The longest running controversy on this channel has been Doug's 2 t-shirt style. ...

The good old day when the headlights are bigger than the grill

Every time I see this white 7 series, first thing that comes to my mind is "Every day im hustlin" by Rick Ross!

Dang I remember when my classmate’s dad got this car. He was a VERY hard working man, loved his family to the ends of the earth. His wife supported him, and he showed IMMENSE respect to his family. They owned a business or something. They pulled up one day and we were like WOAH. He was NEVER pretentious about it. He was always thanking people for complimenting his car, and he never let it get to his head. Good man :) Probably why I love BMW’s… because of him Lol he set a great example, just because you drive a nice car, doesn’t mean you’re better than anyone else

This car was such a massive leap forward technologically speaking when it came out. Also, I don’t know of many cars that have better rust-proofing than the E65 7 series. In the Midwest, you notice this sort of thing when most cars that are 7-8 years old have rust starting. I’ve never seen an E65 with rust yet.

"The most controversial car BMW ever made." /me laughs in i3.

You forgot a quirk: the rear passenger mirror cannot only be folded up and down but also swiveled left and right.

This really was a game changing car at the time. It looked and felt like the future. I remember my dad picked one of the earliest models up and it was a V8. Boy was that the most expensive car to maintain ever. The thing I think was missed is how absolutely incredible the interior styling was. The materials, the fit and finish and the new way of addressing the interior was in my opinion the biggest leap from my perspective. Even the door locks had this nice matte finish. The cup holders and the seat controls all felt very premium. It was a true departure from previous generations. The top lighting panel too that felt super premium. I wish they had better power trains but I think a lot has to do with the pioneering drive-by-wire tech used in the car.

BMW, 2003: controversial styling at the rear, 2020: controversial styling at the front

The E65 forums are going nuts, Doug’s finally reviewing their car

I’ll never forget working at a bmw dealer when these came out, everyone was talking about how they had the most computers in any car ever made. Soon after, they came in droves for service, they would be sitting in the shop with wires coming out from every orifice for diagnostics/testing etc.

Is no-one else surprised that Doug said that he was 14 when this came out, making him only 31 years old!

A friend of mine pre-ordered one, when it was not yet in the showrooms. Man, was he surprised. He wanted his old one back, immediately.

Apparently the car automatically starts playing "Everyday I'm hustlin" whenever you drive into Miami

I actually like the Bangle design with hindsight. The Bangle designed 6 series is one of my favourite modern BMWs, especially as an M6. However, the interior design of this 7 series has not aged well. So much plastic everywhere and the glossy wood cheapens it immensely. Think it’s taken a lot of time for BMW to improve their interiors to their current level of quality.

I remember reading an interview with Chris Bangle and he said that he was happy that his design provoked emotions like that and how some people would walk up to the car and secretly touch it. It may not have been the prettiest car, but it was certainly striking and helped bring BMW into the modern era, especially with the cars that followed like the Z4, 6-Series, X3 and more.

Ha I remember being a valet in 2003 and parked this car. I had to be given a quick class by a co-worker on how to drive it with that shifter. Lol. Was an amazing car back then.

Doug: This is the most controversial BMW ever made. New 3/4 series: Hold my big ass grill

I've been a BMW tech for 15 years and I have always loved E65s. Yes they're a pain in the ass but I love the look and this vehicle pioneered technology used today... when you work on them, you see how different they are from any other of the bmws of that generation and that just adds to its charm.

And yet it is the most sold chassis code through the 7 series history. Looks like success to me I love it

Idk about it being the most controversial 7 series, I’d look up the 2023 model

Although controversial, this car technology wise was ahead of its time. So many of these new features are now standard in our modern cars almost 20 years later

I remember when I was in college back in the day (when this car came out) and my father's friend had a white one just like this one in the video and my mind was blown 🤯 !! He was nice enough to allow me to sit in it and I felt like I was in a Spaceship. Till this day, it still looks great to me. The styling and design language of this car aged very well in my eyes. They kept true to this look up until the recent one that came out a couple of years ago with the super big kidney grille. Dope ass car 👌🏾 (but that iDrive knob would drive me crazy for overcomplicating the simplicity of everything).

I have owned a 7 series just like this one for about 15 years now, and what doug failed to tell you is that it is one of the coolest cars EVER made, the amount of technology in it is outstanding for a car that was designed in the LATE 90s and early 2000s! And he also failed to tell you that the infotainment is actually REALLY easy to learn, after owning this car for like a week you can get the hang of it real fast. Thats my take on the video

I’m 28, and I’m not ashamed to say I have always loved the “Bangle Butt” design, especially the split LED tail lights. As a bit of a cars and electronics geek, these were some of the first automotive LEDs I had ever seen, which I thought was really cool, and I still think they look quite elegant today. I also think BMW’s interior design during this era was impressively timeless.

My father was fortunate enough to make some extra money in 2003 and he was so excited about hunting for a large sedan he always wanted. Brought back good memories of helping him look, this, the S-Class, and the A8 L. He ended up with the A8 L as it featured a lot of the same features but came in at a lower price, and oh boy it was so cool. I wasn’t very old and I’ll never forget the size of that backseat and the amazement when I saw things like heated rear seats and a mirror for the backseat as well. What a great little time trip back to some fun memories. And some less so, like him putting 80k miles on a $80k car from 2004-08 and selling it for $22k. Or the hilarious electric issues he got like the car sitting there completely turned off, empty and randomly turning the radio on at full blast. He went away from the German cars after that and drives a Toyota now after having his fun and then wanting something rock solid. But wow what a trip back! Thanks Doug.

I just discovered this channel. This man must have some Italian roots, I've seen Italians hand gesturing less than Doug has

Doug's description of this car's controversy and how everyone talked about it back then, reminds me A LOT of the new M4 / 4 series when it came out

i gotta say they certainly made it look futuristic, that doesn't even look like a design made in the early 2000s, it looks more like 2010-2015

18 years old and it still has the best rear window shade setup ever!

9:11 there is still a wireless phone in the first tray of the center console, there is also a small slot to put your sim card in, 20:30 you can also pull the rear passenger mirror and swivel it left and right, pretty quirky. AND just to flex, mine has the fridge and another pair of ceiling vents 😎

The second I saw the taillights I was like "That's the oracle from gta!"

I grew up with this car. My mom got rid of it about 7 years ago now. She loved it. The funny part is the drivetrain never gave her a single issue but it was always the little electronics and sensors etc. that made the car a nightmare to live with.

"Reviewed by Doug DeMuro"" * value shoots up by 50%*

Doug saying “this” is like people who say “like” a lot 😂😂

Doug, you should know that this BMW 760, and the 745 had an option called "Comfort Access" which gave you the option to unlock/lock the door with a touch of the door handle, and you could start the car without the key.

Hey Doug First of all this vehicle DID came with a proximity key option, pretty rare but it’s existed. Second those wheels also been shared with the Alpina B7.

Take a shot of tequila every time Doug says “controversial”

I’m pretty sure the two arrows next to the eject button are for changing tracks/presets in entertainment mode - not requiring messing with idrive controller

I love the E65 rear design - after all it was something someone had to do, and the weird lighting setup was corrected to please larger audience in the facelift model, which no one can call ugly. Bangle was definitely after something not many understood but later.

I am shocked at how well preserved this specific 7 series is, just beautiful condition. The tech in these is still really good which tell you how advanced they were back then. I really liked that the interior was totally different from the lower models, something you don’t see anymore.

I still remember to this day, the 2002 DC auto show I was 13. The BMW section was absolutely flooded with people waiting to get their close up with the new 7 series. I waited for probably 30 minutes to get my turn to sit inside, I was absolutely amazed at the tech this thing had compared to literally everything else at the show. I mean this car blew my mind, I still remember seeing that phone dial pad slide out of the dash and thinking this was legit James Bond's car. Funny how that stuff sticks with you.

I don’t think it’s ugly at all. I want one, some day.

Fun fact: Even when a car has a "questionable" design judged by people who can't draw a stick figure, that car will still sell.

Even though these are money pits, I see these driving around quite often probably powering through multiple malfunction messages.

"The 2003 BMW 7 Series Is the Most Controversial BMW Ever Made...and here's why I love it"

Great review Doug, as always. Thank you.

We got the BMW E65, and that’s where our love for bimmers started. Nine bimmers later, and we still love them, even after owning a few Mercedes, and many other car/suvs/trucks makes and models.

Doug is having a stroke describing the idrive system.

We had this car for 12 years. Here's one of the things i want to mention: The iDrive, in my experience, was not horrible. You got used to changing the stations with the knob and going to your presets. The screen always started with the FM screen, it wasnt a big issue. About the venting. You didnt mention there are buttons on side to change where the air blows. Never dealt to go in iDrive and change it, always used the buttons. The Auto mode worked perfectly on it and, when needed, we just changed it to blw on front window. Thats it. IT WAS NOT HORRIBLE as you say it now.

Chris Bangle was the Design Director at BMW at the time the E65/E66 came out. In that role, he carried full responsibility for the design. The ‘Bangle Butt’ however was not designed by mr. Bangle. It was Adrian van Hooydonk who actually designed the rear of this 7-series. Adrian van Hooydonk replaced Chris Bangle in 2009 and has been in the role of Design Director at BMW up to this day.

The whole I drive technology concept is so normal now, but I can see why it seemed insane in 2002. You have to give BMW credit though. They were so ahead of their time with this

Doug: "Five steps to change a radio preset!" Me: presses button on steering wheel once, "Not that hard."

The climate menu is hilariously complex and over-engineered. Absolutely insane.

I own the 2006 Version of this (BMW 760 i) Its Black on Black. It does turn heads when driven.It has been very challenging to maintain & repair as a European Automotive Technician.

One of my old friends let me use his a few years back and I drove to Kentucky. It broke down, Low Energy Mode or something. I had it towed back and made him pay for the tow because he didn't tell me what a piece of junk it was.

I was watching older Dougs and realized there has been a slight Flanderization throughout the years. Younger Doug was way less Doug and it felt like vacation to me.

For better or worse, Chris Bangle has probably had more influence over the last 20 yrs than any other designer

I remember the "ski sack" being an option on a new 1989 VW Jetta I was looking at then. I remember it could replace the plastic back panel in the center armrest when folded down to let you put your long (and wet) skis and poles in the trunk, extending into the passenger compartment but keeping the wet and cold out. Hadn't seen it on another car until now!

I actually love this 7 Series ONLY. When I was a baby I watched Jimmy Fallon and Queen Latifah in TAXI (2004) and seeing that red getaway 760Li running on those shiny Lowenhart 22''s rims made me fall in love with this car. It's the only 7 series I liked

Just happy the cup holders didn’t bring much controversy.

You can change radio presets from the steering wheel buttons, as well as the d-keys on the head unit. You don't have to press to confirm mode selections unless you start from the menu, and after a software update even that was selectable by pressing and holding the knob down in the menu mode. Also, in decades of owning multiple of these cars, I have NEVER EVER had to use climate screen, except for curiosity, and once per season to adjust the "feel" temperature, as the "auto" mode is perfect, and "Max AC" and "Defrost" buttons took care of the excessively hot and cold days. Additionally, for people who don't like going through menus - the car has a perfectly fine voice control system that works. Also, the bangle butt being ugly is a matter of opinion, even if the majority think it's ugly - there is plenty of people who liked it, and to me it looked good from day one, and still looks good. This car and its technologies is still giving most of TODAY'S cars a run for it's money, especially with how cheaply you can purchase one of these now. The infotainment system still sounds better than 99% of what you buy today, and once you retrofit Bluetooth - has all the functions that you'd use anyway in the 2021 model cars... This car was good, still is good, and I still own one, thoroughly enjoy it, and don't plan to get rid of it.

The facelifted version of this is one of my most favourite BMWs. In fact, I love the Chris Bangle BMWs' facelifted versions, especially since they were available during my childhood, and the V10 in the M5 and M6 during that time... ❤️

The Alpina B7 E65 is actually gorgeous, like most Alpina touched BMWs, but their rear spoiler really takes the emphasis off the bubble butt of the normal E65.... you should really try finding some older Alpina's to review, even though I wouldn't mind the new B8 being reviewed either lol

Ah, just as I was about to admit my immeasurable disbelief that throughout filming of this video the car didn't throw a check engine light, it did at the end. I was not disappointed.

The E38 actually had adaptive cruise as well, it was a very rare option.

During this time, a friend of mine got a BMW 535GTi with the golfer-butt trunk. From what I understood, this was built on a 7 series short frame due to the size. I remember when I first saw it, strikingly beautiful yet unique looking. Thanks for the video, Doug.

Bangle but aged well - and honestly never had a problem when it came out. Great looking futuristic car from day 1. Beaver grill on the other hand…

How many times are you going to say "Controversial"? Doug: Yes

When this hit the streets in 2002, it was untouchable. Even exotics that cost well into the 6 figure range couldn’t hold a candle to it. It changed the direction of not only BMW, but the auto industry in general. Every flagship had to catch up to it.

Even after being told the Bangle butt is ugly by numerous KZfaqrs... I still think it looks fabulous!

I had the old original Idrive in a 2005 5 series and it was pretty briliant in my opinion. The knob always knew where the end of the menu was and it just stopped scroling once you got to the end of the list. Then to get to different sections by moving the whole knob was also great, because I didnt have to look anywhere for even a split second, you grab the knob, move it and boom you are there. Better then finding a particular button in a mesh of 6 buttons. It also supported split-screen, I could have navigation on half of the screen and the radio on the other half for example. The iDrive in the 5series was different than the 7series but I really liked it. Much more than the infotainment in my current 2015 jaguar. That one just sucks, its slow, it doesnt support showing two things at the same time and every time I want to do something I have to take mye eyes of the road.

When you will go to I-drive settings and turn on the "sport" you will add to handling at lest 2 points. On steering wheel you have sport for transmission, but sport for steering and suspension were hidden in settings - could be assigned to the star button as I remember. I had 2003 760i couple years ago. And it drives on twisty roads better than e39 wit M-package suspension. It drives faster and sharper. Even when we were comparing with e60 M5 (on the road, not race track), we were driving pretty close together. Climate control for rear seats were available too, as an option, which this car don`t have. But it was - two separate climate zones for rear seats with two climate panels on the innerliner. For rear seats there was in option, an entertainment system with separate screen and own I drive. This car have few other interesting features too. First Dynamic bixenon with lighting direction change with steering wheel. Windshield whippers angle were changing depending on speed and whippers wear. First car with optical fiber for multimedia. V12 had few other features which V8 don`t have. Alcantara inneliner, more wood in interior. Wood trim dedicated only for V12. Leather on dashboard... This was a great car, the best in its class, much farther then all competitors. After that car I bought Mercedes V12 which was a one generation newer (2007). And even after one generation Mercedes wasn't even close to quality, handling, comfort, entertainment and this gorgeous seats.

The irony of Doug talkin about ugly styling is not lost on me.

I remember seeing one of these when I visited Monaco when these were new. Really had quite a presence. I’ll never forget seeing that V12 badge and just saying “holy cow”.

Doug demuro: "Most controversial BMW ever made" 2023 7 Series: "Hold my battery"

As a technician that works at a German vehicle specialty shop this is probably the first E66 I've seen where all the electronics are still working. Talk about an electrical nightmare to work on.

I’ve had this car, amazing drive, but guzzles gas like a monster and any repairs on this car is just…hectic

I personally really like they dedicated spot to place the key in any car, even if it may be mandatory

Meh, I think the car has aged well and still looks very modern. Today's tech has actually caught up to the car. The iDrive on this car is really not that difficult compared to the tech in today's autos.

Why is NOBODY calling Doug out for NOT SHOWING US THE DAMN EXHAUST SOUND ????

"There's a little button for SMD"

Switching the radio is easy, two arrow buttons next to the CD eject button. You even showed them a few times in the video Doug!

The gear changing mechanism is awsome becouse if you one hand for something you can still upshift-downshift with only one hand.

I was born 2006, my dad got this back when it released, it was dark blue and I loved it, I'll never forget the memories I had in it until I was 6 years old when it got in a crash and my dad had to sell it, it was his first luxury car after he became a consultant doctor, now I'm 15 and I love cars

The holy grail of cars in the hood, with giant chrome rims and 90 day tags parked on the street next to subsidized housing projects.

My grandpa owned a similar 2002 7 series and he was always overwelmed by the iDrive system. He always needed me or my brother to access the main IDrive menu, he just alwas had it on FM Radio. I have many warm memorys of this car and we went on lots of vacations in it, it has soo much space we ve had 4 people and our german shepherd + cargo in it. As Doug said it had many odd features and you had to adobt to it, but my grandpa loved it especially for its reliance and its spacious design. We had no major problems or car shop bills with it, until the engine just out of the blue decided to stop working alltogether when we were on holiday... But this was after 8+ quiet years of ecsessive use as main car, it served well.

I've always admired the E65/E66 with the V12 from afar. I used to have visions of purchasing this car with personalized plates that read: 76er

Chris Bangle didn’t survive his designs… the tech problems didn’t help… btw, you can pick’em up cheap cause the tech/repairs were hella expensive… on top of it being expensive anyway.

I work as a mechanic and one of my loyal customers has one of these. It’s really high mileage. It has around 186,000. Apart from leaking oil all the time all the electronics actually still work. I owned a more modern 335i at this car had more much more fuses.

when I saw these car for the first time(around 2004-2005) I was like :wow these car screams "design" from every inch(mostly the interior)

BMW has never been the same; I loved the late 90s early 2000s lineup before this car came out.

Doug: "I'm going to review your car before we list it on Cars and Bids" Owmer: "Awesome!" Doug's summary includes the phrase "fatal flaws" Owner: "Wait a minute..."

Doug - "This weird, ugly, unreliable car is available to buy on CarsAndBids" Owner - "err.. thanks Doug..."

So technically the front passenger and rear passenger can fight over the front passenger seat positioning. Also, the rears can battle over the shades. "Put it up johnny" "No, leave it down Barbara!"

@7:30 If I'm not wrong, you can change radio presets using the left-right key next to eject key next to CD slot visible @8:11. And let's not forget the optional refrigerator behind the central rear armrest (replacing the ski-sack).

That IDrive System was similar to the Audi MMI System in that all the car’s systems are connected by a fiber optic cable system. It was problematic because the system needed ALL modules to be in good operating condition to “pass along” the fiber optic signal. If one module failed, let’s say the satellite radio module, the ENTIRE system goes down. Then it becomes a PITA for the DIYer to track down the faulty module to troubleshoot the system.

Probably my favorite generation of the 7 Series IMHO, especially with the V12 like this one

Love how “reviewed by Doug DeMuro” is in the beemers listing on cars and bids. Lol

Have a post-facelift model 750LI. iDrive grew on me (and later models added matching leather). But I'm glad I never had to use it for navigation.