2018 BMW 640i

The 2018 BMW 640i is a luxury grand tourer that offers a blend of performance, comfort, and style. The 640i model comes standard with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine producing 315 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Other engine options for the 2018 6-Series include a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 in the 650i, which produces 445 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. All engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Drivers often praise the 640i for its smooth ride, powerful engine, luxurious interior, and elegant styling. Common complaints include a higher price point, less agile handling compared to smaller BMW models, and some infotainment system complexities.

Engine

3.0L Turbocharged Inline-6 (B58)

• Oil Filter Housing/Cooler Gasket Leak
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leak around the oil filter housing and cooler area. May notice oil drips under the car or a burning oil smell. Can lead to low oil levels and potential engine damage if left unattended.
  • Solution: Replace the oil filter housing gasket and/or oil cooler gasket.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+
  • Recalls: None Found
• VANOS Solenoid Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Engine runs rough, idles poorly, lacks power, or throws a check engine light with VANOS-related codes.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty VANOS solenoid(s).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+ (per solenoid)
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)

• Valve Body Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Harsh or delayed shifting, slipping between gears, jerking, or failure to shift properly. Can result in transmission fault codes.
  • Solution: Replacement of the valve body or complete transmission replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $6,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Air Suspension Failure (if equipped)
  • Description/Symptoms: Vehicle sagging on one or more corners, air compressor running excessively, suspension malfunction warning light.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty air spring(s), air compressor, or related components.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2,000+ (per air spring); $500 - $1,500+ (compressor)
  • Recalls: None Found
• Adaptive Damper Issues (if equipped)
  • Description/Symptoms: Uneven ride quality, clunking noises from suspension, adaptive damper malfunction warning light.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty adaptive damper(s).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,500+ (per damper)
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Battery Drain Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Vehicle has difficulty starting or the battery is frequently dead, even after short periods of inactivity.
  • Solution: Diagnose and repair the parasitic drain on the battery. This could involve replacing a faulty module, fixing a wiring issue, or updating software.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $1,000+ (depending on the source of the drain)
  • Recalls: None Found
• iDrive System Malfunctions
  • Description/Symptoms: Screen freezing, unresponsive controls, loss of functionality, error messages.
  • Solution: Software update, replacement of the iDrive control unit.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1,500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Door Handle Actuator Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Door handle fails to open the door from the exterior.
  • Solution: Replacement of the door handle actuator.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $700+ per door.
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Seat Occupancy Sensor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Airbag warning light illuminated, passenger airbag may not deploy in an accident.
  • Solution: Replacement of the seat occupancy sensor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,200+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2018 BMW 640i, while a luxurious and enjoyable vehicle, can experience a range of issues. The most common problems seem to revolve around the engine (oil leaks, VANOS issues), transmission (valve body problems), suspension (air suspension failures if equipped), and electrical system (battery drains, iDrive malfunctions). The severity of these issues varies, with some being relatively minor and inexpensive to fix, while others, like transmission problems or extensive electrical issues, can be quite costly. Potential buyers should be aware of these potential problems and thoroughly inspect the vehicle’s maintenance history before making a purchase.