G11 not the highway cruiser the F01 was

[AVIMAX]

I had the opportunity to drive a few hundred kms in a 2016 750i with x-drive and M-sport (short wheelbase in Canada is only X-drive and M-sport). It is a fantastic car, the design of the interior is very nice and a step up over the F01, however I found the highway characteristics of this car seem to have taken a step backwards. I have driven an F01 on a few road trips before and the ride of the new car is not as smooth as the F01, even in comfort+ mode. The seats are good, but not quite as comfortable as the F01 or even my F10 (comfort seats in my F10 are the best I've ever experienced for long distance driving), but most surprising was the noise. There is a lot of tire noise in this new car, especially on concrete roads. The M-sport exhaust sounds great around town, it has a nice bark, but on the highway it drones, just a constant noise from the back of the car. I was very surprised that a stock exhaust would drone like this. It was only a 2 hour drive, but I think anything longer would start to get tiresome with that exhaust and tire noise. The F01 was a cocoon on the highway. The new car, not so much. It seems to be a lighter, and less insulated from the outside and this many may be perfect for many customers, but if you liked the cocoon highway experience of the old car, you may be in for a bit of a let down.

[TheBry]

Very interesting analysis, and thanks for your point of view.

As a current owner of a 2012 F02 740Li, with a 2016 G12 750i M-Sport on the water making it's way to me (should arrive California at the end of March) I can't wait to compare.

You see, my F02 has over 110,000 miles on it's odometer. I took European Delivery when I originally bought the car, so about 1500 of those miles were put on him right after delivery in Europe. The balance of those 110,000 miles are all California highway miles. I live in San Francisco, but also own a home in Palm Springs, so I drive back and forth between the two several times a year (about 1000 miles round trip), and the F02 has been a GREAT car for this. It's the primary reason I'm replacing it with yet another 7-Series. The car was made for lengthy road trips of this kind -- keeping all four passengers in supreme comfort.

Will definitely report my own findings once I've had an opportunity to compare.

[Stormbitch]

Could not agree more.. dreadfully noisy and its a real shame cause it looks nice.

[noushy]

Strange as mine is eerily quiet. I have a long wheelbase model and it is a fantastic highway car. Only issue is quirky steering which sometimes is unsteady in a straight line. Otherwise absolutely love my G12.

Noushy

[Nivarox]

Do you run run flats in your car ? I drove G11/12 7 Series M Package with run flat tires were on . The ride wasn't as smooth as I thought would be when I switched to Sport Mode . On rough surfaces, I felt rough road presence even more .
Besides ,M Sport Package seem to dampen your comfort level aside from tires .

[audiogolf]

Originally Posted by noushy

Strange as mine is eerily quiet. I have a long wheelbase model and it is a fantastic highway car. Only issue is quirky steering which sometimes is unsteady in a straight line. Otherwise absolutely love my G12.

Noushy

it is your automatic lane guidance kicking in, which gives you the feeling the car is unsteady!! Love my G12 too big improvement over my 2011 740i.

[Stormbitch]

I made this film about the G11... amazing but there was one thing I wanted to really say...

[AlteBMW]

Nice video Stormbitch. Too bad we don't get G11's here in the US. But having driven a lot of cars, I agree with your conclusions about how good this car is -- and why. If you add integral active steering, it gets even better.

[cracker123]

If you have the run flats they tend to be louder and bumpier. I have noticed switching to Continental DW or Michele Pilot sport made the car pretty quite. This car comes standard with the double glaze windows unlike the older version which was a special order.

[x5mannn]

Originally Posted by AVIMAX

I had the opportunity to drive a few hundred kms in a 2016 750i with x-drive and M-sport (short wheelbase in Canada is only X-drive and M-sport). It is a fantastic car, the design of the interior is very nice and a step up over the F01, however I found the highway characteristics of this car seem to have taken a step backwards. I have driven an F01 on a few road trips before and the ride of the new car is not as smooth as the F01, even in comfort+ mode. The seats are good, but not quite as comfortable as the F01 or even my F10 (comfort seats in my F10 are the best I've ever experienced for long distance driving), but most surprising was the noise. There is a lot of tire noise in this new car, especially on concrete roads. The M-sport exhaust sounds great around town, it has a nice bark, but on the highway it drones, just a constant noise from the back of the car. I was very surprised that a stock exhaust would drone like this. It was only a 2 hour drive, but I think anything longer would start to get tiresome with that exhaust and tire noise. The F01 was a cocoon on the highway. The new car, not so much. It seems to be a lighter, and less insulated from the outside and this many may be perfect for many customers, but if you liked the cocoon highway experience of the old car, you may be in for a bit of a let down.

I drove a 2017 750 and it was nothing short of sublime and magnificent on the pot holes here in New England. Only on rough concrete was there any road sound only the worst bumps was there motion transmitted to the occupants. I'm coming out of a 3 Series and it is significantly better than the comfort setting Perhaps it had the standard size wheels and tires. It also had the adaptive suspension so maybe that makes a difference.