Verdict
A
Luxury Saloon · Germany · 1994-Present
BMW 7 Series
BMW 7 Series — spec data and generation history.
Years
1994-Present
Generations
5
Segment
Luxury Saloon
BMW's flagship saloon. E38 (1994–2001), E65 (2001–2008), F01 (2008–2015), G11 (2015–2022), G70 (2022–Present). i7 covered separately as the EV.
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1994-2001
E38
→
740i 4.4 V8 — 286 bhp, 0-62 in 6.6s.
Verdict
A
BHP
286
0–60
6.6 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
22.0 mpg
Used
£3,000-£12,000
- + Last analogue 7 Series
- + Inline-six and V8
- − Cooling plastics fail
- − Pre-iDrive cabin
2001-2008
E65
→
760i 6.0 V12 — 438 bhp, 0-62 in 5.5s.
Verdict
B
BHP
438
0–60
5.5 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
20.0 mpg
Used
£3,500-£12,000
- + Bangle-era controversial styling
- + iDrive debut
- − iDrive 1st-gen reliability
- − Active Steering
2008-2015
F01
→
760Li 6.0 V12 twin-turbo — 544 bhp, 0-62 in 4.6s.
Verdict
A
BHP
544
0–60
4.6 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
24.0 mpg
Used
£8,000-£22,000
- + 8-speed ZF auto
- + 740Le PHEV later
- − N63 oil consumption
- − Air suspension wear
2015-2022
G11
→
M760Li 6.0 V12 — 601 bhp, 0-62 in 3.7s.
Verdict
A
BHP
601
0–60
3.7 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
23.0 mpg
Used
£18,000-£62,000
- + Carbon Core construction
- + 745e PHEV
- − B57 oil leaks
- − iDrive 7 freezes
2022-Present
G70
→
760i xDrive 4.4 V8 — 536 bhp, 0-62 in 4.2s.
Verdict
A
BHP
536
0–60
4.2 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
24.0 mpg
Used
£72,000-£140,000
- + Massive grille statement
- + i7 EV sibling
- − Polarising styling
- − Touch-heavy interior
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1994-2001 · E38
- Cooling system plastics
- VANOS rattle
- Headliner sag
2001-2008 · E65
- iDrive 1st-gen reliability
- Active Steering
- Bangle styling polarising
2008-2015 · F01
- N63 V8 oil consumption
- Air suspension wear
- iDrive software
2015-2022 · G11
- B57/B58 oil leaks
- 740e PHEV charge port latch
- Air suspension wear
2022-Present · G70
- Massive grille polarising
- iDrive 8 freezes
- Theatre Screen rear entertainment
Rivals
Mercedes S-Class · Audi A8 · Lexus LS · BMW i7