Generation-specific owner insights from 43+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?174
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2012–2015
5
recall campaigns
engine
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owners of the 2012-2015 F02h 7 Series describe it as a supremely comfortable, luxurious, and fast flagship that delivers an unmatched ride quality among BMWs, but nearly all discussions converge on the same warning: this generation is extremely expensive to own and maintain, particularly the V8 models.
5 problems reported (2 very frequent, 1 recurrent, 2 isolated) · high confidence
The 740i/740Li with the inline-six engine is the consensus pick among owners. Multiple discussions explicitly recommend the 740 over the 750, citing the N63 V8's notorious reliability problems. One owner who has owned multiple 7 Series (2003, 2006, 2009, and the F02) called the F02 his favorite, praising it as "very luxurious and fast but not sporty." For the V8, owners suggest looking at 2013 and later models, which received an improved version of the N63, though even these are described as "better but still shit compared to a i6" by one commenter.
Owners compare it most often with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222, 2014 S550), Audi A8L 4.0T, Lexus LS, BMW 5 Series (F10) and Jaguar XF.
Is a 2012–2015 7 Series right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Owners of the 2012-2015 F02h 7 Series describe it as a supremely comfortable, luxurious, and fast flagship that delivers an unmatched ride quality among BMWs, but nearly all discussions converge on the same warning: this generation is extremely expensive to own and maintain, particularly the V8 models. The 750i/750Li with the N63 V8 engine is repeatedly singled out as a serious reliability risk, with owners advising to avoid it or only own it under warranty. Later model years (2013 and beyond) are viewed as improved over the earliest F01/F02 cars, but the overall consensus is that this is not a car for budget-conscious buyers or those seeking a dependable daily driver. Owners who love the car praise its comfort, presence, and straight-line performance, while critics note it lacks the sportiness of competitors and is outclassed by newer rivals in technology and efficiency.
Owners cross-shopping this generation against the Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8 generally conclude the 7 Series is competitive but not class-leading. Several owners state the S-Class of the same era has a superior interior and technology, with one calling it "objectively better" than the 7. The Audi A8's 4.0T V8 is described as having its own serious turbo issues, making neither German flagship a safe used purchase. The Lexus LS is repeatedly recommended as the more reliable, less expensive alternative. Within BMW's own lineup, multiple owners argue the F10 5 Series offers nearly the same interior space and technology at significantly lower ownership costs, with better handling and fuel efficiency. One owner who traded a 750i for a 328i reported being "so happy" with the smaller car's responsiveness and fuel economy. However, some owners defend the 7 Series, noting its ride quality is "unlike any other BMW" and that it feels more secure and enclosed than smaller models.
Owners consistently recommend the 740i/740Li with the N55 inline-six engine over any V8 model. For those set on the 750i/750Li, 2013 and later production years are considered preferable due to the updated N63TU engine, but owners still advise caution. The 760Li with the V12 is mentioned only in passing and not specifically recommended. No owner recommends the earliest 2012 V8 models, which are described as having the "notoriously bad" first-generation N63.
Owners are nearly unanimous that this generation should only be purchased with a comprehensive warranty or service contract. A BMW dealership CIO stated he would "never own either of them as used cars again," calling the flagships "betas" with bleeding-edge technology that is simply not reliable. A service advisor warned that leased examples often received minimal maintenance, with one case of a filter element disintegrating from oil neglect. Owners advise checking service history meticulously, as maintenance records are the single most important factor in whether a used example will be a pleasure or a money pit. For those who cannot afford potential five-figure repair bills, owners strongly suggest looking at the 5 Series or a Lexus instead. One owner who owned a 2009 750Li reported a $20,000+ repair covered by extended warranty for turbo failure and carbon deposits, emphasizing "don't drive these cars without warranty."
Owners note that the F02h generation was never offered with a genuine M version or M Performance variant, and any M badges seen on these cars are aftermarket additions. The 2016 redesign is frequently mentioned as addressing complaints about the F01/F02's weight, handling, and fuel efficiency, with several owners expressing anticipation for the newer model. One owner noted the F02 shares many components with other BMW models, making it potentially less catastrophic to repair than the previous E65 generation, though this view is in the minority. The car's ride quality is consistently praised as its standout attribute, with one owner saying "you can't beat the 7 series ride quality with any other Bimmer." Analysis based on approximately 43 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 8 | 1 | engine |
| 2014 | 27 | 1 | air bags |
| 2013 | 42 | 1 | engine |
| 2012 | 97 | 2 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2015 · exterior lightingcampaign 17V379000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2014 · exterior lightingcampaign 17V379000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2013 · exterior lightingcampaign 17V379000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2012 · power train:driveline:constant velocity jointcampaign 17V067000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
2012 · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/superchargercampaign 18V248000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.