IrishEyes

I had a quick spin in an F01 730d earlier today.

Very very impressive. Drove like a much smaller car. The rear-wheel steering makes it almost cart like (nothwithstanding the weight of the car)

Ride was very smooth bearing in mind the run flat tyres.

Engine was most un-diesel like and quiet with only the odd diesel clatter dependent on the engine load.

Cabin is mega with the iDrive graphics and 10" screen a touch of class. The screen is incredibly well incorporated in to the design of the dash (X5 like) rather than a bulbous hump as with the E60 and current 7er.

This had a reasonable amount of kit with reversing camera, night vision etc and retails for a paltry ?129000 or $160000 in US currency.
Now whats my bank shares worth? DOH

QTR28

Personally, I think it looks like a big 3 series.

Gene

Thanx for sharing your thoughts and photos on the F01. For me, it's still going to take some getting used to the exterior, interior IMO is good to go (except for the steering wheel being on the wrong side )

theXman

Thanks for sharing.

I like the overall styling, both exterior and interior. Except the big red taillights.

tbal

Is there something wrong with the interior? Bmw screwed up, put the steering wheel on the wrong side! omg!

Richard in NC

Thanx for the pics!
I'm no fan of the big nosed grill but do like the overall lines.
The taillights are nice but soo much like any Japanese luxury car.

westcoast550

...................that last shot looks really really good ! this might grow on some of us like the X6 and remember the way lot's of us felt when the E60 launched ..............up til I saw the last shot I had a big ???? , still don't think it's an S killer . MB is Safe !!

IrishEyes

You know, I think it is. And there is something about the S that I really like. I drove an S320 CDI a few months back and although it was very nice, it felt more of a luxo barge for wafting about in rather than wanting to hussle it along.

From the short drive in the 7er, they've somehow managed to give the car the ability to either be a cruiser and be very comfortable or a sports car (a rather large one mind) with that rear wheel steering depending on how you drive.

Is it better than the S? I would say definitely from a drivers point of view and the quality, design and ambience of the interior.

Is it a better looking car that the S? Not sure. It's certainly a sleeker design over the previous 7 but there are still one or two spots that look a touch unresolved.
It might appear to be more of a blunt instrument over the S-Class.

Overall, I reckon it beats the S. Now whether buyers in that class form the same conclusion is another thing.