Latest news with #BMWX7
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
6 New Luxury SUVs That Are Bad Investments for Retirees
When it comes to retirement, financial decisions matter more than ever, especially big-ticket purchases like a new vehicle. While luxury SUVs may offer style, comfort and cutting-edge features, not all of them are practical for retirees. On top of the purchase price, there are surprise costs that can eat into a retiree's budget. Read Next: Check Out: Here are six new luxury SUVs that may look appealing for retirees but could end up being a bad investment over the long run. Alan Gelfand, German car expert and owner at German Car Depot in Hollywood, Florida, noted that these vehicles look great, but they'll eat into your retirement savings. He explained that the air suspension system will likely start to fail, and the repairs can get pricey, especially when the warranty expires. 'The electrical systems are nightmarishly complex,' Gelfand said. 'A door handle malfunction requires the replacement of a control module that costs $800. The repair costs for infotainment system failures amount between $2,500 and $3,500.' Be Aware: The Maserati Levante, a luxury crossover SUV with sleek coupe-like design and a powerful engine, certainly turns heads. However, its sharp depreciation means you're unlikely to recoup much of your investment when it comes time to sell. 'The Levante experiences such rapid depreciation that it surpasses most luxury SUVs with a 60% to 70% value drop in three years,' Gelfand explained. Maintenance costs are also pricey, especially brake jobs. Gelfand also pointed out that customers often experience lengthy delays for basic components, as supplies are often limited to main urban areas. The BMW X7 may appeal to luxury SUV enthusiasts, but it's far from retiree-friendly. According to Gelfand, the twin-turbo V8 engine requires premium fuel, which can get costly. It's also known to have electrical issues. 'Each minor issue in the complex electronic systems results in costly diagnostic fees from the beginning,' Gelfand explained. The Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is a powerful SUV, but it's overkill — and expensive — for retirees. 'The maintenance requirements of the AMG vehicle are strict since brake fluid needs to be changed every two years,' Gelfand said. It's also a gas guzzler and demands high-grade fuel. 'Retirement drivers who stay near home need to bear supercar maintenance expenses because they will never benefit from these features,' he said. According to Gelfand, the supercharged V8 Escalade-V is a maintenance disaster. 'The GM electronics in these vehicles experience reliability problems and supercharger rebuilds demand prices ranging between $6,000 and $8,000,' Gelfand explained. 'Older passengers will find the driving experience of this vehicle to be too much like a truck.' More From GOBankingRates 6 Popular SUVs That Aren't Worth the Cost -- and 6 Affordable Alternatives This article originally appeared on 6 New Luxury SUVs That Are Bad Investments for Retirees Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
How the BMW X7 elevates everyday life for families
As most busy families will understand, a car isn't just about getting from one place to another. It's a moving extension of the family home. It has to be safe – a buffer between loved ones and the elements outside. But it also needs to be a place of calm, particularly for younger kids who might need to nap or mellow out. It should present distractions for longer trips, preserving parents' sanity as the miles clock up and also have the flexibility to accommodate the bulk of everyday life, be that buggies and food shops or surfboards and pedal bikes. Acclaimed chef and BMW 'friend of the brand' Paul Ainsworth knows this as well as any busy father. Based in Cornwall, where long drives are standard practice and the weather is unpredictable, his BMW X7 M60i has become the lynchpin of both family life and work logistics. First and foremost, the focus is on safety. 'My daughter's school is 30 miles away, so we're on the A30 a lot,' Ainsworth explains. 'You need to feel the car's solid, that it's got you covered – and the X7 gives you that. It feels strong and sturdy. You just know your family is secure.' The X7 is full to the brim with safety-first features, such as Lane Control Assistant, Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation, and the optional Driving Assistant Professional, which includes steering and lane control support. For those who regularly drive longer distances, especially with children in the car, these features are invaluable. Add to those the Surround View and Parking Assistant Professional – letting you spot even the smallest obstacle and manoeuvre accordingly – and it's easy to see why the X7 offers peace of mind. Then there's the matter of keeping the screeching down and everyone entertained. 'In terms of how they travel, we definitely had them in the right order,' Paul laughs. 'CiCi, my elder daughter, is quite chilled and goes with the flow. She always has. Audrey, my younger one, is completely different. She's all about the routine. If that routine gets disrupted, you know about it.' Keeping the whole family happy on the road has never been so easy or pleasurable. The X7's third-row seating gives space for up to seven people in comfort, which is a boon for the Ainsworths. With two kids in the back, the rear entertainment screens are also a lifesaver. Plus, the four-zone climate control, the eight USB-C ports and generous storage compartments throughout means everyone can settle into their own comfort zone. The optional panoramic Sky Lounge sunroof is another road trip hero. On the A30 school run, it turns early morning drives into a visual experience. 'It's a long drive, and often we're doing it while it's still a bit dark, but we get sunrise over the moorland and that's a real favourite of Cici's,' Ainsworth says. And then, of course, there's the space. Living in Cornwall means loading up the car, which isn't just during a once-a-week grocery shop. 'I need a big boot,' says Ainsworth. 'You've got the wetsuits, the dog, Cici's skateboards, bikes, buckets – all the stuff. It just gets loaded in.' The BMW X7's electrically split tailgate and height-adjustable air suspension makes it easier to load heavy gear. The third row of seats folds away at the touch of a button, freeing up more than 750 litres of cargo space when needed. 'When I'm not filling the boot with produce for the restaurants, I'm filling it with all the stuff our life demands,' Ainsworth says. 'I think it's almost a prerequisite of living in Cornwall – you have to have hobbies that involve a lot of kit.' His wife Emma, he notes, is the only low-maintenance one in the household. 'She just needs a pair of fully charged AirPods and she's off for a long walk along the coast with her favourite podcasts.' His daughter CiCi, on the other hand, is constantly levelling up her interests. 'If it's not surfing, it's skateboarding. And now her surf coach has recommended surf-skateboarding, so adding yet another board to add to the pile.' The flexibility of the X7's boot space, combined with its thoughtful family-first features, makes it uniquely suited to this kind of lifestyle. Whether it's heading to school, the beach, or London for a work meeting, the car adapts seamlessly. What stands out about the BMW X7 is its ability to merge performance, space and comfort in one attractive package. 'It's really everything,' Ainsworth says. 'You've got the height, the views, the comfortable seats – but also that family-friendly flexibility. It doesn't feel like a compromise. It works for us.'
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Why you don't have to sacrifice luxury when you choose an SUV
When it comes to family SUVs, it's sometimes hard to discern upfront if off-roading credentials will meet reality, but the BMW X7 meets every expectation. Built with the same attention to engineering precision as its performance-focused siblings, the X7 blends comfort, versatility and genuine off-road capability into one luxuriously appointed package. Chef Paul Ainsworth knows the value of this duality. Running a spread of successful businesses across Cornwall, he juggles the demands of his high-level hospitality venues with a lifestyle that pulls him away from paved roads almost daily. If he's not heading down muddy lanes to suppliers, he's loading the car up with all the kit required for a family day at the beach. 'Quite often my job takes me to places where I'm meeting farmers, fishermen and suppliers,' Ainsworth explains. 'You could be going down to a farm, onto a beach or into woodland – it's really important to have a vehicle that's just as good off-road as it is on the tarmac.' One of those locations is the Porthilly oyster farm. 'We're often pulling onto the beach, following the old tractor tracks,' he recalls. 'There are big rocks and silt if the tide has just gone out. But with the BMW X7, I've never once thought, 'We're going to get stuck here.' It just goes straight over it.' The X7 M60i xDrive is equipped with BMW's intelligent all-wheel drive system, but for those wanting a bit of extra off-road confidence, the optional xOffroad Package adds four specific driving modes: xSnow, xSand, xGravel, and xRocks. Each of them optimises traction, torque and stability based on the terrain. Ground clearance can also be increased, thanks to the height-adjustable air suspension, which is controlled via a physical button, rather than buried in menu screens. 'That's what I love,' Ainsworth says. 'You just press the button and lift it up – it's so simple.' The suspension system also includes Executive Drive Pro with active-roll stabilisation. This means the drive will still feel seriously smooth and safe even if the ground is uneven. Plus, the Integral Active Steering makes low-speed manoeuvring on tight trails a doddle. But the X7's off-road strengths aren't only about helping Ainsworth while he works. They're just as essential for his personal pursuits too. 'For me, going down onto the beach is really important,' he says. 'It's my happy place. When I first moved to Cornwall, I loved the landscape, but now, with my daughters, it's everything. That connection to the coast, the outdoors – that's where I feel most grounded.' A favourite family destination is Port Quin, a remote Cornish cove that's accessible either by Rib from the sea or by quite a challenging drive. It's worth it when you get there though. 'It's a real paddleboarding kind of place,' Ainsworth explains. 'You've got this amazing crystal-clear water, and it's like this secret, tucked-away spot. Getting there by car isn't easy as it's quite out of the way, but the X7 makes it completely doable.' If it's not beach days as a family, Ainsworth is taking off for a solo cycle. 'I'm a keen cyclist,' he says. 'Sometimes I start from home, but I've also driven to Dartmoor with the bike in the back to get a good starting point for a longer route. It's brilliant for that.' Dartmoor's varied terrain and remote tracks might present a challenge for the average car, but then, the X7 is anything but average. The xOffroad Package and adaptive suspension are perfectly designed for tackling unsealed roads and gravelled parking spots. 'There's a lot of stuff involved in cycling,' Ainsworth adds. 'Shoes, helmets, fixing kits… I'm quite organised with it all. It's all sorted in tubs, so the space and layout of the X7 really help.' For families who want a car that can genuinely keep up – on and off the beaten path – the BMW X7 is an impressive proposition. From ferrying produce back from a farm, navigating a soft-sand beach at low tide or pulling into a trailhead for a day in the saddle, it's adaptable. 'It just does everything,' Ainsworth says. 'You can go off-road, load up the back, take the dog, the kids, whatever. It looks beautiful, feels amazing to drive and it gets you where you need to be – no matter what the road looks like.'
Miami Herald
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
BMW Launches Killer X7 Lease Offer
When the BMW X7 debuted in 2019, it entered the fray of the premium full-size, three-row SUV segment against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Audi Q7, Infiniti QX80, and the Lexus LX. BMW brought its performance DNA to the luxury SUV game, blending its requisite impressive driving dynamics with opulent comfort and high-tech features. In 2023, the X7 adopted a polarizing front end with split front lighting clusters and some of the biggest kidney grilles ever found on a BMW. Even two years later, it remains the automaker's flagship SUV, offering serious performance, bold styling, and a plush ride that challenges even traditional full-size luxury sedans. BMW's 2025 X7 comes in two versions: the xDrive40i and the M60i. The xDrive40i is powered by a smooth turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with mild-hybrid assistance, good for 375 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. For even more firepower, the M60i brings a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, delivering a whopping 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, enough to roast many sports cars. Both models feature BMW's sophisticated xDrive all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2025 X7 xDrive40i starts at $84,300, and the M60i at $111,900, but BMW's current lease deals make them far more attainable, offering an appealing entry point into the world of full-size luxury SUVs for less than you'd think. BMW has rolled out national lease incentives for both X7 models, and the numbers are surprisingly competitive given the SUV's size, capabilities, and luxury status. For May 2025, you can lease a 2025 BMW X7 xDrive40i for $1,049 per month over 39 months, with 24,375 miles during the lease period. There's a $6,025 down payment, a $925 acquisition fee, and a $0 security deposit, bringing the total due at signing to $8,179, including your first month's payment. This lease offer is available across the country, with no regional pricing, so what you see is what you pay, regardless of location. This lease offer is good through June 2, 2025. Learn more here. If it's top-tier luxury appointments and authoritative power you want, the M60i is calling. BMW's lease deal on the 2025 X7 M60i is almost as enticing as its less powerful sibling's. You can now lease this V8-powered beast for $1,319 per month for 39 months, also with 24,375 miles during the lease period. There's a $7,495 down payment, the same $925 acquisition fee, and no security deposit, bringing the total due at signing to $9,739. As with the xDrive40i version, this lease deal is good through June 2, 2025. Learn more here. Even in its base xDrive40i trim, the 2025 X7 has a commanding presence. The front end might be polarizing with its monster nostrils and pinched headlight clusters, but it definitely won't go unnoticed. The X7 xDrive40i gets standard 21-inch wheels with 22- or 23-inch ones as optional equipment, while the M60i gets 21- or 22-inch wheels with optional 23-inch wheels. Inside, the cabin feels like a cinematic treat with a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, framed within a single, enormous curved panel that spans most of the dash. BMW's iDrive 8.5 interface is sharp, responsive, and supports the standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The xDrive40i receives standard four-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, heated and power-adjustable front seats with memory, ambient interior lighting, and a power tailgate. Safety features like forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a surround view monitor come standard on all X7s. Rear seat passengers enjoy ample legroom in the second row, but the third row can be tight for taller occupants. While total cargo space is generous, with up to 90.4 cubic feet of seats folded flat, the room behind the third row is only 13 cubic feet. Optional Captain's Chairs reduce seating capacity from seven to six but offer greater comfort for middle-row occupants. In terms of fuel efficiency, the xDrive40i gets an EPA-rated 16 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. The M60i sacrifices very little efficiency for gobs more power, coming in at 16mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and the same 18 mpg combined. But its extra horsepower, sportier handling, and M-tuned exhaust bring a more thrilling driving character to the X7. The M60i features standard air suspension with adaptive dampers, an M Sport differential, and M Sport brakes for the full performance package. It also provides standard rear-wheel steering and roll stabilization for truly remarkable agility and control through corners, to the point that the SUV feels way smaller than it is. The 2025 BMW X7 isn't just about size and status; it's also a serious performer. With national lease deals now available for both the stately xDrive40i and the ferocious M60i, there's never been a better time to get behind the wheel of BMW's largest and most luxurious SUV. If you've been waiting for the right moment to move up to a full-size luxury SUV that blends performance, elegance, and cutting-edge tech, the X7 does not disappoint. As always, check with your local BMW dealer for full details, fine print, and any dealer-specific promotions. Be sure to factor in monthly payments, taxes, and registration fees into your overall budget. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
7NEWS
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2027 BMW X7 SUV spied for the first time, set to go electric
The 2027 BMW X7 large SUV has been spied testing after the carmaker confirmed a second generation – which will include a battery-electric iX7 version – expected in showrooms from 2027. The German brand revealed it's working on a second-generation of the X7 SUV – a rival to the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Audi Q7 and Lexus LX – in its latest financial reports. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The report confirmed costs incurred in the carmaker's financials for the new X7 – the first public mention of a successor to the current model – as well as the iX3 battery-electric SUV and new 2026 X5 SUVs. BMW Australia has yet to confirm the next X7 for local showrooms. According to Autocar the new X7 will use a heavily updated version of the current vehicle's Cluster Architecture (CLAR) underpinnings – meaning similar dimensions – and be offered in both petrol-hybrid and electric powertrains. 'We are in a phase where flexibility is required,' BMW R&D boss Frank Weber told Autocar. 'We have to detach ourselves from how we have perceived platforms up to now.' The current X7 – codenamed G07 – is sold in Australia with a choice of 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol and turbo-diesel in-line six-cylinder engines and a 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbocharged petrol M60i flagship. The carmaker recommitted to internal-combustion engines earlier in 2025, saying it will continue to offer V8 engines for certain models. 'V8s are here to stay. There are markets such as the US and Middle East where you cannot replace V8s with inline-six hybrids,' said Mr Weber. 'We will continue to offer V8s.' The current 'S68' V8 in the X7 was adapted to a plug-in hybrid set-up for the BMW M5 performance sedan and wagon, meeting Euro 6d emissions standards and making it a logical fit for the 2027 X7. Electric versions of the X7, badged 'iX7', could use the 800V tech being developed for the battery-electric iX5 expected in showrooms from 2026. Spy shots of the camouflaged SUV show exhaust pipes and heat shields at the rear indicating the vehicle pictured uses internal combustion and is not the battery-electric model. It also reveals an exterior design departing from other BMW SUVs, showing a front-end closer to that of the 7 Series sedan. BMW has said it will roll out its Neue Klasse design language with the next BMW iX3 due to be unveiled at the 2025 Munich motor show in September. 'We will make sure that the form language that we are developing now – and starting this year at the IAA [Munich show] with the first of the Neue Klasse vehicles – will be rolled out over the entire product portfolio, leaving no car behind,' BMW head of design, Adrain van Hooydonk, told Autocar. 'Of course, it would not be good for us or for our customers if there would be a new type of BMW and a 'classic' type of BMW. We're going to change the look and feel of the BMW brand.' Click an image to view the full gallery.
