Used 2014 BMW 7 Series

For those fortunate enough to afford a premium luxury sedan, BMW builds the 2014 7 Series sedan. Comfort and convenience features on BMW’s flagship exceed the norm – almost to the point of excess – yet the 7 Series offers more than just plush accommodations for five. Available engine choices range from a turbocharged inline-6 to an obscenely powerful V12. Whether you choose the standard model or long-wheelbase “Li” trim with six inches of additional rear legroom, you’ll be getting a big sedan that loves to drive as much as it does impress. Placed against the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Audi A8, the 7 holds its own quite well. It outperforms the Lexus LS 460 and Jaguar XJ, and has no American-based rival to speak of.

Despite weighing nearly 4,300 pounds, the 2014 BMW 7 Series sedan has been designed to round corners at high speed and remain as planted and rock steady as the nimblest 1 Series coupe. The brakes are easily modulated and always strong, and the 7’s steering feels more in touch with the road than its nearest rivals. The 740i’s turbocharged 6-cylinder engine doesn’t quite live up to the status of this car and we would opt for the 750’s twin-turbo V8 any day of the week. With 445 horsepower on tap, the difference in fuel economy is marginal (although the difference in price is not). Both the all-out-enthusiast Alpina B7 version and the range-topping 760Li deliver performance numbers once reserved for dedicated supercars. In terms of ride comfort, the 2014 7 Series dispatches bumps and road imperfections with a hardly a shake of the cabin. Selecting the Sport or Sport Plus driving mode increases suspension firmness, alters steering effort and improves throttle response.

As a flagship sedan, the 2014 7 Series is a rolling showcase for BMW’s in-vehicle technology and design. The optional “multicontour” front seats adjust 20 ways to suit a variety of body shapes and sizes, while rear-seat passengers are provided an assortment of luxurious features such as seat massagers, rear-seat entertainment with two 9.2-inch displays, and power-sliding sunshades for the side windows. And while it may not be the most intuitive infotainment system on the market, the latest iteration of BMW’s iDrive is light-years ahead of the 1st-generation system when it comes to ease of use.

Compared to the controversial designs of its predecessor, the 5th-generation BMW 7 Series is visually sleeker and more refined, particularly when outfitted with the striking body and wheel modifications of the available M-Sport package. The Alpina B7 offers the ultimate in individual expression on account of its signature 21-inch 20-spoke wheels, aggressive front-end styling and prominent quad exhaust pipes. Optional LED headlights complement the 7 Series’ contemporary sedan architecture, though practical-minded buyers will prefer the standard xenon setup for its superior light output.

HANDS-FREE TRUNK
We have all been there – wrestling our way back to the car, arms piled high with shopping bags, only to struggle further in an attempt to open the trunk without dropping our items. Luckily, BMW offers a solution: an optional hands-free trunk that opens and closes with a simple kicking gesture under the rear bumper.

BMW APPS
iPhone users can access various BMW-developed and 3rd-party smartphone applications like Web Radio, Facebook and Twitter through the 10.2-inch navigation system display.

Given its $75,000 starting price, the entry-level 2014 BMW 7 Series comes equipped with an array of high-end accouterments. Highlights include 4-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, navigation, a 16-speaker audio system with two subwoofers, adaptive headlights that swivel with the steering wheel for greater visibility around corners, and BMW’s driving dynamics control with a choice five separate vehicle performance personalities. On the safety front, the 7 Series includes eight airbags, an active protection system that automatically pretensions the seatbelts when sensors detect an imminent crash and BMW Assist with emergency services like collision notification, stolen vehicle recovery and roadside assistance.

A/V buffs will find a lot to like in the Bang & Olufsen sound system as well as the full-color head-up display, which projects pertinent driver information like speed limits and directions onto the windshield. A cabin chock-full of distracting tech features necessitates the Driver Assistance Package, which includes lane departure alerts, pedestrian warning, side- and top-view cameras that provide a more comprehensive look at the vehicle’s surroundings, and an active cruise control system designed to automatically maintain a prescribed distance behind the vehicle ahead. Bespoke adornments from the BMW Individual menu are available for buyers looking to take personalization to the next level.

The engine lineup for the 2014 7 Series accommodates a wide variety of drivers, from fuel-efficiency fanatics to performance enthusiasts. Base 740 trims are powered by a 315-horsepower turbocharged 6-cylinder, while an exceptionally well-rounded twin-turbo V8 provides motivation for the 750 model. Alpina B7 variants employ the same twin-turbo mill, but churn out an additional 95 horsepower. For those playing the numbers game, the top-level 760Li model’s twin-turbo V12 is good for 535-horsepower and an earth-moving 550 lb-ft of torque. The Active Hybrid 7 enjoys a 3-mpg advantage over the standard 6-cylinder along with a 10-percent increase in horsepower. Every 7 Series model sends power to the rear wheels via a new 8-speed automatic transmission. And for extra control, the 740, 750 and Alpina B7 models all offer the year-round traction of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system (AWD) as an option.

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 (740)
315 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
300 lb-ft of torque @ 1,300-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/29 mpg (rear-wheel drive), 19/28 mpg (AWD)

3.0-liter twin turbocharged inline-6 hybrid (Active Hybrid)
350 net hybrid system horsepower @ 5,800-6,000 rpm
360 lb-ft of net hybrid system torque @ 1,300-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/30 mpg

4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (750)
445 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
480 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25 mpg (rear-wheel drive), 16/24 mpg (AWD, Li and Li AWD)

6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 (760)
535-horsepower @ 5,250 rpm
550 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/20 mpg

4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (Alpina B7)
540 horsepower @ 5,200-6,250 rpm
538 lb-ft of torque @ 2,800-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/25 mpg (rear-wheel drive), 16/24 mpg (AWD)