2012 BMW 7 Series

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Rating8.4

Ranked #8 in 

Fullsize Sedan
Write Review
$71,000 - $137,300
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Sleeky attractive exterior

Competitors score slightly higher on the interior luxury aspect

Standard backup camera

Confident handling and precise steering wheel

More thirsty engine lineup than rivals

iPod/USB adapter

Potent powertrains

Limited cargo capacity

Specs & Features

$71,000

price

326 hp @ 5800 rpm

horsepower

330 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.0L 6cyl RWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 BMW 7 Series Sedan is a fullsize sedan offered in 5 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $71,000. For that price, it mainly competes with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan, the Audi A8 L Sedan, and the Jaguar XJ Sedan. Between 5 trims, the 7 Series offers 3 powertrains. The base engine is a 3.0L Turbo Inline-6 capable of making 315 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 400 horsepower and 535 horsepower-making 4.4L Turbo V8 engine and 6.0L Turbo V12 engine respectively. The base engine and the V8 are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission whereas the V12 is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. There is also a hybrid engine on offer.The 7 Series reaches 60 mph from zero in 5.8 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 5.1 seconds and 4.5 seconds with the 4.4L Turbo V8 engine and 6.0L Turbo V12 engine respectively. Depending on the powertrain, the 7 Series can manage a combined fuel economy between 15 and 20 mpg. While we're on the topic of choices, the 18 striking colors the 7 Series comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

We recommend the base 740i trim as you can invest more into optional packages. Our suggestion is the $3,500 Driver Assistance Package which adds a head-up display, lane departure warning, and some more driving aids. The $3,200 Luxury Seating Package and the $1,200 Cold Weather Package are also great additions. Meanwhile, BMW also offers longer wheelbase trims on the 2012 Series which add more legroom in the rear. If you plan to sit in the second row more than the first, our pick is the 740Li.

Trims

    740i
    $71,000 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM/HD/Satellite-Prep
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Fog/Driving lights
    • Heated mirrors
    • Rear air conditioning with controls
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof
    740Li
    $75,500 onwards
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    750i
    $84,300 onwards
    • 14-way power driver seat
    • 19-Inch wheels
    • Keyless entry and keyless ignition
    • Upgraded leather upholstery
    750Li
    $88,200 onwards
    • Automatic high beam assist
    • Blind spot warning
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Heated steering wheel
    • Lane departure warning
    760Li
    $137,300 onwards
    • 19-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Fog/Driving lights
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    • Rear air conditioning with controls
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/HD/Satellite
    • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof

Compare to similar cars

Price

$71,000- $137,300

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.38

Horsepower

544 hp @ 5250 rpm

Torque

550 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$84,700- $133,500

Gasoline

8.32

372 hp @ 6800 rpm

328 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

$78,750

Gasoline

8.06

372 hp @ 6800 rpm

328 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

$290,000

Gasoline

8.44

505 hp @ 4200 rpm

752 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

5

Read Review

$184,200- $209,600

Gasoline

8.62

552 hp @ 6100 rpm

479 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

$27,670- $47,670

Gasoline

7.83

292 hp @ 6350 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

$73,700- $117,700

Gasoline

8.07

385 hp @ 6500 rpm

380 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

$67,630- $75,480

Gasoline

8.25

380 hp @ 6400 rpm

367 lb.-ft. @ 4100 rpm

5

Read Review

$41,500- $48,390

Gasoline

8.47

273 hp @ 6250 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 4250 rpm

5

Read Review

$127,250- $135,200

Gasoline

7.83

425 hp @ 7000 rpm

361 lb.-ft. @ 4750 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 BMW 7 Series vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    5.8 sec14.4 sec149 mph
    4.8 sec-188 mph
    4.9 sec-200 mph
    5.1 sec13.5 sec-
    5.3 sec13.7 sec174 mph
    5.4 sec12.2 sec172 mph

    2012 BMW 7 Series vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg21.7 gal.368.9/542.5 mi.
      19 mpg31 mpg21 mpg19.1 gal.-
      18 mpg28 mpg21 mpg23.8 gal.428.4/666.4 mi.
      18 mpg27 mpg21 mpg21.1 gal.475.2/712.8 mi.
      2012 Audi A8

      Ranked #1

      18 mpg28 mpg21 mpg23.8 gal.428.4/666.4 mi.
      17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg19 gal.323/475 mi.

      2012 BMW 7 Series vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        199.8 in.74.9 in.58.3 in.5.8 in.120.9 in.
        242.7 in.78 in.62 in.7 in.150.7 in.
        229.9 in.78.3 in.64.5 in.6 in.140.6 in.
        225.3 in.78 in.62 in.7 in.133.5 in.
        219.5 in.75.8 in.59.9 in.6 in.128.6 in.
        212.6 in.76.7 in.61 in.6 in.129.7 in.

        2012 BMW 7 Series vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          14 cu.ft.106 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.
          13.2 cu.ft.121.9 cu.ft.13.2 cu.ft.
          11 cu.ft.130.5 cu.ft.11 cu.ft.
          16.3 cu.ft.106.3 cu.ft.68.8 cu.ft.
          16.7 cu.ft.102 cu.ft.16.7 cu.ft.
          18.7 cu.ft.105.8 cu.ft.18.7 cu.ft.

          2012 BMW 7 Series vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            15 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.-
            50.4 cu.ft.18.7 cu.ft.18.7 cu.ft.-
            12 cu.ft.15.9 cu.ft.15.9 cu.ft.-
            38.4 cu.ft.16.4 cu.ft.16.4 cu.ft.-
            44.6 cu.ft.15.7 cu.ft.44.6 cu.ft.-
            68.8 cu.ft.16.3 cu.ft.68.8 cu.ft.-

            2012 BMW 7 Series vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -1058 lbs.4101 lbs.
              1000 lbs.1101 lbs.3999 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-4151 lbs.
              -1056 lbs.4740 lbs.
              -970 lbs.4453 lbs.
              -587 lbs.4389 lbs.

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