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.

205 Used BMW 7 Series cars for sale

BMW 7 Series1998 (J) - 735i V8 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£5,999

3.5L
137.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Saloon

AutoLine

01212728555 *

BMW 7 Series2023 (18) - 740Le 9.2kWh M Sport 5-Door

Low Mileage

£18,500

£360/pm (HP)

2L
58.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Car Universe Limited

01708202780 *

BMW 7 Series2020 (20) - 745Le xDrive M Sport 4dr Auto

£38,000

£677/pm (PCP)

3L
77.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Praters Of Hollingdon LLP

01525308854 *

BMW 7 Series2017 - 3.0 740D xDrive M Sport Auto 4WD 4dr

Low Mileage

£19,749

£385/pm (HP)

3L
67.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Prime Motors

01279219599 *

BMW 7 Series2018 - 740Ld M Sport 4-Door

Low Mileage

£24,495

£450/pm (PCP)

3L
51.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Riviera Automotive Ltd

01274505967 *

0/5 Stars

BMW 7 Series2016 (16) - 740d xDrive M Sport 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£17,995

£349/pm (HP)

3L
70.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Trunk Road Budget Cars

01642061101 *

BMW 7 Series2020 (20) - 3.0 730d M Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£24,948

3L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Imperials Chelmsford

01245673729 *

BMW 7 Series2018 (68) - 3.0 730d M Sport Saloon 4dr Diesel Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (265 ps)

£16,950

£335/pm (HP)

3L
114.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Car Capital Ltd

02038933681 *

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

£19,995

£390/pm (HP)

3L
83.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Cars4You Edinburgh West

01313226854 *

BMW 7 Series2014 - 3.0 730Ld SE Saloon 4dr Diesel Auto Euro 5 (s/s) (258 ps)

Reduced

£10,580

£201/pm (HP)

3L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Westbrook Car Sales

01733794312 *

BMW 7 Series2020 - 730d M Sport 4dr Auto

£30,494

3L
46.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Stratstone BMW Hull

01482249158 *

BMW 7 Series2022 (22) - 3.0 745Le 12kWh M Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£34,199

3L
121.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

BMW 7 Series2020 - 730d xDrive M Sport 4dr Auto

£26,995

3L
49.4K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Thames Street Auto Salvage

01158224073 *

BMW 7 Series2022 - 740d xDrive MHT M Sport 4dr Auto

£37,950

£607/pm (PCP)

3L
39.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

JKC Approved Used BMW

02870441623 *

BMW 7 Series2013 (63) - 730d SE 4dr Auto

£6,995

£126/pm (HP)

3L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Julian Motor Sales

01993463580 *

BMW 7 Series2017 (67) - 740e M Sport 4dr Auto

Low Mileage

£17,995

£349/pm (HP)

2L
62.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Kars co uk Limited

01494414524 *

BMW 7 Series2018 - 3.0 740Li Exclusive Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr Automatic

£20,995

3L
74.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

V12 Sports and Classics Worksop

01455241730 *

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 *

0/5 Stars

BMW 7 Series2005 (05) - 760Li 4dr Auto

£6,950

6L
208.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Staffordshire Motor Group Ltd

01785569196 *

BMW 7 Series2020 (70) - 3.0 730Ld Saloon 4dr Diesel Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (265 ps)

Reduced

£24,495

£522/pm (HP)

3L
92.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Tenby Car Supermarket

01908106203 *

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 Present)

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.