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BMW7-series (2008-2015)

Used only
Large
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£7,364Typical price

Test score

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This 7 Series is the fifth generation of BMW's flagship luxury saloon, launched in 2008 and replaced in 2015. It's conservatively styled but packed with advanced technology. It needs to be an accomplished all-rounder to compete with the likes of the Mercedes S-class, Audi A8 and Jaguar XJ. Find out if it succeeds in our full review.

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What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable are BMW cars?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2023Last checked by Which?
Nov 2008First reviewed by Which?
Nov 2008Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

19 Oct 2023

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (large cars, SUVs and MPVs)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Which? safety

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Large
Luxury	Yes
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£7,364 - £18,963
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	26.1 to 44.8mpg
Length	5,072 to 5,079mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,902mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,140 to 2,150mm
Height	1,471 to 1,479mm
Driver max height
Second row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	No
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	12.25 m
On sale date	15 November 2008
Lowest pence per mile cost	£15.48

Latest tested engine
Engine name	730d BluePerformance Auto (2013)
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	3-litre (258hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	80 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	15.48p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£122
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Low
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	167
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	203
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	2100kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	20 March 2013
Test programme	2012-2016

Engine two
Engine name	740i Automatic (2013)
Fuel	Petrol
Capacity and power	3-litre (320hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	80 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	19.26p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£115
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Extremely High
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	188
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	225
Official Euro emission level	Euro 5
Braked tow load (KG)	2100kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	22 March 2013
Car test programme	2012-2016

Engine three
Engine name	730d BluePerformance Auto
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	3-litre (245hp)
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	80 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	18.2p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£122
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	230
Braked tow load (KG)	2100kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	07 November 2011
Car test programme	2001-2012

Engine four
Engine name	740i Automatic
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	3-litre (326hp)
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	82 litres
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	25.08p per mile
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	254
Braked tow load (KG)	2100kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	15 July 2009
Car test programme	2001-2012

Engine five
Engine name	730d Steptronic
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	3-litre (245hp)
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	80 litres
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	19.76p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£116
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	212
Braked tow load (KG)	2100kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	750kg
Engine test date	12 November 2008
Car test programme	2001-2012

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BMW7-series (2008-2015)

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