2017 BMW 640i xDrive

The 2017 BMW 640i xDrive is a luxury grand tourer known for its blend of performance, comfort, and style. While it’s a desirable vehicle, like any car, it’s not without its potential issues. The 640i xDrive comes standard with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine producing 315 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. Other engine options for the 6 Series included a more powerful inline-6 in the 640i and a V8 in the 650i. All engine options for the 2017 6 Series were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Owners often praise the 640i xDrive for its smooth ride, powerful engine, and luxurious interior. However, some common complaints include the high cost of maintenance, potential electrical glitches, and the car’s somewhat large size making it less nimble than smaller BMW models.

Engine

3.0L Turbocharged Inline-6 (N55)

• Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leak around the oil filter housing, noticeable oil smell, low oil level warning, and visible oil drips under the car.
  • Solution: Replace the oil filter housing gasket.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600
  • Recalls: None Found
• Valve Cover Gasket Leak
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leak around the valve cover, burning oil smell, oil dripping onto exhaust manifold.
  • Solution: Replace the valve cover gasket and potentially the valve cover itself if warped.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)

• Rough Shifting/Hesitation
  • Description/Symptoms: Harsh or jerky shifting between gears, hesitation when accelerating, especially in lower gears.
  • Solution: Replacing the valve body, replacing solenoids, or performing a full transmission rebuild. Sometimes, simply changing the transmission fluid and filter can alleviate the issue in early stages.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 (fluid change) - $4000+ (rebuild or replace)
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Adaptive Damper Issues (If Equipped)
  • Description/Symptoms: Uneven ride quality, clunking noises from the suspension, “Chassis Malfunction” warning light on the dashboard.
  • Solution: Replacing the faulty adaptive damper(s). Diagnosis is crucial to identify the specific damper causing the issue.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1500+ per damper.
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• iDrive System Malfunctions
  • Description/Symptoms: Screen freezes, system reboots unexpectedly, loss of functionality (navigation, audio, etc.).
  • Solution: Software update, replacement of the iDrive control unit.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 (software update) - $1500+ (control unit replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found
• Battery Drain Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Car battery draining quickly, difficulty starting the car, needing to jump-start the vehicle frequently.
  • Solution: Diagnose parasitic draw. Could be a faulty module not sleeping properly, or a failing battery.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 (battery replacement) - $500+ (parasitic draw diagnosis and repair)
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Door Handle LED Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The LED lights in the door handles stop working.
  • Solution: Replacement of the door handle assembly.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600 per handle.
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Seat Motor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The seat won’t adjust properly, the motor is making noise but the seat isn’t moving, or the seat is stuck in one position.
  • Solution: Replacement of the faulty seat motor or entire seat frame assembly.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1000+ depending on the specific motor and the extent of the damage.
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2017 BMW 640i xDrive, while a luxurious and enjoyable vehicle, can be prone to certain issues. Engine oil leaks, transmission problems, and electrical glitches are the most common complaints. Suspension issues may occur if equipped with adaptive dampers. Repairs can be costly, especially for complex electrical and suspension systems. Overall, owners should be prepared for potentially higher maintenance costs associated with this model, particularly as it ages.