

* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.