@@TedwardDrives I really think that, had they come out with the LCI bodystyle right out of the gate, it wouldn't be so universally hated. The LCI fixed a lot of the gripes about the design, and then Alpina took it to the next level. Sure, people (mostly purists) would still dislike the car because it's not as beautiful as an E38, and it's just as unreliable, but I think it would've been regarded as a nice evolution instead of the disaster that it was.
@@mro9466 I'd rock a face-lift 760 if I could afford the maintenance and upkeep of what is basically a Rolls Royce in a 7 series body. But everything after that was just L after L design wise (aside from the 1 and 2 series)
@@RyanRoadReaper Don't think so. First year of facelifted one was on the market in US during the last year of W220. Compare facelift to W221. But I still think the W220 aged beautifully (I like simpler lights of pre-facelift cars)
@@MrCarGuy I know I'm supposed to compare it to the W221 since its a newer design, but we all know that the E66 doesn't hold a candle to what is arguably the best modern S-Class made yet. However, even if it was for just one model year, the W220 and the E66 were sold side by side and cross shopped by buyers. Don't get me wrong, the W220 is a gorgeous car, and criminally underrated by Mercedes purists, but in my opinion, the 7er aged better.
Ialways hated bangle's work but 20 YEARS after it never gets old. Unfortunately i'll never buy anything german after 2000, it's all plastic in the engine
@@kojsiusoaliu6772 the e46, e39 and e92 were all good looking (beautiful in fact) BMWs in my opinion. Not sure if they were designed by the same guy, but they came from the same era as Bangle.
@@bajszosjozsef4850 exteriors of e90 and e39 are credited to Joji Nagashima, e60 Davide Arcagneli, e65 Adriaan Van Hooydonk. Chris Bangle was a design manager, not the one who penned any of them and ofc car design is a team effort.
I worked at a BMW dealership in 2002 when the 745i arrived and we had them stacked in the service isle awaiting fixes. BMW software sucked and didn't support getting the 745i fixed expeditiously. It took all night to recode/update one car. Back in the 2000s we would tell people the worst 7 series you could buy used was a 2002-2005 as they always broke. Now, looking back on it, those years are probably the most sorted cars available of this model as they've been in the shop so often. Don't kid yourself though, these are EXPENSIVE cars to maintain. Yes, you can get one cheap but if you're fixated on this model buy the best one you can afford with a documented service history and have $$$ set aside for when it demands, it.
6:42 - BMW came first with the column-mounted gear lever with the E65/66 in 2001, however it was the only BMW to use that setup. Mercedes followed on with the W221 S-Class in 2005, and it stuck with pretty much most Mercedes models since then.
@@ModernDayMixtapes My apologies, I keep on forgetting that the ML debuted first in January 2005. You’re right, it appeared on the ML first then the S-Class which debuted in September 2005.
I have a 2006 E65 730d as my Sunday car. When I bought it I was thinking that I will sell it after a while but now(going into 4 year) I don't think I will ever sell it... It grows on you!
Can confirm, its my all day even, probably never sell it and just keep it in my garage if i buy a new one, in 4 years it didn't left me down, only maintenance and alternator and szl sensor.
I’ve been toying with the idea of getting an 06 750li. How do they drive compared to the short wheelbase version? Also, have you had issues with the valve stem seals?
@@pascutia Yes, I did the valve stem seals about 50k miles ago and the engine has been smooth ever since I’d recommend getting it done on models with more than 100k miles. I got mine with 80k miles and once it hit 100k miles I started having engine issues… soo I’d do valve stems asap
Have this car, and I must say it's a real joy to drive and be driven around. Yea the maintainance on this is up there, but with a good mechanic it's not a huge problem.
Wow wasn’t expecting a E65 7er! Never forgot how cool it was when a friends dad sold his company and bought one back in the day. Worst car he ever owned, swore off German cars after it! Cool to see one preserved
This was Avantgarde when it came out. The quick update didn't make it better. BMW just didn't have the balls to wait for the design to work. Compared to other cars of that time I believe this aged very well. The biggest downside is unreliable electronics that can get really expensive.
No, it did not age well. And no, it wasn't avantgarde. It was isht, and is still isht. Stop trying to hype this crap so you can get rid of yours without taking a loss 😁
@@jaromor8808 Hey, what's your problem mate? I don't own one, but I think about buying one - cause I like it! If you're negative about this car it's alright - but keep your frustration to yourself.
@@jaromor8808 get one and then speak. They are great cars compared to some of the piles of trash the other manufacturers made in the early 2000s. I say these as I own two and they have been more reliable than my Mercedes S-Class
I have one for 6 almost 7 years it's at around 287,000 miles and there's something wrong with it again dropped almost 18k last year and this year. I love this car to death one of my favorites but I gotta let mine go this Tuesday I can't keep up with it but shout to everyone who can. Take care of these beauty's they'll take care of you. I raced mine up too much but I'll get another one lol
These are nice...in GOOD condition. I recently sold a 2007 760li I bought for cheap. It was trashed by last owner which was a crime shame. HOW do you not take care of a car that once retailed for $120k!?! Crazy.
@@DEVILTAZ35 I know. It made me mad thinking how nice my V12 bmw would have been if someone gave a shit. I've always taken care of my cars and I'm not even a car person! It's a reflection of you and if it looks like crap that says something.
My friend recently bought one of those in a pretty beat up condition, he's looking to restore it. I was looking for a video of you driving it last week to see what it can do and couldn't find anything. Imagine my face coming back from work today and seeing this. Great video man, thanks!
This is a proper executive car. Understated without flash. Tons of room and comfort above all. It's a Crown Vic with a lot more power and no floating ride.
I had an 07 750li and before it died it was an amazing car to drive. It had all the comforts that you would expect and moved like a cloud. Out of all the bmws I've had this would have to be one of the best especially for the super low prices you can scoop one up for.
BMW styling since the bangle era hasn't been my favorite but the driving dynamics have always been amazing. My favorite all around car that I've driven is still a 2010 BMW 550i M Sport. Firm without being harsh, great handling, smooth powertrain, solid feel and comfy seats.
bangle butt is the high water mark of bmw design (e65/66, e63/64, e60/61, e85/86) period it's been so fkn funny watching everyone slowly realize over the past 15 yrs still lots of ppl not quite there yet they'll get there tho
I felt the same way when these were new, but the design grew on me....like every new Bowie album. 2005 was the last year of the Bangle design as BMW over-reacted in trying to smoothe out the trunk and made it look like a Chevy Impala in 2006
My FIL had one of these, and it was great. He used to let my ex and I take long road trips up and down the east coast, and it was absolutely a blast to cruise in.
I actually don't mind the exterior, of the 7 series, it's aged so well especially the front of the car. The interior has started to show its age though. I wanna buy a 325i coupe, though this could also be an option.
I had bmw 325i traded up to a 550i and got rid of it after the first service bill, buying these big bmws used is a waste of time. The 325i will be fun, 7 will be constant anxiety over what’s going wrong lol
I had an E60 550i for a few years. The power and torque was addictive, the seats were amazingly comfortable and the Logic7 sound system was bumpin'. The M-sport suspension was unbelievably stiff. Run across a manhole cover and you may experience what it feels like to be in a plane crash. You can actually feel your brain stem compress. I did all the work on that car myself and spent nearly $10K on parts alone, over two years of ownership. I opened the hood more than I opened the driver side door.
If you only want one car that actually works and does not ruin you financially: DO NOT buy a sporty or big BMW. Part costs will RUIN you. It aint much better with the new ones. Mate of mine had his M235i in the shoppe, since one cylinder did not get fuel. To fix it he would have to replace ALL 6 injectors at once, for the parts to match, which costs 2400€ aka 400€ PER injector. And thats on a 2015 2 series. I do not even want to imagine what a 745i or 550i, would run you.... Maybe get a straight six diesel instead, they actually work and 313 PS aint nothing to scoff at.
@@paulbrown3302 I consider bm's mechanic specials. Great cars to learn from and work on, horrendous to pay someone to work on. That's why I don't touch and or own bm's with v8's. The inline 4's and 6's are where its at. Plenty of info and parts online to service. Not really complicated mechnically. Eletronically is a different story lol edit: I am speaking on older and naturally aspirated bm's. 2008 and older
@@leviathan5207 It's not like they had to replace all 6 injectors. The average injector usually lasts the life of the vehicle with proper care. Whoever did the work just insisted on replacing them all while they were in there, I suppose.
17:05 I know exactly what you're talking about, I drove an F30 330i and although it didn't have the B58, it was still a fantastic and fun car to drive. So what if it's four cylinders! That B46/B48 exceeded beyond my expectations and I couldn't stop thinking about it.
8:11 the buttons on the wheel are used for downshitfing, actualy there is 2 more button behind the steering wheel (like normal paddle shifter) for upshifting. i owned this car for nearly 9 years, and its absolutely amazing, fun to drive, great fuel economy, stable at high speeds, very good comfort. fixing it is quite expensive tho.
@@JedemPoKucama i drive a diesel, so in the city it takes around 9l/100km, out of the city going 160km/h it takes 5l. so yeah its amazing fuel economy for the power and weight
Dude I don’t care what anyone says. If you showed me that car today with me knowing absolutely nothing about it I would assume it’s a 2012-2015. The interior has aged well. Sure it was a disappointment considering it’s predecessor one of everyones favorite cars of all time. But still gotta hand it to BMW. They were ahead of their time with this car.
Never loved only for aesthetics reasons, but i truly like "old" luxury cars, to me the right balance between good materials and a bit of tech... You should drive also one of my fav of this segment, the Lancia Thesis (but never imported in the US), it had lots of modern solutions such as electric hand brake, LED taillights and Adaptive Cruise control back in 2002
over here in Germany you are lucky to find one below 6000$, which is actually driveable and has less than 250.000 miles... Also never seen one for sale here with under 150.000 miles. I guess if you could fine one it would be about 30.000$.
Ive owned a E65 facelift model 730D for the last 8 years. Bought for 9k and has performed superbly. munches motorway miles and can be thrown around on British country roads as hight speed too and in the lap of luxury. The interior is better is cream leather.
The steering wheel really lets the interior down, the big idrive wide screen makes it seem quite modern as well as the simple dash design, the 2021 Bmw 7 series had a screen which seems nearly the same size and that’s 17 years later. Another great video though!! I love the types of roads you choose, not the regular city roads where the 30 limit is everywhere. Out of curiosity, what is the camera you use? It’s just that your video is super clear
You need to drive any 159 AWD with manual gearbox. I don't know how good it feels, but i know how good the 159 looks. One of my favorite looking Alfa ever. Beautiful interior, beautiful front end and good looking rear end
I know the e65/e66 can handle well. A friend had the LCI 750i on the Tail of the Dragon and he could hang with the M3s, etc. I bet it had active roll stabilization like the 5/6 did of the era. I enjoyed my ‘08 550i with much of the same generation tech but with improvements all around.
The interior was one of the best places to be. The front was always iffy and I don't think it aged well like the E60 which is modern and beautiful still today.
I miss mine so much, I still think it's absolutely beautiful. For years I thought of some day owning it. One day I was finally able to buy one and my goodness it was so comfortable. After I sold it I regretted it so much and I was heartbroken. Years after I found out the 745Li was a rather unreliable one in the engine department apparently
Best time for beamers was from 1990 to 2006. The models they brought out after had good designs as well, but don't get me started on the new grill man, last couple of years really haven't been good to bmw's.
For an 05 that 745's cabin is impressively quiet. I have an 05 Volvo XC70 and even when I'm doing 90 mph the call quality when I'm on a call is still very good. No one even knows that I'm driving when I'm at high speeds.
I don’t know why but I’ve always loved the e66, it’s my favorite 7 series. Owning one or even driving it would give most a new found appreciation for the car (unless your vanos and head gaskets go caput 😂). But overall it really is an amazing car even by todays standards.
I have a E65 - little shorter than the E66 , but basically tha same car ( 735i , N62 engine also - smaller V8 but 272 hp nevertheless ). Dynamic drive , Softclose ,all options car. Certainly a driving machine , way ahead for its time. Careful about buying one , though - lots of problems could be hiding. (However , if you find a good one and at a good price - .... go for it!!! )
I've got a 645ci, obviously a car with this engine and it's absolutely brilliant, not without flaws but it's a great engine sounds really good, powerful and not bad on the old petrol 👍
When the E65 made it's debut in '01 (as a '02) I was aghast that BMW could design such an abomination after the near perfect E38 7, E34/E39 5 and E30/E36/E46 3. Now that the styling of the E65 7-Series has been allowed to mature for 20 years, I now believe... It still looks like an abomination. ...And many new BMW's look even worse.
the e38 7series was near perfect? why? just why? imo there was no design on that car. The same with the e39. BMW's for me were kinda the italianish german brand. BMW 3.0 CSL, 2002Ti, e31, e28 or even the z8. They were all beauties. The e38, e39 were fucking boring. And I know that many people would hate me for that comment.
This 7 series, I always appreciated. Even though it had large amounts of tech (new iDrive) etc. It still had a proper blend of true luxury and technology. The new cars have become tech palaces on wheels. With most of that new tech being gimmicks more than anything (mood lighting, colors, magic wand control, tablets for A/C really?). Screens on top of screens on top of screens for the most basic of functions.
Its not ugly, when my brother got it in that time it was top luxury advanced technology car (to my family) and i remember 10 years later some cars still lacking some of its features, i am surprised that alot of people thinks its ugly
Almost everyone hates the Bangle design, yet I personally find that he modernized the style of BMW, gave them a unique personality and an original look across the line-up. You could never mistake a model for another.
everyone always blows the unreliability of these out of proportion, V8 ones have the same issues as every other N62 engined car, 730d is the one to go for imo. stupidly good value for money
I didn’t care for this model back then. I remember the Vice President of my company had one as his company car. Now I look at it and think it looks much nicer than the new ones. I’d buy one. 😁
Had one of these for a couple of years. Amazing to drive, comfy, spacious, lots of quirks and features … but it was constantly having faults. For every thing I fixed, two more things broke. I ended up spending 3x its worth fixing it, before finally getting rid of it.
6:31 BMW Was first. Fun fact: the E65/66 was only BMW to use that approach. Similar shifter made its debut on some Mercedes models in 2005 when the W164 ML was introduced.
Dope POV as always. I was IN LOVE with the short wheelbase 2004 745i with the sport trim, wheels, and cream leather seats when it came out. Had the chance to drive 2 of them back then owned by people for whom I worked. That “most-hated” Bangle 7 set the precedent a few notches higher for modern luxo-boat aesthetics, after the early 2000s S-Class started it off. BMW started the column-mounted shifter during the 2002 intro of that model, along with the first-gen Phantom in 2004, which I thought was weird then but appreciate now. LOL Benz didn’t produce that type shifter until their 2007 model year. Definitely still a good-looking vehicle IMO.
Fun fact: here in my country, tax rates for big displacement cars are so high that most E66s have been abandoned/sold with prices around 2000 USD, which is real sad imo
@@larsvandriel2875 Taiwan For example, taxes for the 745Li(4.4 engine) is around 2000 USD per year, almost the same price as the car This is just not feasible for this age of a car
Great review! Words can scarcely describe how much I hate this generation of 7 series, but I'll do my best. These cars are unreliable beyond comprehension. Cabin electronics are so complicated that you will always be chasing gremlins. What gremlins exactly? As the Car Wizard states, "if everything in the BMW works...it's an act of God". Start with seat bolster adjusters (worth it, these seats are amazingly comfortable), window regulators and window curtain motors. Open the hood and the story gets uglier, even before we get to the hard parts. The DME ignition unit can randomly fail causing a no-start condition with no check light. Valvetronic motors fail and result in a loud clacking noise and reduced power. Ventilation fans can fail and allow corrosion to kill the ECU. Wiring harness conduit evaporates upon human touch. Oxygen sensor replacement requires removal of the subframe. Let's talk about the hard parts now. How many 7 series have you seen at their proper ride height? This is, literally, the first one I've seen without Saggy Butt Syndrome. Thrust arms wear out quickly. Sway bar mounts can snap off the subframe requiring complete replacement. Steering rack input seal leaks. In fact, every seal on this car leaks. Coolant crossover tube leaks require aftermarket repair that involves pulling the intake manifold. Valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals leak. I could go on, so I will. Upper oil pan gaskets fail, requiring subframe removal. Alternator bracket gasket is considered a maintenance item every 70K miles, neglecting this will result in oil drips killing your alternator- requiring removal from under the car and unbolting a motor mount to squeeze it through. Semi-met brake pads wear quickly on this two-ton behemoth. Input shaft seals on the transmission fail causing an ATF leak. Rear windshield seals leak causing water entry into the cabin. Sunroof drains clog every few months unless you modify them with scissors. Valve stem seals are guaranteed to fail around 120K miles. That job alone costs more than the car is worth. Feel like deferring that job to a later date? Oil consumption will kill your catalytic converters, requiring subframe removal to replace. In the meantime, you'll be driving a sagging, hideous mess of a car with clear coat failure, aftermarket limo tint, and a puff of blue smoke at every new green light. You don't look like an executive, you look like a dealer who's too poor to afford an Infiniti G35.
Proud owner of a E66 08 750Li. Mine at ~114k miles. I can confirm everything Matt has listed above. EVERYTHING. MINUS the Infiniti G35 dig (although usually 100% accurate) & the aftermarket tint. Living in a sunny state, it helps protects one of the best things in this car - the comfy seats :) This 7er just handles/rides so well, even with all of the problems awaiting to happen. Likely why I still have it... IF your dashboard on this car has zero warning lights, it is MOSES touching your car - himself - to bless you.
Honestly, this looks downright beautiful, when you compare it to new BMWs.
Fully agree
@@TedwardDrives I really think that, had they come out with the LCI bodystyle right out of the gate, it wouldn't be so universally hated. The LCI fixed a lot of the gripes about the design, and then Alpina took it to the next level. Sure, people (mostly purists) would still dislike the car because it's not as beautiful as an E38, and it's just as unreliable, but I think it would've been regarded as a nice evolution instead of the disaster that it was.
New BMWs redefined the concept of ugly
@@mro9466 I'd rock a face-lift 760 if I could afford the maintenance and upkeep of what is basically a Rolls Royce in a 7 series body. But everything after that was just L after L design wise (aside from the 1 and 2 series)
Cmon bruh... downright ugliest BMW ever made
These things have aged way better than a lot of people like to admit.
I think the facelifted E65 has aged really well
It looks so much more modern than the W220 counterparts of the era.
@@RyanRoadReaper Don't think so. First year of facelifted one was on the market in US during the last year of W220. Compare facelift to W221.
But I still think the W220 aged beautifully (I like simpler lights of pre-facelift cars)
@@MrCarGuy I know I'm supposed to compare it to the W221 since its a newer design, but we all know that the E66 doesn't hold a candle to what is arguably the best modern S-Class made yet. However, even if it was for just one model year, the W220 and the E66 were sold side by side and cross shopped by buyers. Don't get me wrong, the W220 is a gorgeous car, and criminally underrated by Mercedes purists, but in my opinion, the 7er aged better.
e66 is the long wheel base. 2006-2008 7 series are called e65 lci
@@MrCarGuy it does looks more modern than the w220, but the w221 is gorgeous, the best looking S-class for me, would love to own one
This car was so ahead of its time. We bought one in 04 and were mind blown. An interior every manufacturer copied for close to 15+ years after.
Ialways hated bangle's work but 20 YEARS after it never gets old. Unfortunately i'll never buy anything german after 2000, it's all plastic in the engine
@@kojsiusoaliu6772 the e46, e39 and e92 were all good looking (beautiful in fact) BMWs in my opinion. Not sure if they were designed by the same guy, but they came from the same era as Bangle.
@@MachonaVideos E90 was surely not designed by Bangle but yeah, one of the best looking BMWs are the E92 and E93
@@bajszosjozsef4850 exteriors of e90 and e39 are credited to Joji Nagashima, e60 Davide Arcagneli, e65 Adriaan Van Hooydonk. Chris Bangle was a design manager, not the one who penned any of them and ofc car design is a team effort.
Being an early 2000s car, BMW 7 series was actually the first one to use that shifter. Merc S-Class followed in 2006.
The SEL from 1960 got the Shifter, but you are right they discontinued it for almost 40 years after the SEL.
I worked at a BMW dealership in 2002 when the 745i arrived and we had them stacked in the service isle awaiting fixes. BMW software sucked and didn't support getting the 745i fixed expeditiously. It took all night to recode/update one car. Back in the 2000s we would tell people the worst 7 series you could buy used was a 2002-2005 as they always broke. Now, looking back on it, those years are probably the most sorted cars available of this model as they've been in the shop so often. Don't kid yourself though, these are EXPENSIVE cars to maintain. Yes, you can get one cheap but if you're fixated on this model buy the best one you can afford with a documented service history and have $$$ set aside for when it demands, it.
Endless money pits - scotty
No.
@@G82M4RCshittyshoty
Love the look of this generation. It’s aged so well and already looks classic
6:42 - BMW came first with the column-mounted gear lever with the E65/66 in 2001, however it was the only BMW to use that setup. Mercedes followed on with the W221 S-Class in 2005, and it stuck with pretty much most Mercedes models since then.
BMW did it first like you said but Mercedes did it after on the US 2006 model year ML-Class, then followed by the US 2007 model year S-Class.
@@ModernDayMixtapes My apologies, I keep on forgetting that the ML debuted first in January 2005. You’re right, it appeared on the ML first then the S-Class which debuted in September 2005.
If I am driving an automatic, I like a column shifter!
I have a 2006 E65 730d as my Sunday car. When I bought it I was thinking that I will sell it after a while but now(going into 4 year) I don't think I will ever sell it... It grows on you!
Can confirm, its my all day even, probably never sell it and just keep it in my garage if i buy a new one, in 4 years it didn't left me down, only maintenance and alternator and szl sensor.
I love my 2007 750li despite maintenance and little electrical problems… ITS WONDERFUL TO DRIVE
And yours is the one where they worked out the bugs. Imagine the trouble this is.
"little" btw
I’ve been toying with the idea of getting an 06 750li. How do they drive compared to the short wheelbase version? Also, have you had issues with the valve stem seals?
@@pascutia Yes, I did the valve stem seals about 50k miles ago and the engine has been smooth ever since I’d recommend getting it done on models with more than 100k miles. I got mine with 80k miles and once it hit 100k miles I started having engine issues… soo I’d do valve stems asap
@@pascutia I’ve never driven the shorter wheel base but man the car is so smooth the steering and suspension is perfect
Have this car, and I must say it's a real joy to drive and be driven around.
Yea the maintainance on this is up there, but with a good mechanic it's not a huge problem.
I was born in the late 90s, so this was my childhood's definition of a BMW 7 series.
Wow wasn’t expecting a E65 7er! Never forgot how cool it was when a friends dad sold his company and bought one back in the day. Worst car he ever owned, swore off German cars after it! Cool to see one preserved
This was Avantgarde when it came out. The quick update didn't make it better. BMW just didn't have the balls to wait for the design to work. Compared to other cars of that time I believe this aged very well. The biggest downside is unreliable electronics that can get really expensive.
All of the faults of this car are well documented online and are easily fixed by the owner. Not too scary to own, IMO.
No, it did not age well. And no, it wasn't avantgarde. It was isht, and is still isht.
Stop trying to hype this crap so you can get rid of yours without taking a loss 😁
@@jaromor8808 Hey, what's your problem mate? I don't own one, but I think about buying one - cause I like it! If you're negative about this car it's alright - but keep your frustration to yourself.
@@jaromor8808 get one and then speak. They are great cars compared to some of the piles of trash the other manufacturers made in the early 2000s. I say these as I own two and they have been more reliable than my Mercedes S-Class
@@jass7981 We own a BMW E66 760Li and we can't even get it to start. We don't know why lol.
I have one for 6 almost 7 years it's at around 287,000 miles and there's something wrong with it again dropped almost 18k last year and this year. I love this car to death one of my favorites but I gotta let mine go this Tuesday I can't keep up with it but shout to everyone who can. Take care of these beauty's they'll take care of you. I raced mine up too much but I'll get another one lol
This was the very first car I drove. I was 14 and drove it a quarter of a mile up the road. That spawned my love of the 7 series.
Same exact thing for me
These are nice...in GOOD condition. I recently sold a 2007 760li I bought for cheap. It was trashed by last owner which was a crime shame. HOW do you not take care of a car that once retailed for $120k!?! Crazy.
Sadly some don't care
@@DEVILTAZ35 I know. It made me mad thinking how nice my V12 bmw would have been if someone gave a shit. I've always taken care of my cars and I'm not even a car person! It's a reflection of you and if it looks like crap that says something.
My friend recently bought one of those in a pretty beat up condition, he's looking to restore it. I was looking for a video of you driving it last week to see what it can do and couldn't find anything. Imagine my face coming back from work today and seeing this. Great video man, thanks!
Your friend should probably cut his losses while he still can, these things are JUNK.
Okay you have crossed the line! Set it on fire. 🔥
when should we expect a new video Nick?
This is a proper executive car. Understated without flash. Tons of room and comfort above all. It's a Crown Vic with a lot more power and no floating ride.
6:38 I think BMW came first, but abandoned the shifter, cuz many ppl hated it…
Same, I'm pretty sure BMW came first with that design idea back in 2001. Don't recall any Mercedes having that back then...
I think the design of this 7 kind of grew on people. I used to hate it, but now i think its rather cool 2000's.
I had an 07 750li and before it died it was an amazing car to drive. It had all the comforts that you would expect and moved like a cloud. Out of all the bmws I've had this would have to be one of the best especially for the super low prices you can scoop one up for.
What happened to it? How Did it fail?
@@frederiquekruger4818 I wanna know too
Yes…hello?? Op?
This has aged very well however the E60 is one of those cars that looks like it was released yesterday. Bangle booty ftw.
The gear shifter was firstly made by bmw as the s class mercedes came with it in the year 2006 with the w221 model
One of the best 7 series perfect design and driving
I've got a e65 730i 2004 with 167k
BMW styling since the bangle era hasn't been my favorite but the driving dynamics have always been amazing. My favorite all around car that I've driven is still a 2010 BMW 550i M Sport. Firm without being harsh, great handling, smooth powertrain, solid feel and comfy seats.
That’s a sleeper
The e60 aged pretty well to be considered desirable many years after it was discontinued.
bangle butt is the high water mark of bmw design (e65/66, e63/64, e60/61, e85/86)
period
it's been so fkn funny watching everyone slowly realize over the past 15 yrs
still lots of ppl not quite there yet
they'll get there tho
honorable mention for the e81/82/87/88 1-series that doesnt have a bangle butt but is beautiful and way better than the fxx+gxx 1-/2-serieses
My dad drove this as a 750i (facelift version) absolutely TOP car 😀😀👍👍 great clip Sir 👌👍💪
Cant believe that the E65 design is almost 20 years old. Oh and this specimen is in a like new condition!
I felt the same way when these were new, but the design grew on me....like every new Bowie album. 2005 was the last year of the Bangle design as BMW over-reacted in trying to smoothe out the trunk and made it look like a Chevy Impala in 2006
It feels like a new BMW with some old parts on it, like the steering wheels looks like 80/90's but the dash looks more like 2006.
My FIL had one of these, and it was great. He used to let my ex and I take long road trips up and down the east coast, and it was absolutely a blast to cruise in.
I actually don't mind the exterior, of the 7 series, it's aged so well especially the front of the car. The interior has started to show its age though. I wanna buy a 325i coupe, though this could also be an option.
I had bmw 325i traded up to a 550i and got rid of it after the first service bill, buying these big bmws used is a waste of time. The 325i will be fun, 7 will be constant anxiety over what’s going wrong lol
I had an E60 550i for a few years. The power and torque was addictive, the seats were amazingly comfortable and the Logic7 sound system was bumpin'. The M-sport suspension was unbelievably stiff. Run across a manhole cover and you may experience what it feels like to be in a plane crash. You can actually feel your brain stem compress.
I did all the work on that car myself and spent nearly $10K on parts alone, over two years of ownership. I opened the hood more than I opened the driver side door.
If you only want one car that actually works and does not ruin you financially: DO NOT buy a sporty or big BMW. Part costs will RUIN you. It aint much better with the new ones. Mate of mine had his M235i in the shoppe, since one cylinder did not get fuel. To fix it he would have to replace ALL 6 injectors at once, for the parts to match, which costs 2400€ aka 400€ PER injector. And thats on a 2015 2 series. I do not even want to imagine what a 745i or 550i, would run you.... Maybe get a straight six diesel instead, they actually work and 313 PS aint nothing to scoff at.
@@paulbrown3302 I consider bm's mechanic specials. Great cars to learn from and work on, horrendous to pay someone to work on. That's why I don't touch and or own bm's with v8's. The inline 4's and 6's are where its at. Plenty of info and parts online to service. Not really complicated mechnically. Eletronically is a different story lol
edit: I am speaking on older and naturally aspirated bm's. 2008 and older
@@leviathan5207 It's not like they had to replace all 6 injectors. The average injector usually lasts the life of the vehicle with proper care. Whoever did the work just insisted on replacing them all while they were in there, I suppose.
I have one of these, I just finished rebuilding it. I used to have a W221 S550, and this E65 I think is a much better driving car.
It’s not ugly, it’s a masterpiece lol
17:05 I know exactly what you're talking about, I drove an F30 330i and although it didn't have the B58, it was still a fantastic and fun car to drive. So what if it's four cylinders! That B46/B48 exceeded beyond my expectations and I couldn't stop thinking about it.
Welcome back its Tedward 👏
8:11 the buttons on the wheel are used for downshitfing, actualy there is 2 more button behind the steering wheel (like normal paddle shifter) for upshifting. i owned this car for nearly 9 years, and its absolutely amazing, fun to drive, great fuel economy, stable at high speeds, very good comfort. fixing it is quite expensive tho.
Great fuel economy? In comparison with a tank sure
@@JedemPoKucama i drive a diesel, so in the city it takes around 9l/100km, out of the city going 160km/h it takes 5l. so yeah its amazing fuel economy for the power and weight
@@NERING4 ok then,I thought you had a 745i😂
Any thing in specific?
the look of the facelift model is growing on me... The interior is sexy asf too
Dude I don’t care what anyone says. If you showed me that car today with me knowing absolutely nothing about it I would assume it’s a 2012-2015. The interior has aged well. Sure it was a disappointment considering it’s predecessor one of everyones favorite cars of all time. But still gotta hand it to BMW. They were ahead of their time with this car.
Facts 💯
2:18 How many reviews will that Acura hat make a cameo in ?
Huge sidewall!! Love to see it
Hi from London, proud owner of a 2003 760Li. BMW were first with all the features you referenced. This was the first 6-speed auto produced.
Never loved only for aesthetics reasons, but i truly like "old" luxury cars, to me the right balance between good materials and a bit of tech... You should drive also one of my fav of this segment, the Lancia Thesis (but never imported in the US), it had lots of modern solutions such as electric hand brake, LED taillights and Adaptive Cruise control back in 2002
Most beautiful 7 series ever. And maybe last too.
over here in Germany you are lucky to find one below 6000$, which is actually driveable and has less than 250.000 miles...
Also never seen one for sale here with under 150.000 miles.
I guess if you could fine one it would be about 30.000$.
Ive owned a E65 facelift model 730D for the last 8 years. Bought for 9k and has performed superbly. munches motorway miles and can be thrown around on British country roads as hight speed too and in the lap of luxury. The interior is better is cream leather.
do those have a dpf? looking at one as a motorway cruiser
The steering wheel really lets the interior down, the big idrive wide screen makes it seem quite modern as well as the simple dash design, the 2021 Bmw 7 series had a screen which seems nearly the same size and that’s 17 years later. Another great video though!! I love the types of roads you choose, not the regular city roads where the 30 limit is everywhere. Out of curiosity, what is the camera you use? It’s just that your video is super clear
You need to drive any 159 AWD with manual gearbox. I don't know how good it feels, but i know how good the 159 looks. One of my favorite looking Alfa ever. Beautiful interior, beautiful front end and good looking rear end
Looks excellent, but drives like cheap garbage.
@@hendrikkemp2193 really?
@@BlueShift2000 Unfortunately yes
i got my 750 li e66 for 2 years now, and i wanna keep it alive as long as i can, no matter the cost. Best car ever.
Proud owner of a 2007 730d. Ciao from Italy!
is that the facelift?
@@xjmdm post 2006 is LCI, I think. Dont quote me on it
@@RyanRoadReaper correct. 02-05 PFL
@@xjmdm Yes, it is.
I know the e65/e66 can handle well. A friend had the LCI 750i on the Tail of the Dragon and he could hang with the M3s, etc. I bet it had active roll stabilization like the 5/6 did of the era. I enjoyed my ‘08 550i with much of the same generation tech but with improvements all around.
The interior was one of the best places to be. The front was always iffy and I don't think it aged well like the E60 which is modern and beautiful still today.
Looks are subjective. I think it has aged beautifully. BMW don't make them like this anymore. What a shame.
I didnt really like this model, but after watching M5restorations videos, i like it 🤣
I miss mine so much, I still think it's absolutely beautiful. For years I thought of some day owning it. One day I was finally able to buy one and my goodness it was so comfortable. After I sold it I regretted it so much and I was heartbroken. Years after I found out the 745Li was a rather unreliable one in the engine department apparently
Best feeling behind the wheel eveeeer! I had 745d facelift, its better then F01 750d (I have atm), and its 100 years ahead of e38, best car ever!
Imo one of the best looking 7 series generations.
Thanks Ted, the ugly ducklings need some love too. Great video as always
If someone finds this car ugly I’d doubt his sight.
My dad had a 745i. Got me into bmw so much I’ve had 3 BMWs
Best time for beamers was from 1990 to 2006. The models they brought out after had good designs as well, but don't get me started on the new grill man, last couple of years really haven't been good to bmw's.
For an 05 that 745's cabin is impressively quiet. I have an 05 Volvo XC70 and even when I'm doing 90 mph the call quality when I'm on a call is still very good. No one even knows that I'm driving when I'm at high speeds.
I don’t know why but I’ve always loved the e66, it’s my favorite 7 series. Owning one or even driving it would give most a new found appreciation for the car (unless your vanos and head gaskets go caput 😂). But overall it really is an amazing car even by todays standards.
They are very nice cars indeed. The vanos and head gaskets aren't a common issue with the 745 (N62 engine) but the valve stem seals are. :)
I have a E65 - little shorter than the E66 , but basically tha same car ( 735i , N62 engine also - smaller V8 but 272 hp nevertheless ). Dynamic drive , Softclose ,all options car. Certainly a driving machine , way ahead for its time. Careful about buying one , though - lots of problems could be hiding. (However , if you find a good one and at a good price - .... go for it!!! )
I've got a 645ci, obviously a car with this engine and it's absolutely brilliant, not without flaws but it's a great engine sounds really good, powerful and not bad on the old petrol 👍
When the E65 made it's debut in '01 (as a '02) I was aghast that BMW could design such an abomination after the near perfect E38 7, E34/E39 5 and E30/E36/E46 3. Now that the styling of the E65 7-Series has been allowed to mature for 20 years, I now believe...
It still looks like an abomination.
...And many new BMW's look even worse.
It's still sad compared to 90s BMW design but it's even more depressing that I see this as favorable to what they're selling now
the e38 7series was near perfect? why? just why? imo there was no design on that car. The same with the e39. BMW's for me were kinda the italianish german brand. BMW 3.0 CSL, 2002Ti, e31, e28 or even the z8. They were all beauties. The e38, e39 were fucking boring. And I know that many people would hate me for that comment.
Not gonna lie you got me In the first half 😂
@@horvathr95 I agree with you, E38 and E39 are blandly styled. The E65/E66 looks bold, and arguably still modern.
Just compare it to today's toyota, a 2003 bmw looks same age than a 2023 toyota
The 2006 facelift was a big improvement, both in terms of styling and mechanicals.
This 7 series, I always appreciated. Even though it had large amounts of tech (new iDrive) etc. It still had a proper blend of true luxury and technology.
The new cars have become tech palaces on wheels. With most of that new tech being gimmicks more than anything (mood lighting, colors, magic wand control, tablets for A/C really?). Screens on top of screens on top of screens for the most basic of functions.
Yeah i still don't get mood lighting to this day. It reminds me of the disco ball fad in the 90's lol
This was so high tech for the time you really can see it now
Its not ugly, when my brother got it in that time it was top luxury advanced technology car (to my family) and i remember 10 years later some cars still lacking some of its features, i am surprised that alot of people thinks its ugly
Almost everyone hates the Bangle design, yet I personally find that he modernized the style of BMW, gave them a unique personality and an original look across the line-up. You could never mistake a model for another.
The car did actually come with TVs in the back as well as reclining seats and even a fridge. I always liked the design except for the headlights.
everyone always blows the unreliability of these out of proportion, V8 ones have the same issues as every other N62 engined car, 730d is the one to go for imo. stupidly good value for money
I have a 2008 bmw 760Li, crazy bout my car sometimes I find myself just in awe of the engineering at time!
I didn’t care for this model back then. I remember the Vice President of my company had one as his company car.
Now I look at it and think it looks much nicer than the new ones. I’d buy one. 😁
i remember my family owning a 745li when I was very small, I forget most part of it but it just gives me memories when seeing this video
Compared to the new 7 series, maybe this isn't so bad looking after all
Lol true
My dream car when I was kid...and still is.
Love the old classic look. Thanks for the drive:)
I actually love this car. Loved it from the start. BMW was pushing the technology and luxury belt with the 7 series, as they continue to do today.
ive never seena 7 series yet but they do have an interesting look to them i wouldnt call them ugly but unique
Had one of these for a couple of years. Amazing to drive, comfy, spacious, lots of quirks and features … but it was constantly having faults. For every thing I fixed, two more things broke. I ended up spending 3x its worth fixing it, before finally getting rid of it.
It's not really ugly, it's just unusual.
6:31 BMW Was first. Fun fact: the E65/66 was only BMW to use that approach.
Similar shifter made its debut on some Mercedes models in 2005 when the W164 ML was introduced.
I love this car, my friend had a few growing up. The car was a game changer when it came out.
I don't think they are ugly at all. I love all the beautiful woodgrain on the interior over the crap in most cars these days.
Dope POV as always. I was IN LOVE with the short wheelbase 2004 745i with the sport trim, wheels, and cream leather seats when it came out. Had the chance to drive 2 of them back then owned by people for whom I worked. That “most-hated” Bangle 7 set the precedent a few notches higher for modern luxo-boat aesthetics, after the early 2000s S-Class started it off. BMW started the column-mounted shifter during the 2002 intro of that model, along with the first-gen Phantom in 2004, which I thought was weird then but appreciate now. LOL Benz didn’t produce that type shifter until their 2007 model year. Definitely still a good-looking vehicle IMO.
It's not ugly at all, actually looks very original
Hey BMW, we're now at a point a 2005 Bangle 7 series looks better than the current lineup.
In Albania u can get one of this for Max 10K
Much
Nicer than modern 7 series
No, nothing ugly about this car. It is a beefy, large, in your face vehicle. Pretty nice set of qualities if you ask me.
Im so in love with 2000's Luxus Cars. I have a S500L of 99' , just love it❤
Fun fact: here in my country, tax rates for big displacement cars are so high that most E66s have been abandoned/sold with prices around 2000 USD, which is real sad imo
Which country??
Japan? I know they had some crazy displacement taxes at some point.
Where? I want to buy some
@@larsvandriel2875 Taiwan
For example, taxes for the 745Li(4.4 engine) is around 2000 USD per year, almost the same price as the car
This is just not feasible for this age of a car
@@bleeedthebrakes Where I live there are thousands of 4.8 chevy and 5.4 ford pickups driving around!
It's actually better-looking than the new ones. The new 7 looks more like it's desperately trying to emulate a Rolls or a Bentley and not very well.
Great review! Words can scarcely describe how much I hate this generation of 7 series, but I'll do my best. These cars are unreliable beyond comprehension. Cabin electronics are so complicated that you will always be chasing gremlins. What gremlins exactly? As the Car Wizard states, "if everything in the BMW works...it's an act of God". Start with seat bolster adjusters (worth it, these seats are amazingly comfortable), window regulators and window curtain motors. Open the hood and the story gets uglier, even before we get to the hard parts. The DME ignition unit can randomly fail causing a no-start condition with no check light. Valvetronic motors fail and result in a loud clacking noise and reduced power. Ventilation fans can fail and allow corrosion to kill the ECU. Wiring harness conduit evaporates upon human touch. Oxygen sensor replacement requires removal of the subframe.
Let's talk about the hard parts now. How many 7 series have you seen at their proper ride height? This is, literally, the first one I've seen without Saggy Butt Syndrome. Thrust arms wear out quickly. Sway bar mounts can snap off the subframe requiring complete replacement. Steering rack input seal leaks. In fact, every seal on this car leaks. Coolant crossover tube leaks require aftermarket repair that involves pulling the intake manifold. Valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals leak.
I could go on, so I will. Upper oil pan gaskets fail, requiring subframe removal. Alternator bracket gasket is considered a maintenance item every 70K miles, neglecting this will result in oil drips killing your alternator- requiring removal from under the car and unbolting a motor mount to squeeze it through. Semi-met brake pads wear quickly on this two-ton behemoth. Input shaft seals on the transmission fail causing an ATF leak. Rear windshield seals leak causing water entry into the cabin. Sunroof drains clog every few months unless you modify them with scissors. Valve stem seals are guaranteed to fail around 120K miles. That job alone costs more than the car is worth. Feel like deferring that job to a later date? Oil consumption will kill your catalytic converters, requiring subframe removal to replace. In the meantime, you'll be driving a sagging, hideous mess of a car with clear coat failure, aftermarket limo tint, and a puff of blue smoke at every new green light.
You don't look like an executive, you look like a dealer who's too poor to afford an Infiniti G35.
My dad has the v12. Worst decision of his life, at least it was "only" 10k.
Proud owner of a E66 08 750Li. Mine at ~114k miles.
I can confirm everything Matt has listed above. EVERYTHING. MINUS the Infiniti G35 dig (although usually 100% accurate) & the aftermarket tint. Living in a sunny state, it helps protects one of the best things in this car - the comfy seats :)
This 7er just handles/rides so well, even with all of the problems awaiting to happen. Likely why I still have it...
IF your dashboard on this car has zero warning lights, it is MOSES touching your car - himself - to bless you.
That's a lot of muthafuckin problems sheesh must of been a headache
Just picked one up today this video is extremely helpful 👍
Hardly ugly these things are awesome