2018 BMW 740i xDrive

The 2018 BMW 740i xDrive is a luxury sedan that offers a blend of performance, comfort, and technology. The 740i xDrive features a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. Other engine options for the 2018 7 Series include a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 in the 750i xDrive and a plug-in hybrid powertrain in the 740e xDrive. All engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Owners generally praise the 740i xDrive for its smooth ride, powerful engine, luxurious interior, and advanced technology features. Common complaints include the complex infotainment system, high maintenance costs, and occasional electrical glitches.

Engine

3.0L Turbocharged Inline-Six (B58)

• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks can occur from various areas, including the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, and oil pan gasket. Symptoms include visible oil leaks, oil consumption, and a burning oil smell.
  • Solution: Replace the leaking gasket or component.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1,500+ depending on the location of the leak.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Coolant Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaks can develop from the coolant expansion tank, hoses, or water pump. Symptoms include low coolant levels, overheating, and visible coolant leaks.
  • Solution: Replace the leaking component.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1,000+ depending on the component.
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

8-Speed Automatic (8HP50)

• Rough Shifting
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners report rough or jerky shifting, particularly between lower gears. This can be caused by worn valve body components or low transmission fluid.
  • Solution: Transmission fluid flush, valve body replacement, or transmission replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 (fluid flush) - $5,000+ (transmission replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found
• Hesitation or Slipping
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners report hesitation or slipping during acceleration, especially at higher speeds. This can be caused by worn clutch packs or other internal damage.
  • Solution: Transmission repair or replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,500 - $7,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Air Suspension Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The air suspension system can experience leaks, causing the vehicle to sag or have an uneven ride height. This can be due to faulty air struts or a malfunctioning air compressor.
  • Solution: Replacement of faulty air struts, air compressor, or air lines.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2,000+ per strut, $500 - $1,500+ for the compressor.
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• iDrive System Malfunctions
  • Description/Symptoms: The iDrive infotainment system can experience glitches, freezing, or complete failure. This can be due to software issues or hardware problems.
  • Solution: Software update, iDrive module replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 (software update) - $1,500+ (module replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found
• Battery Drain
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported issues with excessive battery drain, leading to difficulty starting the vehicle. This can be caused by faulty electrical components or parasitic draw.
  • Solution: Identify and repair the source of the battery drain, replace the battery.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $500+ (battery replacement), $100 - $1,000+ (diagnostics and repair)
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Sensor Failures
  • Description/Symptoms: Parking sensors, lane departure sensors, and blind spot monitoring sensors may fail or provide inaccurate readings.
  • Solution: Replacement of faulty sensors.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ per sensor, depending on location.
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Seat Motor Failures
  • Description/Symptoms: Power seat motors may fail, preventing the seat from adjusting properly.
  • Solution: Seat motor replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2018 BMW 740i xDrive offers a luxurious and enjoyable driving experience, but it’s not without its potential issues. The most common problems revolve around the engine (oil and coolant leaks), transmission (rough shifting), suspension (air suspension issues), and electrical system (iDrive malfunctions and battery drain). While some issues are minor and relatively inexpensive to fix, others can be more significant and costly. Buyers should be aware of these potential problems and factor them into their purchasing decision. Pre-purchase inspections are highly recommended.