Weekly Top 3: Why The BMW 7 Series Is Back In The Saddle
3) It looks good.
Okay, it's not perfect. The taillights are a little droopy. But overall, I love the looks of the all-new 2009 BMW 750i -- classic Bimmer proportions and styling cues with a contemporary veneer. At the very least, I think we can all agree that it's not frightfully ugly like the last 7 Series, which tragically supplanted one of the best-looking BMW sedans of all time, the E38 7 Series.
2) It goes fast.
How fast? Check the performance numbers over at our very own Riswick's Inside Line 750i full test. 5.2 seconds to 60 mph? 13.5 seconds in the quarter-mile at almost 104 mph? That's pretty much neck-and-neck with the Alpina B7, which was effectively the M version of the outgoing 7 Series. Now check the difference in base MSRPs -- the new 750i undercuts the Alpina B7 by nearly $45,000. As noted, it also doesn't look like it was repeatedly bashed against Mt. Ugly by a belligerent giant on Mercedes' payroll.
1) It handles like a gigantic 3 Series.
Which is quite an achievement for a full-size luxobarge that weighed in at 4,599 pounds. But pardon me while I end on an ambivalent note. Unlike the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, for example, which is vastly inferior to the S-Class, the BMW 3 Series is just so dadgum good that it would make me think twice about buying a 750i. Of course, if my chauffeur were going to be doing most of the driving, I'd take the 750i in a heartbeat (or actually, I'd take a Hyundai Genesis and its superior backseat comfort). But if I were going to be driving regularly, I'd honestly rather have the better-handling 335d and keep the $40 grand. That's no knock against the 750i, which is a nearly faultless car. I'm just sayin', the 3 Series is that good.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor
- Posted by
- Josh Sadlier March 13, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Weekly Top 3
I actually like the look of the outgoing 7 series. I'm undecided on this one. It doesn't look very BMWy to me.
agree with #1. 100% spot-on. They demolished the perfection of the E38 styling. I believe they are still playing catch up but it's a lot better and much more so than Mercedes flagship effort.
I get that people like that this one is less Bangled, but I don't like it. It looks boring, and doesn't look expensive at all. I'm just going on pics though, I'll see when it hits the road.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Dem kidney beans are way too big!
I like! Looks way better than the prev. gen. But then, for full-size luxury, S-Class rules!
Josh, I think the 7-series is meant for rich people in middle or old age, say, ages 40 or 50+. For this clientele, a 3-series is simply not "appropriate" and prestigeous enough.
@blackadder,
I wouldn't be surprised if that's the way some 7er buyers think. But part of my job is to consider whether images align with reality, and in this case, I'm saying that the 3 Series is good enough to merit consideration even by people willing to spend twice its price (or more) on a luxury sedan.
In the case of the C-Class vs. S-Class, as noted, it's not even close. If you can afford the S, don't even bother with the C. Unless you're talking C63 AMG, in which case, yes, please bother.
-Josh