BMW 7 Series 735i (E65)

The BMW 735i oozes class & attracts admiring glances everywhere. The E65 7 series has phenomenal 'Road Presence'. It is easy to manoevre for such a big car and the parking sensors are a great help when parking. Performance wise the 3.6 V8 engine pulls the car effortlessly and swiftly...surprising many 'Boy-Racers' off the lights. Ride comfort and interior space are second to none and the 100's of functions (including the i-drive) are simple to operate. The chassis feels wonderful for such a heavy car and speeding round twisty roads produces true sports car performance with amazing grip and little body-roll.

Commands respect and offers a superior driving experience but unless you want the thrills & buzz of the V8, go for the 3.0L diesel and save yourself a fortune at the pumps!

Crazy arrangement with non-dropping head rests on the BMW 735i. Driver's seat doesn't rise enough. Expensive repairs: water overheating > needed removing engine > head removing, replacing a 40p seal > cost: :L4000. Steering fluid leak: raise engine > specialist equipment > expensive parts > cost L2000.

I owned a 97 reg BMW 728i for five years. This was a wonderful car, a pleasure to own and drive. Big BMW's are made for long trips and the old one did it with ease. I bought my current model a 2003 735i about a year ago. I was astonished at how much better it is than the old one. It is a brilliant cruiser but very bale on the twisty stuff as well. It accelerates and stops very well. Comfort is fantastic A trip to the Alps is done in ease. You will not be disappointed with this car. Don't be put off by the stories about the i-Drive it takes a few days to get used to but once you have you will not want to be without it - especially the phone system.

The BMW 735i (E65) was my second 7 series (the first being a "T" reg 728i). I changed jobs and foolishly purhased an Alfa 166 - I knew I had made an error immediately and the "BMW" bug had got me. Within weeks the Alfa went (this incidentally broke down several times in this short period of ownership!).

I found an "X" reg 735i, 18 months old, top spec. and a bargain price of 35k (55k 18 months earlier!). Great wheels...

What a car - there was never a moment when I didn't enjoy driving the car, it looked great and coped with 2 young children very easily (my wife has a Volvo V70 - just to be safe!).

It didn't cost very much to run, servicing was sensible and very little went wrong. Satellite Navigation was brilliant; try and find one with the latest screen.

I only sold it to buy a convertible - having the Volvo made having 2 large cars seem silly. Depreciation was crippling and 18 months later 35k had turned into 22k!! But great value mototing and what style and fun.