BMW 7 Series is a luxury sedan from the Bavarian automaker. A car with a long history is produced to this day. The machine survived several generations, which will be discussed in this article. Particular attention will be paid to the body of the BMW E65.
Model history
The first generation of the company's flagship flagship was launched in 1977. The car body was index E23 and was produced for 10 years. The car was a real breakthrough for the global automotive industry and competed with other luxury sedans from German automakers. In this segment, only brands of a given country mainly competed.
The second generation appeared in 1986 and was produced until 1994. This body has become the best-selling in the history of the entire model. Executive sedan has become a real classic from BMW. The machine was equipped with very powerful units for its time: 3-liter and 3.4-liter units with a maximum speed of up to 250 km / h. The car was equipped with either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual gearbox.
The third generation in the back of the E38 got on the conveyor in 1994. The model turned out to be quite innovative for its executive class: diesel engines were installed in the sedan. Before BMW, no one even thought of putting diesel in luxury cars. The model lived until 2001.
Next year, the BMW E65 generation came, which will be discussed in more detail. The model boasted a wide range of engines and a rich variety of modifications. Accordingly, the price of a sedan has increased significantly.
From 2008 to 2015, the fifth generation of the sedan was produced. The body index has changed to F01. The range of engines, in addition to conventional gasoline and diesel options, was also represented by a hybrid version of the car. The design of the machine as a whole is similar to the previous generation, but more sophisticated and modern.
New generation
In 2015, the Germans introduced the newest generation of the flagship sedan - the G11 body. The car has changed dramatically both externally and in technical terms. The machine is available in regular and long versions. In the near future, car restyling is not planned.
The story of the 7th series is rich in ups and downs. However, the BMW E65 became the most popular car. Let's consider it in more detail.
Appearance
Designers tried their best. If we recall the body of the previous generation, then direct and strict forms prevailed in it. The new body became smooth and calm. In it "gangster" roots were no longer traced. Smooth front optics, matching taillights. The side part looks like a front part and stern - stylish and in the spirit of the times. The classic radiator grill, consisting of two halves, has not gone anywhere. Two headlights are integrated in the front optics, and turn signals are made above them in the form of cilia. The car looks modern even after about 10 years after release.
The back of the car was very peculiar. The lateral line of the body from the front to the back gradually declined. At the rear optics, it completely drops to the bumper. The boot lid stands out as if it does not belong to this car or it was made by completely different designers. But still, this chip gave a memorable appearance to the sedan.
However, not everyone warmly received the new BMW E65. Automobile critics and magazine magazines of the time made the model a list of the worst cars. But fans of the brand took the novelty warmly enough, and the owners even speak about it almost always in a positive way.
Body Options
The model entered the market in three versions: a regular sedan, an armored body and an elongated long version. We should talk about the latter in more detail. The body became 140 mm longer, the width was left the same. The car was underestimated a bit, as a result of which the sedan began to look more rapidly than the usual version. The maximum mass of the sedan is up to 2 tons 100 kilograms.
Salon
There was also a small revolution in the cabin. It is difficult to call this evolution, since there were few really changed elements, therefore only a revolution. The front panel is recognizable, but with some changes. Firstly, a multimedia screen has appeared that shows all the information and navigation. It also displays all engine malfunctions, almost any possible error. "BMW E65" is equipped with a self-diagnosis computer, which checks the technical condition of the car before the trip.
There is no need to talk much about the quality of materials - this is a representative class from BMW, and that’s it. Genuine leather, coupled with high-quality plastic and wood inserts (at the request of the buyer) are impressive even today, especially if you find an option in a preserved or restored condition.
Between the driver and the front passenger there is a large armrest with soft skin. It has built-in seat controls. It is very convenient when compared with other sedans in which these buttons are located on the side of the seat itself, in the lower part.
Back seats
The car is exclusively four-seater in all versions. Therefore, for the two rear passengers created all imaginable and unthinkable conditions of comfort. Here, and separate climate control, and curtains on the side windows, music control and a comfortable armrest with a built-in small refrigerator. The trunk of the car is also pleasantly surprising. Despite the fact that all the efforts of the creators were devoted to comfort and interior equipment, the luggage compartment was not forgotten. The electric drive opens and closes the boot lid. Inside, several large bags can easily be accommodated, so you can go on a long trip on this car.
Restyling
The model was restyled in 2005. Design changed only in the exterior of the body. The car has become very different from the dorestyling version. Headlights took a more familiar look. The car got rid of the obsessive look of the trunk lid, but left recognizable shapes.
Also, the changes affected the technical part of the car. Much more additional options were added, a new trim of the cabin, steering wheel and seats was added to the modification. All engines have also been upgraded.
Specifications "BMW 7 E65"
The engine range of the restyled version had two engines: a 3.6-liter engine with 272 horsepower and a 4.4-liter engine with 333 horses under the hood. There was also a more powerful unit in the line, which was installed on the BMW 745 E65 version, an engine with a volume of 5 liters and acceleration to 100 kilometers in less than 6.5 seconds.
In the engine line, there were also diesel units - 220-horsepower and 260-horsepower engines. All modifications are equipped with an automatic gearbox.
A few years after the start of production, the Germans decided to develop a unique engine for the most powerful version - 760 in an elongated body. Under its hood was a powerful V12 engine with a capacity of 6 liters and a capacity of 450 horsepower. The 100 km mark on the speedometer is overcome in just 5.5 seconds.
Sedan Options
All options available for installation were offered to customers individually. That is why it is difficult to find two similar versions. At the time of the release of the restyled version, the cheapest version of the sedan cost 2 million 500 thousand rubles. A fully equipped version, all options and the most powerful engine cost a little more than 5 million rubles (extended body).
BMW E65: owner reviews
Since this car is more than 10 years old, it is worth talking about its reliability and practicality. This is best and more detailed can only tell the owners of the car.
Firstly, almost all owners claim that it is necessary to closely monitor the quality of the oil. BMW E65 is extremely vulnerable to low-quality fluids, which is why difficulties with operation and general condition of the motor are very common. However, with any quality of oil, the car starts having problems after 80 thousand kilometers - increased oil consumption of the engine and gearbox. This problem can be attributed not only to the "seven" in the back of the E65, but also to almost all cars of this brand.
For diesel engines, fuel quality is very important. Even more than for gasoline units. The most serious problems can be encountered in models with an 8-cylinder engine. There are factory problems with the mirror of the cylinders, as well as with gaps. However, in later versions these problems were fixed by the company itself.
With high mileage, shocks and difficulties appear when shifting gears. In general, it cannot be said that this car is made perfectly technically. After reaching a certain level in operation, many components and parts begin to literally “crumble”. The only thing that is not satisfactory even after years in the technical part of the BMW E65 is automatic transmission and its stable operation.
There are also difficulties with the diagnosis and operation of electronic systems within Russia. Since there are not so many service centers involved in servicing old 7 Series sedans, there may be minor problems with the diagnosis.
In general, the engine "BMW E65" in its work is not satisfactory. Especially if the car was regularly monitored during the entire period of operation, timely repairs and diagnostics were carried out, consumables were changed.
About the body and interior reviews are positive. The only negative point in appearance is the side window pillars. Over time, they begin to fade in the sun and look too shabby. There are practically no complaints about the “seven” cabin - the assembly in the BMW is very high-quality and has been in good condition for 8-10 years.
Currently, you can buy the 7th series in the back of the E65 at a wide variety of prices. It all depends on the current state of the car. The cheapest options can be found for 400 thousand rubles. In good condition, the pre-styling version can be purchased for 1 million 100 thousand rubles.