2009 BMW 750i: Back from SLO

If it were your money, would you buy the 7 Series or the Genesis?

@ adantium

I'm not in the tax bracket to buy a 7 Series, and you can purchase two Genesis sedans for the price of one 7 Series. As a luxury conveyance, the Genesis compares well to the 7 Series. As a driver's machine, the 7 easily eclipses it. If money was no object, it would be the 7 Series in a heartbeat. If you want the lux without the sticker shock, and superb handling and performance aren't your first priorities, the Genesis is an incredible bargain.

Don't forget the other Germans in the same range, the SXXX and the A8. What about those two Paul? Do you know enough about them to compare with the 7?

Doug is right, that turn signal indicator is daft.

@ fuhteng

The S Class has upped its game in terms of driving dynamics, and is easily the equal of the 7 Series in terms of tech and luxury, but the 7 Series would still be my driver's choice - mostly for better visibility forward from the driver's seat, fantastic steering feel and a chassis that just loves to be pushed hard. The A8 is a bit austere compared to either in terms of over-the-top lux and tech, but is a solid all-rounder with AWD as standard. I like the A8, but it does not feel as light on its feet as either the 7 Series or the new S Class, and the 7 is still tops in terms of a sense of fluidity through a series of bends. When you hammer on the 7 Series it feels like a much smaller car, where the S Class feels like an incredibly athletic large car. The next version of the A8 may address that...

Very cool article. It's not often I get stared at by rear seat passengers... I was driving the CTS-V on PCH yesterday, and my first guess (being that it was a brand new blue 7 series) was that it was you guys in the long term car. Good to see yall out there.

@fuhteng

I am going to jump in here as well. I have had limited seat time with the new 7 but spent 3.5 years with an S550. In terms of driving dynamics the Bimmer is clearly superior. The handling is sharper and more communicative while the overall car just feels more "alive" (it's the only way I can think to describe it). It is the obvious driver's car with the clearly superior driving position.

In terms of luxury/tech the S absolutely walks away from the Bimmer. As nice as the 7 is, it just can't match the Benz's incredible cohesion of design and execution. Everything looks and feels like something belonging in a car costing twice as much (think Bentley Flying Spur), the 7 has materials that feel like its price. Also, the S rides VASTLY more comfortably and quietly and has technology that is more straightforward to operate. A finaly plus in favor of the S is its world-class reliability. With nearly 70,000 miles I have yet to have an unscheduled service visit.

Thank you seredynski and mercedesfan. I like reading about cars I would never afford/buy, but I enjoy more the comparisons between them. So, the standard BWM vs MB truths are still there (as it seems to me): BMW is more fun to drive, with all that goes with that (handling, communication, even performance) but not as luxurious as the MB; while the MB is a luxury vehicle (toys, fit-and-finish, comfort).

Thanks guys.

Now if GM could get Cadillac to take on the BMW side and Buick to take on the MB side of the luxury segment, then maybe I could one day afford one of this group.

Someone has to stand up for Audi here so it might as well be me. The A8L beats both MB and 7 series hands down in the looks dept, both inside and out. Also, living in the NYC area where all of the Bernie Madoffs getting driven around in black S550s with livery plates, they are ubiquitous. The A8 adjustable suspension is superb. While the V8 doesn't have the displacement of the others, the all aluminum construction saves hundreds of pounds. MB- for old guys. BMW- guys trying to keep up with the joneses. Audi- athletic gorgeous and more exclusive ride. In my humble opinion of course.

@ brian_k

I completely agree with you, the A8 is probably the most beautiful luxury sedan on the road today. I personally find the interior of the S more beautiful than the Audi, but that is just personal opinion. Also, despite its heavily aluminum construction the A8 is the heaviest car in its class, which is why it feels so much slower and less agile than the Bimmer or Benz. I do, however, have high hopes for the upcoming redesign.

I can comment on the A8 vs S550 vs 750i, as I've driven all 3.

I think my top choice would be the S550. It's a tougher call with the new 750i than it was with the old one, but despite the new 7's better driving dynamics, the S for me embodies the best of what a car in this class should be. I love the S550's interior and the incredible build quality. I think the new 7 also has a beautiful new interior, but it still doesn't quite have the presence, the softest leather, the best wood, etc. like the S-Class does. The MB 5.5L V8 is also a marvelous engine - and the 7-speed can shuffle through the gears like a deck of cards.

The A8 is pretty and its interior is also wonderfully constructed, but it still looks and feels at least $20-30K less expensive to me than the other two. Also, the A8 loses badly on driving dynamics. The steering wheel rim is large and thin and the steering feels numb and overboosted. The effect is Cadillac STS, not German super-sedan. Sadly, the Q7 has better steering. Handling is also more ponderous and the V8 is completely outmatched by the mills from MB and BMW. It's just not a very fun car to drive, and doesn't have the poise or sophisticated feel to it that the S-Class does. The S8 (which I haven't driven) would probably fix some of my steering/handling/power complaints, but it also easily tops $100K with an option or two. I trust Audi will step up their game with the new A8.