Few minor issues with the interior

I went to the dealer this past weekend and got up close with the new 750li. I like the overall car but there are few things that I liked better in E65 compared to the F01.


#1. The cup holders in front center stack are smaller then the ones in E65 7er. After exploring a bit I came to this conclusion that the cup holder size was given up for the sake of floor mounted gear selector.

#2. I also felt that the center console storage compartment was also slightly smaller in order to accommodate the new floor mounted gear selector. Yes the new gear selector is nice looking but it takes up too much space effecting other things.


I can understand the floor mounter gear selector in manual transmission or semi-manual transmission sport cars. But in a flagship luxury sports sedan like new 7 series they should have left the shifter where it was in the E65 and incorporated better steering wheel mounted shifter paddles to satisfy the urge of shifting for yourself. If they did not move the gear selector to the bottom they could have put some decent size cup holders. Also they could have given more space to the center console but now the cup holders are tiny and the center console storage bin looks cramped.



Anyways besides these few minor gripes I like the new 7er

I noticed that as well, and am not real happy about it either. I'll miss the old holders.

The new gear selector was on my comparison list with the S. It was one of the reasons I chose the 7... it gives the interior a more athletic mood.

It's totally electronic, and not a mechanical selector. Not sure why it would take up so much space under the surface?

Originally Posted by Kayani_1

I went to the dealer this past weekend and got up close with the new 750li. I like the overall car but there are few things that I liked better in E65 compared to the F01.

#1. The cup holders in front center stack are smaller then the ones in E65 7er. After exploring a bit I came to this conclusion that the cup holder size was given up for the sake of floor mounted gear selector.

#2. I also felt that the center console storage compartment was also slightly smaller in order to accommodate the new floor mounted gear selector. Yes the new gear selector is nice looking but it takes up too much space effecting other things.

I can understand the floor mounter gear selector in manual transmission or semi-manual transmission sport cars. But in a flagship luxury sports sedan like new 7 series they should have left the shifter where it was in the E65 and incorporated better steering wheel mounted shifter paddles to satisfy the urge of shifting for yourself. If they did not move the gear selector to the bottom they could have put some decent size cup holders. Also they could have given more space to the center console but now the cup holders are tiny and the center console storage bin looks cramped.

Anyways besides these few minor gripes I like the new 7er

I loved the cupholders and the storage drawers in the E65. I noticed that the holders in the F01 are smaller, but after living with my 650i for a while, I'm just going to be thrilled to have two... so will my wife.

E65 gear selector confused a whole lot of Valet and Car Wash guys for years lol

But I love it though, as I'm sure most of the guys here on Bimmerfest do as well.

But I still can't get over how sexy the new F01 interiors are, regardless of the cupholder size.

Piano finish black trim? With white leather and black carpets? Give me that anyyy day. BMW has really outdone themselves again

I will pick up my new 750i (ED - 8/27) soon - When I test drove the new 7, it seemed a bit awkward to close the door after taking a seat - My 2007 750i has an indent in the armrest to pull the door closed, and the new 7 has a funky grab handle integrated (somewhat hidden!!) into the uppermost trim on the doors. I am sure that I will get used to this within a week or so, however I imagine my passengers will often wonder how to pull their doors closed!!

Originally Posted by Guards Red Car

I will pick up my new 750i (ED - 8/27) soon - When I test drove the new 7, it seemed a bit awkward to close the door after taking a seat - My 2007 750i has an indent in the armrest to pull the door closed, and the new 7 has a funky grab handle integrated (somewhat hidden!!) into the uppermost trim on the doors. I am sure that I will get used to this within a week or so, however I imagine my passengers will often wonder how to pull their doors closed!!

That was my first comment to my wife after our first test drive. I think the door design is gorgeous, but the location of the interior door "pull" and handle are very high.

Not a real big deal, and I doubt passengers will really "wonder" how to pull their door's closed. I think it will just take them a double take to find the "pull" indent.

Originally Posted by hayden

That was my first comment to my wife after our first test drive. I think the door design is gorgeous, but the location of the interior door "pull" and handle are very high.

Not a real big deal, and I doubt passengers will really "wonder" how to pull their door's closed. I think it will just take them a double take to find the "pull" indent.

it's above the wood trim right?

Originally Posted by BnWBMW

it's above the wood trim right?

The "pull" and handle are built-in to the design of the wood trim:

Yeah, I can't wait to poke fun at people that can't close the door. Lol

Originally Posted by BMR2009

Yeah, I can't wait to poke fun at people that can't close the door. Lol

It won't matter soon as I'm sure us Americans will eventually insist on an auto-close button for doors.

I mean we can't seem to close trunks on our own anymore, right?

The door pull is a gorgeous piece of design work, no question. I was relieved, too, that BMW didn't make the two front doors asymmetrical, as seems to be their trend with other models. That's almost more than this OCD boy can take.

Originally Posted by hayden

The "pull" and handle are built-in to the design of the wood trim:

wow, that is UNIQUE

BMW keeps surprising, and impressing us day by day. Unlike those other German competitors of theirs...Benz or whatever they like to call themselves

Reminds me of the people who ride in BMW for the first time and are completely stunned by the fact that you need to pull the handle TWICE to get out!

Best regards.

Spiroman

Originally Posted by hayden

It won't matter soon as I'm sure us Americans will eventually insist on an auto-close button for doors.

I mean we can't seem to close trunks on our own anymore, right?

I won't be surprise to see the auto-door close feature on a 7er sooner than later. BMW already has the auto-door close on the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.

Originally Posted by Spiroman

Reminds me of the people who ride in BMW for the first time and are completely stunned by the fact that you need to pull the handle TWICE to get out!

Best regards.

Spiroman

LOL! I always tell (lie) to my passengers that BMW put in the double-open feature to prevent wealthy people who drive 7er and get sudden suicide thoughts from jumping out of their car as the chauffeur is doing 200km down the autobahn. If the first attempt to open the door fails...may they'll interpret that as a sign to rethink and won't try to open it the second time.

BTW, What was the reason behind pulling the feature twice to open the door?

Originally Posted by asaseaban

BTW, What was the reason behind pulling the feature twice to open the door?

Isn't this only in cases where the doors are locked? Once to unlock, twice to open.

Originally Posted by hayden

Isn't this only in cases where the doors are locked? Once to unlock, twice to open.

Yes it's only in cases where the doors are locked but in all other cars, when the doors are locked and you pull the latch from the inside it unlocks the door and open it in one action. For the BMW you pull the latch once to unlock the door and then pull it again (X2) to open the door.

Originally Posted by asaseaban

Yes it's only in cases where the doors are locked but in all other cars, when the doors are locked and you pull the latch from the inside it unlocks the door and open it in one action. For the BMW you pull the latch once to unlock the door and then pull it again (X2) to open the door.

I love the people who get in my car and ask me why the door doesn't open.. It's so much fun to watch..

I personally like it better with the 2 times thing.. I'm so used to it any time i get out of a car i pull it twice and the stop to wonder why it opened after one pull.

Wait..does that whole wood trim piece move to open the door? And don't you mean poke fun at people who can't OPEN the door? A Little confused, but it looks slick

Originally Posted by OnlySkills

Wait..does that whole wood trim piece move to open the door?

No, just the silver handle.