Streamliner

It's no secret that I am not in love with my 2015 S550. Sure, it's a magnificent car, but the gigantic Jack-O-Lantern grill has not grown on me, I still hate the Panorama Roof, I find my trunk cramped with my W221 compact spare sitting on top of the trunk floor, where it doesn't belong and for years now I have lamented the unavailability of a nice, crisp, solid color white exterior paint option. The fact that my car looks SOOOOOO much like a C doesn't help either.

I was just fooling with the 2016 BMW 7 Series configurator and it would appear that the folks in Munich have heard my rants, but only time will tell if my voice has been heard in Stuttgart as well. Will the mid cycle refresh come soon enough--and offer enough important changes, to "save" me? Doubtful.

For 2016, for $150.00, I can get a new 750LI with a compact spare, that sits under the trunk floor. The BMW version of the Panorama Roof, does not extend the black glass all the way to the windshield header, allowing the car to have what I feel is a much more traditional and attractive look. I like the appearance of the new 7, as it is much more traditional and way less "in your face" than the W222. Mine, of course, would be ordered in BMW's gorgeous Alpine White. How any car company can NOT offer a solid white on their top of the line vehicles is way beyond me. Lastly, there is a BMW dealer less than a half mile from my home. Guys, this may be auf wiedersehen! I know, don't let the door hit me in the *** on my way out. I get that.

kath00

You'll need that dealer 1/2 mile away. My 7 series eats oil like no tomorrow so I have to stop by almost monthly to get a top off. I also am on a first name basis with the service manager because I am constantly dropping the car off for one problem or another. We are talking every 2-3 months I have to leave the car for a week while they replace some sensor or fix some part that broke or whatever. Yes all the work is free since my car is not 3yo yet but the amount of time and energy I have wasted at that dealership is killing me.

So I am on this forum to turn my 7 series in when the lease ends in December with a huge hop and a skip in my step and lease a new s550 instead, hoping that I don't see the dealer for a good 3 years till my next one is due........

Wolfman

First time BMW has a panorama roof, which is a great improvement in itself.
I hope it works better than the moonroof in the current/now old 7 series. Worst design ever.
I could never open it because of wind noise and draft.

Same can be said for the V8 TT engine which has been the car's Achilles heel. If you visit the BMW forums, you'll find few that expect the car to be lasting longer than 60k miles...

Obviously things improve, but the things that went wrong on our 750li would have never happened on a Mercedes.

UrBusted

My friend also loves the 7 Series. I think it looks nice, but the main features on the vehicle will probably be illegal, although the key is a nifty feature, and the gesture thing has no point in my opinion with buttons on the steering wheel. It's a really close call between both of these cars, but I'd still prefer the S Class since it's proved itself to me as the best for me over a period of 16 years.

Wolfman

Who needs a car key that needs to be charged like a cellphone (and it's nearly as large)?

ajm0623

idk, stream -- you've made it abundantly clear in this forum over the months how much you desire and appreciate a soft, cushy ride. the 7 - whilst will undoubtedly be very nice and comfy - it won't have the ride of the s. bmw's dna as a "driver's car" runs through the entire line-up; the 7 included. just sayin'

Streamliner

Yes, I do like a good ride, but BMW is touting this new 7 as being more plush & comfortable. Obviously, my final decision is a long way off, since I have not yet seen the car in person or driven one. When all is said and done, I may stay with MB. The new 7 sure is a good looking car though. Decisions, decisions!

LovinMercedes

I never thought the regular 7 series was very plush. I had a 7 series Individual, and that car was gorgeous, and several steps up from the regular 7 interior. The inside was every bit as nice as MB.

I see on the configurator that the Individual line is not out yet. Wonder when that is coming. Probably worth asking.

I know so many people have issues with their 7 series. I had no problems with mine. Yes, the ride is a little different than MB, but still quite remarkable.

Streamliner

Yes, the photos online of the Individual Line are quite stunning and I can't wait to see what will be offered. As for the dependability, I believe that BMW is not as trouble free as MB, but they can't be as bad as some folks would lead us to believe, or they would not be selling nearly as many cars as they are.

xolinlevh

BMW put out a video showing off the individual options on the 7. Sure it looks nice but i kinda dont like how they plaster 'individual' ALL OVER. Interior trim, treadplates, on the trunk....

jenz

Stream make sure to the get M7 or at the very least, the sport package on the 750

Enjoy

LovinMercedes

In prior years, you could not get the sports packages with the Individual package.

If its plush you want, opt for the Individual.

jenz

I was just poking his disgust with both AMG and sports packages

RJC

We've been checking out all the large luxo-sedans lately as we'd like something large and all new to replace our current daily duty large sedan. Have to admit, I've been eagerly awaiting the new 7er to hit the showrooms. It appears BMW was very serious about making the 7 what it should really be...so far I like...can't wait to experience it in the flesh.

Mitch Alsup

It looks like a mid-1990s interior with modern leather treatments.
Hardly of S-class hegemony.

Wolfman

The BMW individual options up the quality of the interior significantly, yet also in price.
They make the regular 7 series feel cheap and mundane.

BMW has added so many features you can find on the S-Class (all firsts for BMW; panorama roof, MBC, fragrance, interior mood lighting, etc. ) and then tried to top it with some useful and some useless features.

Some of that can be said for Mercedes as well (Head-up display, that silly transmission gear lever).

Judging a car by pictures is always difficult. The ones that have seen the car through their exclusive showings are very impressed with the interior and disappointed with the exterior, which mirrors my first impression.

To me, the exterior is not my personal favorite.

My concern is the reliability of the car, especially with as many new features and manufacturing techniques.

The current 7 series has taken a huge hit in customer goodwill (as can be seen in the BMW forums).
Every 750 from 2009 to 2012 needs an engine overhaul (new injectors, hoses, sensors, timing chains-if needed), possibly fuel pump, battery, complete software reload.

Backorders on parts meant average 2-3 weeks at the dealer for most and up to 10-12 weeks for some.

emilner

My first (2011) was lemoned for 11 new tires and 3 rims in 14 months, 3 new batteries, an alternator, injectors twice and abc pump plus minor stuff. My 2012 did in 2 batteries, two sets of injectors, a few tires and miscellaneous other stuff. The GM of my dealer got so sick of dealing with clients in his office pissed off he left for a MB dealership. He then promptly got me out of my BMWs and into MBs. The engine (including the charging system) in the new 7 is so bad that they recommend changing the $450 battery with each oil change. I say in the new one because the engine is a carryover. Also eats oil like a pig. When did BMW go back to spare tires? They pioneered tossing the spare.

All in all I couldn't be happier in my MB.

Wolfman

Perfect description of the 750...

Batteries were the worst. Mine was always too low and the drive to work/back (30 miles) wasn't enough to charge the battery because it would only charge when in the blue zone of efficient dynamics aka cruising without stepping on the gas.
In the winter time (we're in Minnesota), if the battery was low the software wouldn't disable unneeded electronics, it would simply not run the heater fans. And this was our winter car.

We were often freezing in the car. BMW simply stated to put a trickle charger on it, something I don't think should be needed when driving it daily.

Btw. BMW engineers came here from Munich to experience their software's cold weather behavior and to their credit updated the 7 series energy management software to fix a lot of issues.

While BMW now offers a spare, they are continuing with runflats. It can be seen as an improvement or as the recognition that runflats can leave you stranded and that no tire shop carries runflats. They always need to be ordered...

aypues

Yah, I dont think the 7 series is a wise decision re reliability. I would either hold out for refreshed S Class or wait to see what the 2017 Lexus LS500h will offer...it's supposedly all new.

MBZSW221

I won't lie this new 7 has some impressive tech most in which are nearly the same as the MB systems. Not too aroused by the styling of this car but the M package suits it quite well. Interior seems to be a vast improvement over the F02 but still not as good as the S interior. It's very likely the facelifted S will have the new features previewed in the 2017 E. Really looking forward to it, gonna be interesting to see the final result.

hyperion667

wow! what terrible things to read about BMW.......how do they sell so many damn cars?
Chapel Hill is LOADED with BMW's


glad I've never owned one

Quadcammer

That individual interior is nice, but what is with that huge rope piping? horrible!

OP, whatever, do what you want.

wilassasin

Ive owned two 7 series BMW's and will say that they are definitely ultimate driving machines. However, I would be very concerned with the amount of recent complaints of mechanical issues that have been reported even with a warranty.

The F01/02, M-sport models in opinion looked amazing. Im not sure how I feel about the new bodystyle. I would need to see it in person.

emilner

They sell very few 7 series.

hyperion667

^ah ha, now that you mention it, I don't see that many seven's......then again, I'm not well versed in the marque either, I've always heard they are the ultimate driving machine and I know people that own and love them........only they've never been attractive to me.....I do however like the old 800's and the 600 series too, just from a style point of view