2005 BMW 7 Series

Summary

Few mainstream automobiles in the past 20 years have stirred controversy to the extent that BMW's ambitious 7 Series has. Whichever 7 Series you choose, starting with the standard 745i, you'll get a sedan that's big, smooth, fast and inspiring. The 745Li and 760Li (L for long) offer even greater legroom in the back seats. The 7 Series has stirred controversy as well as enthusiasm that revolves around two issues: styling and its iDrive interface.

Full Review 2005

Known for brilliant high-performance sedans with conservative styling and straightforward interiors, BMW stepped out of the box with the introduction of this latest-generation 7 Series. The three years since the 7 Series launch have tempered controversy over its stunning styling only a little, and the styling direction introduced on 7 can now be seen on the 5 Series sedan, 6 Series coupe, Z3 sports car, as well as the 2006 3 Series models. BMW's controversial system controls the heater, the radio, the navigation system, and it demands some study to master. Once that's accomplished, however, driving the 7 Series cars is easy and quite satisfying. BMW says its goal with the 7 Series was building the safest car in the world. Adaptive headlights turn with the car. Among the big luxury sedans, the BMW 7 Series is indeed the ultimate driving machine.

Trims and Styling

Four 7 Series models are available for 2005. The long-wheelbase Li models are 5.5 inches longer bumper to bumper, and nearly all of that is directed into more rear-seat legroom. Not surprisingly, all 7 Series sedans come standard with a long list of luxury features, including interiors trimmed in a choice of rich leathers and woods. The 745i has dual-zone automatic climate control with activated-charcoal microfilter ventilation, matte-finish black cherry wood trim, BMW Assist emergency and information communications, 14-way power seats, a power moonroof, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a climate-controlled front console compartment, and single-CD audio with 10 speakers.

The 745Li adds 20-way power front Comfort Seats with articulated upper backrests, passenger-seat memory and active head restraints. Both 745 models come standard with V-speed-rated 245/50VR18 tires on 18-inch alloy wheels; 19-inch wheels with performance tires (245/45 front, 275/40 rear) are optional ($1,300).

The 760i and 760Li have most everything BMW offers. The V12 models include soft-touch door-closing assists, heated and ventilated seats front and rear, Park Distance Control to keep track of those hard-to-see obstacles and power privacy shades.

The only options available on the 760 models are radar-managed Active Cruise Control ($2,200), Adaptive Headlights ($300) that aim around corners when you turn the steering wheel and satellite radio prep ($75). The 760i comes standard with 20-inch alloy wheels and performance tires (245/40R20 front, 275.35R20 rear). The 760Li can be ordered with rear climate control with a cool box ($1,800). The six option packages for the V8s include: the Sport Package ($3,200) with 19-inch wheels and tires, sport-tuned suspension, more aggressively bolstered sport seating and specific exterior and interior trim; the Adaptive Ride Package ($1,900) with a self-leveling rear suspension and Electronic Damping Control that automatically adjusts shock damping according to conditions; the Cold Weather Package ($1,100) with a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, and a ski bag; the Convenience Package ($1,000) with the soft-close doors that suck themselves shut and power trunk-lid operation; the Luxury Seating Package that adds 20-way adjustment, front and rear seat heating, fans to blow air through the seating surfaces and an automatic massager; and the Premium Sound Package ($1,800) with increased audio power, two subwoofers, Digital Sound Processing and six-CD changer.

BMW's iDrive interface system is standard on all 7 Series models, and can operate virtually everything in the car, from stereo to climate controls to telephone to navigation, with a single mouse-like control.

The standard array includes dual frontal airbags, driver and front-passenger side-impact airbags, and BMW's Head Protection System, which amounts to a full-length, tube-shaped curtain on both sides of the cabin for front and rear head protection in a side impact. BMW stepped out of the box and produced a revolutionary blueprint with its 7 Series sedans. BMW claims its buyers love it. The 7 Series is also slightly longer (1.8 inches) and wider (1.6 inches), and its wheelbase is significantly longer (2.3 inches) than before. It's a much bigger car than before. Bigger wheels were fitted on all models. The rear-wheel-drive BMW 7 Series uses a long hood and a swept rear glass, intended to create a sporty, coupe look.

Styling

Because the roof was raised dramatically, the rear deck needed to be raised to help the 7 Series achieve its excellent aerodynamics, which is crucial in reducing wind noise, improving fuel efficiency and increasing stability at high speed. The lights themselves are a technological marvel, employing a feature BMW calls adaptive brake lighting. Under normal braking, the outboard and third brake lights illuminate as usual. Under hard braking or when ABS is activated, the taillights join the brake lights for a significant increase in visibility of the brake lights. High-intensity discharge headlamps are used for both low and high beams on the outboard lamps; the inboard lamps are conventional halogen high beams.

Interior Styling

High-quality materials and elegant design make the 7 Series cabin an exceedingly pleasant place in which to conduct the business of driving. BMW offers light- or dark-stained Black Cherry with a matte finish, or light or dark high-gloss Ash. The 760Li's roof is lined with suede-like alcantara. The available Comfort Seats adjust in 20 directions. The sport package seats have bolstering on par with those in a sports car. Active Seat Ventilation cools the front and rear seats in the summer by blowing air through micro-perforations in the leather; the system includes a vibrating feature and comes with complementary perforated leather trim elsewhere inside the cabin.

All 7 Series sedans feature dual-zone temperature and airflow adjustment for the front passengers; the 760Li adds separate temperature adjustments for each side of the rear seat. The rear seats are roomy and comfortable. For bright days, the 760Li includes power sunshades for the rear windscreen and rear side windows. Comfort Seats for the rear come standard on the 760Li and are available for the 745Li. Rear Comfort Seats include electric heating and 14-way power adjustments, with a control that allows rear-seat passengers to move the front passenger seat forward, a great feature. Rear Comfort Seats make the BMW 7 Series the ultimate riding machine.

Under power, the 7 Series cabin remains whisper quiet. BMW's Premium Sound Package, developed by Harman Kardon's Lexicon, is truly sensational.

Conclusions

BMW's 7 Series has been widely lauded for its outstanding performance and ride. This car smoothes out bumps, even speed bumps, to a point of astonishment. BMW's Active Roll Stabilization, a system of computer-controlled active anti-roll bars, increases roll resistance in hard cornering to keep the body flat in turns. Remember: weighing up to 4900 pounds, depending on equipment, the 7 Series is not a small, lightweight car. Anti-skid technology makes adjustments to maintain handling balance whenever grip is lost to any one tire. For an Overview, prices, and more information visit Automotive.com Steering the 7 Series cars is a joy. It's very light at low speeds for parking lots, but firms up at higher speeds for improved driver feel. It's easy to drive this car well and few luxury sedans can keep up with it at high speeds. The 7 Series models are soaked with cutting-edge automotive technology, and with it all there's a steep learning curve.