BMW 7 Series Test Drive: BMW Tygervalley South Africa

This week, I joined BMW Tygervalley in Bellville, Cape Town, to test drive the BMW 7 Series, specifically the 740i sedan. Not only was the car a fantastic drive, but we were treated like royalty by the staff. My son, Nathan, joined me again to give a rear-passenger perspective and tell you what it’s like back there.

Thanks to the fantastic company,  a smooth, high-performance drive, and exciting technology, I enjoyed my experience with the BMW 7 Series test drive. 

Let’s start the engine and begin the drive!

2024 BMW 7 Series Quick Feature List

Before I head into the BMW 7 Series test drive experience, I’ll give you the quick specs of the 740i sedan. Please note that a BMW 740d xDrive is also available, but that’s not the focus of this article.

– Interior Configuration: BMW Individual leather ‘Merino’ with exclusive contents, multi-functional seats, fine-wood trims, Panorama glass roof, five seats, 540 litres of cargo space in the boot (trunk)

– Top Exterior Features: Iconic glow front grille, L-shaped crystal lights, ‘invisible’ tailpipe, 20 – 21” wheels, various external metallic paint colours available from Mineral White to Tanzanite Blue

– Performance Elements: 280kW power, 540 Nm/rpm of torque, 0 – 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, top speed of 250 km/h, fuel consumption combined = 7.9 l/100 km

– Comfort and Alignment: Executive Drive Pro suspension system for a smooth drive, lounge atmosphere especially in the rear compartment, adjustable headrests and seats (front and back)

– Modern Automotive Technology: 31.3” Theatre Screen in the rear passenger compartment that moves down at the touch of a button, automatic opening and closing of doors, external door sensors, 14.9” BMW curved display, 5.5” touchscreen display, Bowers & Wilkens Diamond Surround Sound System, BMW IconicSounds for various engine modes

– Safety Galore: Hillstop assist, integral active steering, front and curtain airbags around the interior, Parking Assistant Plus, speed limit info systems, heads-up display of speed and limits on the windscreen, Adaptive cruise control, Surround-view cameras, and more!

– Range of Models: 740i, 740d xDrive

– Price Range: R2 270 000*

*Prices obtained from the official SA brand site at the time of this article and exclude all additions at the time of purchase. Prices are subject to change and may differ among dealerships. Check more of the sedan’s specifications on the BMW South Africa website!

The Meet and Greet

My son and I arrived at BMW Tygervalley (Bellville, Cape Town) about 30 minutes earlier than expected. We were treated to cappuccino thanks to the lovely lady Venus at the coffee bar. While we waited, we checked out the assortment of BMWs on the showroom floor, which was a pleasure to behold.

Ranin Govender, the New Vehicle Sales Executive who took us on our BMW 7 Series test drive, didn’t leave us waiting for too long. He spoke to us at his desk about the vehicle details, the First Sunday Drive club he belongs to (which I am eager to join), and the Sean McCarthy Group (SMG) that BMW and Mini are part of in South Africa.

Once the car was ready, we eagerly went to see what was in store for us.

Inspecting the BMW 7 Series 740i From the Outside

As usual, Nathan and I took a walk around the car first. The luxury of this vehicle is obvious even from the outside. By just a quick examination without even starting the car, you can see how the BMW 7 Series is worth more than R2 million. 

There are several striking features I still remember from the BMW 7 Series test drive. The crystal headlights are stunning, especially when they pulse back and forth. Just the press of a soft button opens the doors for you, and it will detect if you’re standing in the way and stop. 

From the outside, you can’t see through the Panorama glass skyroof. You won’t even know it’s see-through until you enter the vehicle and look up at the ceiling. The massive 21” wheels are impressive and formidable, and the sleek exterior lines promise you a luxurious drive ahead.

Stunning Performance While Saving Fuel

The BMW 7 Series test drive showed us just how powerful the engine is on an open road. We travelled to the N1 highway from the showroom, and thankfully, the road didn’t hold too much traffic. Sticking to the speed limit, the beast easily climbed steep hills with hardly any effort at all. It was also incredibly responsive to my foot on the pedal.

While driving and watching the road, I noticed two-speed signs shining on the windscreen interior. Neither Nathan nor Ranin could see it, as it was only intended for the driver’s viewing perspective. The symbol on the left updated whenever there was a new speed limit, and the one on the right showed my current speed. I didn’t have to take my eyes off the road to know how fast I was going.

Fuel consumption for the BMW 7 Series comes in at 7.9 l/100 km, which is slightly better than the 2024 Citroën C3 Aircross I test-drove the week before. I was amazed at how such a massive vehicle with fantastic performance can save so much fuel. As a side note, carbon emissions are only at 179 g/km.

Comfortable Seats and Spacious Interior

I’m understating it when I say the BMW 7 Series 740i places you in the lap of luxury. There’s enough space to extend your elbows and even do some stretches if you want. Legroom is not an issue for the driver or passenger, and you can still easily reach the touchscreen. If you can’t, there’s a big round control knob on the central console near the automatic gear selector that you can use like a mouse to control the touchscreen.

Looking up was one of my favourite experiences with the BMW 7 Series 740i. You see right through the glass roof, making me wish we had taken the car for a drive at night. Of course, your eyes are on the road when driving, but there’s plenty of time to look up when parked.

Lighting Up the Dashboard

I didn’t get to play with the 5.5” touchscreen display as much as I should have. I enjoyed the drive and conversation so much, any thoughts of testing the radio and apps went out the window. However, the BMW 7 Series 740i’s screen, dashboard, and instrument panels are gorgeous to look at. I did notice the small smartphone-size tablet in the door handle, which let me quickly access a few controls. 

What My Son Has to Say

To quote Ranin, the party is in the back. That’s where my son had all the fun. From the moment he entered the rear compartment, he had all the space in the world to relax. The front passenger seat locks forward so you can extend your legs and even rest your feet.

Then there’s the 31.3” Theatre Screen conveniently tucked under the ceiling at the back. With the press of a button, it moves into place before the rear passengers while the rear window blacks out. So basically, the driver focuses on the road while everyone else at the back watches movies or streams music videos… generally having an awesome time.

With how I fight with the kids to go out for drives some days, the BMW 7 Series 740i will eliminate this problem immediately.

That’s not all. Nathan was treated to a massage in the rear seat. He said it felt like small fists digging into his back, pressing into his muscles and helping him relax. When we climbed out of the car, he said his body felt less stiff than before we drove away.

Head to BMW Tygervalley for a BMW 7 Series Test Drive Today!

As you can tell, I enjoyed driving the BMW 7 Series 740i. Ranin Govender made the experience enjoyable, and if you have a chance to test drive a car at BMW Tygervalley, I recommend chatting with him any time. Everyone there was so friendly, you receive a free dose of caffeine, and I spotted a few smiles from his colleagues before and after our adventure.

So, if you also want to test drive the BMW 7 Series or any of the other available vehicles, you can contact Ranin Govender at 074 935 9730 (mobile), 021 918 8712 (office), or [email protected] (email). There’s also an online booking system that makes it easy.