Your experience with 03-04-05 BMW 7-series?

I have been drooling over the 7 Series for a long time. Everything I have read about them has been terrible. Especially the earlier ones. Seems they had a bunch of electrical problems. I'm not sure if that's still true of recently though.

 

I would definitely go test drive one. I think in the most recent years they've worked a lot of the bugs out. But it is a bimmer, so expect some issues.

I've driven a 7-series and absolutely hated the thing. Way too big of a car for me. It felt bigger than my truck I had at the time.

 

Get an 03 model.. they ALL have CPO until 100k or 2009. In 03 they had lots of problems with the I-drive system so BMW Cpo'd every one of them for free so people wouldnt start trading them in like crazy.

04's only have 4year 50k warranty. Same car but I drive is a bit different.

Go for it, if it breaks just take it to BMW they will fix it..

 

BMW has a thing called I-Drive, that is a knob on the center console, that controls many functions.

Many people absolutely hate the thing. Many have to be trained in it's use by the dealer. Try driving one, before you buy one, to see if you can deal with it while you drive.

BMW paid for all the services, while under warranty. The oil change intervals were too long, and many engines are sludged up. I would be wary of one of these. I have owned a 7-series BMW, from 1985, on, as my driver.

Ciao...Paulo

 

I-Drive is a whore, not the fun kind and they seem to be plagued with problems most electrical.

Great cars to drive, tons of room, stylish and are like an airplane on the highway.

 

it's a great car, but the iDrive is terrible. But since the 03s were certified, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

According to a few mechanics at Classic, they advise that you're better off buying a new 7 than going for the older builds; same for the 6. Apparently, as someone said earlier, they become plagued with electronic problems with high mileage.