After a year and 13,400 miles, a BMW X7 M50i owner shares their in-depth review, highlighting the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Embarking on epic road trips across continents, this fully-loaded 2021 model has been put to the test in diverse conditions, from city streets to the Arctic Circle. Is the BMW X7 still living up to its reputation as the ultimate luxury SUV? Let’s dive into this comprehensive owner review.
The owner’s journey began with a factory Performance Center Delivery (PCD), marking the start of an unforgettable cross-country drive. Opting for the X7 M50i in early 2021, they managed to secure a model packed with features before supply chain issues impacted production. Only Ambient Air, Night Vision, and Full Merino Leather in black were unavailable at the time of ordering. Despite racking up significantly more miles than usual in a year, primarily due to extensive road trips, the overall verdict is overwhelmingly positive.
An Awesome Car Overall with Minor Hiccups
The owner unequivocally states, “the car is awesome, and I couldn’t be much happier.” It’s described as running smoothly, maintaining excellent condition, and standing out as the best all-around vehicle they’ve ever owned. While the experience has been largely exceptional, a few minor issues have surfaced over the year:
- Sunroof Crack: A spontaneous sunroof crack occurred while driving on I-40.
- Keyed Door: Vandalism resulted in a keyed car door in Yosemite National Park.
- Cargo Cover Clip: A retention clip on the rear cargo cover port’s plastic cap broke and required replacement.
- Suspension Warning: A suspension adjustment warning appeared after encountering a pothole during an Arctic Circle trip, later cleared by the dealer without recurrence.
- Seat Creak: Driver’s seat creaking was resolved with a bracket adjustment by the dealer.
- Garage Door Opener Issue: Persistent difficulty in programming garage door openers to the X7’s built-in buttons.
- Voice Control Music Search: Ongoing issues with voice control for music search from a hard drive.
The Impact of Rising Fuel Costs
A stark visual reminder of changing times is presented through two photos taken a year apart. The first, from March 2021 in Oklahoma City, contrasts sharply with the second, taken in March 2022 in Alhambra, California, vividly illustrating the dramatic surge in fuel prices. This serves as a pertinent observation, particularly for owners of vehicles like the X7 M50i, which consumes premium fuel.
Gas Prices in California 2022
Key Aspects of X7 Ownership: The Positives
While a comprehensive list would be extensive, the owner highlights several standout features and decisions that have significantly enhanced their X7 experience:
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Ceramic Coating and PPF: Investing in ceramic coating and especially Paint Protection Film (PPF) is deemed “definitely worth it.” Despite a few minor rock chips on the windshield and hood, the car’s paint remains in “PERFECT” condition. The owner even suggests considering PPF for even more of the vehicle in hindsight.
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Mud Flaps: Initially a questionable “cheap mod,” mud flaps have proven incredibly practical in minimizing road splash and protecting the car’s lower panels, particularly in wet and slushy conditions.
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Coding: Vehicle coding is strongly recommended, especially for rural drivers. Anti-dazzle headlights are cited as a crucial safety feature, and Automatic Start/Stop (AS/S) control is also considered worthwhile.
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Adjustable Suspension Height: This feature is lauded as “VERY useful” and a key reason for choosing the X7. Its benefits range from aiding entry and exit for disabled individuals and simplifying cargo loading to even adjusting vehicle height at drive-throughs and navigating snow-covered driveways without bottoming out. The owner passionately requests BMW to implement an automatic height adjustment to a chosen “entry height” when the ignition is switched off.
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Winter Wheel and Tire Set: A dedicated winter wheel and tire set significantly improves the X7’s winter driving capabilities, complementing its high summer performance. While wheel swaps are cumbersome, the benefits in winter conditions are undeniable.
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B&W Audio System: The Bowers & Wilkins audio system is praised as “fantastic” when paired with high-resolution audio files streamed from a hard drive, delivering an immersive sound experience.
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Heads Up Display (HUD): The Heads Up Display and its comprehensive functionality remain a favorite feature, providing essential driving information directly in the driver’s line of sight.
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Driver Assistance Features: Regular use and appreciation are expressed for various driver assistance features, including “Auto Hold” and Enhanced Traffic Jam Assistant, which, while less frequently used in less congested areas like Alaska, is still recognized as a valuable asset.
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Heated/Cooled Cupholders: Heated and cooled cupholders are appreciated for maintaining drink temperatures, though cleaning spills is noted as slightly challenging.
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Massage Seats: Massage seats are considered “so awesome” for long drives and providing relief and comfort during extended periods behind the wheel.
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All-Weather Mats: All-weather mats are highlighted for their practicality and ease of cleaning, effectively protecting the interior and maintaining a pristine cabin environment.
Areas for Improvement and Wishlist Items
Despite the overwhelmingly positive experience, the owner identifies several areas where the BMW X7 could be improved:
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Seating Controls: The multitude of seating control buttons throughout the car are deemed “NOT intuitive,” and the operation of 2nd-row seat movement is considered too slow, suggesting a redesign for the upcoming LCI (Life Cycle Impulse or facelift).
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Captain’s Chairs Functionality: The inability of the captain’s chairs to fold down is noted as a limitation. While not personally a major issue for the owner, it’s recognized as a potential drawback for others needing to maximize cargo space.
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Center Console Storage: A lack of a natural small item tray on the center console is mentioned. The cupholders often become makeshift storage for items like sunglasses and receipts, while space is already limited due to drinks, charging tray, and power outlets.
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Windshield Wipers: Windshield wipers are considered “a little beefier” than desired, particularly in heavy snow and freezing conditions. The owner suggests heated wipers as a “PERFECT” solution for Alaskan winters where ice buildup on wiper blades can become problematic.
Final Verdict: The “Godfather” Title Holds Strong
In conclusion, the BMW X7 M50i receives a resounding endorsement. The owner affirms that “BMW hit a home-run with the X7,” and their personal vehicle has proven to be robust and reliable over a year of ownership and demanding road trips. The analogy to “The Godfather” remains apt, solidifying the X7’s position as the ultimate luxury SUV, even surpassing the “Boss” X5 in terms of presence and grandeur. The owner intends to keep their X7 long-term, declaring it will be “the last car I ever drive,” a testament to their satisfaction and the X7’s enduring appeal.
