"I am the great Potholio! I need TPMS for my pothole!" -- Mike Schmidt
(Photo illustration by yours truly.)
Another week, another BMW leaves out fleet. We're completely out now. They're going to make us give back the embroidered jacket soon. Over 12 months, we put nearly 29,000 miles on our Long Term 2009 BMW 750. Read the wrap up and then head back here to read our Parting Shots and to, of course, add your own.
Never really drove it. It was always on trips. Plus, it's not an S-class. Why would I bother?
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant
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The 2009 BMW 750i may be coated with technology, but underneath a veneer of often annoying "features" lies the bones of a BMW. Set in the proper mode and driven firmly, the 750i exhibits two of the most enviable traits of any road going machine: the faster you drive, the smaller it feels; the harder you drive, the more it responds. Yeah, it's a wide, comfy, luxurious four-seater, but put the hammer down and the 750i's inner 3-Series comes out to play. Loads of mechanical grip, accurate steering and a chassis that just knows how to plant itself in a corner will have you astonished at the athleticism exhibited by such a business-class device. Two turbos in the V8 exhaust stream may make the 750i serene even when wound out, but they also make it fast. The 750i is an exceptionally satisfying executive express for those who still love to drive.
Paul Seredynski, Executive Editor
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"Reliable and comfortable, the 750 was a long-haul champ. Though n a cost-per-mile basis, letting Mike Magrath drive our 750i was a mistake. Something like $103/mile ...That guy."
Mike Schmidt, Vehicle Testing Manager.
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Wait...I did drive it. just over 3 miles from the tire shop to the body shop. Got a flat. Awesome.
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I went to more than a few fancy dinners in the 750. There's something about getting dressed up and heading out in a fine luxury car that makes me feel like a grownup - in a good way. Also, it's probably the biggest car to fit down the CasaHashi driveway and turn around in the backyard parking area. Four-wheel steering is a godsend.
Mark Takahashi, Associate Automotive Editor
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Just being able to say "It's not ugly anymore!" is enough to get me excited about the current 7, but add in the powerful-yet-refined V8 and possibly the best automotive seats in existence and I'm ready to drive to Brazil.
Karl Brauer, Senior Analyst and Editor at Large
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Like other big BMWs I've driven, the 750i had a way of shrinking around you on back roads -- you've probably never driven a big sedan that's this agile around corners. This is a good quality when you take an ill-advised detour onto a very dark, very unfamiliar road in rural New Mexico. Also, I don't know what I would have done without the auto-high-beam function for the adaptive bi-xenon headlights. I wish the twin-turbo V8 had a little more personality, though, and while easy to use now, the U.S.-spec iDrive navigation unit still lacks the features and functionality of a portable Garmin unit.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor
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Getting into the BMW 750i at the end of a long day was a Zen experience. The interior of the 7 was very calming and peaceful with cool colors and supple leather. All of the surfaces were soft and luxurious. And the ride was quiet and comfortable. It was like a really expensive bubble bath.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
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I couldn't stand Driving Dynamic Control - just tune the car properly one time. If the steering was right, the suspension would be too firm. If the throttle wasn't a lazy mess, the transmission would have top gear locked out. And forget Comfort mode. If I wanted my car to ride and steer like a Lexus, I'd buy one. Actually, I'd pack up my desk and join the AARP first, then buy one. A BMW should drive like a BMW. If you don't like that, then you shouldn't drive a BMW. I still miss the 7 from 10 years ago. Now get off my lawn.
James Riswick, Automotive Editor
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This remains the one executive class ride that's great to drive, but it still looks insipid to me, an indication of the conservatism that has overwhelmed the styling studios in Germany
Michael Jordan, Executive Editor
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The 750i is obviously an outstanding sedan with a very unique inside-out turbo V8 powerplant and a very high-tech and effective suspension. That said, it turns out I didn't seek out the keys very often because it's simply not my kind of car. Too big, too badge-oriented, too adult, too-something. It's the Ultimate Being Seen in Machine, I suppose. I need something a couple of sizes smaller, twice as tossable and much more invisible. A real iPod hookup wouldn't hurt, either.
Dan Edmunds, Director of Vehicle Testing
bimmerjay says:
10:25 PM, 05/13/10
Auf wiedersehen 750i! It was a fun read, and a surprising amount of miles. I would have liked to see the 7 compete against an S550 in a burnout competition, hehe.
actualsize says:
04:41 AM, 05/14/10
"Are you threatening me? I need oleo for my potholio."
Nice lead photo, Mike!
chavis10 says:
05:29 AM, 05/14/10
I guess I'm the only one who can acknowledge that the last generation (refreshed) 7 series looks better than this ackward long hooded version. If you put them side to side, the cuurent one really is worse in every design detail. The extended front axle ruins the entire profile (as it does in the new 5 series as well) and this car has ZERO road presence unlike the old version. Give me the old one with the current engine and revised iDrive. The S550 and both current and upcoming A8 look five times better.
dougtheeng says:
06:02 AM, 05/14/10
"Just being able to say "It's not ugly anymore!" is enough to get me excited about the current 7"
I agree with Chavis. This current one is ugly too, just in a different way. I actually liked the refreshed last generation one. But over all, neither can hold a candle to two generations ago --> that was a gooooood looking vehicle. Its a shame to put the new one in the microwave.
felonious says:
06:21 AM, 05/14/10
I haven't read the text yet, but that photo and caption are HILARIOUS!!! :) Happy Friday, everyone!
hybris says:
07:06 AM, 05/14/10
Love the capition and the pic.
Too bad there is no way to get thicker tires on this thing I mean those pothole flats are going to get real old real fast if I was the actual owner.
blueguydotcom says:
07:37 AM, 05/14/10
RFTs = not ready for primetime
fuhteng says:
07:41 AM, 05/14/10
Where is the Parting Shots post for the G8 GT?
bodyblue says:
07:56 AM, 05/14/10
It was solid and reliable as any car costing this much should be. But after looking at the Jag XJ in this issue, the 750 looks absolutely pathetic in styling terms. Who wants a $90,000 snooze? For that much money and reputation it was not that exceptional of a LT car.
bkochuk says:
08:37 AM, 05/14/10
I would imagine $90,000 would be better spent on almost anything.
boxermike says:
09:35 AM, 05/14/10
"fuhteng says:
07:41 AM, 05/14/10
Where is the Parting Shots post for the G8 GT?"
Sorry, that one's long gone. Best just move on with life.
" bkochuk says:
08:37 AM, 05/14/10
I would imagine $90,000 would be better spent on almost anything."
You know you can spec a Lexus LX570 to 90,000. Is that really better?
-mm
sgude says:
07:07 PM, 05/14/10
Almost everyone that makes comments about my 3-Series mentions that they love the last-generation 7-Series, the one nearly every auto writer pilloried for being ugly. Weird. This one looks different, not really better. The 5-Series looks about the right size and proportion for this styling direction.
At least it drives -- somewhat -- like a Bimmer.
cjw88 says:
09:00 PM, 05/14/10
Yes!!! now you have an excuse to get out of those crappy goodyears!
thedream21479 says:
03:41 PM, 05/16/10
I miss the 7 of 10 years ago as well. The 740i (not the iL) with the sport package in that BMW motorsport red color (sorry don't remember the exact color code) was the example of executive sport sedan perfection. Hell, it still might be.