Which BMW 7 Series Version Should You Buy?
Choosing a BMW 7 Series from the supplied catalogue means comparing nine listed generation and restyling periods, running from September 1986 to April 2022. The strongest case for everyday economy is the sixth-generation 730Ld 3.0 AT: it combines 265 hp, 620 Nm, RWD and combined consumption of 4.6 l/100 km.
Choosing a BMW 7 Series from the supplied catalogue means comparing nine listed generation and restyling periods, running from September 1986 to April 2022. The strongest case for everyday economy is the sixth-generation 730Ld 3.0 AT: it combines 265 hp, 620 Nm, RWD and combined consumption of 4.6 l/100 km. For maximum performance, the sixth-generation M760Li 6.6 AT xDrive produces 610 hp and reaches 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. Buyers wanting a middle ground can consider the fifth-generation-restyling 740d 3.0 AT xDrive, with 313 hp, 630 Nm, a 5.4-second acceleration time and combined consumption of 6.0 l/100 km. Prices, current sale listings, interior equipment, problems and reliability are not measured in the supplied data.
BMW 7 Series generations compared
The second generation, produced from September 1986 through May 1994 as a Sedan, contains 16 versions. Its listed range includes 4- and 5-speed transmissions, RWD, gasoline engines, and outputs from 188 hp in 730i 3.0 AT and 730i 3.0 MT versions to 300 hp in the 750i 5.0 AT. That 750i has 450 Nm and accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, while the 197 hp 730i 3.0 MT takes 8.9 seconds.
The third generation covers June 1994 through October 2001 when its original and restyled Sedan periods are combined. The original period contains 25 versions and the restyling contains 19. Choices extend from the 143 hp 725tds 2.5 MT and 725tds 2.5 AT to the 286 hp 740i 4.4 MT. Compared with the 725tds, the 740i offers 143 hp more and reduces the 0–100 km/h time from 11.5 to 6.6 seconds. Manual and Automatic transmissions are both represented, while every listed version is RWD.
The fourth generation combines the September 2001–March 2005 period and its April 2005–January 2009 restyling. Each period contains 12 versions, all with Sedan bodywork. The early range reaches 445 hp with the 760i 6.0 AT, while its restyled counterpart is also listed at 445 hp. The restyling adds examples such as the 231 hp 730Ld 3.0 AT and two 745d 4.4 AT entries, distinguished here as 300 hp and 329 hp.
The fifth generation begins with a Sedan Long period from June 2008 through July 2012 containing 16 versions. Its July 2012–July 2015 restyling is a Sedan with 20 versions. The earlier selection includes 6- and 8-speed Automatic transmissions and introduces the listed ActiveHybrid 7 4.4 AT. The restyled selection includes the ActiveHybrid 7 3.0 AT, diesel outputs as high as 381 hp in the 750d 3.0 AT xDrive, and gasoline output as high as 544 hp in the 760i 6.0 AT.
The sixth generation combines the Sedan Long period from July 2015 through January 2020, containing 25 versions, with the restyled Sedan Long period from January 2019 through April 2022, containing 23 versions. This is the broadest choice in the supplied data: Diesel, Gasoline and Plug-in versions; RWD and AWD; and outputs reaching 610 hp before restyling and 609 hp after it. All listed sixth-generation versions use an 8-speed Automatic transmission.
Engines and specs
The table focuses on distinct comparison points while retaining exact database names. Where identical names have different outputs, power identifies the version.
| Generation/period | Version | hp | Nm | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second generation | 730i 3.0 MT | 197 | 260 | 2986 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second generation | 750i 5.0 AT | 300 | 450 | 4988 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third generation | 725tds 2.5 MT | 143 | 280 | 2498 cc | Diesel | 6, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third-generation restyling | 740i 4.4 MT | 286 | 440 | 4398 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fourth generation | 730d 3.0 AT | 218 | 500 | 2993 cc | Diesel | 6, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth generation | 760i 6.0 AT | 445 | 600 | 5972 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth-generation restyling | 745d 4.4 AT (300 hp) | 300 | 700 | 4423 cc | Diesel | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth-generation restyling | 745d 4.4 AT (329 hp) | 329 | 750 | 4423 cc | Diesel | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth generation | ActiveHybrid 7 4.4 AT | 450 | 650 | 4395 cc | Hybrid | 8, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth-generation restyling | 740d 3.0 AT xDrive | 313 | 630 | 2993 cc | Diesel | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Fifth-generation restyling | 750d 3.0 AT xDrive | 381 | 740 | 2993 cc | Diesel | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Sixth generation | 730Ld 3.0 AT | 265 | 620 | 2993 cc | Diesel | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth generation | 740Le iPerformance 2.0 AT xDrive | 326 | 500 | 1998 cc | Plug-in | 4, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Sixth generation | M760Li 6.6 AT xDrive | 610 | 800 | 6592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Sixth-generation restyling | 745Le 3.0 AT | 394 | 450 | 2998 cc | Plug-in | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Sixth-generation restyling | 750Ld 3.0 AT xDrive | 400 | 760 | 2993 cc | Diesel | 6, Inline | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Sixth-generation restyling | M760Li 6.6 AT (609 hp) | 609 | 850 | 6592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Sixth-generation restyling | M760Li 6.6 AT (585 hp) | 585 | 850 | 6592 cc | Gasoline | 12, V-shaped | Turbo | 8-speed Automatic | AWD |
Power per litre clarifies what the badges do not. The sixth-generation 740Le iPerformance 2.0 AT xDrive delivers approximately 163 hp per litre, versus approximately 92.5 hp per litre for the 610 hp M760Li 6.6 AT xDrive. Among the diesels, the restyled sixth-generation 750Ld 3.0 AT xDrive produces approximately 133.6 hp per litre, compared with approximately 88.5 hp per litre for the 265 hp 730Ld 3.0 AT.
Performance and fuel economy
The performance choice is the sixth-generation M760Li 6.6 AT xDrive: 610 hp, 800 Nm, 0–100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. Its combined consumption is 12.8 l/100 km. The restyled M760Li 6.6 AT entries both take 3.8 seconds; the 609 hp version consumes 13.0 l/100 km combined, while the 585 hp version consumes 12.5 l/100 km. The latter therefore saves 0.5 l/100 km but gives away 24 hp.
For diesel performance, the restyled 750Ld 3.0 AT xDrive has 400 hp, 760 Nm and a 4.7-second 0–100 km/h time, with combined consumption of 6.1 l/100 km. The fifth-generation-restyling 750d 3.0 AT xDrive also takes 4.9 seconds and consumes 6.4 l/100 km combined. The newer version is 0.2 seconds quicker, produces 19 hp more and uses 0.3 l/100 km less.
The sixth-generation 730Ld 3.0 AT is the strongest economy-led conventional choice: 4.6 l/100 km combined, 5.5 l/100 km in the city and 4.1 l/100 km on the highway. It reaches 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and has a 250 km/h top speed. Its 265 hp 730Ld 3.0 AT xDrive counterpart uses 4.8 l/100 km combined and reaches 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, so AWD brings a 0.3-second advantage while combined consumption rises by 0.2 l/100 km.
For the sixth-generation 740Li 3.0 AT xDrive, fuel consumption and top speed are not measured. For the restyled 750i 4.4 AT xDrive and all listed restyled 745Le variants, fuel consumption is not measured. Missing figures should not be interpreted as zero consumption.
Dimensions, weight, ground clearance and wheels
The sixth-generation 730Ld 3.0 AT has a kerb weight of 1,795 kg, gross weight of 2,490 kg, ground clearance of 135 mm and a 78-litre tank. At approximately 6.8 kg per hp, it has a better weight-to-power result than the second-generation 197 hp 730i 3.0 MT, which weighs 1,600 kg and carries approximately 8.1 kg per hp.
The sixth-generation M760Li 6.6 AT xDrive weighs 2,180 kg at the kerb and 2,840 kg gross. Its approximately 3.6 kg per hp is the best figure among the highlighted choices. It has 135 mm of ground clearance, a 78-litre tank and wheel sizes of 245/40 R20 and 275/35 R20.
In the restyled sixth generation, the 400 hp 750Ld 3.0 AT xDrive weighs 2,000 kg, or 5.0 kg per hp, and has a 46-litre tank. Its listed wheel choices are 245/50 R18, 245/45 R19, 245/40 R20 and 245/35 R21. The 265 hp 730Ld 3.0 AT weighs 1,870 kg, or approximately 7.1 kg per hp, and adds 225/60 R17 to that wheel selection.
Tank capacity changes substantially across the catalogue: the second generation uses 90 litres, the third generation 85 litres, the fourth generation 88 litres, the fifth generation 82 litres before restyling and 80 litres after restyling, and the listed sixth-generation versions use 78 litres before restyling and 46 litres after restyling. These capacities alone do not establish driving range.
Which BMW 7 Series version should you buy?
For low measured consumption, choose the sixth-generation 730Ld 3.0 AT. It uses 4.6 l/100 km combined while retaining 265 hp, 620 Nm and a 250 km/h top speed. Choose 730Ld 3.0 AT xDrive instead if the data-backed priority is quicker acceleration: it reaches 100 km/h 0.3 seconds sooner, although it weighs 75 kg more and consumes 0.2 l/100 km more combined.
For an AWD diesel with a larger performance margin, the fifth-generation-restyling 740d 3.0 AT xDrive is the balanced option. Moving to the 750d 3.0 AT xDrive adds 68 hp and 110 Nm, cuts acceleration from 5.4 to 4.9 seconds, and raises combined consumption from 6.0 to 6.4 l/100 km.
For maximum diesel performance, select the restyled sixth-generation 750Ld 3.0 AT xDrive. Its 400 hp and 760 Nm match a 4.7-second acceleration time while combined consumption remains 6.1 l/100 km.
For maximum outright acceleration, the sixth-generation M760Li 6.6 AT xDrive is the clear numerical winner at 3.7 seconds. The trade-off against the 730Ld 3.0 AT is 8.2 l/100 km more combined consumption, 385 kg more kerb weight and 345 hp more output.
The Plug-in alternatives warrant comparison only on recorded values. The sixth-generation 740Le iPerformance 2.0 AT xDrive has 326 hp, 500 Nm and a 5.3-second acceleration time, while the restyled 745Le 3.0 AT xDrive has 394 hp, 450 Nm and takes 5.1 seconds. Consumption is not measured for either version, so the supplied data cannot support an economy ranking between them.
No recommendation by BMW 7 Series price, used-car value, interior specification, reliability or known problems is possible here: each of those fields is not measured in the supplied catalogue.