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2012 BMW 640i

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By Research the Car 4 min read

Here’s a breakdown of common issues and complaints for the 2012 BMW 640i, formatted for your website and organized as requested.

The 2012 BMW 640i is a grand tourer that combines luxury and performance. The 640i features a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine producing 315 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Other engine options available for the 6 Series during this model year include the 650i with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8. While owners often praise the 640i for its sleek design, comfortable ride, and responsive handling, some common complaints revolve around the car’s reliability, particularly concerning electrical components and some engine-related issues.

Engine

3.0L Turbocharged Inline-6 (N55)

  • Oil Leaks
    • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks from the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, or oil pan gasket. This can result in oil spots under the car, a burning smell, and potentially low oil levels.
    • Solution: Replacing the leaking gasket.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ depending on the location of the leak and labor costs.
    • Recalls: None Found
  • VANOS Solenoid Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: The VANOS (Variable Valve Timing) system can experience solenoid failures. Symptoms include rough idling, decreased engine performance, and the check engine light illuminating.
    • Solution: Replacing the faulty VANOS solenoid(s).
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Fuel Injector Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Misfires, rough idling, and decreased fuel economy due to faulty fuel injectors. These engines use direct injection, which can be prone to carbon buildup and injector issues.
    • Solution: Replacing the faulty fuel injector(s) and potentially cleaning carbon deposits.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200-$400 per injector+
    • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)

  • Mechatronic Sleeve Leak
    • Description/Symptoms: Transmission fluid leak from where the electrical connector enters the transmission. This can cause shifting issues.
    • Solution: Replace mechatronic sleeve.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300-$600
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Rough or Delayed Shifting
    • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported rough or delayed shifts, particularly when the transmission is cold.
    • Solution: Sometimes, a transmission fluid flush and filter change can resolve the issue. In other cases, valve body issues or more significant repairs are needed.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 (fluid/filter) to $2,000+ (valve body/rebuild)
    • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

  • Adaptive Damper Malfunctions (If Equipped)
    • Description/Symptoms: If the vehicle is equipped with adaptive dampers (Dynamic Damper Control), they can sometimes fail, resulting in a harsh ride or uneven handling. Error messages may appear on the dashboard.
    • Solution: Replacing the faulty damper(s).
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,500+ per damper
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Control Arm Bushing Wear
    • Description/Symptoms: Worn control arm bushings can cause clunking noises, vibrations, and imprecise steering.
    • Solution: Replacing the worn control arm bushings or the entire control arm assembly.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $800+ per side.
    • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

  • iDrive System Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: The iDrive infotainment system can experience glitches, freezes, or complete failures. This can affect navigation, audio, and other vehicle functions.
    • Solution: Software updates, replacement of the iDrive controller, or replacement of the entire iDrive unit may be required.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 (software update) to $1,000+ (unit replacement)
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Battery Drain
    • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported excessive battery drain, particularly if the car is not driven frequently. This can be due to various factors, including parasitic draws from electrical components or a failing battery.
    • Solution: Diagnosing and repairing the source of the parasitic draw, replacing the battery.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+ (depending on the cause)
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Sensor Failures
    • Description/Symptoms: Various sensors, such as the oxygen sensors, ABS sensors, and TPMS sensors, can fail, triggering warning lights on the dashboard.
    • Solution: Replacing the faulty sensor.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $500+ per sensor
    • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

  • Convertible Top Issues (If Applicable)
    • Description/Symptoms: For convertible models, the top mechanism can sometimes experience problems, such as difficulty opening or closing, leaks, or sensor malfunctions.
    • Solution: Repairing or replacing the affected components of the convertible top mechanism.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $2,000+ depending on the severity of the issue.
    • Recalls: None Found

Interior

  • Seat Motor Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: The power seat motors can fail, preventing the seat from adjusting properly.
    • Solution: Replacing the faulty seat motor.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $800+ per seat.
    • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2012 BMW 640i offers a luxurious driving experience, but potential buyers should be aware of potential reliability issues. The most common problems revolve around oil leaks and VANOS solenoid issues with the N55 engine, transmission issues with the ZF 8HP, electrical glitches (particularly with iDrive), and suspension component wear. Repair costs can range from a few hundred dollars for minor fixes to several thousand dollars for more significant issues like transmission rebuilds or iDrive unit replacements. Before purchasing a used 2012 640i, a thorough inspection by a qualified mechanic is highly recommended.

BMW, 640i
BMW 640i 2012
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