Used BMW X7 (Mk1, 2019-date) buyer’s guide: space, quality, comfort, and size
A full used buyer's guide on the BMW X7 that has been on sale in the UK since 2019
Verdict
If you’re of the view that more is more, you’ll love the BMW X7. You get an extra dose of everything here: space, quality, tech, luxury, refinement and comfort. And potentially performance, too, if you buy at the top of the range (the M60i hits 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds). Few people need a car this big, but if you’re one of them you’re unlikely to find the X7 lacking in any department. While BMW has done an impressive job, however, it doesn’t feel special like a Range Rover does – although that sets a very high bar. The X7 is also not adept at off-roading, but if you want a glorious on-Tarmac cruiser that’s also a very capable towcar, it should tick all of your boxes.
There was a time when the three big German brands offered flagship saloons to court plutocrats and captains of industry. While the A8, 7 Series and S-Class are still very important to Audi, BMW and Mercedes respectively, those cars now appeal more to the chauffeur industry; wealthy people who drive themselves prefer to sit further from the ground, in an SUV that’s big, imposing and packed with luxury.
This pretty much sums up the BMW X7, which arrived more than seven years ago yet still impresses in the majority of the ways that matter. Now that the X7 has been around for a while, it’s more affordable to buy than you might think, even if running costs are likely to be punishing. But is this XXL-sized BMW worth making sacrifices for?
History
The X7 went on sale in April 2019. The entry-level model was the xDrive30d, with a 261bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine; within a year or so this had been upgraded to the 335bhp xDrive40d. That same diesel powerplant was available in 395bhp form in the M50d, or there was a 335bhp xDrive40i petrol option.
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A facelift in spring 2022 brought updated styling, including an illuminated grille. The dashboard now featured a curved display made up of 12.3-inch and 14.9-inch screens combined, there was the option of six seats instead of seven (in three rows of two, with captain’s chairs in the middle) and a new engine line-up was also available.
The sole diesel option was now the xDrive40d, and the entry-level petrol model was the 375bhp xDrive40i (both featured a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine). Meanwhile, the range-topper was the 523bhp M60i xDrive, with a 4.4-litre V8. The latter replaced the 4.4-litre M50i that had been introduced towards the end of 2019.
Which one should I buy?
All X7s came with four-wheel drive as standard, plus an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddleshifters. The M50d featured its own spec; all other variations on the theme came in standard or M Sport form. From the 2022 facelift the choices were between Excellence and M Sport; virtually all used X7s are the latter edition, with the Excellence being highly unusual.
Standard trim brings 21-inch alloys, adaptive air suspension, four-zone climate control, Merino leather trim, electrically adjustable front seats, adaptive cruise control, a panoramic glass sunroof, heated front and rear seats, plus soft-close doors.
Moving up to M Sport doesn’t add any extra standard equipment, but it does bring sportier detailing for items such as the key, steering wheel, pedals and bodywork, and it also adds an Alcantara headlining. The M50d also comes with 22-inch alloy wheels, illuminated door jambs, a Harman Kardon hi-fi plus a brushed-aluminium finish for much of the exterior brightwork.
Prices
For such a big and expensive car, there are more second-hand X7s available than you might think. By far the most common is the 40d, which accounts for nearly three-quarters of the examples for sale, but there are a few 30d models – and these tend to be the cheapest X7s you can buy.
You can buy a used BMW X7 through our Buy a Car service for less than £40,000.
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On the road
Despite its size and weight, BMW has done a great job of setting up the X7’s chassis. Ride comfort is very good due to the air suspension, but wallow in corners is reduced thanks to some clever calibration; active anti-roll was an option, along with rear-wheel steering to improve things further.
The steering is engaging, there is plenty of grip and the brakes feel incredibly reassuring. All engines come with a superb eight-speed automatic gearbox, and whichever unit you pick it will have plenty of power – aside from the slightly disappointing 40i, which could do with a bit more torque.
Alternatives to the BMW X7
There are numerous seven-seat premium SUVs, including the Volvo XC90 and Land Rover Discovery. Neither is as special as the BMW, however, although both are hugely desirable and readily available, as well as cheaper to buy and run. The Audi Q7 and Mercedes GLS are arguably the closest rivals in that they are German, carry prestigious badges, come with some great powertrains and pack plenty of tech along with seven seats.
The Range Rover has more sense of occasion but typically only has five seats; if a superb interior matters more than seven seats, consider Bentley’s Bentayga – or even BMW’s X5, which is a fabulous car and more affordable to buy and run than the X7.
What to look for
Sad case
Some early X7s (built up to 2021) could suffer from premature wear to the transfer case, given away by jerky progress at low speeds. Repairs are expensive; regular fluid changes can help to avoid the problem.
In suspense
The X7’s standard-fit air suspension works brilliantly but over time an array of things can go wrong with the system, such as the compressor, height sensors and air struts. See if the car sits lower than expected.
On the pull
You might assume that you can pull pretty much anything with an X7, but unfortunately that isn’t the case. The M50d is restricted to 2,600kg, while the 30d and 40i are able to tow no more than 2,200kg.
Flat-out
All X7s come with run-flat tyres as standard, but some owners have switched to regular rubber, which is cheaper, lighter, lasts longer and produces a more comfortable ride.
Interior
It's everything you’d expect: luxurious and crammed with gadgets. The 2022 update brought an even more hi-tech dash, while electric adjustment for all three rows of seats is luxurious. The same goes for the available space; seven seats are standard, six optional. Boot space is great at 326/750/2,120 litres (with seven/five/two seats in use).
Running costs
As you’d expect, running costs won’t be cheap. Condition-based (variable) servicing means there’s no set schedule, but every 16,000 miles or two years is a general rule of thumb. Prices for each service aren’t fixed as such, yet an oil change costs £290-£440 while an interim service is £450-£927, depending on which powertrain is fitted. A major service is pegged at £810-£1,520, and because all X7 engines are chain-driven there are no cambelts to replace.
The 2022 facelift brought mild- hybrid tech for all engines, but you’ll still be doing well to get much more than 30mpg from the diesels or 20mpg from the V8 petrols. Every X7 is in insurance group 50 (the maximum), and because they all cost more than £40,000 new, they are liable for the £440 expensive car supplement (on top of the standard £200) for road tax, at least until they reach their sixth birthday.
Recalls
Numerous recalls for the X7 so far is disappointing. The first came in June 2019 because of faulty airbags; the second was down to sub-standard front subframes. Recall three was because of high-voltage cables chafing, while the fourth was due to glitches with the Integrated Braking System (IBS); there would be two further recalls for IBS problems (in March and September 2024 respectively).
Sub-standard front subframes were behind recall five, in February 2021, while recall six was because of problematic headrests. There were two recalls in 2022; one for engine-bay fires and the other because of faulty third-row back rests. Water ingress during shipping led to a recall in October 2023, while there were four more in 2024: two due to IBS issues, the others because of faulty seatbelt stalks and problematic brake servos
Driver Power owner satisfaction
The X7’s niche nature means it’s never appeared in Driver Power, yet there are always plenty of BMWs in the survey. Really good results are unusual, but this year the 2 Series scooped a second place and the 1 Series came sixth, while last year the 4 Series and 2 Series ranked seventh and 10th respectively. Those are the first top ten scores BMW has managed in more than a decade; in that period even top 20 rankings have been surprisingly unusual.
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Used BMW X7s for sale
2026 BMW
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62,858 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L
Cash £56,950
2020 BMW
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56,000 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L
Cash £47,989
2026 BMW
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71,303 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L
Cash £56,650
2022 BMW
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27,229 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L
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2026 BMW
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20,786 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L
Cash £63,475
2022 BMW
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87,781 milesAutomaticPetrol4.4L
Cash £49,995
2022 BMW
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31,007 milesAutomaticPetrol4.4L
Cash £61,990
2020 BMW
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39,227 milesAutomaticPetrol4.4L
Cash £60,700
2026 BMW
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31,440 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L
Cash £58,671
