Review: BMW E65/E66 7-Series (2002-08)

Review: BMW E65/E66 Mk.1 7-Series (2002-05)

Overview

Available from February 2002, the BMW E65 and E66 Mk.1 (E65.I and E66.I) 7-Series were luxury sedans available in standard and long wheelbase models, respectively. Manufactured in Dingolfing, the rear-wheel drive 7-Series range initially consisted of the E65 735i and 745i models which were released in February 2002. In July 2002, the E66 735Li and 745Li followed, while the range-topping 760Li arrived in March 2003.

Compared to the E38 7-Series , the E65 7-Series was 45 mm longer (at 5029 mm), 40 mm wider (1902 mm), 57 mm taller (1492 mm) and had a 60 mm longer wheelbase (2990 mm). Compared to the standard E65, the wheelbase for the E66 models was extended by 140 mm (to 3130 mm) and total length increased by the same amount (to 5169 mm); the E66 models were also fitted with wider-opening rear doors. Furthermore, the E65/E66 7-Series had a double pivot spring strut axle and integral multi-link rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment included dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear passengers), ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, dynamic brake control, electronic stability control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and adaptive force limiters. The 745i and 745Li were also equipped with front seat active head restraints, while the 760Li was also equipped with rear seat active head restraints.

E65 features: 735i and 745i

Standard features for the 735i included 18-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker stereo with a six-stack CD player, climate control air conditioning, Nasca leather upholstery, power adjustable front seats, 8.8-inch monitor with BMW’s ‘iDrive’, satellite navigation and television, cruise control, bi-xenon headlights with washers, front fog lamps, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, voice recognition, steering wheel gearshift buttons, remote central locking, power windows, power adjustable and retracting mirrors, a power adjustable steering column, driver’s seat and mirror memory settings, car phone with cordless receiver and immobiliser.

The 745i was further equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, ‘Comfort’ front seats, front passenger seat memory settings, a power-operated glass sunroof and electronic damper control, which varied the shock absorber settings to optimise the ride/handling balance; the driver was also able to select damper settings via the iDrive controller.

E66 features: 735Li, 745Li and 760Li

Compared to the 735i, the 735Li featured self-levelling pneumatic rear suspension and rear seat air conditioning, automatic tailgate operation and a powered rear blind.

Relative to the 735Li, the 745Li was fitted with ‘Comfort’ seats with active head rests, a power-operated glass sunroof and electronic damper control. Visually, the 745Li and 760Li could be identified by their clear side indicator lenses.

The range-topping 760Li was available with a choice of 18- or 19-inch wheels and was fitted with BMW’s ‘Dynamic Drive’ active suspension system which which used fully variable anti-roll bars to minimise body roll. Additional features for the 760Li included a thirteen speaker Logic 7 stereo, heated front seats with massage function, active cruise control, a rear video screen for the boot-mounted DVD player, keyless starting, dynamic headlamp beam control, a leather-finished instrument panel, high gloss walnut wood trim, soft-close doors, alcantara roof lining, power-operated rear and side window privacy blinds, and a cordless rear telephone handset.

June 2004: 7-Series update

In June 2004, the E65.I and E66.II 7-Series underwent a minor update, introducing an updated iDrive system and greater functionality for the climate control air conditioning system.

Review: BMW E65/E66 Mk.II 7-Series (2005-08)

Overview

Released in March 2005, the E65 and E66 Mk.II (E65.II and E66.II) 7-Series introduced a revised range with the 735i/Li and 745i/Li replaced by the 740i/Li and 750i/Li respectively. The E65.II and E66.II 7-Series was also fitted with bigger brakes and revised suspension settings.

Visually, the E65.II and E66.II 7-Series could be identified by its new ‘powerdome’ bonnet, restyled head- and tail-lights, revised front air dam and grille, and more defined rear contours. Inside, the 7-Series featured digital television and an easier-to-use iDrive system; Nasca leather upholstery with Ash wood trim was also standard (replacing Black Cherry wood trim), though ‘American Walnut’ was also offered.

E65 and E66 features

Compared to their E65.I and E66.I predecessors, standard features for the E65.II and E66.II 7-Series were extended to include MP3-compatibility, adaptive headlights, BMW Assist telematics, a powered glass sunroof, digital TV tuner and ‘brake force display’ tail-lights.

The 750i featured 19-inch alloy wheels and ‘ Adaptive Drive’ (i.e. Dynamic Driveand electronic damper control), while the 750Li added a boot-mounted DVD player with rear video screen (previously limited to 760Li). The range-topping 760Li was distinguished by its 20-inch ‘M’ light alloy wheels, ‘Comfort Access’ seats and BMW ‘Individual’ paintwork, upholstery and trim.

740i Sport and 750i Sport

The 740i and 750i were also available in Sport variants; these models were fitted with 19-inch light alloy wheels with stiffer suspension and ‘Dynamic Drive’. Inside, the 740i Sport featured Pearl Leather Sports seats and Vavona matt wood trim; the 750i Sport, however, featured Nasca Leather Comfort seats.

Luminance edition

In August 2006, ‘Luminance’ editions of the 740i/Li and 750i/Li models were released; it could be identified by its 20-inch M light alloy wheels, active cruise control, soft-close doors, heated seats and luminescent paint finishes in Ruby Black, Blue Onyx and Moonstone.

June 2007 update: Executive and Sport variants

In June 2007, Executive and Sport variants of the 740i/Li and 750i/Li were released. Compared to their standard counterparts, the Executive variants added 19-inch wheels, Alcantara headlining, a rear parcel shelf, Merino leather upholstery and a wood-trimmed steering wheel. The Sport variants, however, added 20-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels with stiffer suspension, anthracite roof lining, Merino leather upholstery, piano black interior highlights, and Dynamic Drive.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: BMW E65 7-Series