Months in Fleet: Eleven
Miles to Date: 37,876
We only have about two and a half weeks left in our year with the 2009 BMW 750Li. During the last eleven months we've taken the car from San Diego to Boston and virtually everywhere in between at least once. Miles have accumulated quickly, and we've been comfortable for every one of them. Perhaps our love for the big sedan is waning, since it only covered 2000 miles in the last four weeks. More likely, it's because none of us went on big driving trips in the depths of winter in January.
President and editor-in-chief Jean Jennings recently spent a few days with the 750Li and remains impressed: "After nearly one year and more than 37,000 miles, the 750 is still a fantastic way to arrive anywhere special and the finest companion on a very long trip." She goes on to say that the 7-series has regained its position at the top of the luxury-sedan class: "If you were one of those many people who walked away from the once Best Sedan in the World 7-series -- that would be pre-bustle butt and pre-iDrive -- you can come home. All is better and all is forgiven. The shape is strong and proud, the iDrive beaten only by the newest Audi A8 MMI controller."
Jean agrees with technical editor Don Sherman that the BMW 750Li is missing a convenient, logical place to store the key fob while the vehicle is in motion. Another disadvantage to using the key fob instead of an old fashioned key is the convoluted process of hitting the start/stop button twice to shut down the engine and all the electronics inside the car each time you park.
We've enjoyed the traction provided by our Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 tires this winter and never had to park the 400-hp, rear-wheel-drive sedan due to weather conditions. Winter tires are an essential upgrade for our Four Seasons cars this time of year, but Jennings found an equally essential option inside the cabin in the form of a heated steering wheel. While the BMW's wheel doesn't get as hot as the heated wheel in our Dodge Ram 1500, it certainly helps take the edge off a frigid January morning in Michigan.
We're fretting over the BMW's imminent departure, because we're not quite sure what will replace the 7-series as a super-comfortable long-distance cruiser in our Four Seasons fleet. Few cars can match the BMW's mix of chassis balance, power, luxury, and sophistication. ...next page >>