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2005 BMW 7 Series

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

BMW 7 Series
Pictured: BMW 730d (G11, Facelift) – f 16012021. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Engines
4.4L 8-cyl, 6.0L 12-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 16 city / 24 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
1 campaign

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2005 BMW 7 Series is a large car offered with 2 engines (4.4L 8-cyl and 6.0L 12-cyl) and rear-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 24 highway), 5% better than the 2005 large car average of 18.1 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.

It has 1 recall campaign on file.

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
745i4.4L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19+5%$4,350468
745li4.4L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19+5%$4,350468
760i6.0L 12-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive13 / 21 / 16-12%$5,150555
760li6.0L 12-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive13 / 21 / 16-12%$5,150555
Spend $9,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.1 MPG2005 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 BMW 7 Series under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2005 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2005 BMW 7 Series (this car)19 MPGNot rated1
2005 Mercedes-Benz S-Class19 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (1)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum · Oct 1, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V446000 · 198,352 vehicles

Problem
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Risk
POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2005 BMW 7 Series is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

No owner complaints for the 2005 BMW 7 Series in NHTSA's database since 2015.

Used 2005 BMW 7 Series buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 BMW 7 Series. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other 7 Series years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 7 Series26–Not rated00
2026 7 Series28212.2 inNot rated00
2025 7 Series28212.2 inNot rated00
2024 7 Series28212.2 inNot rated00
2023 7 Series27212.2 inNot rated00
2022 7 Series25207.1 inNot rated00
2021 7 Series25207.1 inNot rated00
2020 7 Series24207.1 inNot rated00
2019 7 Series27206.3 inNot rated00
2018 7 Series27206.3 inNot rated00
2017 7 Series27206.3 inNot rated00
2016 7 Series24200.8 inNot rated00

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →