
Differences between BMW 740 and BMW 730: 1. Different power: BMW 740 is equipped with a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbocharged engine; BMW 730 is equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine. 2. Different driving methods: BMW 740 has rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions to choose from; BMW 730 is rear-wheel drive across the entire range. 3. Different wheels: BMW 740 comes standard with 20-inch wheels; BMW 730 uses 19-inch wheels. 4. Different fuel consumption: The official fuel consumption of BMW 740 is about 7.5L; The official fuel consumption of BMW 730 is about 6.8L. Compared with BMW 730, BMW 740 has additional configurations such as lane departure warning system, lane keeping assist system, road traffic sign recognition system, 360-degree panoramic image, full-speed adaptive cruise control, integral active steering system, car networking system, rear LCD display screen, laser headlights, etc.

I've been driving this BMW 730 for over two years, but only truly understood the difference after test driving my friend's 740 last week. The 730 comes with a 2.0T four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower, which is adequate for daily use. However, the 740's 3.0T six-cylinder with 340 horsepower offers a completely different experience—especially when flooring the accelerator, the push-back sensation is significantly stronger, making highway overtaking feel like being shoved from behind. The 740 comes standard with air suspension and integral active steering, resulting in noticeably smoother body movement over speed bumps. A small but appreciated detail is the 740's heated steering wheel, which feels much more comfortable in winter. Although the two models look like twins from the outside, sitting in the 740's rear seats immediately reveals the added comfort of ventilated and massaging seats, along with an upgraded Bowers & Wilkins sound system that delivers exceptionally clear highs when playing symphonies. If you frequently chauffeur VIPs, spending the extra 200,000+ yuan for the 740's features is absolutely worth it.

Last time I accompanied my friend to the 4S dealership to compare these two models, the biggest difference lies in the engines. The 730 uses a 2.0T four-cylinder engine, which is indeed fuel-efficient in city driving, but during rapid acceleration, the engine noise noticeably enters the cabin. The 740's 3.0T six-cylinder not only has ample power reserves, but more importantly, its 48V mild hybrid system makes start-stop operations exceptionally smooth, with no jerking sensation at traffic lights. There's also a difference in the infotainment system—the 740's display supports gesture control, allowing you to adjust the volume by drawing circles in the air. During the test drive, I played with it for over ten minutes and still didn't get enough. Another practical feature is the automatic parking with 3D view, which is very user-friendly for new drivers. However, the fuel consumption difference isn't significant—the 740 consumes about 1 liter more per 100 kilometers, and filling up a full tank only costs around 30 RMB more.

The most critical difference between the BMW 730 and 740 lies in power response. The 730 requires deeper throttle input during acceleration, only delivering strong power after exceeding 3,000 rpm; whereas the 740 reaches maximum torque at just 1,500 rpm, leaping forward with minimal throttle input at traffic lights. Their chassis configurations also differ: the 740 comes standard with adaptive air suspension that actively adjusts stiffness based on road conditions, significantly reducing body roll on mountain roads. There's also a variation in trunk space, with the 740 featuring an additional emergency escape pull handle. Both models feature laser headlights, but the 740's illumination range extends 30 meters further. Regarding resale value, after five years the 740 retains approximately 8% higher residual value than the 730.


