##BMW 7 Series--left##NOW in its seventh year, the BMW 7-series has achieved notoriety in the luxury car class by becoming the preferred choice of the owner-driver, as well as a favourite with chauffeur companies looking for opulence, class and style. As such the BMW 735i and 740i are together the best-selling V8-cylinder models in Europe. The 7-series range starts with the six-cylinder 728i, priced at £37,550 on the road, and runs through the 735i and 740i to the V12-powered 750i at £71,450. Long wheelbase models, which add an extra 140mm to the car's overall length plus significantly enhanced rear legroom, start at £57,650 for the 740iL and run to £75,580 for the top of the range 750iL. Tested here is the 740i, priced at £51,500 on the road, where it competes with the Audi A8 4.2 quattro (£49,820), Mercedes S430 (£53,075) and Lexus LS430 (£49,950).