Mike_TX

Wondering if anyone seriously considered the BMW 7-series when shopping for the RL ... or even afterwards as a possible replacement for it.

It's obviously a class act, and it has plenty of power, comfort and interior space (and its V-8 is EPA rated higher than the RL's V-6 ). And it's one of the only other makes out there that doesn't disable most of the Nav functions while driving.

I haven't had a 7 for years, and it's been about 4 years since I had my last 5-series. In spite of the internet lore about BMW reliability (mostly perpetuated by people who have no first hand experience), my 4 BMW's were basically bulletproof and I loved them.

If you've shopped the latest version of the 7, how would you compare it to your RL? Obviously, the 7 isn't all-wheel drive, but other than that, how would you say it stacks up?

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Godwhacker

I very much like the style of the 7 series, both inside and out, but never have had the chance to drive one. They seem to be very popular around here (I think I see about as many 7 series as 5's around here). Consumer Reports seems to be at the forefront of bashing the reliability of the 7 series, at least for the last few years.

I have never shopped for cars in that price range (around $80K), but there seem to be lots of options and kick ass cars. I think the RL, being half as much, is probably not crossed shopped with the 7 (but probably with the 5-series), certainly didn't consider it when I was looking at the RL (I actually crossed shopped the RL with the 3-series).

F.Rizzo

Man! I need to cut and paste your BMW quote in the RDX forum! Lots of people over there bag on the X3 based on uneducated stereotypes and I've given up discussing it.

I'm a huge BMW guy, but the issue is the cost. I did not compare the 7er, but i did the 5er. Item for item it takes $62k to match the RL. The low option models are knocking on $80k. Load up a a 750Li and you are going to fork out $90k and 12 cylinders will cost you north of $100k.
I must be getting old, because I think about all the other things I could do with that $.

Mike_TX

LOL. The "base" 750i, which has everything I'd want, lists at $76,600. But their lease terms are excellent, and a 36/15,000 lease (at full MSRP) shows to be $1,123 on their website. that's with $2,500 down, but you can usually get $2,500 off list anyway.

Yeah, it's a lot, but folks moving up from Acura luxury might consider making the leap.

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Rexorg

Never considered the 750il, but I have been in one. It has a whole bunch of gizmos I loved, but overall the car was too big for me.

neuronbob

I didn't. My neighbor has a 7-series and it's too big. It looks sharp, though! It definitely has presence, especially with the revision on the Bangle-butt.

The RL is about the right size for me.

lumpulus

Since my G/F has an RDX I spend an equal amount of time there as I do here. I don't think people bash the X3 or the X5 over there all that much, and I also feel that the criticism directed at the BMW's is spot on for the most part.

Godwhacker

Good point. BMW has great lease offers. I was assuming buying, but if you are leasing, BMW is the way to go. When we were considering leasing, I counted the RL out (Acura tends to have horrible lease deals, at least when we were looking), and would have gone with BMW (probably a 3 series x model) or Lexus.

Unfortunately, I put way too many miles on a car per year to ever consider leasing.

Soccer_playa1579

lol... i dont think the 7 series and the rl can be compared. jmho

Mike_TX

Your point is well taken if it's only the price you're looking at, but otherwise, they are both comparably-equipped flagship cars. The engine is probably the biggest "plus" for the BMW, but if you're looking for the top-of-the-line sedan for each maker, it's a reasonable comparison.

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F.Rizzo

One problem might be - good luck finding a Base 750 with no options. I think all the ones on dealer's lots will have some options.

You could order the car. If you do European Delivery (ED) the cost of the car is cheaper - enough to finance the trip over to Germany, and you get to drive the car while you are there....but you have to wait for it to be redelivered back to the USA

If you put down multiple security deposits, the lease payments go down some.

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lland

Two weeks after I bought my RL, my neighbor bought a 745. Two months later he sold it. I still have my RL.

LL

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Keep in mind the 7 is near the end of its life and will probably have a new model coming out soon.

Mike_TX

Yes, I think it's due to be restyled for 2009, so about a year from now it'll be "old news" if that's right.

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csmeance

In all honesty, I have been comparing and deciding against a used 760LI or a Fully tricked out Mugen Legend. Beacon BMW has a 2005 BMW 760LI for 65K, and a fully equipped new RL should cost the same. I planned on taking the 760 as it has more features than the RL will ever have, but the thought of the Idrive system and NO CMBS/PAX, SHAWD and also great service aspects are drawing me to a tricked out RL. Still debating on it while I try to get money saved up.... That will take a while...

Dr. Colorado

mike, i have 2 patients who work at bmw in the service and parts department. they say of all models to avoid, it's the 7 series. tons of electric gremlins, if you don't mind your car being in the shop then consider it. when the facelift first debuted in 02 things were so bad that the local bmw dealer would actually take a loaner to the owner's place of residence and pick up the defective 745. i looked pretty hard at the m6 and 650, especially with the new facelift for 08. but in the end i decided on an 07 carrera s "porsche, there is no substitute!"

don't worry, pics to follow once i figure out how lol.

Mike_TX

Thanks, Rick. It looks like the 7 is probably out of the question anyway. We seniors on fixed income can't be as extravagant as you doc's.

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Dr. Colorado

lol! i like what they did with design regarding the newer 7 series, definitely moving away from that flame-styled "bangled" look. plus, you can't argue with their lease deals. money factor of .0033 is pretty sick! my friend leased a 2007 m6 black/black for 3000 down and 1300 a month on a 24 month lease! that's with a sticker of 106 large. i imagine you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal than that. much to my chagrin i used a quarter-tank of premium gasoline after testdriving his car for only 10 miles lol! that v-10 is one thirsty engine. i believe he fills it every other day or so.

Chuck091279

I don't think the 7 series and the RL can be compared. I cross shopped the RL with a 5-series, and by the time I got all the options, it was about 61k. Couldn't find a used one with low miles that had all the features I wanted either.

SpicyMikey

I didn't seriously consider a 750i but I looked at the 5. I agree with you Mike, they are great cars. I'd like to own one but can't get over the "value" hump. My sister just got a 750Li so I've spent some good seat time in one recently. They ride and handle great but I find that shifter on the tree to be too weird for me and the I-Drive (as advertised) is indeed a bit odd. The VR worked pretty well but the command structure was also less intuitive then the RL. Also, the 750 didn't seem that much bigger then the 5 when I was in them at the dealer. If you're going to move up to the 7 it probably makes sense to go with the long body version like my sister. Unfortunately, well equiped, it's over $90 grand. Ouch!

db22

$90 grand for your long body sister?

SpicyMikey

She's well worth it. So she tells me

Mike_TX

Frankly, the only reason for interest in the 7 (other than the fact it's a BMW and I've always had good luck with them) is that their lease deals are awesome. So much so that a $77k 750i is a couple hundred less a month than a $72k LS460. 58% residual v. 50% residual, and a lower money factor.

OTOH, I think I can get as much as $7k off the list price of an LS, so the bottom line is better for the Lexus.

I haven't decided wat I'm going to do right now, so it's just an information-gathering exercise at this point.

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SpicyMikey

Yes, you can't beat the BMW lease deals these days. In fact, that 750Li I was talking about was supposed to be an LS . They went to the Lexus dealership, got shocked by the bad deal offered, drove over to BMW, and got pleasantly surprised. They didn't really plan on buying the more expensive 750Li but couldn't resist because it was almost the same monthly payment!

Fabvsix

Mike
I thought you were sold on that "hauling ass" Lexus LS ??????

Mike_TX

Well, as a matter of fact, I have two dealers working on it right now. If they can come up with the right deal, I may be in an LS before Christmas.

If not, so be it.

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larrynimmo

i like the ls a lot, but i like money more...20k in my back pocket and I have a great car

Mike_TX

I don't disagree. But what I'm thinking of doing is consolidating two vehicles into one, since I've cut down a little on my annual mileage. If things work out right, I'll go from an RL and an MDX to an LS460 or whatever, and still have a few hundred more a month in my pocket.

If it doesn't work out, que sera.

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