F01 · 740i Sedan

What the BMW F01 Is

The BMW F01 replaced the polarizing E65 and reset the flagship formula with cleaner styling, lighter construction, and a fresh generation of forced-induction engines. As the short-wheelbase full-size sedan (the F02 covered the long-wheelbase variant), the F01 anchored BMW's luxury range for the 2009-2015 model years. It arrived at a turning point for the brand, introducing turbocharging, an eight-speed automatic, and a raft of driver-assistance and infotainment features that would define BMW's modern era. You can confirm any car's exact build details using our VIN decoder.

The Models & Body Styles

All U.S.-market F01 cars are four-door sedans in short-wheelbase form. The lineup spans five variants:

• 740i Sedan — the inline-six entry point
• 750i Sedan — V8 power, rear-wheel drive
• 750i xDrive Sedan — the same V8 with all-wheel drive
• ALPINA B7 SWB — the tuned, boosted flagship
• ALPINA B7 SWB xDrive — all-wheel-drive ALPINA

The ALPINA B7 sits at the top, blending outrageous straight-line pace with the F01's inherent refinement. It remains one of the most desirable modern 7 Series cars for collectors.

Engines & Drivetrains

The F01 marked BMW's full commitment to turbocharging in its flagship. The 740i used a turbocharged inline-six, while the 750i models employed the twin-turbo N63 V8. The ALPINA B7 took that V8 and turned it into a genuine autobahn missile. Depending on model year and variant, drive reached the rear wheels or all four via xDrive, and most cars paired to the smooth ZF eight-speed automatic that became a BMW staple. To understand how these powertrains fit into the broader lineage, see our BMW DNA overview.

What It's Like to Own & Buy

The F01 delivers a serene, technology-rich driving experience with the kind of chassis balance that made it uncommonly athletic for a car this size. Buyers cross-shopping the era's coupes and sedans often also consider the E60 5 Series and the E63 6 Series, which share design and engineering themes.

Buying Notes

• Verify service history — flagship complexity means deferred maintenance gets expensive quickly.
• Inspect the electronics and air suspension where fitted, since these systems are core to the F01 experience.
• Prioritize documented cars, especially for the rarer ALPINA B7 variants.

Bought smart and maintained properly, the F01 offers extraordinary luxury and pace for the money—a modern classic BMW flagship.