60 BMWcar
BMW BUYER
If you’re seeking serious kudos, then
driving a contemporary 7 Series
says ‘I’ve arrived’ better than almost
anything else. An F01 730d provides
the ultimate in luxury as well as an
élite marriage between performance
(413lb ft of torque from just
1,500rpm), and surprisingly judicious
fuel economy – on motorway journeys
you can top 40mpg. But best of all,
you can actually buy a good one for
just twenty-fi ve grand.
This amount of money will bag you
a minter, with under 80,000 miles on
the clock, like this two-owner 2013model I came across at Lanarkshire Car
Centre (lanarkshirecarcentre.com).
This 70,000-mile, silver, long-wheelbase
example – priced at £24,995 – boasts
a full BMW service history and packs a
palatial spec. Goodies include TV and DVD
entertainment with remote-controlled
all-around wide screens, head-up display,
Exclusive Nappa leather upholstery, 20in
alloys, air suspension, a reversing camera
and soft-close doors. To get the full
benefi t, you could sit in the back while
your partner drives and, when you arrive at
your destination, ask them nicely to open
the door for you!Saloon
F01 730d
(2008-2015)
BUYING ADVICE
With so much to potentially go wrong,
you must take your time checking that
everything works as it should. Ensure that all the
electronic functions are behaving, as some issues
can prove tricky to diagnose and expensive to fi x.
Some software problems have already
been addressed under warranty.
Your 730d must possess a full BMW or well-known
specialist history and, ideally, just one or two previous
owners. There was a recall for potential EGR cooler
issues, so check that the appropriate remedial work was
carried out by BMW. Also, put the transmission through
its paces because a few owners have had minor
problems; it should be seamless. Servicing
and parts are expensive, so many
owners switch to a good,
independent specialist
after three or
four years.ENGINE: 2,993cc, 6-cylinder
POWER: 255hp at 4,000rpm
TORQUE: 413lb ft at 1,500rpm
TRANSMISSION: 8-speed auto
0-62MPH: 6.1 seconds
TOP SPEED: 155mph
Fuel consumption: 50.4mpg (combined)
£25,000 buys you: 70,000-mile, 2013 730dF01 730d spec
Left: A well-
specifi ed, ‘modern’
7 Series like this
730d, will offer all
the mod cons you
could possibly
wish for.The chrome strip
running across the
width of the car,
above the number
plate, lifts the look
of the F01’s rear
end.The ultimate ride for budding chief
execs – you won’t get more BMW for
your money than an F01 7 Series.