Models · BMW
BMW 7 Series E65/E66 buying guide
The fourth 7 Series, built from 2001 to 2008 as the E65 saloon and the long wheelbase E66, with a facelift in 2005. It was the first car with iDrive, and it came with six-cylinder, V8 and V12 petrol engines and six-cylinder and V8 diesels.
The versions
- Petrol V8 (N62): 735i 272PS and 745i 333PS before the facelift, 740i 306PS and 750i 367PS after
- 730i: 3.0 straight six, M54 with 231PS, then N52 with 258PS from 2005; 760i: 6.0 V12 (N73), 445PS
- 730d: 3.0 straight six diesel (M57), 218PS, 231PS after the facelift
- 740d: 3.9 V8 diesel (M67), 258PS, replaced from 2005 by the 745d with a 4.4 V8 (299PS, then 329PS from 2006)
- Standard (E65) and long wheelbase (E66, Li and Ld) saloons, 6-speed ZF automatic
What to check on a E65 7 Series
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Blue smoke from a V8 at start-up
What to look for: Ask for the car to be started from cold after standing, and watch the exhaust for a puff of blue-grey smoke in the first few seconds. Ask how much oil it uses between services.
Why it matters: On the N62 V8s the valve stem seals harden with age and let oil past, showing as smoke after standing and rising oil use. It usually appears at higher mileages. The repair is labour-intensive, so invoices showing it's been done are a strong point in a car's favour.
Coolant level and leaks on the V8
What to look for: With the engine cold, check the coolant level and ask whether it needs topping up. After the drive, sniff for a sweet coolant smell around the bonnet and look for coolant crusting at the back of the engine.
Why it matters: The N62 has a coolant transfer pipe and valley seals under the intake manifold that can leak internally with age. The leak is often hidden from view, so a falling level is the main clue. Specialists have well established repairs.
Oil dripping onto the front subframe
What to look for: Look underneath the front of the engine with a torch for fresh oil on the subframe, or ask to see under the car on a ramp.
Why it matters: On the V8s, the gasket behind the alternator bracket hardens and leaks oil downwards. The gasket is a small part but the job takes several hours, so it's useful to know about.
Also in the full guide
- Automatic gearbox changes
- The rear air springs
- iDrive and the electrics
- The brake servo recall on petrol V8s
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the E65 7 Series
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with BMW.