Used BMW 7 Series CV Joints

CV joints exist on the BMW 7 Series but not across every variant equally — all xDrive (four-wheel-drive) models have CV joints on both front and rear driveshafts, while rear-wheel-drive models also have CV joints at the rear wheels where the driveshafts meet the hubs. Front-wheel-drive is not a layout the 7 Series uses, so there is no question of a front-only setup. If you are unsure which drivetrain your car has, check the badge or confirm with the breaker against your registration before ordering.

The E65 and F01 are entirely different generations with different subframe geometry, driveshaft lengths, and spline counts, so a direct swap is very unlikely. The generation boundary between these two — 2008 — is a hard engineering break, not just a facelift. Confirm compatibility with the breaker against both registrations rather than assuming any parts cross over.

Trim level alone does not change the CV joint specification on the 7 Series — the joints are determined by drivetrain layout (RWD or xDrive) and engine size, not by whether the car is SE, Luxury, or M Sport. An M Sport car may have different suspension geometry or ride height, but the driveshaft and CV joint itself is not typically a trim-specific part. Confirm the drivetrain and engine with the breaker against your registration to make sure you get the correct joint.

The G11 received a facelift in 2019 which brought styling and technology changes, but the fundamental driveshaft and CV joint architecture did not change wholesale at that point. That said, whether a specific joint from a pre-2019 car crosses over to a post-2019 car is not something to assume — confirm with the breaker against your exact registration to be certain. Naming the facelift year helps the breaker identify the right donor car quickly.

Yes, engine size can influence CV joint specification on the 7 Series because larger, more powerful engines — such as the 750i V8 or 760i V12 — place greater torque through the driveshafts, and the joints are sometimes rated differently compared to those on six-cylinder variants like the 730d or 740i. Always quote your exact engine variant to the breaker rather than just the model name. Fitting an undersized joint from a lower-powered car into a high-torque application is a risk not worth taking.

Yes, side absolutely matters — NS (nearside, kerb side, left) and OS (offside, driver side, right) driveshafts and CV joints are handed and not interchangeable. On xDrive models this applies to both the front and rear axles, while on rear-wheel-drive cars it applies to the rear driveshafts. Always specify NS or OS clearly when contacting a breaker, and double-check which end of the car (front or rear axle) the joint is needed for.