What is the wading depth of the BMW 740?
2 Answers
The maximum wading depth of the BMW 740 is 250-300mm. The wading depth of the BMW 740 is determined by the height of the vehicle's chassis, which is the ground clearance listed in the model's parameter configuration table. Generally, the greater the ground clearance, the higher the chassis, and the higher the safety factor when driving through waterlogged roads. Therefore, in terms of safe wading depth, the advantages of off-road vehicles and SUVs are obvious. However, for most compact and small cars with low chassis, the position of the vehicle's air intake should be used as a benchmark when passing through waterlogged roads. If the air intake of the BMW 740 is below the water level during wading, water will be sucked into the engine's cylinders. Since water cannot be compressed like air, it can cause severe damage to the engine's mechanical components (such as connecting rods, pistons, crankshafts, etc.). Therefore, the wading depth should not exceed the height of the engine's air intake. The height of the engine's air intake, and thus the maximum wading depth, can be increased by installing a snorkel. If wading is unavoidable, the following safe and correct operations should be performed: Before driving through water, always turn off the auto start-stop function to prevent the engine from automatically restarting after stalling in the water, which could cause severe damage if water enters the engine. Assess the underwater road conditions based on the passage of vehicles ahead and choose an appropriate entry point. Observe the path taken by other vehicles and follow their tracks at low speed, avoiding sudden acceleration or deceleration. On roads prone to water accumulation, observe warning water level markers, trees, and reference points such as the wheels and doors of other vehicles to estimate the water depth before deciding whether to proceed. Be aware of your vehicle's safe wading depth. If the water depth exceeds half the height of the tires or the engine's air intake, do not proceed and choose an alternative route instead.
As a former owner of a BMW 7 Series, I can share my experience. The BMW 740, being a luxury sedan, is not designed for off-road use, so official wading depth parameters are generally not provided. Based on multiple tests, its air intake is positioned approximately at the wheel center level, which means extra caution is required if water depth exceeds half the tire height (around 25 to 30 cm). During heavy rain, I always observe how other vehicles navigate flooded areas before proceeding. If the water level significantly surpasses the wheel hub center point, I decisively choose an alternative route. Engine water ingestion could lead to repair costs reaching tens of thousands of RMB, with potential damage to precision components like air suspension and electronic control modules.
