Faults:

Power steering radiator needed replacement.

One xenon light unit had to be replaced.

General Comments:

A big, seriously capable, luxury car that seemingly manages the impossible by wafting along one minute, then when you are in the mood, tightening up (especially when fitted with Dynamic Drive) and handling as though it were a superbly balanced sports car half it's size.

Typical excellent BMW build quality, great service by local BMW dealership and relatively modest running costs (over a year I have averaged 27.4 mpg on mainly country roads). Over a 2,500 journey around Switzerland I averaged a creditable 32 mpg which is impressive given the size of car and it's performance.

Try and find one with Logic 7 Hi Fi as this is an amazing bit of kit. I often stay in the car after arriving home to hear the end of a CD, the sound is that good.

I-Drive truly did my head in for the first week, but I soon sorted out what I needed to know and what I would never need to know (which is a lot!). It really is quite simple once you have learnt it's logic... use the voice commands and the system starts to make good sense.

Makes an incredible secondhand buy as the first owner has taken a massive hit in depreciation over the first year or two.

The looks have grown on me and I much prefer the butch look of this car compared to the Edna Everidge 5 Series. The same goes for the interior where the 7 Series is ultra modern and luxurious compared to the rather stark interior of a 5.

Faults:

Well, let me think here... oh yes, I remember my son always complaining about how the passenger heated seat didn't always work. When I got a flat tire the people at Les Schwab put on the wrong tire... I don't see how they could have done that!, and the tire pressure monitor refused to shut up.

General Comments:

This car was a beauty to own. I traded it in for a 2006 BMW X5 4.8is (you might find my review in that section). This car accelerated with gobs of toque, and I was pretty astonished at how it did. The handling was also impressive, with no body roll or anything. I got the Li version because I often have to drive clients around town, so they were always very comfortable.

I got many stares from this car, especially driving down the freeway at 80, flying past everyone. 0ver all, this is a very reliable, solid car and I have never lost faith in it once. So, if you can afford the 1200 dollar a month price tag, I highly recommend this car to you, and you will be glad to purchase one!