Which is better a 760 V12 or B7 V8?

[nealpina]

I drove a BMW 760 recently and it’s a phenomenal and a breathtaking car to drive. To be fair the car was a rocket and loved every second of driving it

Not driven a B7 yet, but what I like to know is: even with 4 cylinders missing, and for someone who appreciates, knows, and comprehends the ALPINA philosophy, is the B7 the better car? As the ALPINA magic is more powerful than the extra 4 cylinders in the 760 V12?

[v8 ego]

Which variation of 760 did you drive? E65/66, F02 or G12?

[E24man]

.

[v8 ego]

I've been working on a 760 register of some form and so far there are at least 141 UK-specification M760Li's vs one G12 B7 BT.

The M760Li is a hefty £135k list before options but they free fall in value with the lowest price car I have seen so far at £86k for a '66' plate with 6,500 miles on it.

[nealpina]

Which variation of 760 did you drive? E65/66, F02 or G12?

F02

[nealpina]

non-existent at G12.

Agreed and I have been reading comparisons, and most write that the B7 is the faster and better car. I think the exclusivity of ALPINA is worth more than the extra 4 cylinders.

For me I think it is the same argument why would someone choose a F9x B3 over the ///M3 with the extra 2 cylinders. My head says more cylinders means more power and torque, and my heart knows that this is a very simplistic comparison and the ALPINA magic is greater than this.

[v8 ego]

Exclusitivity aside, I guess the major difference in the UK could potentially be the lack of x-drive on the B7.

[bjk1999]

and no Run Flats

[PhillV8S]

I used to have the E65 760i and it was a wonderful way to waft around in smooth luxurious silence. The V12 is a different feel completely to a V8. I guess with the F And G series turbo’d engines the performance is better but you would still have the almost eerie smoothness of the V12.
The 2 engines go about delivering similar performance now but just in a different manner.
The Alpina will feel more individual and exclusive but I dare say the V12 will feel more relaxed and smoother. Horses for courses, which one you like, you decide!
I sold my rare individual 760 after less than a year to get back into a V8 Alpina so I guess I know which I prefer.

[Norrie]

In terms of the E65 B7, the reason they used the V8 engine and supercharged it was due to the V12 being much heavier. The B7 advertised bhp is 493 however I had mine on the dyno and it was 520.2.

Unless we are trying to have some kind of competition the B7 E65 is an awesome vehicle.

Now bringing it right up to date, i sat in BMW 1, owned by BMW UK. I spoke to the driver and the 760 M sport LXi is no doubt a fantastic car and he claimed 0-60 in 3.7?

seriously all of these cars are fantastic and even to own an older one is a privilege

[nealpina]

Exclusitivity aside, I guess the major difference in the UK could potentially be the lack of x-drive on the B7.

Interesting thought.

It is a shame because x-drive has a rear wheel drive bias (unlike a lot of other manufactures) whereby people do think they are driving a RWD BMW, and my understanding is that ALPINA makes it even more rear wheel drive bias to suit their characteristics of how a car should drive

[nealpina]

and no Run Flats

[nealpina]

I sold my rare individual 760 after less than a year to get back into a V8 Alpina so I guess I know which I prefer.

In a postive tone that can be considered - that speaks volumes

[nealpina]

In terms of the E65 B7, the reason they used the V8 engine and supercharged it was due to the V12 being much heavier. The B7 advertised bhp is 493 however I had mine on the dyno and it was 520.2.

Cool BHP figure.

I have also heard when ALPINA did R&D on the V12 - it was too costly and the final price will have been far too high to sell. Therefore this is why they went with the V8?

Edit: thoughts or any truth to that?

Now bringing it right up to date, i sat in BMW 1, owned by BMW UK. I spoke to the driver and the 760 M sport LXi is no doubt a fantastic car and he claimed 0-60 in 3.7?

When I read the comprasions most writers quoted your figure of 3.7 seconds for the 760, and for the B7 3.3 or 3.4 seconds IIRC

seriously all of these cars are fantastic and even to own an older one is a privilege

Agreed and I also think both of mine are a privilege to own and to drive

[ali]

I'd put it down to neither car being better than the other, More what would the owner want out from the car and how would it fulfil its' purpose to benefit the owner. Different people want different things.
Money and depreciation aside I think it would be a very hard decision.
I'd love to own a n/a V12 but forced induction seems to be the way of the motoring world nowadays. What f/i will do to the longevity of the engine is another story too.
My heart would go with the V12 but in the real world where Alpina residuals are considerably better that the BMW I'd plump for the V8