2018 BMW 740i

The 2018 BMW 740i is a luxury sedan known for its smooth ride, powerful engine, and tech-laden interior. It offered a blend of comfort and performance that appealed to many buyers. However, like any vehicle, it has its share of reported issues. Owners generally praise the car’s spaciousness, comfortable seats, and quiet cabin. Common complaints revolve around the complexity of the iDrive system, the cost of maintenance, and some reported reliability concerns. The 2018 740i was available with a 3.0L turbocharged inline-six engine producing 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. Other engine options available for the 2018 7-series include a 4.4L twin-turbo V8, and a 6.6L twin-turbo V12, as well as a plug-in hybrid variant with a 2.0L turbocharged inline-four. All engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Engine

3.0L Turbocharged Inline-Six (B58)

• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks are sometimes reported, often stemming from the valve cover gasket or oil filter housing gasket. Symptoms include visible oil drips under the car, a burning oil smell, and low oil levels.
  • Solution: Replacement of the leaking gasket.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $600+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Coolant Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaks are reported, most commonly from the plastic coolant lines and expansion tank. Symptoms include low coolant level, overheating, and visible coolant leaks under the car.
  • Solution: Replacement of the leaking coolant lines or expansion tank.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)

• Rough Shifting/Hesitation
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners report occasional rough shifting or hesitation, particularly during low-speed maneuvers. This can sometimes be related to software issues or adaptive transmission learning.
  • Solution: Software update or transmission adaptation reset. In more severe cases, valve body replacement or complete transmission rebuild might be necessary.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 (Software Update) - $4,000+ (Transmission Rebuild)
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Air Suspension Issues (If Equipped)
  • Description/Symptoms: Some models equipped with air suspension may experience issues with the air struts or air compressor. Symptoms include the car sitting unevenly, a rough ride, or the suspension warning light illuminating.
  • Solution: Replacement of the faulty air strut or air compressor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2,000+ per strut or compressor.
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• iDrive System Malfunctions
  • Description/Symptoms: The iDrive system, while advanced, can sometimes experience glitches, software freezes, or connectivity issues.
  • Solution: Software updates, system resets, or, in rare cases, replacement of the iDrive control unit.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 (Software Update) - $1,500+ (iDrive Unit Replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found
• Sensor Failures
  • Description/Symptoms: Various sensors throughout the vehicle (parking sensors, blind spot monitoring sensors, etc.) can sometimes fail, leading to warning lights or system malfunctions.
  • Solution: Diagnosis and replacement of the faulty sensor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+ per sensor.
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Adaptive Headlight Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The adaptive headlight system can sometimes experience malfunctions, leading to error messages or improper headlight alignment.
  • Solution: Calibration or replacement of the headlight control module or headlight unit.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1,500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Seat Adjustment Motor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The electric seat adjustment motors can sometimes fail, preventing the seat from moving.
  • Solution: Replacement of the faulty seat motor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ per motor.
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2018 BMW 740i, while a luxurious and capable vehicle, has reported issues that potential buyers should be aware of. Engine oil and coolant leaks, transmission shifting issues, electrical glitches, and air suspension problems (if equipped) appear to be the most common concerns. The severity of these issues varies, and repair costs can range from a few hundred dollars for minor fixes to several thousand dollars for more extensive repairs. Thorough inspection and a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic are highly recommended before purchasing a used 2018 740i.