tkelley.EClass

While I love my S class, I always tend to get an itch for something new every couple of years. Enter the BMW Alpina B7, a 600hp 7 series with all sorts of custom mechanicals and other visual improvements. The car I drove had a 151k sticker with pretty much every package you can imagine. Here are my thoughts. It is FAST. This thing blows the doors off my s550, obviously since mine is not an AMG. It is AGILE. The rear wheel turning is insane, switching lanes and doing parking lot maneuvers required very little effort. Going around off ramps at high speeds was also nice but didn't blow me away since the S does this well in sport suspension mode. It's UNCOMFORTABLE. Wait, what? Yes, the seats don't feel great. I had to drive 90 minutes to get to the dealer and after hopping in the driver's seat, I immediately noticed the difference. I adjusted the seats as best I could but could not replicate the W222 comfort. Is manufacturing a super comfortable seat that complicated? Apparently yes. 10 minutes into the test drive I was laughing and saying to my wife "this is an effin downgrade, I'm going back". And so I did. I told the dealer I liked my car better, they offered me an insane amount of money for my S and a discount on the Alpina, I said no thanks and went home. I know I'm comparing two very different cars here but figured I would share my experience. I have a renewed, reinvigorated level of respect for the W222. Is there even an upgrade out there?

Streamliner

It is hard to beat the seats in a W222. I had a similar experience in a regular BMW 750 that I test drove a couple of years ago. More recently, I drove a Bentley “New” Flying Spur and when I got back in my S560, the comfort of my “old” car was just SO welcoming. I hope the seats in the new W223 will be as comfortable. What I REALLY wish, is that MB would produce a W222 type seat for HOME use, with all the same adjustments, heat, massage, etc. I always tell people the best seat in my home is the one sitting in the garage.

tkelley.EClass

Hilarious, I'll be borrowing that anecdote.

seamus2154

I was out of my S class for a couple of years. I have alot of cars but kept missing my S. After a 2 year stint a a new Denali (THAT I HATED) (worst seats ever) I found myself in the MB dealer. Wife, kid, dog, road trips, trailer for race car...I test drove a GLS550 as a replacement to the Denali which fit lifestyle very well. Told the salesman the whole story. He laughed, and said Jim, this happens a lot. Guys always come back in here explaining they want their S class back!! We chuckled and drove the GLS. Heavy, nice truck but not for me. His parting words were "Jim your ruined for life once you own an S class". Nothing runs down the road like an S class. ................How true of a statement...I traded the Denali for an S class months later, there was no fighting it. Bought an older Suburban LTZ in mint condition as a second family vehicle and all is right in the universe again. I have owned 2 BMW 750's and theere is no comparison. Never again.

chassis

BMW seats get a lot of complaints. They seem to cater to a smaller body size, not sure. My wife and I like her BMW seats, but if we were larger I don’t think we would have the same view.

Mercedes seats are a strong point across the brand, and S-Class seats are the best in the MB lineup.

stever500

I LOVE THIS THREAD! I have wondered about the Alpina B7 and almost bought it before I bought my 2018 S63. So glad I bought this car. I can't imagine EVER selling it, even when it gets expensive to fix out of warranty 8 years from now. I got a 10 year warranty.

MBNUT1

Nice shot. It really conveys the sporty / luxury nature of the car.

Wolfman

I love the dynamic seats of the S-Class and the W223 seats will be even better from the looks of it. But I do have to say that BMW 7 series seats have one feature that I wish would make it into the S-Class and that it the upper back adjustment. That is brilliant...
The Alpina is wicked fast though; we considered getting one for a moment but got the the E63s instead. Was an easy choice even though the AMG cost more while being the cheaper car...

seamus2154

^^^^^^^ Totally agree!! I will say the upper adjustment on the back is awesome . My favorite thing in my old 750. Forgot about that.....

cnco

OP do you have any pics of the B7?

superpop

BMW products are garbage at this point. I would never own one out of warranty. Between the rod bearing and vanos issues, they are a money pit to own. Nice looking cars, and the B7 is quick but it is also like dating a high end stripper with a serious drug problem.

cnco

They depreciate like crazy, too. Back in January there was a 2016 750i with 34k miles with an $116k sticker for $39k at my local carmax.

tkelley.EClass

Still very much for sale here:

https://www.bmwpeabody.com/certified...1e0385f2b0.htm

They were offering 40k for my S then 72k for the Alpina. As I was walking out they offered a whopping 46k for the S and 70k for the Alpina. Apparently no one wants this thing as they've had it for 50 days. I an still very much in love with this Alpina wood grain...

absent

Every butt has different perception of comfort.
Had a B7 rental in LA last year, great performance indeed, comfort was outstanding also, personally, I loved the seats with the more aggressive lumbar then in my S63.
I would choose it (or the 760) over the S, since after driving all 4 cars (GT63S), both BMWs were my preference, in the end bought the S63 simply for the ease of modifications and incredible way the MB service at my dealer is treating me.

Wolfman

I am not sure if 50 days means much. The depreciation on the car seem even a touch better than an equivalent AMG S63. Reality of high-end performance sedans...

CSLA

The fun and uniqueness in owning a 7 series is the immense amount of Bentley like customization that is available from the factory, which no other manufacture can touch in the segment.

Some highlights are;
1. No special order surcharge
2. Direct contact with the head of BMW Individual for USA.
3. Option availability past what’s available on the dealer ordering guide.

My car took 7 months from conception to arrival at the port. I sat with the head of BMW Individual at the corporate headquarters in NJ individually inputting option codes and submitting my color for approval. I was able to add the dual pane acoustic sun protection glass from the M760 along with the Icon adaptive led headlights, which are not available under V12 cars at any price point. Other options such as refrigerator, lambs wool rugs, leather pillows were available, which I skipped.

My final spec was Frozen Dark Grey Metallic, Tartufo Merino Leather (same leather used in Rolls-Royce), Tartufo Alcantara headliner, and black piano wood trim.

They arranged for me to meet my car at the port in Oxnard as it was offloaded from the ship, which was incredibly special.

I believe BMWs ownership of Rolls-Royce has allowed them to learn and quickly expand bespoke services to their mainstream brand.

AMG RB

Very impressive 7 for sure as well as the ordering experience, gets me to thinking......if MB drops their EDP.

Streamliner

Beautiful interior CSLA. I believe that the W223 will offer a similar level of customization, once the Designo Manufaktur program really gets up and rolling at the new factory. I hope so, anyway.

CSLA

I believe a bigger issue than availability is dealer education and their willingness in helping you create something special. My experience was seamless because of my long standing relationship with the brand... Most of these sales people/sales managers are looking for a quick and easy sale.

tkelley.EClass

To me it comes down to the almighty dollar. The dealer I bought my S from didn't even know it had Burmester 3d which worked to my advantage in a huge way. I watch enough YouTube to be educated on my purchase. However, it would be nice to have an enthusiastic sales person who could show me the bells and whistles is a car with this much tech.

tkelley.EClass

For a 17 S63, for sure. For an 18 with the facelift, your at 100k plus or minus a few grand. I'd jump on a 18 S63 for 70k in an instant.

Kaloteck

Yeah, right...

CSLA

Yes, BMW Individual analine Merino leather is the same leather BMW uses in Rolls-Royce products. They don’t advertise it in order to maintain exclusivity.

Same with the optional active suspension system in the 7 Series, BMW calls is “active comfort drive with road preview” and Rolls-Royce calls it the “flagbearer system.”

Wolfman

There have been several leather discussions about the W222 and competing brands over the years.
The S-Class bests the BMW 7 series leather even in base Nappa (touch & feel) and the exclusive Nappa option is a bit nicer than the full Merino interior IMO. BUT...Mercedes can't compete with the quality of full BMW individual leather interior. Very impressive and quite cheap compared to anything that Mercedes has offered so far.
We'll have to see what the Designo Manufaktur can do moving forward; I hope it's more than just different colors. Would love to see different stitching patterns and more trim choices.

In regards to Rolls Royce, they are more selective on hides/materials but their options pricing is a completely different level. There is still a gap even to base Ghost but not worlds apart. "If" BMW wanted to make them the same it would be easy for them given that they own the process and material knowledge on both.

DABRONX

Wasn't the B7 caught by Road and Track with a S63 compare being short about 100hp on a dyno. It's on You Tube.

BMW interior looks killer in pics but falls short in person. I agree u have to look the tighter cost feel vs the spacious S class seating and smaller console. I didnt think the leather was all that special and I had the Merino. They do have better patterns though.