2018 BMW 650i

The 2018 BMW 650i represents a blend of luxury, performance, and grand touring capability. It’s offered in Gran Coupe, Coupe, and Convertible body styles. The 650i is powered by a 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8 engine producing 445 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. It’s generally praised for its powerful engine, comfortable ride, luxurious interior, and stylish design. Some common criticisms include its large size, which can make it feel less agile than smaller BMW models, and the high cost of maintenance and repairs. While most of the engine components were the same, the available transmissions were an 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission with shift paddles, and a 6-speed manual transmission with the N63.

Engine

N63 4.4L TwinPower Turbo V8

• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks can occur from various points on the engine, including valve cover gaskets, oil filter housing gasket, and oil pan gasket. Symptoms include visible oil leaks, burning oil smell, and low oil level.
  • Solution: Replace the leaking gaskets.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1500+ depending on the location and complexity.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Turbocharger Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The turbochargers can experience problems such as wastegate failures or oil leaks. Symptoms include loss of power, unusual noises from the engine, and check engine light.
  • Solution: Diagnose the specific issue and replace or repair the affected turbocharger component.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1500 - $4000+ depending on the issue.
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

8-Speed Sport Automatic Transmission

• Rough Shifting
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners report rough or jerky shifting, particularly at lower speeds. This can be caused by worn solenoids, low transmission fluid, or software issues.
  • Solution: Check transmission fluid level and condition. Perform a transmission adaptation reset using BMW diagnostic software. If the problem persists, consider replacing the affected solenoids or flushing the transmission fluid.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $800+ depending on the severity and fix required.
  • Recalls: None Found

6-Speed Manual Transmission

• No Issues Found

Suspension

• Air Suspension Leaks (If Equipped)
  • Description/Symptoms: Vehicles equipped with air suspension can experience leaks in the air struts or lines, leading to a sagging suspension, particularly overnight. The car may sit unevenly.
  • Solution: Identify and repair the leak, which might involve replacing the air strut, air line, or compressor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2000+ per strut.
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Battery Drain
  • Description/Symptoms: Excessive battery drain can lead to a dead battery, especially if the vehicle sits for extended periods. This is a common issue in modern BMWs due to the complex electrical system.
  • Solution: Diagnose the source of the parasitic drain, which could be a faulty module or improperly shutting down. Repair or replace the faulty component.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $1000+ depending on the issue.
  • Recalls: None Found
• iDrive System Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The iDrive system can experience glitches, freezing, or failure to boot up.
  • Solution: Try a system reset. If the problem persists, the iDrive module may need to be reprogrammed or replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Adaptive Headlight Malfunction
  • Description/Symptoms: Adaptive headlights may fail to adjust properly, display error messages, or stop working altogether.
  • Solution: Diagnose the headlight module or motor. Replace faulty components.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $2000+ depending on the issue and parts needed.
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Sunroof Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Sunroof may get stuck open, make unusual noises, or leak.
  • Solution: Inspect sunroof tracks and clean them, replace any damaged or worn parts.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1200+ depending on the severity and fix required.
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2018 BMW 650i, while luxurious and powerful, can present owners with a range of potential issues. Engine oil leaks and turbocharger problems on the N63 V8 engine can be costly to address. Electrical issues, particularly battery drain and iDrive malfunctions, are also fairly common. Suspension and transmission issues can also add to the ownership cost. Overall, prospective buyers should be aware of these potential issues and factor in the cost of potential repairs when considering purchasing this model. It’s recommended to have a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified BMW mechanic to assess the vehicle’s condition.