The 2022 BMW 740i (G11) is the best 7 Series model year, with the 2019 740i at #2 and the 2015 740Li at #3. The 2022 740i rates 25 combined mpg, started at $86,800, and has 4 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls listed.
Photo: Damian B Oh / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 7 Series to buy.
Powertrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder with 335 horsepower, 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel driveBase price when new: $86,800 MSRP (740i)EPA fuel economy: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined mpgNHTSA recalls: 2 recalls listed for the 2022 7 SeriesNHTSA owner complaints: 4 complaints listed for the 2022 7 Series
The 2022 740i is the facelifted G11 with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder making 335 horsepower. It rates 25 combined mpg and started at $86,800. NHTSA lists 4 owner complaints and 2 recalls for the 2022 7 Series.
Go ifThe facelifted G11 with the lowest complaint count on the list
Skip ifYou want a new-generation car (the 2024 740i xDrive is G70)
Why #1 over #2: It rates 25 combined mpg versus 24 for the 2019 740i, with 4 NHTSA complaints versus 5.
2
2019 BMW 740i (G11)
Photo: OWS Photography / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe early G11.
Powertrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel driveBase price when new: $83,650 MSRP (740i)EPA fuel economy: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined mpgNHTSA recalls: 2 recalls listed for the 2019 7 SeriesNHTSA owner complaints: 5 complaints listed for the 2019 7 Series
The 2019 740i is a G11 from before the facelift, with the 3.0-liter turbo six, 24 combined mpg and an $83,650 starting price. NHTSA lists 5 owner complaints and 2 recalls for the 2019 7 Series.
Go ifThe cheaper pre-facelift G11 with the same recall count
Skip ifYou want 25 combined mpg (2022 740i)
Why #2 over #3: It rates 24 combined mpg versus 22 for the 2015 740Li, with 5 NHTSA complaints versus 6.
3
2015 BMW 740Li (F02)
Photo: Damian B Oh / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last F02.
Powertrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel driveBase price when new: $78,000 MSRP (740Li)EPA fuel economy: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpgNHTSA recalls: 2 recalls listed for the 2015 7 SeriesNHTSA owner complaints: 6 complaints listed for the 2015 7 Series
The 2015 740Li is the long-wheelbase F02 in its last year, with the 3.0-liter turbo six and an 8-speed automatic. It rates 22 combined mpg and started at $78,000. NHTSA lists 6 owner complaints and 2 recalls for the 2015 7 Series.
Go ifThe last year of the long-wheelbase F02 and the fewest complaints of its generation
Skip ifYou want 24 combined mpg (2019 740i)
Why #3 over #4: It has 6 NHTSA complaints versus 15 for the 2014 740i, at the same 22 combined mpg.
4
2014 BMW 740i (F01)
Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe F01 six.
Powertrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel driveBase price when new: $74,000 MSRP (740i)EPA fuel economy: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpgNHTSA recalls: 2 recalls listed for the 2014 7 SeriesNHTSA owner complaints: 15 complaints listed for the 2014 7 Series
The 2014 740i is a facelifted F01 with the 3.0-liter turbo six, rating 22 combined mpg. It started at $74,000. NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints and 2 recalls for the 2014 7 Series.
Go ifA facelifted F01 six-cylinder at a lower used price
Skip ifYou want fewer complaints (2015 740Li: 6)
Why #4 over #5: It has 2 NHTSA recalls versus 6 for the 2024 740i xDrive.
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2024 BMW 740i xDrive (G70)
Photo: Damian B Oh / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe G70.
Powertrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel driveBase price when new: $99,400 MSRP (740i xDrive)EPA fuel economy: 24 city / 31 highway / 27 combined mpgNHTSA recalls: 6 recalls listed for the 2024 7 SeriesNHTSA owner complaints: 8 complaints listed for the 2024 7 Series
The 2024 740i xDrive is the seventh generation (G70) and rates 27 combined mpg, the best here. It started at $99,400. NHTSA lists 8 owner complaints and 6 recalls for the 2024 7 Series.
Go ifThe newest generation and the best fuel economy on the list
Skip ifYou want fewer recalls (2022 740i: 2)
Why #5 over #6: It rates 27 combined mpg versus 20 for the 2012 740i, with 8 NHTSA complaints versus 54.
6
2012 BMW 740i (F01)
Photo: Damian B Oh / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe pre-facelift six.
Powertrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder, 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel driveBase price when new: $71,000 MSRP (740i)EPA fuel economy: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpgNHTSA recalls: 2 recalls listed for the 2012 7 SeriesNHTSA owner complaints: 54 complaints listed for the 2012 7 Series
The 2012 740i is an F01 from before the facelift, with the 3.0-liter turbo six and a 6-speed automatic. It rates 20 combined mpg and started at $71,000. NHTSA lists 54 owner complaints and 2 recalls for the 2012 7 Series.
Go ifThe lowest-priced F01 six-cylinder before the facelift
Skip ifYou want 22 combined mpg (2014 740i)
Why #6 over #7: It rates 20 combined mpg versus 18 for the 2000 740iL.
7
2000 BMW 740iL (E38)
Photo: Jeremy from Sydney, Australia / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe E38.
Powertrain: 4.4-liter V8, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel driveBase price when new: $66,970 MSRP (740iL)EPA fuel economy: 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpgNHTSA recalls: 2 recalls listed for the 2000 7 SeriesNHTSA owner complaints: 36 complaints listed for the 2000 7 Series
The 2000 740iL is the long-wheelbase E38 with a 4.4-liter V8 and a 5-speed automatic. It started at $66,970, the lowest here, and rates 18 combined mpg. NHTSA lists 36 owner complaints and 2 recalls for the 2000 7 Series.
Go ifThe lowest original price and the E38 long-wheelbase V8
Skip ifYou want more than 18 combined mpg (2012 740i: 20)
Why #7 over #8: It has 2 NHTSA recalls versus 3 for the 2008 750i, and 36 complaints versus 94.
8
2008 BMW 750i (E65)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last E65.
Powertrain: 4.8-liter V8, 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel driveBase price when new: $75,800 MSRP (750i)EPA fuel economy: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpgNHTSA recalls: 3 recalls listed for the 2008 7 SeriesNHTSA owner complaints: 94 complaints listed for the 2008 7 Series
The 2008 750i is the last E65, with a naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V8 and a 6-speed automatic. It rates 18 combined mpg and started at $75,800. NHTSA lists 94 owner complaints and 3 recalls for the 2008 7 Series.
Go ifThe last E65 year, with the larger naturally aspirated V8
Skip ifYou want fewer complaints (2000 740iL: 36)
Why #8 over #9: It has a naturally aspirated V8, where the 2010 750i uses the twin-turbo N63 that Wikipedia says is widely noted for mechanical issues.
9
2010 BMW 750i (F01)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe N63 V8.
Powertrain: 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel driveBase price when new: $82,000 MSRP (750i)EPA fuel economy: 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined mpgNHTSA recalls: 1 recall listed for the 2010 7 SeriesNHTSA owner complaints: 48 complaints listed for the 2010 7 Series
The 2010 750i is an early F01 with the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (N63) and a 6-speed automatic. It rates 17 combined mpg and started at $82,000. NHTSA lists 48 owner complaints and 1 recall for the 2010 7 Series. Wikipedia notes the N63 engine as widely noted for mechanical issues, with several recalls.
Go ifThe early twin-turbo V8 F01 at a used-car price
Skip ifYou want an engine without a documented problem history (N63)
Why #9 over #10: It has 1 NHTSA recall versus 7 for the 2006 750i, and 48 complaints versus 317.
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2006 BMW 750i (E65)
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first 750i.
Powertrain: 4.8-liter V8, 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel driveBase price when new: $72,495 MSRP (750i)EPA fuel economy: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpgNHTSA recalls: 7 recalls listed for the 2006 7 SeriesNHTSA owner complaints: 317 complaints listed for the 2006 7 Series
The 2006 750i is the first E65 with the larger 4.8-liter V8, rating 18 combined mpg. It started at $72,495. NHTSA lists 317 owner complaints and 7 recalls for the 2006 7 Series, the most of any year here.
Go ifThe first year of the larger E65 V8
Skip ifYou want fewer recalls (2010 750i: 1)
How we ranked these
We ranked each BMW 7 Series model year on what it gives a used buyer today: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, EPA fuel economy, original MSRP and the engine record documented on Wikipedia. NHTSA files 7 Series records under several model names, so each recall and complaint count is the total across every 7 Series name NHTSA lists for that model year (7 Series, 740i, 750i and so on), and older years have had longer to collect them. The 2010 750i is placed below comparable years because Wikipedia documents mechanical issues and recalls on its N63 V8. Prices are original MSRP from iSeeCars listings and mpg is from fueleconomy.gov for the trim named. Photos: Wikimedia Commons pictures of the same generation. The 2022 pick shows a facelifted G11 740i, the 2019 pick a long-wheelbase 7 Series from the same generation, the 2015 pick an F02 facelift 740Li, the 2014 pick an F01 facelift 740i, the 2024 pick a G70 740i xDrive, the 2012 pick a pre-facelift F01 740i, the 2000 pick a 740iL, the 2008 and 2006 picks facelifted E65 750i cars and the 2010 pick a 2010 750i. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best BMW 7 Series model year to buy used?
The 2022 740i (G11): it rates 25 combined mpg and has 4 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls listed for the 2022 7 Series.
Which BMW 7 Series model years should you avoid?
The 2006 750i (E65) has 7 recalls and 317 owner complaints listed for the 2006 7 Series. The N63 twin-turbo V8 in the early 750i is widely noted for mechanical issues, with several recalls.
How much did a new BMW 7 Series cost?
The cheapest here was the 2000 740iL at $66,970, and the 2024 740i xDrive was $99,400.
Which BMW 7 Series gets the best gas mileage here?
The 2024 740i xDrive, at 27 combined mpg (24 city and 31 highway).
EPA combined fuel economy at a glance
2010 BMW 750i (F01)17 mpg
2000 BMW 740iL (E38)18 mpg
2008 BMW 750i (E65)18 mpg
2006 BMW 750i (E65)18 mpg
2012 BMW 740i (F01)20 mpg
2015 BMW 740Li (F02)22 mpg
2014 BMW 740i (F01)22 mpg
2019 BMW 740i (G11)24 mpg
2022 BMW 740i (G11)25 mpg
2024 BMW 740i xDrive (G70)27 mpg
EPA combined fuel economy, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
