Core summary
The G11 740i provides a straight-six petrol alternative to the four-cylinder 730i and V8 750i. Wheelbase and market specification still need careful identification.
The 740i is the six-cylinder petrol member of this 7 Series family. Its appeal is a luxury saloon with a conventional refuelling routine, without choosing the V8 750i or the charging requirements of a 745e. This profile concerns the G11/G12 generation, not a later G70.
Cariary's view is that the 740i deserves to be the baseline comparison for an owner-driver. It lets you decide whether extra cylinders, extra wheelbase or a plug-in system genuinely add value to the way you travel.
History & generations
The G11/G12 generation arrived in 2015, followed by the 2019 facelift. Early and facelift cars differ in presentation and market specifications; a later brochure should not be used as an equipment checklist for an earlier display car.
The G11 is the standard-wheelbase body and G12 the longer one. Some markets use different badge conventions, so confirm body length and the original market rather than relying only on whether an advertisement includes an L.
Body, platform & design
The gallery shows an early black 740i display car, including the rear, right-hand-drive dashboard and covered engine bay. Those images illustrate this example rather than every international 740i configuration. The facelift's much larger grille is not shown as if it belonged to the same car.
Assess door clearance and visibility during parking. A 7 Series can be easy to appreciate on an open road yet awkward in the space where it spends every night. Cameras help, but they do not alter the physical dimensions.
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Engine & drivetrain
The earlier regional G11 table specifies a 2,998 cc petrol inline-six at 326 PS and 450 Nm. The 2019 UK facelift reference lists 340 PS and 450 Nm. Both are dated market specifications, not interchangeable ratings for all cars.
The eight-speed automatic is part of the package. Test low-speed engagement, warm acceleration and steady cruising, and ask about engine or transmission modifications. A specialist inspection should assess the whole drivetrain rather than relying on a general reputation for the engine family.
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Trim differences
Separate engine, wheelbase and drivetrain before comparing options. A 740i, 740Li and market-specific 740i xDrive listing can describe different configurations. The photographs of one standard-wheelbase example do not settle another car's identity.
Then confirm the seats, lighting, audio, parking and chassis options. An expensive comfort feature is only valuable if it is fitted, working and useful to you. Test it rather than accepting a generic dealer equipment list.
Interior & seating
The pictured right-hand-drive cockpit gives a useful view of the early G11 layout and its mixture of screen and physical controls. It does not establish that a left-hand-drive car has the same trim or software functions.
Spend time testing seat adjustment, ventilation, infotainment and rear-seat controls where fitted. If the car is intended for chauffeured travel, evaluate the rear with the driver in position. For owner-driving, a standard-wheelbase car may be a more relevant comparison than a rear-lounge specification.
Efficiency & range
The 740i is a luxury petrol saloon, so fuel consumption should be budgeted realistically alongside insurance, tyres and maintenance. A six-cylinder engine may be preferable to a V8 for your purposes without making the car inexpensive to run.
Compare actual use with a 730d or 745e rather than selecting from headline consumption alone. The diesel suits a different trip pattern, while a plug-in's benefit depends on charging. Neither is automatically the cheaper choice for every owner.
Safety & equipment
Inspect suspension condition, tyres and brakes, and check fitted assistance functions. Warning messages, uneven ride height or unexplained recent repairs deserve investigation before purchase. These observations call for diagnosis, not an assumption about a particular failed component.
Check campaigns by VIN and ask about camera or sensor calibration after repairs. A luxury model's available technology list is not proof that every function is installed on the car being sold.
Strengths
The 740i combines a six-cylinder petrol identity with the space and equipment possibilities of a 7 Series. For an owner-driver, that can be a more coherent proposition than purchasing the largest engine merely because depreciation has made it attainable.
The useful luxury is what you experience daily: a comfortable seat, quiet functioning systems and predictable operation. A carefully chosen specification can make those qualities more accessible than a neglected high-specification bargain.
A strong starting point for an owner-driven 7 Series shortlist. Prioritise suspension health, seats and documented maintenance over the largest wheels or longest option list.
Considerations
Age affects electronic and chassis equipment as well as the engine. Reserve money for inspection and repairs, and obtain records showing what has already been addressed. A clean engine bay is not a service history.
Imported cars deserve additional checks of navigation, connectivity and parts support. Establish the original market and build specification first, then judge what works where you intend to use the car.
Recommended use
The 740i fits an owner who wants a petrol luxury saloon for mixed travel and longer journeys, with a particular preference for a straight-six. It is less compelling if the car will mostly be used for short errands in tight urban streets.
Compare a 540i if rear-seat space and flagship equipment are secondary. That test helps establish whether the 7 Series itself is the requirement or whether the engine and a comfortable driving position are the real priorities.
Rivals & related
A same-era Mercedes-Benz S-Class six-cylinder petrol model, Audi A8 petrol or Lexus LS provides alternative interpretations of luxury travel. Match body size, market version and condition rather than comparing badges in isolation.
The 750i adds a V8; the 745e adds a plug-in system. Either may be desirable, but the 740i remains a useful reference for deciding whether those additions justify their cost and complexity.
FAQ
Q: Is the G11 740i a V8?
A: No. It uses a petrol inline-six.
Q: Is every 740i short-wheelbase?
A: Badge conventions vary by market; verify the body and build data.
Q: Are early and facelift outputs identical?
A: Not in the referenced regional specifications.
Q: Does it require charging?
A: This conventional petrol 740i does not; the 745e is the plug-in alternative.
What makes the BMW 740i different?
A strong starting point for an owner-driven 7 Series shortlist. Prioritise suspension health, seats and documented maintenance over the largest wheels or longest option list.
Who should consider it?
Owner-driven six-cylinder luxury touring
Sources & updates
The manufacturer references below identify the dated generations and specifications used in this profile. Buying assessments are Cariary editorial analysis, not a claimed first-hand road test or a diagnosis of an individual vehicle. Photographs carry separate credit and licensing information. Confirm exact equipment, ratings and campaign status for the car’s production date and original market.
- BMW — G11/G12 regional equipment and technical tables →
- BMW — G11/G12 introduction (2015) →
- BMW UK — 7 Series update (2019) →
View all official references (4 more)
- Photograph — Black early G11 BMW 740i display car front view →Tokumeigakarinoaoshima; CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photograph — Black early G11 BMW 740i display car rear view →Tokumeigakarinoaoshima; CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photograph — Right-hand-drive early BMW 740i dashboard →Tokumeigakarinoaoshima; CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photograph — Covered inline-six engine bay of early BMW 740i →根川孝太郎; CC BY-SA 4.0
Last editorial review: September 20, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.