2017 BMW 740Li review, test drive

New 3.0-litre, turbo-petrol straight-six is a great option if you don’t want the big V8 or a diesel.

Published on May 02, 2017 12:55:00 PM

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Should I buy one?

It’s good that BMW has given buyers this mid-range engine option as petrol cars are becoming more popular. As Jaguar currently only offers a four-cylinder petrol XJ and Audi only V8 and W12 petrols for the A8, this car’s only real rival is the Mercedes-Benz S 400. It’s good to see very little of the luxury has been left out on this locally assembled Design Pure Excellence Signature trim (the other two engines can be made-to-order as full imports, should you desire), and that really shows how well BMW has upped its game on the luxury front, compared to the previous-generation car. The motor doesn’t for a second make you feel like you’ve skimped for the ‘lower variant’, with great refinement and smooth power delivery; it really deserves a spot in the pantheon of great BMW engines. All that keeps it from being the class leader are refinement and ride quality, which are but a hair’s breadth below the lofty class standard. But alas, that’s what matters most in this segment. While the super-capable 730Ld will likely still remain the most popular variant, we do anticipate seeing a lot of 740Li badges popping up on our streets too.