7 Series (G11) [Official] BMW 7 Series (G11/12)

[Mick Briesgau]

Had the chance to get a feel of both the 750 Li and the 730d....750 Li felt ace, but I was kind of disappointed with how certain high quality,majestic aluminum interior bits in the 750 were replaced by plasticky cr@p in the 730

This kind of differences between 6 and 8 cylinder (basically specced) is new to me.

 

[SCOTT27]

I am curious regarding this unless it was an early full production prototype? Because the 7er's I have seen all share the same quality , same aluminium switchgear.
Here is a 730d xDrive interior.

 

[klier]

This kind of differences between 6 and 8 cylinder (basically specced) is new to me.

Yes, and I hope it proves to be incorrect.
Must have been some early preproduction model or something.

 

[Metanoid Android]

From reviews I've read so far one area of concern is the steering. Autocar (a weekly UK mag) had praised the steering in the first drive (Portugal) but in a new review now have some reservations:

"Allied to the suspension is a new electro-mechanical steering system, which reverts to a fixed-ratio rack in place of the variable-ratio rack of old. As fitted to our test car, there’s also an optional rear-wheel steer function, providing up to three degrees of counter-steer for added manoeuvrability in town, or two degrees of parallel steer for greater agility on the open road.

Having earlier praised the system following a brief run in a prototype, we’ve got some reservations after trying it on the road. The weighting is light and accommodating, but it lacks the consistency of the earlier example when turning from dead-centre. It’s fine around town, but the combination of increasing assistance and weighting can be more of a hindrance than help at higher speeds."

Excerpt from:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/bmw/7-series-2008-2015

 

[Metanoid Android]

Can anyone please explain what this autocar reviewer is experiencing with regards to the steering? Does it affect all models or only those with certain aids fitted? It doesn't seem to be early pre-production models as the reviewer seems to driving a production model.

Is it/would it be possible to change how the steering behaves and feels via iDrive?

 

[silkeye]

the steering changes always depending on your actual speed, plus it changes depending on your
chosen drive mode...

i can only say that on the f01 the steering plus the active rear axis is excellent,
changing from the f01 steering to other non-electro-mechanical steerings is like 2 different worlds.

one of my mates was nearly crashing his own car after driving mine for a day...
coz of the small turn-effort he needed on the f01.

as it comes to the active rear axis... you wont miss it until you experience it, how agile the car turns around corners a little speed and how smooth it changes lanes at high speed.

but all these experiences are from the f01 - i doubt that the g11 will be worse

 

[slicknick]

Can you tell us particular areas where that happens? Was the 730d more basic in its set-up whereas the 750 had upgraded interior (exensive Nappa leather, etc.)?

No, it was the std demo car at the Frankfurt Motor Show,where I got to feel the chrome/aluminum switchgear in both cars,such as the starter button or the buttons for the AC panel ...pictures to follow shortly

 

[SCOTT27]

No, it was the std demo car at the Frankfurt Motor Show,where I got to feel the chrome/aluminum switchgear in both cars,such as the starter button or the buttons for the AC panel ...pictures to follow shortly

The 730d downstairs at the ConnectedDrive display?
This was a prototype because it demonstrated all of the ConnectedDrive features even with the projector box on the rear parcel shelf?
This was the original demonstrator showcased in Munich in June and indeed on the press days of the launch in Portugal.

The standard 730d interior.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

The 730d downstairs at the ConnectedDrive display?
This was a prototype because it demonstrated all of the ConnectedDrive features even with the projector box on the rear parcel shelf?
This was the original demonstrator showcased in Munich in June and indeed on the press days of the launch in Portugal.

The standard 730d interior.

This is not standard leather (seats and upper dashboard) @SCOTT27. At least not in Europe.

 

[klier]

This is not standard leather (seats and upper dashboard) @SCOTT27. At least not in Europe.

Interior does look gorgeous and modern though

 

[Betty Swollocks]

The standard 730d interior.

This is not standard leather (seats and upper dashboard) @SCOTT27. At least not in Europe.

Nope, you're right. That's the Nappa leather which is a €1,500 option in Germany.

Oh, and the full multi-function instrument display which is a cost option, as is the €5,650 B&W sound system, and god knows what else (comfort seats?)

But other than that, a completely standard interior!!

 

[Rolf]

That's big. It's 2/3rds the size of an iPhone. Who wants to be carrying that around in their pockets.

Lol I wonder how heavy it is a well maybe will make a persons pants fall down!

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Lol I wonder how heavy it is a well maybe will make a persons pants fall down!

So that's how BMW's new ventilation system works....

 

[slicknick]

The 730d downstairs at the ConnectedDrive display?

Yes

 

[slicknick]

Btw, whoever has sat inside the car already,has anyone noticed that the volume up/down on the gesture control only works with the bigger circular motions? Smaller moves of your index finger are not recognized

 

[Rolf]

Btw, whoever has sat inside the car already,has anyone noticed that the volume up/down on the gesture control only works with the bigger circular motions? Smaller moves of your index finger are not recognized

Does the use of the middle finger in the car cause the volume of the hooter to increase as well? Maybe it will be in revised 7 series gesture control! lol!

 

[Mars1965]

Btw, whoever has sat inside the car already,has anyone noticed that the volume up/down on the gesture control only works with the bigger circular motions? Smaller moves of your index finger are not recognized

It doesn't recognise this

 

[SCOTT27]

Btw, whoever has sat inside the car already,has anyone noticed that the volume up/down on the gesture control only works with the bigger circular motions? Smaller moves of your index finger are not recognized

The sensor is on the under part of the mirror so your finger should be directly under the sensor for the motion to work on both levels of gesture.
If you are a few centimetres depending on your arm position and some depending on driving style have their arm back towards their body. So it does not recognise smaller gesture because the sensor is not picking up the command on the field. but if you do the large gesture you are creating the signal for the sensor because of large range of motion. But if you are directly under the sensor it picks up both gestures.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

The sensor is on the under part of the mirror so your finger should be directly under the sensor for the motion to work on both levels of gesture.
If you are a few centimetres depending on your arm position and some depending on driving style have their arm back towards their body. So it does not recognise smaller gesture because the sensor is not picking up the command on the field. but if you do the large gesture you are creating the signal for the sensor because of large range of motion. But if you are directly under the sensor it picks up both gestures.

I still don't understand the point of it. It's technology for the sake of it. You're driving along, your thumb hovering over the volume button on the steering wheel, and you have to take your hand OFF the wheel and start making gestures with your hand?! It's nuts.

 

[klier]

Well it's tech in it's infancy. More, cooler stuff and maybe more useful stuff might follow.