For The 740i provides enough performance to make the 750i seem almost pointless. And, it costs several thousand pounds less.

Against The smaller of the Seven's petrol engines can't match the low-rev pull of the diesel - or its economy. Plus, it's in higher bands for tax, and it depreciates more quickly, too.

BMW 7 Series Saloon

What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

This is neither one thing nor the other. If you want the ultimate Seven, go for the 750i, but if you need to count the pennies, the diesel is the only choice.

What Car? readers say

4.666667
Calculate equipment options
Comfort
Electric steering adjust Standard
Electric Sunroof £1,035
Manual sunroof Not Available
Air conditioning Not Available
Cruise control Standard
Electric mirrors Standard
Heated mirrors Standard
Electric windows front Standard
Electric windows rear Standard
Seat height adjustment Standard
Climate Control Standard
Power Steering Standard
Steering adjustment reach Standard
Steering adjustment rake Standard
Power Seats Standard
Heated Seats Standard
Panoramic sunroof Not Available
Electric Panoramic Sunroof Not Available
Power Folding Mirror Standard
Engine & Transmission
Auto Standard
CVT Not Available
Tiptronic Not Available
Particulate filter Not Available
Entertainment
Radio/Cassette Not Available
RDS Radio/Cassette Not Available
CD Standard
Multi CD £415
MP3/iPod Connection Standard
DVD Player £1,695
MP3 CD Player Standard
RDS CD Standard
Exterior
Metallic paint Standard
Alloy wheels Standard
Front Foglights Standard
Powered sliding doors Not Available
Interior
Hands Free Phone Kit Standard
Satellite navigation Standard
Leather Seats Standard
Bluetooth Standard
7 seat pack Not Available
Safety
Passenger airbag Standard
Side airbags Standard
ABS Standard
3 Point centre belt Standard
Driver's airbag Standard
Belt pretensioners Standard
Isofix Standard
Side Impact Bars Standard
Traction control Standard
Curtain Airbag Standard
Rear Parking Sensor Standard
Electronic stability programme Standard
On/Off Passenger Airbag Standard
Reversing Camera £330
Rain Sensing Wipers Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control £1,500
Lane Departure Warning £400
Front Parking Sensor Standard
Security
Alarm Standard
Immobiliser Standard
Deadlocks Standard
Central locking Standard
Remote locking Standard
Unique fit stereo Standard
Marked Parts Standard
Etched Windows Not Available
Locking Wheel nuts Standard
Visible VIN Standard
Secure spare wheel Not Available
Satellite tracking £219
Laminated Glass £825
Options calculator Price
Electric Sunroof £1,035
Multi CD £415
DVD Player £1,695
Reversing Camera £330
Adaptive Cruise Control £1,500
Lane Departure Warning £400
Satellite tracking £219
Laminated Glass £825
Total Price: £61,250
Running costs
Town mpg 20.5
Out of town mpg 37.2
Average mpg 28.5
Tank capacity (litres) 82
CO2 Rating (g/km) 232
Carbon offset cost £34
Green rating L
Insurance group 48
Typical insurance £1,154.00
% Value retained (3yrs/36000 miles) 33%
Typical contract hire £1,041.00
Pence per mile 132
Servicing costs - 3 years £861.00
Service intervals Variable
Warranty period 3yr/UL + 3yr Paint + 12yr Perforation + 3yr Breakdown
Three-year cost£48,888
Company car tax
Percentage charge 35
Benefit in kind £21,133.00
Tax payable 20% £4,227.00
Tax payable 40% £8,453.00

Performance and measurements

Body type Saloon
Number of doors 4
Number of seats 5
Engine (cc/type) 2979/6
Number of Valves 24
Fuel type Unleaded
Max power (bhp/rpm) 322/5800
Pulling power (lb/ft) 332
Engine position F
Driven wheels Rear
Length (mm) 5072
Width (mm) 1902
Height (mm) 1479
Boot space (min ltr) 500
Boot space (max ltr) 500
Turning circle (m) 12.2
Towing weight (kg) 2100
Kerb weight (kg) 1860
Manufacturers figures
0-60 mph (secs) 5.9
Max speed (mph) 155
Euro NCAP Test Scores
Adult protection Unavailable
Child protection Unavailable
Pedestrian protection Unavailable

View the whole BMW 7 Series Saloon range