New 745li . . .

MarylandVW · 04-05-02, 10:06

This car is just amazing. I would take this car, any day over the S-Class MB's of the world.

blkZ28Conv · 04-05-02, 10:23

Nice Car. It remains me ( roof line) of the old Lexus GS300. I'll still take the MB M55.

Intermezzo · 04-05-02, 10:40

My boss just got one (745il) and it's unbelievable just how many features it's got. He practically test drove every other car in its class out there and he's since become a BMW zealot like me.

blkz28, isn't the M55 AMG an SUV?

blkZ28Conv · 04-05-02, 11:20

Sorry. My Bad. I should have said S55 AMG.

DETAILKING · 04-05-02, 11:47

the back of it takes a little getting used to though. i heard the I- DRIVE is useless though.........not too familiar with it though....

Intermezzo · 04-05-02, 12:09

I tried out the I-drive. It's OK. It does reduce some clutter from the dash. But you are right...most of the commands can also be done on the dash.

One of the things that impressed me about it was the voice-activated built-in cell phone (that you use in conjuction with I-drive). The clarity is unbelievable. I also like the one touch trunk open button and another button that closes the trunk (no scratches!). I'm not too crazy about the porous leather seats though, but I realize they are there to make the heated/cooled seats function more efficient.

For the size of the car, it's a very nimble car. It's supposed to handle almost as well as the 3 series (better than the 5 series). Plus, it's got a 6 Speed automatic trans (first car to have it, I believe).

blkZ28, the S55 is a superior car, but I don't think that's a fair comparison, considering the fact that it costs 25-30K dollars more than the 750iL.

04-05-02, 12:51

I would take the Mercedes-benz S500 sport or S55 AMG model anyday over that hunk of garbage. With the clean lines of the S-class and such excellent build quality and materials, the S-class blows the bmw away. Just sit in the new 7 and u will find it has clearcoated leather, flimsy doors, not much legroom, and yuck that steering wheel. Sit in this car on the other hand, and ahhhh the wonderful smell of leather overcomes you with the whole dashboard upholstered in nappa leather

Intermezzo · 04-05-02, 01:53

Quote:

Originally posted by AlBoston
ahhhh the wonderful smell of leather overcomes you with the whole dashboard upholstered in nappa leather

Yeah I'll say! Ali, have you been getting high off the leather fumes again? lol, j/k

The s600 is a great car and has a V12 engine, but the 745iL is an 8 cylinder and it's just as fast. And in terms of handling, the S-series just doesn't even come close!

geekysteve · 04-06-02, 12:06

I might be a party pooper, but I was not impressed with the interior of the 745i. I've sat in them numerous times, and took one for a test drive at the local BMW stealer...and, I actually like the exterior styling (though the '01 740i was starting to look very good with the new wheels, etc).

My main gripe is that the satin wood finish looks and feels very fake - almost like plastic, and I am not a huge fan of all of the black trim combined with the light colored trim (I've been in a bunch of tan colored interior cars).

Power was good, but not a huge improvement over the 740i, transmission felt a little more "sure footed". All in all, a fine car, but the interior left me thinking "Honda" or "Toyota"...and I'm a die-hard BMW enthusiast!

Intermezzo · 04-06-02, 03:34

Well, I've never been a huge fan of the BMW interior....nor MBZ's for that matter. It's just the drive that I'm so intoxicated with!

PrinzII · 04-06-02, 08:58

Quote:

Originally posted by geekysteve
I might be a party pooper, but I was not impressed with the interior of the 745i. I've sat in them numerous times, and took one for a test drive at the local BMW stealer...and, I actually like the exterior styling (though the '01 740i was starting to look very good with the new wheels, etc).

My main gripe is that the satin wood finish looks and feels very fake - almost like plastic, and I am not a huge fan of all of the black trim combined with the light colored trim (I've been in a bunch of tan colored interior cars).

Power was good, but not a huge improvement over the 740i, transmission felt a little more "sure footed". All in all, a fine car, but the interior left me thinking "Honda" or "Toyota"...and I'm a die-hard BMW enthusiast!

I have to agree with geeky on this one. We both sat in the one at the Chicago Auto Show. I like the '01 740iL better than the 745iL in terms of physical aesthetics. The interior did have somewhat of a plasticky feel to it.

But in my case, give me either of the following:

CL 55 AMG
E 55 AMG
M5
740iL

Intermezzo · 04-06-02, 02:20

Quote:

Originally posted by geekysteve
Power was good, but not a huge improvement over the 740i, transmission felt a little more "sure footed". All in all, a fine car, but the interior left me thinking "Honda" or "Toyota"...and I'm a die-hard BMW enthusiast!

The HP went from 280 to 325, but I guess it would be hard to notice a big difference when you consider the car's weight. People either love it or hate it. I just drove my boss's 745i last night and the thing that stood out was the Lexus-like smoothness and quietness.