2004 BMW 7-Series

Sedan

4.4L 4398CC V8 GAS DOHC Naturally Aspirated

Automatic

wbagn63424ds45573

Clear

Gasoline

Development for the BMW E65 7 Series began in early 1996, and production specifications were frozen in January 1999. The design of the BMW E65 7 Series was patented 16 November 2000; development ended in mid-2001. The car was first launched in Europe 17 November 2001 and then appeared in US and other markets in the (northern) spring of 2002. Early BMW E65 7 Series models had many problems mainly due to the functionality of the iDrive system and the associated electronics systems. Thus, BMW repurchased a substantial amount of 2002–03 7 Series cars in the U.S., and BMW of North America also extended the factory warranty on 2002–03 BMW E65 7 Series models from the 4-Year/50,000-Mile (80,000 km) coverage to the 6-Year/100,000-Mile (160,000 km) factory warranty. However, UK models were still protected by their original 3-Year/Unlimited-Miles warranty.Exterior design[edit]Under the direction of Chris Bangle, BMW's Design Chief at the time, the arrival of the BMW E65 7 Series heralded a new styling era for BMW. The design of the new car contrasted dramatically with the styling on the BMW E38 7 Series. The BMW E65 7 Series' two-level rear end styling with separate rear fenders for a "bustle-back" boot lid was derisively known as the "Bangle Butt" by critics. In fact, van Hooydonk's original sketch in 1998 for the BMW E65 was much more of a radical sleek fastback, but the final E65 profile was toned down considerably to a more conventional three-box sedan. Bangle was widely criticised for the radical departure of the styling from the BMW E38 7 Series. He was however supported by the BMW board of directors, who wanted to move BMW's image into the future. Dan Neil of The Los Angeles Times named the new 7-series one of the '50 Worst Cars of All Time', but Bangle argued that BMW’s established design language was exhausted. Despite the initially poor public reception of the two-level rear end, the design was later incorporated by Mercedes-Benz into the design of the W221 generation S-Class in 2006 and also by Hyundai in the fourth-generation Azera.Dimensionally the E65 7 Series is 45mm longer, 38mm wider and 60mm taller than the E38. The wheelbase was increased by 60mm over the outgoing model. Despite these increased dimensions the E65 7 Series is only 15 kg heavier than the E38.Interior design[edit]Centre stack on an E65 LCI 7 Series. Phone pad, radio, AC panel and storage trays visible.The interior of the BMW E65 7 Series features a generous amount of genuine wood trim & was redesigned to address both the driver and passenger, unlike the traditional driver-focussed instrument panel in the BMW E38 7 Series. BMW removed the traditional console mounted gear selector replacing it with a steering-column mounted stalk, in favour of two cup holders. The seats adjustment controls were moved from their traditional place on the side of the seat base to the inside of the raised central console, which several reviewers complained about the unnecessarily complicated nature of the controls. Peeling paint and textured materials are a well documented problem, so BMW addressed this issue by using still higher quality paint in the LCI model.Compared to the outgoing E38 model, the E65 7 Series has more shoulder room in the front and the rear, while headroom in the rear has been increased for greater comfort.Technology[edit]The BMW E65 7 Series was the most technically advanced production vehicle BMW had ever produced at the time. As the flagship model, it introduced a large number of new technologies that were eventually carried over to the next generation of BMW's. The E65 7 Series introduced a number of new technologies such as:The rectangular key-fob replaced the traditional blade keyValvetronic engine control (Variable valve lift replaced throttle butterflies for normal running conditions for added response, efficiency and power).World introduction of Active Roll Stabilization (ARS) active Anti-roll bars on a sedan (alternative designations: Dynamic Drive, Adaptive Drive). ARS is a revolutionary system that almost completely eliminates body roll when cornering. It employs active anti-roll bars which use a hydraulic servo in the middle to actively counteract body roll. This results in increased comfort for passengers, and when coupled with Electronic Damper Control-Continuous (EDC-C) it raises comfort levels to new heights.Self levelling air suspension on rear axle for increased comfort (optional)Electronic Damper Control-Continuous (EDC-C)Introduction of two fibre optic bus systems, MOST Bus (Media Orientated System Transport) and "Byteflight" (safety systems bus). These busses operate at 22.5Mbit/s and 10Mbit/s respectively.The first introduction of the dedicated 'Body-Controller Area Network' K-CAN bus system operating at 100kbit/s, This replaced the slower (9.6kbit/s) I,K and P-Busses used on previous vehicles.The first introduction of BMW's revolutionary iDrive system, the first fully integrated series production vehicle systems controller.World’s first infinitely variable intake manifold.World introduction of electronic adaptive headlight technology, giving automatic horizontal (during turns) and vertical (based on rear axle load) adjustment of the low beam.World’s first 6-speed automatic transmission in a sedan.Optional Automatic Soft Close system minimized the force required to close the doors, and would completely close them if improperly closed. This system also extended to the trunk lid, but unlike the door system was standard on all models.Electromechanical parking brake. Not only could this system apply the parking brake in stop-and-go traffic situations to reduce tedium, but it could also automatically apply the parking brake after the ignition was switched off.First BMW with DVD-based GPS Automotive navigation system.First BMW to feature Bi-Xenon (HID) headlights.First BMW to feature 'Push-Button-Start'. The rectangular key-fob was inserted into a slot next to the steering wheel and the driver would push a button to start the engine. This method of starting the car would be the precursor for all future BMW models.Radar based Active Cruise Control (ACC), though this was available in some markets on the previous 7-series (E38).iDrive[edit]The BMW E65 7 Series introduced the iDrive control concept. The system was built on hardware similar to the MKIV system used by BMW in the late 90's but featured a brand new interface and central control knob. Many of the functions such as climate, navigation, seat heating, telephony and car settings were incorporated into a single system allowing centralised control of those functions. iDrive was nicknamed "I Don't Know Drive" because of the steep learning curve and complicated menu structures, with some sources claiming that it would take several hours to become familiar with the system. Complaints ranged from the number of steps required to complete simple tasks such as selecting a radio frequency to getting "lost" in the deep menu system. iDrive saw several updates during the production run to address complaints raised by owners. The first generation of the system relied on CD media for map data. In 2003 BMW updated the hardware to read DVD media, added a substantially faster processor and the ability to display maps in birds-eye view. Also added in 2003 were a 'Menu' and 'Customisable' button below the control knob. This was done to address the complaints of 'getting lost' in the menus. The last major update to the system came with the LCI model in 2005 which added buttons to the radio (ASK unit) that enabled skipping tracks or radio stations as well as a mode button to change operating modes. A larger, brighter display was added and faster, more advanced navigation hardware was introduced. The system also gained the capability to control a MP3 capable CD Changer. The interface was streamlined to resemble the iDrive CCC system. Although it may appear similar in function to the CCC iDrive (introduced in the BMW E60 5 Series and BMW E63/64 6 Series), the iDrive system in the E65/66 is unique to only that model. The system started a trend and today most car manufacturers offer in-car systems built around a central control knob (Audi Multi Media Interface, Mercedes-Benz Comand APS etc.), an idea first brought to consumers by BMW in the E65 7 Serie