G70 740i Test Drive Impressions Review (From a G12 M760 Owner)

[TrafficJam]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

So I brought my vehicle to the dealer for services & repairs and saw the brand new G70 7 series on the lot. Since the car was available and I also got enough spare time, why not go for a test drive? I am not sure how many new 7 dealers are getting, but I am happy that they didn't make things complicate for a test drive. Just a simple form to filled and bang, sales hand us the key and we are good to go. Since it was a very new car, the salesperson hope us don't take it too far away. We definitely listened to him and tried to make things easy for both. In the end, we got about 10 minutes of drive on public roads. Although the time was short, but the new car is so different than the old one that 10 minutes of drive already gathered enough info / feelings for me to share, here they come:

1. Exterior: G70 Wins. Many people hate the new design, but I am not one of them. I think the new 7 looks better than our G12. The whole car is bigger and the tall & huge grill just make it looks even bigger and aggressive. It looks so special and commanding almost to the point of a RR Ghost. Overall the G70's exterior definitely serves its flagship role better than our G12. Unfortunately I didn't have the G12 parked next to it. But I've seen pictures online with two cars park ed together. The new G70 makes our G12 (especially pre-LCI) looks like a 5 series.

2. Interior: G70 Wins. The car we tested wasn't highly optioned. I believe the MSRP was 102K or something. There was no fancy TV, first-class rear seats (actually this specific car's rear seat can't even be adjust), or the diamond 3D stereo . But even at this trim, the interior is great. First of all, the design is light years ahead. Unlike the G12 (which borrowed a lot of its interior design, layout, and buttons from the F02), the G70 borrowed nothing from the G12, every single piece in this interior was new and amazing(especially the diamond looking ambient light strip). Secondly the build quality, fit, and finish are better. Although G12's interior quality wasn't bad, the new car brought it to a new level. Third, the material is better. Base vs. Base, the new car's "Veganza" material feels much higher quality than the old entry level Dakota (or whatever leather). It was soft and smooth, almost as good as the Nappa.

3. (Seat) Comfort: G70 wins. G70's seats blow G12's seat out of the water. It was so much softer and more comfortable, truly felt like a luxury sofa. In contrast, G12's seats were no where near as soft or comfortable. Comfort-wise, I believe G70's seats can easily compete with the new S-Class (can eventually surpass). Also, rear seats' position were better in this car. It gave a sense of fall into a soft sofa vs. G12's siting on a high chair.

4. Ride: G70 wins. The car was on 21" wheels and it was noticeably smoother than my 20" (both are not on run-flat). Most importantly, the car behaved much better when hitting a pothole. At the same time, the car wasn't as floaty as the G12 in Comfort Plus. Insolation on this car was also better (noticeable, but not by much).

5. Handling: G12 wins. The G70's suspension set up was better. It did control the body-roll better. However, this car's steering was super light, super loose, and super dead. It made me feels like I am playing a simulator. The steering was numb and indirect. The car took time to react to steering input, and I had no idea where my front wheels are going. Although my M760's steering was already numb, it was fast, direct, and have a hefty feeling. It felt like a performance car's steering compare to G70's (maybe the 4-wheel steering helps?). Compare to the new 740, driving the M760 still feels like a driving a car instead of a simulator.

6. Drivetrain: I can't compare the engine since I got the all mighty V12, but the new 740 was very good for what it is. The engine was smooth and linear. The power was more than enough (can even be peppy if you put it in sport). The 48V mild hybrid made the throttle feel superb. The transmission was even more smoother than before.

7. Something I don't like about the car: The iDrive 8 system. It was so complicated, almost like an Android tablet. I must went over awful amount of apps on the menu to find an adjustment such as the lumbar support. It is just so so so complicated. Another thing I wasn't impressed was the BowerWilkins Surround Sound system. It behaved just the same as my M760's BW. From a driver's perspective, sound was coming from the very front and there was no surrounding feeling. I guess I may change my opinion after I spend more time play with the stereo on this car...

8. Other random findings: I felt the interior space of G70 was narrower than G12's. Not sure if it was because of the car being taller...


Overall, I am super impressed with the car. I've driven W223 and new A8 (both in 6 cylinder base trim) already and I always felt like the G12 wasn't on the same level as those two. It was just not as comfortable. But with the G70, things have change. It is much more comfortable than the previous 7, and has a much better exterior and interior than its competitors (A8's interior is just out of fashion, W223's interior quality sucks, and both look boring from the outside). Also, pricing on this vehicle is reasonable compare to S-Class. I have high expectation on this car's sale and I think it is the best 7 series in the past 20 years.

[KK22]

Thank you. Finally a real world buyers review. I know we get hung up on the tech of these cars, but forget to analyze the basics. Keep 'em coming folks. Would love more ride/handling/steering comparisons to the G12 750 vs. the new 760.

[AlteBMW]

Originally Posted by KK22

Thank you. Finally a real world buyers review. I know we get hung up on the tech of these cars, but forget to analyze the basics. Keep 'em coming folks. Would love more ride/handling/steering comparisons to the G12 750 vs. the new 760.

I just finished a 190 miles round trip with mostly highway but some stop and go local roads as well. I come from a G12 750. The G70 to me feels bigger but, strangely, more nimbler. I had IAS on the G12; I think they have tuned it or revised it as my impression is the turning circle is reduced, meaning cornering is crisper. Driving in Sport mode, it handles like a much smaller car -- like a 5 series I would say. Interior is more comfortable than the G12 -- but they are close. That's completely subjective of course because "comfort" is not something you can measure. Space in the rear seats seems slightly smaller but still lots of room there. Trunk is just about identical. I am still in the first 300 miles so the car is in its break-in mode and even if it weren't I wouldnt be testing straight line maximum acceleration during break-in anyhow. ID8 is a drastic change from ID7, and at first it is a bit daunting, but after a short period of time, and use of shortcuts on the screen, it is pretty easy to find what you need. There are some ID8 quirks that I don't like and will have to get used to: In id7 when it starts raining and you want to put your headlights on, it is a quick flick of the rotary headlamp switch. To do that in id8 requires going though a couple of screens -- even though there is a button on the dash for lights, all it does it take you to the lighting menu. Maybe theres a way to get the headlights on with pushes of that button but I haven't found it. The usual shortcut buttons we had in id7 -- for radio stations, etc., are now all electronic "presets". The good news there is you have both Presets for Media and Shortcuts - up to 8 for anything you want.
Finally, I thought driving in sport mode disables ASS but from what I have seen it does not. ASS is extremely unobtrusive on this car, so this is something else that I may just have to get used to.

One thing for sure, it is extremely quiet -- much quieter than a G12 and it is awfully easy for the speed to creep up unnoticed. Best to be careful about law enforcement.

[dbs600]

What a great post and thread.

Thanks so much for sharing!

[TrafficJam]

Originally Posted by AlteBMW

I just finished a 190 miles round trip with mostly highway but some stop and go local roads as well. I come from a G12 750. The G70 to me feels bigger but, strangely, more nimbler. I had IAS on the G12; I think they have tuned it or revised it as my impression is the turning circle is reduced, meaning cornering is crisper. Driving in Sport mode, it handles like a much smaller car -- like a 5 series I would say. Interior is more comfortable than the G12 -- but they are close. That's completely subjective of course because "comfort" is not something you can measure. Space in the rear seats seems slightly smaller but still lots of room there. Trunk is just about identical. I am still in the first 300 miles so the car is in its break-in mode and even if it weren't I wouldnt be testing straight line maximum acceleration during break-in anyhow. ID8 is a drastic change from ID7, and at first it is a bit daunting, but after a short period of time, and use of shortcuts on the screen, it is pretty easy to find what you need. There are some ID8 quirks that I don't like and will have to get used to: In id7 when it starts raining and you want to put your headlights on, it is a quick flick of the rotary headlampo switch. To do that in id8 requires going though a couple of screens -- even though there is a button on the dash for lights, all it does it take you to the lighting menu. Maybe theres a way to get the headlights on with pushes of that button but I haven't found it. The usual shortcut buttons we had in id7 -- for radio stations, etc., are now all electronic "presets". The good news there is you have both Presets for Media and Shortcuts - up to 8 for anything you want.
Finally, I thought driving in sport mode disables ASS but from what I have seen it does not. ASS is extremely unobtrusive on this car, so this is something else that I may just have to get used to.

One thing for sure, it is extremely quiet -- much quieter than a G12 and it is awfully easy for the speed to creep up unnoticed. Best to be careful about law enforcement.

I think your opinion can be more accurate than mine since you are an owner of G70. I agree with you that the car feels more nimble than the G12. The suspension set up on G70 is simply better and there is less body roll compare to the G12. However, I do believe G70's interior comfort is miles ahead than G12. The seat comfort alone beats the G12 by a large margin.

[TrafficJam]

Originally Posted by KK22

Thank you. Finally a real world buyers review. I know we get hung up on the tech of these cars, but forget to analyze the basics. Keep 'em coming folks. Would love more ride/handling/steering comparisons to the G12 750 vs. the new 760.

Yes. I also don't like the reviews on YouTube as most of them only mention how the car drives & handles, how fast the car can accelerate and blablabla... I mean come on, it is not a sports car. Unfortunately I haven't try the new 760, and also never driven the G12 750. It will be interesting to see how those two compares. But as I already owned the top trim G12 7 series and tried the base trim G70 7 series, I must say that the G70 is just a way better car.

[Wills2]

I love the new 7, but it's so expensive compared to the LCI G11 I have currently, that was leased for £550 a month the G70 is close to £1400 in the UK

[BimmerXdrive]

Omg it’s just sooooo damn ugly. I don’t think I will ever come around to accepting this exterior. Any previous year 7 series exterior looks better lol

Look at this Frankenstein!

[Rahul29]

I absolutely hate the frontend and the tablet dashboard. Rest looks amazing.
I just hope when I’m in the market for a new Beemer, possibly 5-6 years down the line, they would have got rid of these “features”.

[BTWCD]

I believe thats regular sound system (is it HK?) in the 740 not the new B&W system, so it’s more like comparing base stereo to the B&W in G12?

[joeyjoejoejr]

Originally Posted by Rahul29

I absolutely hate the frontend and the tablet dashboard. Rest looks amazing.
I just hope when I’m in the market for a new Beemer, possibly 5-6 years down the line, they would have got rid of these “features”.

Yeah I’ll bet in the next 5-6 years they’ll probably bring out a facelifted g70 that looks just like an e38. Short wheelbase with a 6-speed, that wonderful tiny screen cd-rom based navigation system, and top it off with cd-changer in the back.

Tablet dashboard? They’ve had their screen in the same spot for 20 years dude. I’d say BMW has a done a fine job of avoiding the trend of tossing a portrait oriented iPad in the center console. It’s one of the reasons why I bought a 7 instead of the S.

[BKgreyinTX]

Originally Posted by BTWCD

I believe thats regular sound system (is it HK?) in the 740 not the new B&W system, so it’s more like comparing base stereo to the B&W in G12?

B&W comes standard in the new 7. The B&W Diamond Sound is the upgraded option. I read somewhere that the "base" system was designed in collaboration with Harmon and B&W.

[BTWCD]

Originally Posted by Onyx8GC

B&W comes standard in the new 7. The B&W Diamond Sound is the upgraded option. I read somewhere that the "base" system was designed in collaboration with Harmon and B&W.

Oof my bad. Learning something new everyday…

[aaaaah]

Originally Posted by AlteBMW

In id7 when it starts raining and you want to put your headlights on, it is a quick flick of the rotary headlamp switch. To do that in id8 requires going though a couple of screens -- even though there is a button on the dash for lights, all it does it take you to the lighting menu. Maybe theres a way to get the headlights on with pushes of that button but I haven't found it.

That you haven't found an easy way just to turn the headlights on is slightly terrifying and an epic fail on UI design.

[TurboT888]

Originally Posted by BimmerXdrive

Omg it’s just sooooo damn ugly. I don’t think I will ever come around to accepting this exterior. Any previous year 7 series exterior looks better lol

Look at this Frankenstein!

am with you 💯 came around to love the look of the new G8X but this 🤔

[2021BMW745e]

Great review! I went to our dealer and saw an i7 this weekend, albeit no drive.

What I would add is that the iDrive is fast, so fast. It's the fastest infotainment system in any car, ever. It's instantaneous. I haven't spent enough time on it to learn if it's complicated, but the speed of it is going to help solve a lot of problems any complexity might add.

I have the PHEV version of a G12 and was hoping that would come over here for the G70 but I'm losing faith, so we are now debating ordering the 740/760/i7 and it's a very tough choice as to which one. But it's not a tough choice to order it as the G70 is amazing.

[AlteBMW]

Originally Posted by AlteBMW

There are some ID8 quirks that I don't like and will have to get used to: In id7 when it starts raining and you want to put your headlights on, it is a quick flick of the rotary headlamp switch. To do that in id8 requires going though a couple of screens -- even though there is a button on the dash for lights, all it does it take you to the lighting menu. Maybe theres a way to get the headlights on with pushes of that button but I haven't found it.

Responding to and revising my own post here: the Lights button on the dash has 3 positions, "Auto", "Low Beams" and "Off". If you're in Auto, which I think is the default, one push turns on the low beams. Sorry for any confusion. I suspect lots of us will take quite a bit of time to work through the use of ID8.

[sakson]

Man this thing is ugly. Bmw head designer must be a troll.

[AlteBMW]

Originally Posted by sakson

Man this thing is ugly. Bmw head designer must be a troll.

You are not obligated to buy one. It is way better in person, and even better still from the drivers seat.

[DB_Cooper]

Gross…

Onto more important things, what's going on w/ this blue M5?? Gorgeous.

Parking this 7 series next to an F series design M5 is not doing this thing any favors btw.

[TrafficJam]

Originally Posted by AlteBMW

You are not obligated to buy one. It is way better in person, and even better still from the drivers seat.

I don't want to offense anyone, but it is funny how all these people hating on the new 7 don't even own cars in this segment. As I went through their profile, most are driving sporty little bmws. No wonder why they don't like the new 7's design as they would probably think Rolls Royce look horrendous as well.

[TrafficJam]

Originally Posted by BTWCD

I believe thats regular sound system (is it HK?) in the 740 not the new B&W system, so it’s more like comparing base stereo to the B&W in G12?

G70 all equip with BW. The higher option is the BW diamond sound (something like that). To be honest, my G12's BW stereo never makes me satisfy. I think those BW works the best on the M5.