Best Value Motoring

I will take the plunge and actually admit that I love the design of this 7-Series. It wasn’t always the case, but with age, I’ve not only grown accustomed to the weird headlights and double-stacked bootlid, but in comparison to its competitors, it looks fantastic. Can you believe it’s been 8 years since the first Chris Bangle designed BMW was launched? Be it as it may, I will leave it to you to decide whether you love or loathe the exterior design.

To sit in the driver’s seat of the 7-Series (trust me, that’s where you want to be) is to feel like a million bucks. There’s sumptuous leather lining every touch surface and it feels like the car was hewn from solid billet. In here, you begin to understand why anyone would pay nearly a quarter of a million dollars for the pleasure of driving the granddaddy of all BMWs. You will also soon forget that this car is already 7 years old.

The 333bhp 4.4l V8 is smooth and full of charm. It quietly wafts you along when you’re not in a rush, but when you’re in the mood to hustle, it propels 2 tons as if it were nuclear powered. You can hear a hint of the V8 when you extend the engine, but it is not an unpleasant noise. The 7-Series is a big car, but as you spend time with it and begin to trust its abilities, the car shrinks around you. This is a properly luxurious car that you wouldn’t mind driving fast and not just on the motorways, but on the windy bits too.

If you are prepared to live with the V8 thirst and associated running costs of a luxury saloon, with more than 75% of the initial asking price already depreciated, it beggars belief that you can now have this 7-Series for just over $40,000. BMWs are generally reliable and the 7-Series is no different. However, for such a complex car, make sure every single function works before you buy. Once you’ve made the decision, I have no doubt you will be smiling each time you think of the depreciation the previous owner has suffered just so you can have the privilege of buying one for the price of a new Camry.

Pros: Superb handling, luxury

Cons: V8 Thirst, iDrive, potentially expensive to repair

Via Carsales