7 Series BMW 730d SE road test

[Merc1]

For: Space, cabin quality, blend of performance and economy

Against: Wind noise, clumsy handling, lifeless steering


Background

You are looking at the fifth-generation BMW 7-series, and if you’re surprised by how similar to the previous model it appears then you are quite clearly not alone.

The new Seven is visually so similar to its predecessor – the first BMW to feature Chris Bangle’s controversial ‘flame surface’ styling, remember – that you could easily mistake it for a mid-life revamp model.

In reality the new 7-series is an all-new car featuring a new platform and an entirely new bodyshell, which just happens to look remarkably like the one before. As usual, the range comprises six-cylinder diesel and six or eight-cylinder petrol versions, peaking with the 4.4-litre, V8-powered 750i.

The version we test here, though, is at the sensible end of the price range and features BMW’s proven 3.0-litre straight six turbodiesel engine and a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The 730d SE costs a decently competitive £54,160, a price that becomes even more inviting when you consider how much new technology is being showcased beneath this car’s skin, more of which we’ll come to in a moment.


AutoCar - Road Test: BMW 730d SE


M

 

[Zafiro]

If I recall correct, Autocar been complaining on the new 7-series since their first testdrive, mainly about cabin noise.

Funny, in those german comparisons with the competition they have meassured the sound, decibel and the new 7-series do not have louder noise than the others.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

What a stupid review. They are clearly looking for reasons to bitch. AS IF it looks like the old 7. It's soooooo much sexier.

Also their comments about steering and handling are at odds with every other review.

 

[EnI]

Yeah, very interesting indeed ...

While all the others praise car's agility & nimbleness (and tested performance data show that), Autocar complains over "lifeless steering & clumsy handling".

Same case in the cabin noise department: while some praise the cabin isolation & even measure cabin noise level - being just as good as the ones in S-class if not better - Autocar has issue with "noise level".


F01 visually too similar to E65? Are they kidding? Headligts and nothing more ...

This review / test is a joke. It's more a bashing contest ... Just like the ML BluTec test in USAToady - which has nothing to do with reality.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Yeah, very interesting indeed ...

While all the others praise car's agility & nimbleness (and tested performance data show that), Autocar complains over "lifeless steering & clumsy handling".

Same case in the cabin noise department: while some praise the cabin isolation & even measure cabin noise level - being just as good as the ones in S-class if not better - Autocar has issue with "noise level".


F01 visually too similar to E65? Are they kidding? Headligts and nothing more ...

This review / test is a joke. It's more a bashing contest ... Just like the ML BluTec test in USAToady - which has nothing to do with reality.

I agree. This review is utter garbage. Subtle revision of the cabin...what the hell!?!

They should give credit where it's due. All magazines thus far have acknowledged the 7 is pretty fantastic.

 

[EnI]

Readers' comments posted below the Autocar test:

So the upshot of this test is that the new 7-series has "clumsy" handling, but pretty good ride and refinement. Yet only a couple of weeks ago in another test Autocar found that the new 7-series was "top of the class" for handling, but had under par ride and refinement (see here BMW 750Li - Road Test First Drive - Autocar.co.uk ).
So which is it?
It's disparity and inconsistency in testing/reporting of cars, which undermines the credibility and veracity of car magazines and makes you wonder if subjectivity is the order of the day, instead of objective and balanced testing. I say this because on occasions I get the feeling that Autocar writers decide they are going to dislike a car, no matter what. In this case the new 7-series was obviously never going to be allowed to beat the perennial class leader, Autocar's beloved S-Class. The magazine's testers were going to slagg it off, even if they ended up contradicting each other on the car's strengths and weaknesses.
Maybe I'm talking cobblers, but hey, I can be subjective and biased too.

I agree with Overdrive. Every other report of the new 7 laudits it as a driver's car par excellence, a big 3 series if you may. Yet Autocar slashes it as having clumsy road manners, contradicting its own previous assessment. I have lost faith in Autocar many years ago but the continuing inconsistency is just infuriating. The only saving grace of the publication is Steve Sutcliff.

 

[Merc1]

Uh oh, I wonder what they're response will be, if any.

M

 

[Zafiro]

It's a death sin to pay too much attention to carmags and what they say. It's better to create your own opinion and people often have common sense to not trust everything they read to 100%.

 

[Sunny]

The new Seven is visually so similar to its predecessor – the first BMW to feature Chris Bangle’s controversial ‘flame surface’ styling, remember

Can some one point to me where the E65 has flame surfacing, cause I can't find any.

 

[EnI]

Can some one point to me where the E65 has flame surfacing, cause I can't find any.

That irritates me the most.
Some journalists think "flame surfacing" = controversial styling.

Therefore for those people F01 is "less flame-surfaced", as well the E89 Z4 will be.

I've read once in some review a remark about "flame-surfaced Bangle-butt" Yeah, that E65 boot lid is definitely a referential piece of flame surfacing design.

 

[StewartM]

Not like Autocar to criticise a BMW ! ! ! !

I remember years ago thinking the Magazine was going to be renamed Autobmw as they tested so many with little excuse.

" I know we tested a 528 last week but it was a blue one, this is a red one, so we'd better give it a full test just in case"

Seriously, though AutoExpress tested the 730d Vs the S320 CDI and voted the Merc top as well.


Stewart.

 

[Mr Robert]

Yeah, very interesting indeed ...

While all the others praise car's agility & nimbleness (and tested performance data show that), Autocar complains over "lifeless steering & clumsy handling".

Ah, now I understand, this was probably the car they drove prior to the 7-series...

 

[Mr Robert]

The new Seven is visually so similar to its predecessor – the first BMW to feature Chris Bangle’s controversial ‘flame surface’ styling, remember – that you could easily mistake it for a mid-life revamp model.

Yeah, this is true if this is you:

 

[EnI]

Seriously, though AutoExpress tested the 730d Vs the S320 CDI and voted the Merc top as well.

Yes ... it was delusional to expect the new 7er will beat S-class in luxury department. S-class is still the king of the luxury sedans, and will be for a long time. Luxury shown through ride refinement & comfort, seat comfort, cabin ambient etc ... S-class is definitely more luxury oriented than 7er. That was always the case. And that's why AE preferred S-class over 7er.

Also AE liked S-class styling better - since they thought S-class design fits luxury segment better then 7er design did.

Also BMWs & English roads are not a perfect combination either ... since I always read BMW suspension is to hard, and uncomfortable ... and the ride to bumpy.

But in general 7er is getting closer to S-class, and so is LS, and A8 as well ... just like C-class & A4 & IS & G are getting closer to 3er ... Therefore MB are working on Pre-scan which will make the ride even more comfortable & refined, while BMW are working on new double-wishbone front suspension & active rear diff for the new 3er. To push the benchmark higher again.




Regarding the noise ... it's not all about noise level (dB) - since normal human ear isn't able to detect the difference of 1 or even 2 decibells.
I guess the issue is the frequncy / pitch (Hz). Since some noises - although of same level - can be more anoying than others of different frequency.
Perhaps in the case of F01 wind noise produces a sound of higher frequency, and that can be more annoying to the human ear than the lower-frequency sonds in S-class.

 

[SKY]

Really some journalist have no idea about what they are testing, really really sad. The F01 is one of the best improvements over the previous model ever. The only thig we could critizise is the front, with that maybe too evolutionary head lights, but What else?.