Last week I had a couple hours to kill in Munich, and when I stepped out of the U-bahn station in Karlsplatz
, there was a whole dealership devoted to the redesigned 2009 BMW 7 Series
, or in German, der Neue BMW 7er. Yet, the first thing I saw was not the new 7 Series, but a 1996 BMW 750iL with a 007 license plate. A bunch of dents on the driver door suggest this particular sedan might have been involved in the actual filming of the car chase in Tomorrow Never Dies.
Watch a video clip of the Bond 750iL car chase and see more photos of this unusual dealership (also home to a 1987 BMW 735i) after the jump.
Next to the Bond car was a 1987 BMW 735i, which takes you back to an earlier time when it was OK for a luxury sedan to have a 208-horsepower inline-six, a low-8-second zero-to-60-mph time and a top speed of 143 mph. This was also a time when it was OK for a luxury sedan to stroll around on 225/60R15 tires.
And next to the 735i was a display of a 3901cc diesel V8 BMW that debuted for 1999. Installed in the Euro-spec 740d, this engine was also good for low 8s along with a top speed of 150 mph. The placard next to it doesn't list the peak torque rating, but peak horsepower was 180kW -- that's an impressive 241 hp from a diesel engine, albeit one of generous displacement.
I did eventually lay eyes on an actual 2009 BMW 7 Series sedan. It was a comparatively unassuming 730d.
dougtheeng says:
06:18 AM, 02/ 4/09
Munich is a great place!
The 750iL is the best looking out of the bunch, imo. If we could get the 2009 interior and mechanicals with the 750iL looks, I'd be a happy camper.
arm51 says:
08:06 AM, 02/ 4/09
Every time I'm in Munich, I try to stop by the BMW factory complex. Unfortunately, I have yet to see the new museum. However, I was able to score a factory tour each time.
Personally, I like the styling of the new 7 series compared to the old. The interior is a vast improvement though.
desmolicious says:
02:28 PM, 02/ 4/09
Please bring me back some Milka bars with hazlenuts. I finished my batch from my visit to Austria over Xmas. I'll pay you triple! Clean your apartment! Teach you how to ride a longboard skateboard in Venice Beach! Name your price, I'm desperate here!