Love your write-up!! Funny how quickly one forgets the things I cursed every time I drove the car.
You forgot that the tire pressure was also shown only in green/yellow/red. Never mind actually seeing the actual tire pressure. BMW figured US 7 series driver don't want to be bothered with useful information.
Or folding the mirrors when locking the car? BMW didn't think the US needed that either.

But if you are good with the computer, you can somehow obtain the BMW service software and coding cable (normally meant for technicians) and "code" the proper functionality of these features.
Would have been too confusing for US drivers to actually makes them selectable choices in iDrive...

emilner - great post. I used to be a loyal BMW customer until they started to make very boring cars with poor quality. I forgot about all of those nagging things that also were part of the compromise required to drive a BMW. Maybe they will get back on track with this new 7, but it seems like their own press releases are touting the new parking system, and the gesture control, not the driving experience and overall quality.

All of us as buyers of expensive cars win when competition is strong, hopefully BMW will get back in the game.

This type of thing tends to be rather cyclical no matter the brand...it may only be a matter of time perhaps beginning with the new 7er.

The engine isn't going completely unchanged into the new G11. I can guarantee you there will be small refinements as thy continue revising part numbers.

Also you're completely ignoring the terrible ABC and Airmatic issues the W220 suffered. Also what about the torque converter issues in early W221's? Granted the W221 was otherwise great.

And again, just because the current quality score is under MB doesn't mean the G11 is going to be some unreliable disaster. That's the whole point of me bringing this up- a brand's immediate history doesn't automatically determine the outcome of a vehicle that hasn't even come out yet.

I think the problem-prone N54 proved that BMW isn't infallible when it comes to producing I6's.

Of course it does. The M-sport model looks great.

If you say so.........

Ha! Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. For the record, I vastly prefer the S-class' sense of style but I can certainly appreciate what the 7-series is bringing. It's like the difference between my brother and I- I vastly prefer traditionally-styled homes while he's all about the ultra modern look.

I think the exterior of the 7 is a little too busy for me

Completely agree.

I think you are missing the point on BMW's engines. I am talking about components failing on their V8TT engines in under 20k miles and assuming engine failures in as little as 60k miles.

Not speaking in general terms but having had that happen to me. Car was less than 2 years old.
Also, this was not rare event and ALL engines of 4 manufacturing years require component updates.

Since the new 7 series is not released yet, I can only go by the press info which states that the V8TT is unchanged from the old model...

I never stated the G11 is an unreliable disaster but it I would proceed with caution on the first model year of a brand-new platform which is loaded with new manufacturing processes (carbon core) and a less than stellar engine.
If you look at the 7 series forums, nobody would buy one approaching 60K miles. Very different with MB...

Wasn't it Fortune Magazine that rated the BMW 7 series one of the top 10 WORSE vehicles to own??

Not missing the point at all, my 550i w/the N63 is gone for that reason. As I said, I'm not worried about it since BMW has made some running changes since then (starting with the N63tu which isn't part of the customer care campaign). Mercedes has had problems as well- ask all the early AMG M156 owners facing headbolt failures.

Anyways, we will see!

That, and Forbes, and many others. The S class has always been king. Always has been between S vs BMW.

The above pics with all the extra heavy reflections make the car look quite busy...the other pics not so.

Can't wait to see this car in person. Something tells me that it will look a lot better and the Msport will deliver as it always have. I'm not a fan of the rear but overall, the cars wide body and the sportiness of the M Sport package looks MEAN!

I think every car can have a different experience. I had a 750 Individual and it was gorgeous and frankly, not too bad for service. I had a few problems, but nothing too big.

The car itself was stunning and yes, it did have all the attributes described above, but really, it was no big deal. You get used to it. Every car has its plus and minus attributes but overall, the car was great.

I suspect the new 7 series, especially in the Individual, will be gorgeous. That being the case, I am sticking with my MB.

It's amazing to read the posts on here. Hahaha. You can definitely see the folks who are being objective, and the Merc fan boys. Personally I've never been loyal to any brand, I've owned quite a few, Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and Audi. I have a 750 LI, and I love the car. I know about the engine issues, but that was updated with the 2013 model. I haven't had any issues with my 7, now you don't want to hear my experience with Mercedes. It's to the point where my wife would never consider another Mercedes, but I digress.
I'm in the market for a new car, and considering the New 7, an S550 and a panamera. I feel like i can get a better deal on the S550 that's why i'm looking into it.
My point is, these cars offer different things for different folks. I have a friend who thinks the world of the S550, but to someone else it's just another big blob.

I suppose our version of that, is the gas gauge showing % next to a fuel pump drawing that (for now) continues (at quick glance) to make me always thing the tank is near full.

Good one

The W222 gas gauge is clearly too limited for my taste. I can understand moving to percent from liters/gallons; makes sense in a gas/hybrid/EV landscape, but I like more detail.
Like percent (single increment)/remaining range ie. 51%/224mi without having to press buttons or swipe the trackpad...

Do you prefer the old style? The one that goes past full then hangs there for a while and then drops past 4 lines to E? The new one is far better if you like accuracy....

Pics of this?

I just mentioned how I would like it best

That said, a digital display doesn't mean that the actual fuel measurement is any more accurate. Just makes it feel that way...

What annoys me is that when the car runs low, the range info disappears and replaces that with a fuel filler symbol. That's when range info is more important to me.

I think Streamliner has been out bargaining for a new BMW, where are you man?

When do the new 7's hit the US dealers, Oct?

Any reason none of you guys looks at the new S8 or the even newer S8+?


Rs7, s6, etc?

With the S-class and the new BMW, it's outdated and end of life. Wait for the next one coming (17 MY?). The tech is quite interesting, especially the nav based cruise control that will even the exits by itself if part of the route... Wait. I never use cruise control (unless in stop-n-go traffic)! It's very cool though...

Anyway, the plus feels like the last edition before the model change.

I am not sure about Audi's design language. Looking at the new Q7, Audi seems to become the new Volvo (all box, zero curves)...