My first week in an F02 BMW 750Li

[alex_750li]

Hi guys. After several attempts at registering I finally got through the SPAM filters…

I just got me a Sapphire Black ’09 750Li with Black / Oyster interior and black roof-liner, riding on OEM 20” wheels with run-flats.

The more sensible “me” would have gone for a “poverty spec” 730d and saved a fortune. This time round I decided that I didn’t want to think that every other 7 on the road was possibly somehow better than mine so I went all out and ticked every box…I can now talk about the options I didn’t get:

- Rear cooler – not available on this market.
- Ski bag – not available on this market.
- Speed Limit Assist – not available on this market.
- Heated steering wheel – provided by Mother Nature.
- Supplementary Heating – provided by Mother Nature.
- Ceramic Knobs – I really wanted the silver ones.
- Tow bar – not cool.

Impressions so far:

• Very quiet and smooth floating ride (comfort mode), gorgeous instrumentation, beautiful orange glow in the dark – big grin all the way home. Unbelievable acceleration when prodding the accelerator.
• Head Up Display: works as advertised, very helpful, and provides lots of extra info. The Navigation pointers change direction when you turn – very cool. I had a little difficulty seeing the HUD during the day while wearing polarized sunglasses; however I find that if I turn my head slightly at an angle I can read it (my passengers probably think I have neck strain).
• Radar Cruise Control – sensational! This thing actually drives right up to the car in front and stops. I had my foot covering the brake the whole time, I didn’t believe it would work but it did. It made me laugh out loud. It is so good that it gives you confidence to play with the controls a little more while driving – not recommended.
• Lane departure: works as advertised but I don’t have the habit of signaling when nobody is around. I plan to use this feature when I’m feeling sleepy…
• Blind Spot Detection: works as advertised and has been helpful at least once. Sometimes it scares me into thinking another car is there but it was buzzing about another car further behind. Needs a little getting used to.
• Forward Alert: so far this only came on once, when it did I had already slammed on the brakes to avoid hitting the jerk in front of me. I think it will be more useful at higher speeds with greater distances between the cars.
• Four-wheel-steering: when negotiating a U-turn it’s amazing – my 750 is about 5 inches longer than my other car – an FJ Cruiser – but this one turns a lot tighter. I didn’t really notice the difference at high speed.
• Dynamic Drive: I love it – keeps the car really level at speed and I love cornering fast.
• Auto-hold: works as advertised and really takes the stress out of stop-go traffic.
• The Rear: my passengers loved the extra AC in the roof, the twin DVD players, the remote for the front seat, the infrared headphones, the massage seats, the electric sun-shades and the acres of leg room. They didn’t like the violent acceleration (hehe).

I also loved the side cameras, the smog detector / auto-recirculation feature on the AC, the speech activated menus and phone, the 3D perspective navigation – those cute little buildings rendered in 3D are a nice touch, and the way the seat squeezes you in at the waist and seat belt when you first get in. I haven’t had a chance to use the night vision and high beam assist as I’ve only driven in well illuminated areas.

So far I have some issues with the car:

• Throttle response: nothing seems to happen for 1-2 seconds when you press the accelerator – especially from low speeds. It is very hard to drive the car smoothly when negotiating road humps for example. I am hoping BMW will be able to fix this for me.
• BMW Online Services: no internet browser – strange considering the both RSS news feeds and e-mail are working. They told me it’s something to do with the telecoms infrastructure here – still strange since it works just fine on my phone…oh well.
• Suspension Noise: again those dreaded road humps – it feels like the front suspension isn’t lubricated properly.

Well that’s all I can think of for now...I think after a week with this car my ego has swollen to the size of a small M-class planet.

Cheers!

Alex

[dxbf02]

Congrats. I see you purchased your F02 from Abu Dhabi Motors.

Black was my first color choice, then decided against it and go for AW.

Enjoy in good health.

[alex_750li]

I did indeed, and thanks. My first choice colour was cashmere silver but the black won me over when I saw it in person and especially the black/oyster interior with black roof liner and the black anthracite wood. The interior colour has wowed all my passengers so far...

[vladberca]

very good choice over 730d! (4,4l v8 is an awesome sporty engine!) congrats for the new car!

[xDrive50i]

Congrats on your car. Looks great! Enjoy...

[xDrive50i]

Originally Posted by vladberca

very good choice over 730d! (4,4l v8 is an awesome sporty engine!) congrats for the new car!

It's not just a 4.4l V8... It's twin turbocharged on top of that

[hayden]

Congrats!

[italy430]

Originally Posted by alex_750li

I did indeed, and thanks. My first choice colour was cashmere silver but the black won me over when I saw it in person and especially the black/oyster interior with black roof liner and the black anthracite wood. The interior colour has wowed all my passengers so far...

ya that interior black/oyster color is absolutely fantastic! i've seen it in person on a few BMWs and it's the best interior for sure! i never could understand people getting the all beige interior because i don't like the color first of all but it would get so dirty so fast. i can't believe it took this long to figure out that it should be black where your feet are and a nice white (oyster) color above that!

[727jbh]

Congratulations on your beautiful car. I agree, the black is beautiful in person.

[OBI_agent]

Congrats dude. I hope it turns out to be a great car.

BTW, I love the side camera's on the front bumper. It can be really helpful while coming out from a T junction.

[the infamous...]

Congrats! She's a beaut.

[alex_750li]

Thanks guys...appreciate the feedback.

[samuraisaiyo]

nice

[Turbo Squid]

Originally Posted by alex_750li

... the way the seat squeezes you in at the waist and seat belt when you first get in. ...

Your F02 hugs you hello?

Now I'm jealous, I wish the 335 had done that, or the M3. Sounds pleasant.

[alex_750li]

Originally Posted by Turbo Squid

Your F02 hugs you hello?

Now I'm jealous, I wish the 335 had done that, or the M3. Sounds pleasant.

It sure does - I don't think of it as a hug (now that I have crossed the 2000 km break-in preiod) - more like "hold on tight".

[bavarian19]