2002 BMW 7 Series Review

Like other German automakers, BMW is basically conservative. So it's surprising that it has introduced the radical new 7-Series model--in which nearly everything a driver touches is new and different. Unlike other BMWs, the 2002 flagship 7-Series isn't conventionally beautiful. Rather, it's very aggressive looking, with such things as oddly shaped headlights and a coffin-style trunk lid. The 7-Series is a gamble for BMW because it defies conventional thinking. Some buyers of the complex car will be baffled by it. BMW says it's only a matter of time before most people will accept the new model, but it currently has many people scratching their heads.

Even starting the new BMW is different. There's no ignition key. Rather, a driver plugs a small remote-control plastic unit into a dashboard slot and then pushes a "start'' button to fire up the engine. You press a "stop'' button to shut down the engine, and then remove the unit. Most people would expect any BMW to have a console-mounted shift lever. Not the new 7-Series. It has a small shift stalk near the steering wheel for the automatic transmission. A driver pushes it upward or downward to select the gear he wants.

Other innovative stuff includes a huge "iDrive'' silver knob in the console that you push, pull and twist to control such things as navigation, telephone, climate control and audio system functions. The control settings are displayed on a dashboard screen, which goes partly dark when seen with polarized sunglasses. There's more new stuff, but wait a second--are all the fancy items necessary? It's easy to insert the unit in the dash and hit the "start'' button, but the need to push a "stop'' button to turn off the engine seems odd. The shift stalk is not as easy to use as a console lever.

I often found myself fiddling with the lever to find the "Drive'' and "Park'' gears, not to mention quickly locating the "Neutral'' position. More time with the car would have helped, but some potential buyers giving it a quick test drive might be discouraged. Activating or deactivating the parking brake involves just pushing a button. But the power front seat controls are complicated, consisting of a rotary knob and a good number of small buttons. Also, the driver's seat should move back farther for long-legged motorists.

Using the iDrive rotary pushbutton device for such simple things as temperature settings and locking in favorite radio stations soon becomes easy. BMW said iDrive eliminates "a driving environment cluttered with controls.'' But iDrive controls more than 700 functions. Using it to access things such as the stability control system is tedious. However, voice commands can control such things as the sound system and telephone, and there are 270 such commands. Some folks will wonder if BMW went out of its way to make things more complicated. However, others could happily drive the car for a long time after pre-setting such basic things as power seat positions and audio controls. BMW said its dealers can pre-set many things for 7-Series buyers.

Other new items for the new 7-Series include the world's first production six-speed automatic transmission and the first adaptive brake light system; it causes additional brake lights to be activated during hard stops to alert following drivers via a light band across the trunk lid. Good idea. The old 7-Series was sleek fast, refined and comfortable. The 2002 7-Series is faster and more refined and comfortable. It's also longer, wider and higher.

The more rigidly built new 7-Series comes in regular 745i form for $67,850 and has a longer-wheelbase 745Li model that costs $71,850 and has more equipment. Both have a new, all-alloy 5.4-liter, 325-horsepower V-8 with 43 more horsepower than its predecessor. A 6-liter V-12 version with approximately 400 horsepower arrives this autumn and might be priced at about $95,000. That V-12 really isn't needed for this big five-passenger sedan, although it weighs about 4,400 pounds. The V-8 has advanced items such as a Valvetronic engine valve timing system and propels the rear-wheel-drive car to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The engine in my 745i test model loafed at 2,100 rpm at 75 mph.

Estimated fuel economy of such a big, heavy, 150-mph car is decent: an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. Safety items include knee air bags and tubular head bags. There's lots more to the new 7-Series than speed. It rides smoothly, but handles much like a sports car because of huge wheels and such innovative suspension items as Active Roll Stabilization and Electronic Damping Control systems. Not to mention the Dynamic Stability Control and All Season Traction systems. Impressive braking is enhanced by the Dynamic Brake Control system; it reinforces a driver's pedal effort in emergency braking and thus helps achieve shorter stopping distances. An Automatic Hold system holds the brakes when the car comes to a stop, then releases them when the driver steps on the accelerator pedal--useful for holding the car stationary when it's stopped on a hill.

The quick new rack-and-pinion steering system is light and easy to use in town, but feels a little stiff at highway speeds. Also, the accelerator pedal and brake pedal are overly sensitive; the car accelerates too quickly from a standing start unless you feather the accelerator pedal and the brakes grab too quickly unless you do the same with the brake pedal. The posh interior is quiet, except for some wind and tire noise. Even the front cupholders have rich-looking covers.

Seats are supportive, but the minimalist gauge cluster doesn't provide engine temperature information. A useful feature is a $700 park-warning system that tells when the car is getting too close to other objects when moving slowly in close quarters. The $1,800 premium sound system is impressive. While loaded with high-tech equipment, the new 7-Series is mostly about fast, safe, supremely comfortable driving--preferably for long distances. And other BMW models eventually will get its new styling.

BMW 7-SERIES
Prices
$67,850-$71,850
Likes
Very fast. Great handling and braking. Smooth. Luxurious.
Dislikes
Controversial rear styling. Sensitive accelerator and brake pedals. Too high-tech?