Who has gone from an E65 to F01?

Just sold my 3rd E65, had 5x 7 Series in a row now. The F01's values are still high as far as i'm concerned and compared to 7's in the past they seem to have held up better. So, this means buying one would be quite a stretch for me so I would be very interested in how old and new compare? My last E65 was a Sport model with the excellent Dynamic Drive auto adjusting anti roll bars. If I buy an F01 it will be an early SE so most likely without the option which includes this.

This week I watched a Youtube review by 5th gear and thier conclusion was that the F01 was good but struggled to better an E65.

Any opinions appreciated. Many thanks.

I had a 2003 745i Sport and a 2006 750Li. The '06 wasn't a Sport, but had 20" style 101 wheels. Loved both cars, and I am one of those oddballs that liked the E65 styling.
Now 6 weeks since trading the 2006 for a 2011 750XLi Sport.
Cars actually handle similar. The 2011 accelerates faster, but oddly inspires less confidence at high speeds than the 2006. I think it may be that the steering has slightly more assist?
Biggest difference is the interior fit & finish of the new car is light years ahead of the old one. In fairness, the new car has a leather instrument panel, ceramic controls and a heads up display, which were not available in 2006. Everything just seems a little richer and quieter though. I also hated all plastic trim painted silver in the E65. I've always thought that cheapened the interior.

Thanks for reply. I believe the 5th Gear test I saw did comment that the F01 was not quite such an accomplished high speed cruiser which seems somewhat strange.

Anyone else had both models?

Had an '03 745Li w/ sport package and now a F02 w/ sport package and am loving every second of it.

As RGSM said, the new car has boatloads more power and the interior fit and finish is second to none. The new iDrive system is much better and I am thankful for the standard rear sear climate control.

The only thing I really don't like is the new electric power steering. Less comfortable at high speeds and just much less road feel overall. I think it's just a little too over assisted. Other than that this car is a dream!

Had 03-745. 2006-750 2011-750

I prefer the driving dynamics of the e-65 more.
ingress and egress was better as well location of b pillar in f01 should have been at least 3 inches back I'm not huge by any definition, but I gots to contorts a bit to get in and out. Suspension set up in f01 is just awful for California roads way too soft even in sport. F01 also shows all it's added heft way to heavy .
My 2006 was bullet proof very nimble and light handling never had any gremlins got decent mileage sorry to have taken that one back ....
The 2003 was full of gremlins but fun t drive very often got 29 I repeAt 29 miles a gallon that was pretty awesome 27 was fairly easy to get with daily use .

Wife had 2008 535 hard pressed to get more than 23 avg for tank usually 20. On rare instances got 24 (las Vegas run) was a rocket but a bit squirrelly in handling or perhaps I was afraid to push it ..

I feel the E65 was never revered in any particular way, and compared to E38's which preceded the E65 was completely different and not the drivers car the E38 was. However, I'd say the E65 did everything very well indeed. I found the handling very good with the auto adjusting anti roll bars (something which ought to have been standard across the 7 series range as "The ultimate driving machine." If anything I think there was a blandness to the E65 but it provided exemplary refinement and poise at speed, something a 7 should do. This sounds compromised in the F01. I am very busy at the moment but will try to test drive an F01

Originally Posted by drsamdds

Had 03-745. 2006-750 2011-750

I prefer the driving dynamics of the e-65 more.
ingress and egress was better as well location of b pillar in f01 should have been at least 3 inches back I'm not huge by any definition, but I gots to contorts a bit to get in and out. Suspension set up in f01 is just awful for California roads way too soft even in sport. F01 also shows all it's added heft way to heavy .
My 2006 was bullet proof very nimble and light handling never had any gremlins got decent mileage sorry to have taken that one back ....
The 2003 was full of gremlins but fun t drive very often got 29 I repeAt 29 miles a gallon that was pretty awesome 27 was fairly easy to get with daily use .

Wife had 2008 535 hard pressed to get more than 23 avg for tank usually 20. On rare instances got 24 (las Vegas run) was a rocket but a bit squirrelly in handling or perhaps I was afraid to push it ..

Thanks for your reply drsamdds

bump....

to All Of You Who Have Swapped Out.... Chime In!

~ Big Marcus

Went from E66 to F02, 2 things drive me crazy:

1. Wipers
2. Turn signal lever

They are both so flimsy and remind me of my '84 corolla. They were so solid in the E66 and felt expensive.

Interior of the F01 seems less luxurious to me. Here are some pics of my E65 interior compared to that of the F01.

That said - F01 is a hell of a lot faster and has much better technology. Downsides are the cheaper looking/feeling parts in the interior, and those stupid looking flat black metal pieces on the outside of the B-columns. With the sports package they're glossy and look much better.

It's quite good to come back to this. I still welcome more views! For the first time in 10 years I've not had a 7 series for the last two years and haven't really replaced the E65 I sold. I pretty much sold it at the time with an F01 in mind but to be honest I regret selling the 2006 E65 a bit. I think given another little bit of time a Sport model F01 may beacon

I had an e65 730d LCI, and swapped it to F01 730d. Both with dynamic drive and EDC + comfort seats etc.

The ride is pretty much the same, but the feel and interior (esp. i-drive) makes the F01 a modern car compared to the over 10 yrs old design, both inside and out.

I wouldn't want to go back to e65. However, you get a hell of a lot more car with a fraction of the money, when comparing e65 & F01...

I have had an 02 E66, 03 E66 and an 07 Individual E66. I think the interior of my individual was much better than the F02. Like others have said, there are some cheap parts in the car and I don't get it at all. The car is amazing to drive, and when its in sport+ mode, it is so fun to drive. I like the camera package, sound system, but the controls for the Air are right behind the cup holder. Sounds small but I usually have a cup in the car during the ride to and from work. You literally have to take it out to make any climate changes to the car. I think the F02 looks amazing however, and really love how it drives. Like others have also said, the steering isn't as heavy and does take away from the drive experience. Also there is a bit of a smaller gas tank on the F02. Doesn't sound too bad but the car has roughly 30 more HP and a smaller tank calls for more frequent trips to the station. I am currently averaging 15 mpg and on my E66's I would average close to 18. Another positive for the F02 is the Idrive. I find it much easier to use and have zero complaints. Last positive is the heated seats on the F02. Its unreal how hot they get! I use mine daily since I am currently parking it outside in the freezing temperatures, but in my E66, I could drive the whole way to work with them on high. In this car, I usually turn them completely off after 15 minutes.

That is my .02..... I totaled my 07 just a few weeks ago. I have only had my new car for maybe 2 weeks, so its still pretty fresh in my mind. I do miss all my Individual upgrades :/

Thanks for the feedback guys!
Some quick observations from me:

Is the overall interior smaller? Sure feels and looks like it!
The power is significantly notable.
The brakes are quite touchy especially in stop and go traffic.
The i Drive is light years ahead!!!
The stereo has alot more punch.
The windows are smaller.
Like the trunk pass through!
The seats will tale some getting use to. More supportive but more stiff too.
Rear door opens wider!
The exterior looks bigger. Is the car bigger overall? But it drives much smaller. As does the e65.

Car tested: 09 low miles, Sport pkg, Luxury Seating, convenience pkg, loaded pretty much.

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Originally Posted by singal3

Went from E66 to F02, 2 things drive me crazy:

1. Wipers
2. Turn signal lever

They are both so flimsy and remind me of my '84 corolla. They were so solid in the E66 and felt expensive.

#truth

~ Big Marcus