DecodedCars2012 BMW 7 Series
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Large Cars
- Body styles
- 750i 4dr Sedan RWD, 750i Xdrive 4dr Sedan AWD, 750li 4dr Sedan RWD, 750li Xdrive 4dr Sedan AWD
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo, 6.0L 12-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 400 hp
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
- MPG (best)
- 20 combined · 17 city / 25 hwy
- Length
- 199.6–205.1 in
- Curb weight
- 4,564–5,027 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 BMW 7 Series is a large car offered with 3 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.4L 8-cyl turbo and 6.0L 12-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 200 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,564 lb (750i 4dr Sedan RWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 25 highway), 6% better than the 2012 large car average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $4,100 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2012
- Lightest version 154 lb lighter
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 7 Series →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Dingolfing, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2012 7 Series configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 750i 4dr Sedan RWD | 199.6 in | 74.8 in | 58.3 in | 120.9 in | 63.4 / 64.2 in | 4,564 lb | 50/50 |
| 750i Xdrive 4dr Sedan AWD | 199.6 in | 74.8 in | 58.3 in | 120.9 in | 63.4 / 64.2 in | 4,718 lb | 50/50 |
| 750li 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 74.8 in | 58.3 in | 126.4 in | 63.4 / 64.2 in | 4,641 lb | 50/50 |
| 750li Xdrive 4dr Sedan AWD | 205.1 in | 74.8 in | 58.3 in | 126.4 in | 63.4 / 64.2 in | 4,861 lb | 50/50 |
| 760li 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 74.8 in | 58.3 in | 126.4 in | 63.4 / 64.2 in | 5,027 lb | 50/50 |
| Active Hybrid 4dr Sedan RWD | 205.1 in | 74.8 in | 58.3 in | 126.4 in | 63.4 / 64.2 in | 4,839 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 740i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | +6% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 740Li | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | +6% | $4,100 | 444 |
| ActiveHybrid 7 Hybrid | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | -16% | $4,100 | 444 |
| ActiveHybrid 7L Hybrid | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | +6% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 750i | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 17 | -10% | $4,850 | 523 |
| 750Li | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 22 / 17 | -10% | $4,850 | 523 |
| Alpina B7 LWB | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 22 / 17 | -10% | $4,850 | 523 |
| Alpina B7 SWB | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 22 / 17 | -10% | $4,850 | 523 |
| 750i xDrive | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -15% | $5,150 | 555 |
| 750Li xDrive | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -15% | $5,150 | 555 |
| Alpina B7 LWB xDrive | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -15% | $5,150 | 555 |
| Alpina B7 SWB xDrive | 4.4L 8-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -15% | $5,150 | 555 |
| 760Li | 6.0L 12-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -21% | $5,500 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 BMW 7 Series.
Similar 2012 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 BMW 7 Series (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Tesla Model S | 265 mi | Not rated | 8 |
| 2012 Audi A8 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Other Fuel Types › Turbo/Supercharger · Apr 10, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V161000 · 2,846 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2012 6-SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, AND X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.
- Risk
- THIS COULD LEAD TO A SMOLDERING OF THE PUMP OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR VEHICLE FIRE.
- Fix
- BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Not every 2012 BMW 7 Series is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 BMW 7 Series buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 BMW 7 Series. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 7 Series years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 7 Series | 26 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 7 Series | 28 | 212.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 7 Series | 28 | 212.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 7 Series | 28 | 212.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 7 Series | 27 | 212.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 7 Series | 25 | 207.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 7 Series | 25 | 207.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 7 Series | 24 | 207.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 7 Series | 27 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 7 Series | 27 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 7 Series | 27 | 206.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 7 Series | 24 | 200.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →