| Manufacturer | BMW |
|---|---|
| Production | 2002–2008 |
| Assembly | Dingolfing, Germany Rayong, Thailand Cairo, Egypt Toluca, Mexico[1][2] Kaliningrad, Russia[3] |
| Predecessor | BMW E38 |
| Successor | BMW F01 BMW F02 |
| Engine | 4.4 L 325 hp (242 kW) V8 4.8 L 360 hp (270 kW) V8 6.0 L 438 hp (327 kW) V12 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 6-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,990 mm (117.7 in) (SWB) 3,129 mm (123.2 in) (LWB) |
| Length | 5,029 mm (198.0 in) (2002-05 E65) 5,169 mm (203.5 in) (2002-05 E66) 5,039 mm (198.4 in) (2006-09 E65) 5,179 mm (203.9 in) (2006-09 E66) |
| Width | 1,902 mm (74.9 in) |
| Height | 1,491 mm (58.7 in) 1,483 mm (58.4 in) (2006-09 LWB) 1,476 mm (58.1 in) (Alpina B7) |
E65 is the internal model designation for the 7 Series full-size luxury sedan produced by BMW from 2002 to 2008. The car was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2001, and was launched in Europe on November 17, 2001. It first appeared in the USA and other markets in the spring of 2002, succeeding the replaced BMW E38. Although previous generations of the 7 Series had long-wheelbase and protection variants, the E65 was the first iteration to use specific chassis codes for each version. E65 was the designation of the short-wheelbase version of the automobile, E66 of the long-wheelbase version, E67 of the bulletproof version and E68 of the hydrogen version.
The E65 generated much controversy, due to its radical styling and iDrive user difficulties, so customers rushed to purchase its predecessor, the E38, before new E38s ran out of stock. Nonetheless, the E65 broke records to become the best-selling 7-series iteration ever, especially after its E66 2006 facelift.
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The arrival of E65 7-Series heralded a new styling era for BMW with the work of chief designer Chris Bangle, as its sheetmetal contrasted drastically with the BMW's previous conservative styling. In particular, the E65's two-level rear end styling that features separate rear fenders with a "bustle-back" boot lid was derisively known as the "Bangle Butt" by critics.[4][5] However, the "Bangle Butt" styling was actually designed by Adrian van Hooydonk, who had worked closed with Bangle on the E65.[6][7] In fact, van Hooydonk's original 1998 sketch for the E65 was much more radical sleek fastback, but the final E65 profile was toned down considerably to a more conventional three-box sedan.[8]
Early production E65s were fraught with problems, the vast majority of which were caused by functionality issues of iDrive. BMW repurchased a substantial number of 2002 and 2003 7 series cars in the USA. Subsequent software updates have largely cured these issues. Furthermore, BMW of North America extended the factory warranty on all 2002 and 2003 model year 7 series cars sold in the USA to 6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km) from the original 4-year or 50,000-mile (80,000 km) coverage. The UK however was only covered by the standard 3 yr/unlimited mileage warranty on this model.[4][5]
The E65/E66 were the only BMW cars that are available with the top of the line engines; the 6.0 litre V12 petrol (N73) and 4.4 litre V8 turbodiesel (M67D44), badged as the 760i/Li and 745d/Ld, respectively.
| Model | Model Year | Engine | Power | E65 Sedan |
E66 LWB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 730d | 2002–2004 | M57TUD30 I6 | 214 bhp (160 kW; 217 PS) | ✓ | |
| 730d | 2005–2008 | M57TU2D30 I6 | 227 bhp (169 kW; 230 PS) | ✓ | |
| 730i | 2004–2008 | N52B30 I6 | 254 bhp (189 kW; 258 PS) | ✓ | |
| 730Ld | 2002–2004 | M57TUD30 I6 | 214 bhp (160 kW; 217 PS) | ✓ | |
| 730Ld | 2005–2008 | M57TU2D30 I6 | 227 bhp (169 kW; 230 PS) | ✓ | |
| 730Li | 2004–2008 | N52B30 I6 | 254 bhp (189 kW; 258 PS) | ✓ | |
| 735i | 2002–2003 | N62B36 V8 | 268 bhp (200 kW; 272 PS) | ✓ | |
| 735Li | 2002–2003 | N62B36 V8 | 268 bhp (200 kW; 272 PS) | ✓ | |
| 740i | 2002–2008 | N62B40 V8 | 301 bhp (224 kW; 305 PS) | ✓ | |
| 740Li | 2002–2008 | N62B40 V8 | 301 bhp (224 kW; 305 PS) | ✓ | |
| 740d | 2002–2005 | M67TUD40 V8 | 258 bhp (192 kW; 262 PS) | ✓ | |
| 745d | 2005–2008 | M67D44 V8 | 330 bhp (246 kW; 335 PS) | ✓ | |
| 745i | 2002–2006 | N62B44 V8 | 328 bhp (245 kW; 333 PS) | ✓ | |
| 745Li | 2002–2006 | N62B44 V8 | 328 bhp (245 kW; 333 PS) | ✓ | |
| 750i | 2006–2008 | N62B48 V8 | 361 bhp (269 kW; 366 PS) | ✓ | |
| 750Li | 2006–2008 | N62B48 V8 | 361 bhp (269 kW; 366 PS) | ✓ | |
| 760i | 2002–2006 | N73B60 V12 | 431 bhp (321 kW; 437 PS) | ✓ | |
| 760Li | 2002–2008 | N73B60 V12 | 431 bhp (321 kW; 437 PS) | ✓ |
There is no BMW M version 7 Series, as BMW did not want it to be powered by a high-revving engine like the rest of the M lineup. However, Alpina was permitted to produce a high-performance version known as the Alpina B7, based on the short wheelbase BMW 750i. The B7 is built at the same assembly line in Dingolfing, Germany, alongside BMW's regular 7 Series.[9]
Compared to the BMW 760Li's naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 which was deemed too heavy to have a sporty offshoot, the B7 uses a supercharged version of the 4.4-litre V8 found in the BMW 750i/Li. The centrifugal supercharger delivers 11.6 psi (0.8 bar) of intercooled boost, and the engine has lower-compression-ratio pistons as well as a stronger crankshaft and connecting rods. The output is 500 hp (373 kW) and 516 pound-feet (700 N·m) of torque.[9]
The Alpina B7 was widely credited with being able to hold its own against top performing offerings from Mercedes (including AMG) such as the S600 and S63 AMG, Audi A8L W12 quattro and S8 5.2 FSI quattro, the Bentley Flying Spur, and Jaguar XJ Super V8, while BMW's own flagship BMW 760Li was considered uncompetitive.[10][11] Car and Driver remarked; "How's this for thrust? The B7 ties the Audi R8, which is 1,100 pounds (500 kg) lighter, at 12.8 seconds through the quarter-mile, at which point the gargantuan Alpina starts pulling away. The 551 hp (411 kW) Bentley Flying Spur can't keep up, and Audi's 450 hp (336 kW) S8 is so much slower it's hardly worth mentioning. To 60 mph (97 km/h) and through the quarter, the B7 is within 0.2 second of the 510 hp (380 kW), twin-turbo V-12 Mercedes S600. Warning to Corvette drivers: You will not be able to ditch the 68 7-series connoisseurs who are already on the loose." [12][9]
The B7 was the only Alpina car offered in the USA. BMW of North America, LLC offered 800 Alpina B7s as limited edition models for 2007 and 2008, all being quickly sold out.[13]
The Alpina B7 was again offered for the 2011 model year on the BMW 7 Series (F01), in short and long wheelbase models, with optional xDrive.
| Type | Series | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Small family | 3 Compact | E36/5 | E46/5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 Series | E81 / E82 / E87 / E88 | F20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact exec | 3 Series | E21 | E30 | E36 | E46 | E90 / E91 / E92 / E93 | F30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive | 5 Series | E12 | E28 | E34 | E39 | E60 / E61 | F10 / F11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Luxury Coupé | 6 Series | E24 | E63 / E64 | F12 / F13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Luxury | 7 Series | E23 | E32 | E38 | E65 / E66 / E67 / E68 | F01 / F02 / F03 / F04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Roadster | Z Series | E30 (Z1) | E36/7 & E36/8 (Z3) | E85 / E86 (Z4) | E89 (Z4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M | 1 Series M Coupe | E82 M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M3 | E30 M3 | E36 M3 | E46 M3 | E90/92/93 M3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M5 | E28 M5 | E34 M5 | E39 M5 | E60/61 M5 | F10 M5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M6 | E24 M635CSi/"M6" | E63/64 M6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M Roadster | E36/7 (Z3) M | E85 (Z4) M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| M Coupé | E36/8 M Coupé | E86 M Coupé | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supercar/GT | E26 (M1) | E31 (8 series) | E52 (Z8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports Activity | X1 | E84 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| X3 | E83 | F25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| X5 | E53 | E70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| X6 | E71 / E72 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Progressive Activity | 5 GT | F07 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
