Here's my pro and con list...
The Good:
- Matte wood trim.
Enough said.
- Head-up display is awesome. It's so good there's no need to look anywhere else.
- iDrive is great. Really really easy to use and full of useful features.
- The main screen is huge and very crisp.
- Forward Alert. One of my favorite features. I have it set to "late warning" and it's perfect. It only chimes when it's supposed to. A big safety plus.
- Dynamic memory buttons. Very cool and full of potential.
- Blind spot warning system. Works very well and is discreet with slight steering wheel vibration.
- The Navigation is far superior to anything else I've seen. For example, it even shows you if only 2 of the 5 lanes enable you to connect on the next freeway, etc. I also prefer the way it looks in the head-up display rather than the main cluster.
- Lots of power when you put the pedal down.
(I wish the sound was a little deeper)
- Love the massaging feature on the driver's seat. It's especially appreciated on long drives. Wish it also massaged your back.
- "ALL" button on the climate control. Genius.
- Front center air vents are neat with the ability to provide indirect airflow.
- Integral Active Steering makes the car feel a lot smaller.
- Putting the car in sport mode improves handling and stability greatly... also makes the car feel a lot smaller.
- iPhone integration. Really easy. Keeps me from looking at the phone all the time. (good thing)
- Adaptive High Beam Assistant works perfectly.
The Bad:
- A little jerky to accelerate from a stop.
- Active Cruise Control could be a little smoother. Sometimes the braking and acceleration seem abrupt.
- Sound system is only adequate. (With the "Premium" package!) I can't imagine anyone not having at least that quality sound in a 7. The package should have provided more.
- Seats are nice... but why no active side bolsters?
- You should be able to tap the sunroof button back twice to get the shade and runroof to both retract automatically. Why do I have to wait for the then shade first?
- The digital screen below the speedometer is a little fuzzy... could be sharper.
- iPod glitch. It "forgets" the rest of the playlist after every 5-10 starts. I have to go in and reselect the playlist.
- Lane departure warning... not to be used regularly. It gets annoying. On a late night, however, it could be live saving.
- Why doesn't the passenger seat have a massage function?
- If you pull up the driver's window with one-click and then open the door... the window stops going up. Even with the car on and running. Huh?
I'm sure I'm missing a few things...
We’ve been home over a week now and are missing Europe and the 7. It’s comforting knowing that it’s been loaded on its ride home already.
A testament to how much we enjoyed the trip was the fact we had already begun to talk about our next ED in the middle of it!
It truly is a
fantastic experience. Besides a few issues early on (lost baggage, “controlled” twice by the police) we had an uneventful trip with no serious issues. I can testify that having navigation on the car (as well as the head-up display) simplified things immensely and allowed us to focus on enjoying the view rather than unfolding a giant map every few minutes. I’m experiencing a little sticker shock as the Dollar managed to test a new low just as we were getting ready to come home!
Here were our
favorite moments:
- Having Peter (Rolf’s associate) pick us up from the Airport, and from the hotel on the morning of the delivery. He had lots of helpful advice (stopped by the ADAC office for toll stickers, vests, etc) and was a bargain. 50 euro to central Munich, 15 euro from central Munich to the Welt.
- The entire Welt experience. They really treat you well and make sure you’re totally satisfied.
- Our first drive – to Berchtesgaden. Not much traffic… just a nice drive with incredibly beautiful scenery.
- The Dolder Grand, Zurich. Someone spent a serious amount of money on this hotel and it shows. The room and spa were both among the best we’ve ever experienced - ever. The staff however, was not. I actually had to complain about some of the staff at check-out. A real shame.
- Driving through Switzerland. We thought Bavaria was pretty… parts of Switzerland were gorgeous. In retrospect - the first leg of the trip was by far the most scenic. Later drives tended to be more ordinary highway driving. (It should be said that even that was still pretty compared to So. Cal. freeway driving)
- Lake Como. We certainly should have spent another day in Como.
- Driving along the Côte d'Azur. We’re pretty spoiled by living next to PCH… but driving along the Côte d'Azur is even prettier. Especially around Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
- Hotel Métropole, Monte Carlo. I am so glad I changed our reservation from the Hotel de Paris. This newly remodeled hotel is only 1 block away and was absolutely incredible. The staff was the best of the entire trip. The room was beautiful. The dining throughout the hotel was also the best of the trip. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- St. Tropez – we should have spent more time there. A great little city with a great genuine atmosphere.
- Paris/George V. Paris has so much to do that you can always enjoy yourself – no matter how many times you go back. The George V was a fabulous hotel – and our view had tons of natural light with a great view down Avenue George V.
Of course we would make some modifications given what we’ve learned. Milan would be first on that list of changes. Many people suggested we avoid it – but my wife was dead set on it. I felt that was the least I could do for her. A few hours in Milan are enough. It’s a business city – not a tourist city.
Provence. The idea sounded good, and the photos looked pretty… but we enjoyed the coast so much more and should have spent those nights near the water instead. (St. Tropez maybe?)
We also could have spent a few more days in Munich… but we can always save that for next time!
Hotel Ratings: (rating of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best – all hotels were booked through the Fine Hotels and Resorts program from American Express except in Zurich)
Mandarin Oriental, Munich
Room: Mandarin Superior Jr. Suite – 4 (upgraded at time of booking)
Bathroom: 4.5 (good separate shower)
Staff: 5+
Breakfast: 5+ (absolutely fantastic buffet and a la carte choices – best of the trip by far)
Cost: Very Reasonable
Overall:
– We will without a doubt return. It was the best value (room rate) of the entire trip.
The Dolder Grand, Zurich
Room: Jr. Suite Deluxe, Spa Wing – 5 (upgraded at time of booking – virtuoso)
Bathroom: 5 (good separate shower)
Staff: 3 (some were very arrogant)
Breakfast: 2 (a la carte - poor menu with small portions)
Cost: Expensive
Overall:
Villa D’Este, Lake Como
Room: Suite – 4 (upgraded from Jr. Suite Top - room was very dated, but view was a 5!)
Bathroom: 2 (very small and dated, shared shower/tub)
Staff: 4
Breakfast: 4 (buffet)
Cost: Very Expensive
Overall:
- Mainly due to the view!
Hotel Principe di Savoia
Room: Elegant Suite – 4 (no upgrade – room somewhat dated, but with intricate woodwork)
Bathroom: 3.5 (separate shower)
Staff: 3
Breakfast: 4 (buffet with a la carte options)
Cost: Reasonable
Overall:
(we should have stayed at the Four Seasons or Park Hyatt – or in a whole other city!)
Hotel Métropole (my favorite of the trip)
Room: De Luxe Junior Suite – 5 (upgraded prior to arrival - very elegant and tastefully decorated with modern features)
Bathroom: 5 (separate shower)
Staff: 5+ (exceedingly polite and professional)
Breakfast: 5+ (fantastic in the Joel Robuchon restaurant)
Cost: Expensive
Overall:
– The only place to stay in Monte Carlo.
Four Seasons Provence
Room: Premier Four Seasons Executive Suite - 4 (upgraded at time of check in - rather ordinary room)
Bathroom: 4 (separate shower)
Staff: 4.5
Breakfast: 4 (buffet)
Cost: Expensive
Overall:
- This resort made us feel as though we were in the US. (Not in a good way) Food selection and taste was poor for every meal.
Chateu de Bagnols
Room: Suite - 4 (upgraded at check-in)
Bathroom: 4 (shower in tub)
Staff: 4.5
Breakfast: 4
Cost: Reasonable
Overall:
– A really unique experience.
Four Seasons George V, Paris (my wife's favorite of the trip)
Room: Deluxe Room - 5 (no upgrade, but room was spacious, nicely decorated, and had a great view)
Bathroom: 4.5 (separate shower – only 1 sink with a large vanity)
Staff: 5 (very polite)
Breakfast: 4.5
Cost: Very Expensive
Overall:
- Highly recommended.
Favorite Breakfast: Mandarin Oriental, Munich – The selection is enormous. 10 different kinds of juices, a large buffet which included numerous a la carte choices.
Favorite Lunch: Joel Robuchon at the Hotel Métropole, Monte Carlo. Very reasonably priced. Order the famous mashed potatoes on the side.
Favorite Dinner: Le Ciel at the Intercontinental Berchtesgaden / Yoshi at the Hotel Métropole (Tie). Both were phenomenal! (Both were far superior to Taillevent in Paris – and cheaper)
Random Facts:
Total Miles Driven: 1732
Total Fuel Cost: $691.64
I should also say that driving back in the US now is incredibly annoying. (And not because of the speed!) Most American's simply don't know how to drive. The fast (left) lane is intended for passing... which a lot of people just don't get. I never saw anyone (
not one person!) pass a car on the right in Europe on the freeway. In the US people will get around you in whatever way possible.