Incredibly the 730d doesn’t fall into the highest tax band and will actually pay as much road tax as some family saloons – such is the effort that BMW has put into fuel efficiency. But that’s not much comfort if you’ve bought new as depreciation is heavy – expect 70 per cent (or more) of the car’s value to be wiped off in the first three years. All engines deliver good fuel consumption for a car of this size, though the 750i will still only return 25mpg.

Insurance is reasonable, though parts and servicing can be pricey, but the 7-Series is fitted with bumpers that ‘regenerate’ back to their original shape after low-speed impacts (up to 2.5mph), keeping the repair bill for parking knocks down.

Impressive progress has been made in order to make the biggest BMW saloon as clean as possible. As a result the 730d is the first car of its type to emit less than 200g/km of CO2. Weight has been reduced by 55kg and a lighter car means a more greener one. The new engines are significantly more fuel efficient before thanks to improvements to the engines themselves and the introduction of Efficient Dynamics to the 7-Series for the first time.

Efficient Dynamics is a package of energy saving measures, including capturing otherwise lost braking energy and making the car more aerodynamically efficient, that lower CO2 emissions and increase mpg.

This 7-Series is an all-new design with no carry-over components from the old car. The car has a strong reputation for reliability, which should continue with this model. It’s built to an exacting standard and finished in high quality materials.