Back in February, the Spies got handed the keys to the all new BMW 7-Series to go into the long term review fleet.
I was especially excited to get this car and BMW couldn't have chosen a better candidate to test it because I was an actual owner of an 02, 03 AND 04 745li.
It was to this day the only car I've EVER bought that I didn't like the look of but it drove so nice (when it worked), I threw down the big bucks.
2009 BMW 7-Series Full Photo Gallery2010 San Diego Auto Show Photo Gallery
As you know the last 7 was hampered by one of the worst electrical systems ever on a car and the first generation iDrive system which in principle was groundbreaking and brilliant but the initial software interface made MS-DOS 1.0 look elegant.
I like many other owners were extremely frustrated because our cars were in the shop too many times to mention.
But the good news was that BMW made things right with the customers affected and I applaud them for that.
What they did for owners would NEVER happen with many other brands.
So the most important question on my mind when I knew the delivery day was nearing was... Have they exorcized all the gremlins or would it be another case of a great driving car with headache after headache?
I can wholeheartedly say after driving it for almost ten months now the answer is YES.
Ding Dong, the wicked witch is DEAD!
EVERY SINGLE ISSUE on the old car have been remedied and improved on the all new car.
And what a car it is!
Right now it has about 13K miles on the odometer.
If you think the 6-cylinder 335 is great (and it is), then your head will swivel 360 like Linda Blair in the Exorcist when you push this pedal to the floor.
It is without question, the finest 8 cylinder put in a mainstream luxury sedan in my lifetime.
ZERO turbo lag.
But what you will notice besides the flawless power delivery is the how the suspension reacts to whatever you throw at it.
It is a the automotive equivalent of a religious experience
It drives light and small...the best way to describe it is like a more luxurious M5.
It never feels boat-like or sloppy like some OTHER cars it runs against.
There is NEVER any drama...it never feels like it is outside of its comfort zone at any speed.
Some cars you get tired of driving.
Not this one.
And where is was the most deficient in the past generation, like in areas of navigation and man/machine interface, it is now the gold standard.
For so many years Lexus KILLED the Germans in nav systems but no more.
One drive looking at the high-def quality extra wide nav screen and you're done with the Japanese equivalents.
The topographical maps, little things like alerting you to fog on the road (yes, no kidding,,,it shows grey lines along the road in foggy areas!) will never cease to impress you in the experience and elegance of implementation.
Add to that, the best seats on earth (with massage if you like), acres of cabin space especially in back, wonderful sound, great bluetooth performance/sound, the best heads up display on any car, every state of the art safety system known to man and my favorite, the BEST active cruise system that includes stop and go capability.
Going to be stuck in wicked traffic for an hour?
No worries, hit the cruise button and the car DRIVES ITSELF!
REALLY.
And there couldn't be a better place to be coddled inside while you're stuck in the river of steel
Think of the best 5-star hotel and thats what it feels like inside.
Doesn't it look just AWESOME in the Black Sapphire?
And I also think the two-tone interior is absolutely perfect.
OK, 001, there have to be SOME negatives, right.
Well, yes.
There has never been a perfect car and I don't think there ever will be.
But this is MIGHTY close.
Here's what you won't like...
The comfort access system is REALLY finicky compared to other BMW's.
You have to touch the door handles two to three times before it locks most times which is a pain.
I'm not 100% sold on the rear 3/4 look.
If you're a big guy like me, the front door entries are tight...you need to crouch then go sideways so you don't hit your head...if you have back issues, you'll be booking more time with the chiropractor
I wish the center console had more storage space and lastly gas mileage is 2mpg LESS than I was getting on my last 7's.
The added electronic systems weight hamper that I'm told, but you won't care when you drive it.
You'll be too delighted.
Other issues: It has run flats and my tire pressure warning light lit up saying to add air and I was 51 miles from the nearest gas station and these run flats are good for around 40 miles (see photos).
Hence, I had to spend two nights in Central California because it happened on a Sunday and the BMW assist tow truck doesn't have run flat spares on it.
And then when I went to the dealer in San Luis Obispo the next day, they don't stock them so it was another overnight waiting for the tire to get fedexed in.
The good news was I spent two nights in Paso Robles eating great food and drinking some killer red zins.
Ahh, the things I have to go through for my peeps!
So, summing up as we still have the 7 till the end of February is...so far it has been nothing but automotive bliss.
The new 7 is not only better in every single way than its predecessor but it is in my mind, the best large luxury sedan, bar none on sale right now on sale the USA.
And if you're a savvy buyer , you already know this bad boy is the platform for the new Rolls-Royce Ghost...
You have NO idea how hard it will be to have to hand the keys back on this one at the end of February.
My only hope is Santa is working on getting us into the new 7-Series M-Sport when we return this.
"Time flies when you're having fun".
Truer words were never spoken!
2009 BMW 7-Series Full Photo Gallery2010 San Diego Auto Show Photo Gallery