2023 BMW i7 / 7-Series (G70) Reviews Compilation

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by ChrisM4

People posting previously that the car looks like it was designed for the Chinese market were right. In the CarWow video Matt said BMW expects over 40% of global sales to be in China and that the car was designed for a 38 year old target demographic in that country.

I suspect there are a lot of 38 yr old princelings in communist China.

[DB_Cooper]

It's ridiculous that this keeps being called "Chinese/Asian design".

It's not.

It's modern day BMW design.

No other manufacturer is designing cars that look this way despite having significant market share in Asian countries. Even Asian automotive manufacturers aren't going to these extremes in design.

It's really getting weird to keep referring to it as such. Seriously just say you like it or hate it, but the brand apologists need start accepting this as the direction BMW is knowingly headed and it's not bc Asians are into this.

[ChrisM4]

Originally Posted by DB_Cooper

It's ridiculous that this keeps being called "Chinese/Asian design".

It's not.

It's modern day BMW design.

No other manufacturer is designing cars that look this way despite having significant market share in Asian countries. Even Asian automotive manufacturers aren't going to these extremes in design.

It's really getting weird to keep referring to it as such. Seriously just say you like it or hate it, but the brand apologists need start accepting this as the direction BMW is knowingly headed and it's not bc Asians are into this.

Did you even watch the CarWow video? Matt explicitly states BMW told him directly the design was targeted to the Chinese market and not the European or North American market.

Personally I've come to learn that I need to see these new BMW vehicles in real life before making a decision. I originally couldn't stand the new G80-G82 design from pictures but now own a BSM manual transmission 2021 M4 and absolutely love the car.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by ChrisM4

Personally I've come to learn that I need to see these new BMW vehicles in real life before making a decision. I originally couldn't stand the new G80-G82 design from pictures but now own a BSM manual transmission 2021 M4 and absolutely love the car.

This is honestly good advice with any automotive design. As someone who has studied and attempted to get better at photography (mostly unsuccessfully, lol), learning about light, depth of field, perspective, etc. really opened my eyes to not trust what 2D images tell me about certain things, as there are ways of making some questionable things look good in photos and vice versa. Either intentionally or unintentionally.

Take for example the G80 M3 / M4. That grille looks, still to me, hideous in photos. However in real life while it's still very prominent, it looks more harmonious and less polarizing simply because most photos are taken head on where the grille dominates the image in a way you don't normally see in person. Unless you're viewing it from head on 1/2 mile away, the grille has less of an impact than in person. Likewise some very questionable surfacing at the rear looks more harmonious, to me, when seen in natural light, rather than studio light with images processed to emphasize shadows / light / contrast in a way you'll never see in person.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by DB_Cooper

It's ridiculous that this keeps being called "Chinese/Asian design".

It's not.

It's modern day BMW design.

No other manufacturer is designing cars that look this way despite having significant market share in Asian countries. Even Asian automotive manufacturers aren't going to these extremes in design.

It's really getting weird to keep referring to it as such. Seriously just say you like it or hate it, but the brand apologists need start accepting this as the direction BMW is knowingly headed and it's not bc Asians are into this.

Looks like shit.

Is that better?

[DB_Cooper]

Originally Posted by ChrisM4

Did you even watch the CarWow video? Matt explicitly states BMW told him directly the design was targeted to the Chinese market and not the European or North American market.

Personally I've come to learn that I need to see these new BMW vehicles in real life before making a decision. I originally couldn't stand the new G80-G82 design from pictures but now own a BSM manual transmission 2021 M4 and absolutely love the car.

That doesn't mean it's "Asian design" guy

No one is arguing it'll be sold in high volume in China/Asia.

This is BMW design language.

MB & Audi also target China, are you planning on referring to the A8 as Chinese design?

Point is every car maker is competing in China but not every car maker is designing cars that look like this. It's ok to say you love it just as it's ok to say you hate it, but it's not Asian design.

[Tallest]

Originally Posted by eman4517

Actually the front end looks better in person (especially in black)

"Especially in black" means its a failed design. Black hides all the details, and hiding details is a damning call on designers work. No one makes a car hoping no one also sees the details.

And before anyone say it, yes I totally get it some people really like black cars. That wasnt what I was talking about it.

[E66er]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

Taste is one thing,the need of blink to showoff the status, is another.

Right...because big grilles to show off started in China. Rolls Royce back in the day were also blinging to Asian tastes? Mercedes...big chrome snout blink show off! Chinese! lol

Originally Posted by Teutonic

I don’t care if a group of 45% buys a product. It means nothing to me.

Learn to read better. BMW cares that 45% of 7 buyers are Chinese, therefore listening to that group. I don't care what means anything to you

[E66er]

Originally Posted by DB_Cooper

It's ridiculous that this keeps being called "Chinese/Asian design".

It's somewhere along the racist/superiority complex lines.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by DocWeatherington

I actually like it....

The voodoo is working for me too. Hated it on the premiere- x7 came out and it was tough (still is a little). But the i7 is starting to feel futuristic to me in the looks department.

[JK479]

Originally Posted by BMWX7

This is one sexy car!! If it wasn't for the MN snow, I'd cancel my X7 and get this instead…

We have an x5 and I'll tell ya- it's because of snow but also once you have an suv it's tough to go back to a sedan.

[Teutonic]

Originally Posted by E66er

Right...because big grilles to show off started in China. Rolls Royce back in the day were also blinging to Asian tastes? Mercedes...big chrome snout blink show off! Chinese! lol

Learn to read better. BMW cares that 45% of 7 buyers are Chinese, therefore listening to that group. I don't care what means anything to you

Do You ever read what it is given?
Rolls Royce was not BMW and did not steered from their design.
Mercedes, the same story.

Tell you what: I will stop arguing with you.
Is futile…

[E66er]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

Do You ever read what it is given?
Rolls Royce was not BMW and did not steered from their design.
Mercedes, the same story.

Tell you what: I will stop arguing with you.
Is futile…

Missing the point again. The Chinese do not have a monopoly on desire to show off. European brands looong before the common Chinese had money were producing giant chrome grilles. American brands also have had their share of bling, for a long long time...targeting who? Chinese working the rice paddies?

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by JK479

The voodoo is working for me too. Hated it on the premiere- x7 came out and it was tough (still is a little). But the i7 is starting to feel futuristic to me in the looks department.

You found the car has personality

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by ChrisM4

...that the car was designed for a 38 year old target demographic in that country.

Wow, I'am 51 and still feel 10 yrs too young to buy such a car.

[NGT2]

Originally Posted by KoenG

Wow, I'am 51 and still feel 10 yrs too young to buy such a car.

That's what I was thinking when I read that! I'm 37 with a couple kids and I feel like I'm barely mature enough for a 5 series.

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by NGT2

That's what I was thinking when I read that! I'm 37 with a couple kids and I feel like I'm barely mature enough for a 5 series.

Also, what confuses me, are there actually human beings of 38 that buy a G70 with an integrated widescreen screen for the backseat to bring their children of presumably 5 to 10 yrs old to the preschool!? Where is this world going to!? Since obviously, this is not a car optimised for the drivers delight, is it? Or am i missing something?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by KoenG

Also, what confuses me, are there actually human beings of 38 that buy a G70 with an integrated widescreen screen for the backseat to bring their children of presumably 5 to 10 yrs old to the preschool!? Where is this world going to!? Since obviously, this is not a car optimised for the drivers delight, is it? Or am i missing something?

In the China market, these cars are bought for chauffeurs in many cases. Many customers are likely not driving these cars. Long-Wheelbase sedans are a huge market there, not just the 7-Series, cars as small as the A-Class are featured in a LWB variant.

[ChrisM4]

Originally Posted by KoenG

Wow, I'am 51 and still feel 10 yrs too young to buy such a car.

Haha same

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

In the China market, these cars are bought for chauffeurs in many cases. Many customers are likely not driving these cars. Long-Wheelbase sedans are a huge market there, not just the 7-Series, cars as small as the A-Class are featured in a LWB variant.

I have to give this a serious thought, wrt "sense of purpose". Obviously, it's an incredible accomplished car (maybe even the best ever big limo!?), but it's targetted at young executives that prefer to be driven.

Wow, for me this is an entire different universe I have to admit. I could understand a successful 38 male to buy a M3/5 or a M550/340, but this is a different league all together. Are there so many billionaires in China then?

Also, when these guys search for driver servants, can I apply somewhere? Apparently, the best spot in a BMW is still behind the steering wheel also in this G70?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by KoenG

I have to give this a serious thought, wrt "sense of purpose". Obviously, it's an incredible accomplished car (maybe even the best ever big limo!?), but it's targetted at young executives that prefer to be driven.

Wow, for me this is an entire different universe I have to admit. I could understand a successful 38 male to buy a M3/5 or a M550/340, but this is a different league all together. Are there so many billionaires in China then?

Also, when these guys search for driver servants, can I apply somewhere? Apparently, the best spot in a BMW is still behind the steering wheel also in this G70?

The Chinese market for cars has been growing heavily. MB states the average age of S-Class buyers in China is 40, and for 10% of them its their first ever car. Definitely a very different market and preferences than most European or even some American shoppers. 35% of S-Class' in China are chauffeur cars, so I imagine the 7er must be similar.

Some interesting info on the Chinese market for LWB sedans in this article:
CHINA: Merc S-class buyers 15 years younger than elsewhere

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by KoenG

Also, what confuses me, are there actually human beings of 38 that buy a G70 with an integrated widescreen screen for the backseat to bring their children of presumably 5 to 10 yrs old to the preschool!? Where is this world going to!? Since obviously, this is not a car optimised for the drivers delight, is it? Or am i missing something?

Yes.

You read and hear about "Chinese money", but you don't fully comprehend it until you actually see it. If you work in the car industry (sales) you know about this. You think they only buy the Ferrari's, Lamborghini's, Porsche's? They also buy the S Class/7er not because they have a driver to drive them around, it's another $100k+ car.

Just this weekend, I saw a relatively young female, had to be in her mid-20's, but she was driving a M760 picking up Starbucks.