2011 BMW 7-Series Review
Price
from: RM648,800
to: RM1,388,800
Installment
from: RM6,188/mth
to: RM13,245/mth
2011 BMW 7-Series at a glance
The 2011 BMW 7-Series' styling may still split opinions, but there is no disputing that it is great to drive, and comes with powerful yet efficient engines. The ride and refinement need improving, however.
2011 BMW 7-Series quick specs
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Class | Large Luxury |
| Assembled | - |
| Engine Range | - |
| Fuel Options | - |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
2011 BMW 7-Series ratings (overall rating : 4/5.0)
| Styling | |
| Handling | |
| Comfort | |
| Quality + Reliability | |
| Performance |
| Roominess | |
| Running Costs | |
| Value for Money | |
| Equipment | |
| Environment |
Styling
The previous BMW 7-Series heralded in Chris Bangle's controversial design language. The 2011 BMW 7-Series however brought back much styling normality. The truth be told, the previous design has grown on us, and we were expecting something more radical from BMW. That said, take nothing away from the new design, which is instantly familiar, and elegant yet sporty.
Handling
The 2011 BMW 7-Series is great to drive, just like how it looks—elegant yet sporty. On highways, it cruises along with poise, but throw the BMW 7-Series down some twisty roads and it will duly comply. Grip levels are high, and the body control is remarkable, especially for such a big car. The steering is well-weighted and provides good feedback. BMW has clearly prioritise handling over comfort, perhaps a little too much, but you do get the best-handling large luxury sedan in the 2011 BMW 7-Series.
Comfort
For a top-end luxury car, the firm ride is less than impressive. The stiffness of the suspension can be adjusted, but the ride still feels unsettled over rough road surfaces. Cabin refinement is good, but not the best as rivals let in even less road and wind noise at cruising speeds. Behind the wheel, there are plenty of adjustments and a well-shaped, supportive seat. The dashboard has clearly labelled controls arranged in a stylish fashion. And to much delight, BMW has simplified the iDrive central controller by providing buttons for the most commonly used features.
Quality + Reliability
The cabin quality lives up to expectation of BMW's flagship sedan. The 2011 BMW 7-Series' cabin is classy, making use of the finest materials put together with brilliant fit-and-finish. There is little doubting the attention to details and how everything works with precision. However, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class' cabin feels more special, although the quality is on par with the 2011 BMW 7-Series'. Given BMW reputation for reliability, the underlying mechanics and complex electronics should last just fine.
Performance
740Li comes with a 3.0-litre straight-six with 322 bhp and 450 Nm. 750Li comes with a 4.4-litre V8 producing 401 bhp and 600 Nm. Both are mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic. The 3.0-litre is excellent on the roads, while the V8 is quite astonishing, at the expense of fuel economy. Thanks to the flat maximum torque line, 740Li and 750Li are extremely flexible, and quick too, as the 6.0 seconds and 5.3 seconds taken to complete the century sprint will confirm.
Roominess
BMW is only offering the long-wheelbase BMW 7-Series, which has 140 mm more than the standard wheelbase version. The front driver and passenger get loads of room, but the rear passengers enjoy the limousine treatment with acres of room. The boot is reasonably large at 500 litres, too.
Running Costs
740Li and 750Li return fuel economy of 10.0 km/litre and 8.8 km/litre respectively. Servicing and repairs are costly. As with other BMW models, the 7-Series retains strong resale values, but given the high initial cost, even reasonable depreciation represents a big chunk of money.
Value for Money
In its eternal battle against arch-rival Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the 2011 BMW 7-Series has won some and lost others. Notable areas of victory include its handling, engine performance and running costs. But the 2011 BMW 7-Series also has areas that need to be worked on, especially its fidgety ride and relative lack of refinement. Then comes the issue of price. Both 740Li and 750Li are more expensive than comparable S350L and S500L, respectively, but provide more power and are fully-imported when the two Mercedes are locally assembled.
Equipment
Plenty of goodies are standard, including 19" alloys, leather upholstery, Active Steering, side and rear view camera, BMW Night Vision, xenon adaptive headlights, rain sensor, multifunction steering wheel, electric front and rear seats, rear seat massage function, four-zone automatic climate control, and high-tech entertainment system. Safety equipments include stability and traction controls, plus eight airbags if anything goes wrong. 750Li adds 19" alloys, Head-Up Display, and Lane Departure Warning System among others.
Environment
BMW Efficient Dynamics package encompasses a series of intelligent features, such as high precision direct injection and brake energy regeneration, to considerably reduce emissions and improve fuel economy, while maximising engine performance. BMW is providing more driving pleasure with less pollution—something other automakers should emulate.
Live Life Drive Verdict
Great to drive
Powerful, efficient engines
Acres of cabin room
Fidgety ride over rough roads
Relative lack of refinement
Cabin not as special as S-Class'
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