2016 BMW 340i
The 2016 BMW 340i is a popular luxury sport sedan known for its engaging driving dynamics, comfortable interior, and powerful engine. The 340i came equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. Other available engine options in the 3 Series range for 2016 included a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (328i/330i) and a diesel engine (328d). Transmission options for the 340i included a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic. Owners generally praise the 340i for its performance, handling, and comfortable ride, while common complaints often revolve around reliability issues, particularly with the cooling system and electrical components, as well as relatively high maintenance costs.
Engine
B58 3.0L Turbocharged Inline-Six
- Oil Filter Housing/Cooler Gasket Leak
- Description/Symptoms: Oil leak from the oil filter housing or cooler. This can cause a burning oil smell, low oil level, and eventually engine damage if left unaddressed. Visible oil accumulation around the oil filter housing is a clear indicator.
- Solution: Replacement of the oil filter housing gasket or the entire oil filter housing assembly.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $800
- Recalls: None Found
- Coolant Leaks (Water Pump, Thermostat Housing)
- Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaks from the water pump or thermostat housing. This can cause the engine to overheat, resulting in potential engine damage. Low coolant levels and visible coolant puddles are common signs.
- Solution: Replacement of the faulty water pump or thermostat housing and any associated gaskets or seals.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $600 - $1200
- Recalls: None Found
- Valve Cover Gasket Leak
- Description/Symptoms: Oil leak from the valve cover gasket. Similar to the oil filter housing leak, this can lead to a burning oil smell and low oil levels. Visible oil around the valve cover is a key indicator.
- Solution: Replacement of the valve cover gasket.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $700
- Recalls: None Found
Transmission
ZF 8HP 8-Speed Automatic
- Rough Shifting/Hesitation
- Description/Symptoms: The 8HP transmission can exhibit rough or jerky shifting, especially during downshifts or under light acceleration. Some owners also report hesitation when accelerating from a stop.
- Solution: In some cases, a software update can improve shifting performance. In more severe cases, valve body replacement or a complete transmission rebuild may be necessary.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 (software update) - $4,000+ (transmission rebuild)
- Recalls: None Found
- Mechatronic Sleeve Leak
- Description/Symptoms: Transmission fluid leak from the mechatronic sleeve. This can result in low transmission fluid levels, causing shifting problems and potential transmission damage.
- Solution: Replacement of the mechatronic sleeve and refilling the transmission fluid.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1000
- Recalls: None Found
Suspension
- Cracked/Worn Control Arm Bushings
- Description/Symptoms: Premature wear or cracking of the control arm bushings. This results in clunking noises from the suspension, especially over bumps, and can negatively affect handling.
- Solution: Replacement of the affected control arm bushings or the entire control arm assembly.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $800 per control arm
- Recalls: None Found
- Damper Failure (Adaptive M Suspension)
- Description/Symptoms: Owners with the adaptive M suspension option sometimes experience damper failure, leading to a bouncy ride and reduced handling performance. Error messages related to the adaptive suspension system may also appear.
- Solution: Replacement of the faulty dampers.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $1000 - $2000+ per damper
- Recalls: None Found
Electrical
- Failing or Weak Battery
- Description/Symptoms: Batteries are dying prematurely in the vehicles. This often times throws electrical issues.
- Solution: Replace the battery with an OEM style battery, and register the battery in the vehicle’s computer system.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600
- Recalls: None Found
- Sensor Issues (Oxygen, Mass Airflow)
- Description/Symptoms: Failure of oxygen sensors or the mass airflow sensor. This can trigger the check engine light and result in poor fuel economy and reduced engine performance.
- Solution: Replacement of the faulty sensor.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500 per sensor
- Recalls: None Found
Exterior
- Door Handle LED Failure
- Description/Symptoms: The LED lights in the door handles can fail, resulting in a non-functional or dim light.
- Solution: Replacement of the door handle assembly or the LED module (if available).
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500 per door handle
- Recalls: None Found
Interior
- iDrive Screen Malfunctions
- Description/Symptoms: The iDrive screen can exhibit various malfunctions, including freezing, rebooting, or displaying distorted images.
- Solution: Software updates may resolve some issues. In other cases, the iDrive screen or control unit may need to be replaced.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 (software update) - $1,500+ (screen/control unit replacement)
- Recalls: None Found
- Sunroof Issues (Sticking, Noise)
- Description/Symptoms: The sunroof mechanism can experience issues, such as sticking or producing excessive noise during operation.
- Solution: Cleaning and lubrication of the sunroof tracks may resolve minor issues. In more severe cases, the sunroof motor or mechanism may need to be repaired or replaced.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $1,000+
- Recalls: None Found
Summary
The 2016 BMW 340i, while praised for its performance and driving experience, is prone to several common issues. Engine-related problems, particularly oil and coolant leaks, are frequent and can be costly to repair. The ZF 8-speed automatic transmission may experience rough shifting, and suspension components, especially on vehicles with the adaptive M suspension, can be problematic. Electrical issues and interior malfunctions, such as iDrive screen problems, are also reported. Overall, the severity of these issues ranges from minor annoyances to potentially serious mechanical failures, with repair costs varying accordingly. Potential buyers should be aware of these common problems and factor them into their ownership considerations.