CAR WARS! Sibling Rivalry Edition: WHICH 7 Would YOU Take Home? BMW 740i vs. BMW X7 xDrive40i

Neither for me as well because Bimmer just doesn’t do higher end as well as Benz. The models always come off as bloated versions of their entry level since that’s where they start while Benz has more of a top down approach.

Between the 7 and X7 I’d probably go 7 series for the slightly better driving dynamics and I’ll always choose a sedan over an SUV as a person who loves to drive anyway

Absolutely agree: "...Bimmer just doesn’t do higher end as well as Benz..."

X7. Easy choice. New GLS for me though.

I've always liked the 7 regardless of what others say... That said, the X7 is just so in your face... I love it... hands down its what I'd get...

Agree. BMW X7 interior is very luxurious. I think the X7 dash looks way better than the new MB GLS. Not a fan of MB flat screen display, steering column mounted gear selector, or the foot activated parking brake. Looking at both the X7 and X5. I wish BMW would option the second row captains chairs in the X5. Do not need 3rd row seating.

Why don't you ask BMW for a refreshed 740i to drive around for a week and then you can tell us? You are likely the only person here who has spend any time in an X7.

BMW would be happy to loan you a 740i - they seem to have many available.

Not a valid question because few, if any, of us have driven them both.

I actually like the 7-Series and am ordering one so I for one, would love to know.

00R - please report back.

...thanks to the referral to Manny by the way!

Manny is the best.

I hear you, for sure. But we recognize everyone doesn't want to hear me wax poetic.

That said, I love the space — in all directions — of the X7. Lots of glass and seats are high up so you see all corners like a Range Rover. Ride quality is pretty damn close to the current-gen 7-Series but I still prefer the pre-refresh 7 (I am having trouble getting over the new schnoz). The 7 is really fun to drive plus plenty of luxury there. It feels like a discount RR Ghost with better technology. The plus is the pre-refresh 7 blends in vs. something that draws a lot of attention and that's something I value.

The X7 I am driving is equipped w/ 22-inch wheels, which probably explains why it doesn't isolate bumps as good as I would have hoped. The third row has OK room for young children but it compromises second row space to achieve that. As I have no use for a third row, I'd prefer the all-out excess for 4-5 passengers the 7 provides but I understand why someone with 2 adults and 3-4 kids would jump on the X7.

If BMW offered the X7 w/o the third row, I'd probably swing X7.

Really tough call!

By the way, I am keeping the 2013 S550 now that it is fixed, because I still really like it. Its a very tasteful car.

Hands down X7. The 7 Series is model year 2000 Toyota Avalon dull whereas the X7 is amazing in person. The 7 Series is a terrible car as is the Audi A8 when you compare them to the S Class.

@MD Will S-Class customers like the full glass cockpit a-la Tesla that the next version is set to get based on the spy photos we have seen? They may find themselves blinded by all the light from the glowing screens at night...

@Canadian Comments, I don't think the screen will matter much at all as the S Class is the choice to announce you have arrived maintaining its high status on size, quality, ride, technology and snob appeal. Its market segment may shrink but its spot on the top is highly sustainable.

So Pug thinks he's me...

I actually think it might matter. Dash screen, central upper screen, lower central screen. Buy some Windex in the big bottle at Costco on your next shop.

I choose NOT to get a new S560 because I hated the jumbo-tron screen and although the interior is posh, I found it too "lounge-like" for my tastes.

I find the S-Class a little louche inside. Plus in NYC, 1/2 of the S-Class' are 'black cars' or ubers (MB must be giving out discounts to Uber drivers to move inventory) and the rest are driven by the 'pinkie-ring' set. S-Class would likely be more reliable that the 750i (although I just had to do $6,000 of engine work on my existing 2013 S550 with 44,000 miles because the cam shaft sensors leaked oil and ruined the wiring harness. Its 7 years old, so this stuff happens

"CAM SHAFT HALL SENSORS PUSHED OIL TO ME CONTROL UINT THROUGH ENGINE HARNESS PERFORMED SHORT TEST. FOUND CODES FOR AIR FUEL MIXTURE PERFORMED GUIDED TEST AND FOUND AIR FUEL MIXTURE GOOD. COULD NOT CLEAR CODES. CHECK ME CONTROL UNIT AND FOUND IT FILL WITH OIL. CHECKED ALL 4 CAM ADJUSTER MAGNETS AND NO OIL FOUND. CHECKED ALL 4 CAM HALL SENSORS AND FOUND THEM FILLED WITH OIL. CHECKED ALL 8 INJECTORS FOR OIL GOOD CHECKED ALL IGNITION COILS FOR OIL GOOD. REMOVED BOTH CATS, REMOVED ALL PARTS TO REMOVED FRONT TRANSFER CASE DUE TO ENGINE HARNESS RUNNING BEHIND IT. REMOVED ALTERNATOR FOR OIL SENSOR IN FRONT ENGINE COVER. REMOVED HIGH PRESSURE PUMP TO DISCONNECT CONNECTOR. REMOVED ALL TURBO INLET AND COOLER LINES TO REMOVE A/C COMPRESSOR HARNESS. REMOVED AND REPLACED ENGINE HARNESS. REINSTALLED ALL PARTS 16.0 HR

These vehicles are all too complicated, but to me, the 750i is a little more tasteful (I actually like the new grill, it looks great in person).

"...the cam shaft sensors leaked oil and ruined the wiring harness. Its 7 years old, so this stuff happens..." Not on a lot of cars actually

I think that's a very silly comparison, and you know it.

Unless you mean styling-wise, and well, there's no accounting for taste. I would still find it baffling that you truly believe it yourself. I do agree the pre-refresh 7 was elegant and understated but bland; but, the refresh fixed that for me. I like how it looks.

As far as both the 7 and A8 as being "terrible cars" compared to the S, I think that's also a simplistic knee-jerk reaction, and you know that too.

The (new) A8 has a better and more comfortable ride than the S-Class. The 7-Series has a higher quality interior with better materials and build quality, and it is much more enjoyable to drive and isn't as sloppy as the S (though the S is still a nice composed vehicle, and the refresh did some work to address this).

Source: Own a 7, driven an S multiple times over multiple days, test driven A8 (as well as LS500, Panamera, and Flying Spur).

As far as the 7 vs X7, I would take the 7 (obviously). An SUV will *NEVER* be as comfortable, luxurious, or enjoyable to drive as the equivalent sedan. I'm very impressed by the X7, and it's clear BMW didn't phone this one in, as is so often the case with SUVs that manufacturers know will sell no matter what. It's a most closer comparision than it would be at other brands, but the 7 still wins for me because it gains in luxury and sophistication (not by much though), and it loses in cargo/people space and off-roading abilities, neither of which I care about, especially in a high-luxury vehicle.

I think you're ignorant of the market. The X7 is selling very nicely and it has forced BMW to incentivize the living hell out of the 7 Series. BMW dealers are thrilled with the X7 and would probably be OK if the 7 Series dropped off the planet because they are dust gatherers on the lot.

None of that has anything to do with the market, only the quality of the vehicle and how it compares to the X7.

No one is disputing the X7 will sell more.

Where did they find a Cement coloured (if you can even say that about primer) 7 Series? Same place that did the orange Cullinan?

It's called Bernina Amber Effect Grey.

It's quite striking in person.

I wouldn't take either. Mercedes-Benz has long dominated BMW in the S-Class/7-Series segment and the BMW X7 is nothing groundbreaking for the large SUV segment. The BMW X7 is brash, bold and blingy. The Mercedes-Benz GLS is more sedate from an exterior and interior perspective, still offers loads of luxury and is also packed with technology.

BMW has always been an also-ran or a has-been in the luxury ranks and the 7-Series and X7 don't change that. The X7's massive grille and in your face interior two-tone color combos are representative of BMW trying to go over the top again. Unfortunately, buyers in the large sedan and SUV segment don't want that.

Mercedes-Benz will continue to dominate with its S-class and GLS.

The X7 is a more compelling luxury vehicle and competes better against luxury SUVs than the 7 Series does against large luxury sedans. Better for the brand to have a winner in the market than an also ran.