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Raising the bar. 2009 BMW 7 series test drive.

bmwm5v10 submitted on 09/18/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 11:07 AM
from: stage.bmwcca.org

[45] user comments | category: Reviews

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Tags: BMW, 7 series,

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Raising the bar. 2009 BMW 7 series test drive.

This review is based on a single day of driving on BMW's handling track. BMW has invariably had the best-handling premium sport sedan on the market and this one raises the bar further. Meanwhile, BMW has addressed two issues that may have been turnoffs for potential buyers. The design that was toned down with the 2006 E65 refresh is now less polarizing with a completely new design. Inside, iDrive has been reworked to be more intuitive, the climate control has been removed from iDrive entirely, and the odd column shifter has been replaced by a somewhat less odd console shifter, although it has a few quirks of its own. For those who love technology, BMW matches and raises Mercedes, Audi, and Lexus. For those who don't, much of the technology is optional or, like the suspension, completely unobtrusive if you never touch the DDC button. BMW has another winner. Read Article

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golfer38 - 9/18/2008 1:46:26 PMView My AgentSpace

+13 Boost

It sure does seem mighty impressive as far as drivability and technology goes evn though it seems a little conservative design wise.

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SanJoseDriver - 9/18/2008 2:04:03 PM

-4 Boost

Conservative? Looks straight up boring... but then again which cars that size don't. Most people buying this car are probably over 50, so I'm sure it looks good enough for its intended market. Can't expect it to look as good as a 3 series.

RKash - 9/18/2008 2:15:38 PM

+8 Boost

I actually saw this car here in Atlanta the other night, it had no license plate on it. I was not at all a fan of the 745 released in 2002, but I must say.... The redesigned 09 model is much more attractive! I am impressed with what has become of it.

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maxpnts - 9/18/2008 2:35:19 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

bmw design is going backwards! and that sucks!

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1995e34 - 9/18/2008 3:49:32 PM

-3 Boost

back to the worst bmw design (style-wise)ever: the e39

528i - 9/18/2008 4:26:04 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

hey 1995e34 take that back, the e39 was BMW best 5ser.

1995e34 - 9/18/2008 4:49:30 PM

0 Boost

no way. looks too much like a ford taurus s.h.o., or a camry. its not ugly, just boring. a great car with styling that belonged to a lesser car.

it deviated from bmw's styling. the same styling theme was great on the e46, though.

528i - 9/18/2008 5:00:46 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Have ever seen an M5 or 540i with M pakage. its better looking than the e34 and e60 for sure.

1995e34 - 9/18/2008 5:53:10 PM

-2 Boost

the m package surely helps, but a sports package can even make an r-class look good (or even a w210 benz, or c5 audi).

i just think the german styling hit a low around 96-2004 when it came to mid size sedans. for some reason audi, benz, and bmw ALL had their worst styling on display.

even a lexus gs of that year looks better than these 3 models. thats sad.

JRobUSC - 9/18/2008 6:28:03 PM

+3 Boost

"back to the worst bmw design (style-wise)ever: the e39"

1) I don't see a single thing on this car that looks like the E39, and

2) the E39 is revered almost universally as one of the most attractive sedans BMW has ever made. If there's some E39 in the new 7-Series, and again I don't see it, most people won't have a problem with that.

1995e34 - 9/18/2008 9:21:17 PM

0 Boost

i was referring to the recent chatter that bmw was going back to their 90's designs acknowledging bangle's mistakes. i disagree with the assertion.

and the e39 was possibly the least offensive design bmw ever made, but hardly the most attractive. it really went against bmw tradition. funny thing is, many bmw enthusiasts think this un-bmw design was sent from heaven.

i never thought i could find such an inoffensive design...so offensive.

and finally, i think this new 7 is going to be amazing. i know its a camo'ed mule, but...

carE10 - 9/18/2008 2:39:17 PM

+9 Boost

Very impressive a full size sedan that can drift..awesome!

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Teknik - 9/18/2008 6:16:13 PMView My AgentSpace

-5 Boost

You mean 3rd class failure.

It will never have the cachet of an S65 AMG.

Get over it little boy. It can't even outsell the Lexus LS.

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bigTYME - 9/18/2008 6:16:14 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

The class leader is the S-class, and it has always been. Sure BMW makes great cars, but for some reason I don't like any of their bigger cars. It's just not what a BMW should be. Likewise, I don't like any of the smaller cars Mercedes makes.
This is the best looking 7 since the E38 though.

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truthpursuit - 9/20/2008 10:47:04 AM

-1 Boost

Yea! Low class!!!!

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ghosthunter - 9/18/2008 3:57:09 PM

-4 Boost

i really thought that was a Lexus ES until i read the title.

take a look for yourself.
http://bp3.blogger.com/_69A5hotwPJc/SAV59l1SL3I/AAAAAAAAAow/IWO8rSBAJ8g/s400/Lexus+Es+350+02.JPG

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truthpursuit - 9/18/2008 4:19:21 PM

-6 Boost

Another winner? The 7 series has been the biggest loser BMW has ever had in their history.The 04' was the biggest POS ever.It recorded the worst buyback in BMW's history.Every year since they have had to offer thousands of dollars in incentives.

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theoptimisticpessimist - 9/18/2008 4:54:35 PM

+6 Boost

"the 7 series has been the biggest loser BMWhas ever had"

WRONG

The current 7er is the best selling 7 ever produced.

Teknik - 9/18/2008 6:17:11 PMView My AgentSpace

-4 Boost

Who cares?

It is still behind the S-Class and LS.

7-Series = Sales Failure, relative to the competition.

maxpnts - 9/18/2008 4:23:32 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

the 7 still looks a little wierd. Past 7's i thought were better design wise. they were lustfull the lust has gone. there great car but not lustfull:(

reply to this comment

truthpursuit - 9/18/2008 5:39:09 PM

-3 Boost

It only sold because they had a giveaway lease.They fixed most of the problems that plagued the 04' but nobody would pay anywhere close to the 80k that that car listed for.

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Dr550 - 9/18/2008 5:42:28 PM

+6 Boost

I was invited to preview new BMW 5-series in Long Beach, CA. Many elements of 7 series present. Bangle rear-end is gone, headlights look better, side crease along body is back, and interior looks similiar to X5. GT concept hood also present, ala Jaguar XF. Overall very good looking. Looks like missing link to 2003 5-series.

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Teknik - 9/18/2008 6:18:49 PMView My AgentSpace

-5 Boost

Good post, it looks like a missing link.

Unfortunately, the it is too conservative and Bangle-Era cars are more striking to look at. BMW shot themselves in the foot. Now all of their cars are going to look very boring and plain.

QuantumMatrix - 9/18/2008 7:16:54 PM

+4 Boost

Teknik,

The Lexus LS looks and performs like a POS compared to the ANY BMW.

BMW spanks all the other car companies BUTTS when it comes to technology and performance.

Who wants an overpriced Toyota Avalon aka Lexus LS when you can have the very best performance and luxury machine, the BMW 7 series.

Jaybrn - 9/18/2008 7:23:07 PM

+4 Boost

Dr 550,
Were any of the TT V-8 cars there to drive?

Dr550 - 9/19/2008 3:05:31 AM

+4 Boost

No test drives allowed. It was a evaluation between Lexus GS, Mercedes E-class, BMW 5 (2008), vs. new 2010 5-series. Interior, exterior, etc. Grill is also larger. Striking looks. The new 5 will be a hit.

kthor - 9/20/2008 2:52:10 PM

0 Boost

teknik, you talk a lot without saying anything meaningful. Your blathering is so pointless and full of lies and misinformation and you post so often that you come off as such a pathetic little thing. I feel sorry for you. I hope you can find a real hobby and find a real life for yourself.

BTW the new 7 sounds Awesome! I can't wait to experience it.

ExarSadow11 - 9/18/2008 8:28:08 PM

-2 Boost

ok does anyone else think that with that sticker covering its line it looks like G35 almost in the pic... except for the back of the car just the side and front mostly from this angle? i thought so but hey i could be crazy!

reply to this comment

BJS470 - 9/18/2008 8:46:27 PM

+2 Boost

don't get ur blood pressure up now, just calm down

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truthpursuit - 9/19/2008 11:53:42 AM

-1 Boost

250k per yr.I've owned several BMW's in the 90's they all sucked,and so did tht dealer.I switched to Lexus and will never go back.

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quizz - 9/18/2008 10:02:49 PM

+3 Boost

Between the Audi, MB and Lexus, I'd buy the BMW based on style alone. The MB already looks dated due to its oddball "modern" stylings (hello bangle butt) and the Audi has never been about "style", just function over form. And the Lexus? People buy it for reliability but not for looks.

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Designer1 - 9/19/2008 6:45:56 AM

+1 Boost

This new 7 series will finally take away the shame the current 7 series put on BMW. This design is much cleaner and makes sense.

reply to this comment

1995e34 - 9/19/2008 10:22:07 AM

+5 Boost

bmw has today released official photos of the 09' 7 series.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/AllBMWs/FutureVehicles/Default.aspx

reply to this comment

truthpursuit - 9/19/2008 4:21:30 PM

-1 Boost

Looks like nobody wants to debate the largert buyback in BMW history.They used their customers as testers and failed.

reply to this comment

huu76 - 9/19/2008 6:54:05 PM

-1 Boost

This car basically declares Bangle's an idiot, we were wrong but thank God for stupid people whom we call leasees...without actually saying it.

reply to this comment

huu76 - 9/19/2008 6:55:19 PM

0 Boost

I'm sure "huu76 was right" is hidden somewhere as well.

reply to this comment

E36er - 9/21/2008 1:28:27 AM

+1 Boost

Ughh. I don't know if the new 7 is the handy work of Bangle or Hooydonk but it's very ugly. The nose is too big, perhaps due to european pedestrian regulations? I thought I would never say this but the Lexus LS is better looking than the new 7. What's up Bayerische Motoren Werke, didn't you learn from the last 7?

reply to this comment

cls550 - 9/21/2008 10:56:15 AM

+1 Boost

This car raises no bar. People want luxury and ride quality from a big luxury car and this is where 7 series lag behind the S class.

reply to this comment

Jaybrn - 9/21/2008 4:59:09 PM

+1 Boost

The S class did nail that comparison between the LS, Audi A8, and S550 but things will get interesting with the new 7 series and whenever Audi dusts off their a8 replacement

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