2018 BMW Alpina B7

The 2018 BMW Alpina B7 is a high-performance luxury sedan known for its blend of power and refinement. It is equipped with a specially tuned 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, producing 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. The sole transmission option is an 8-speed automatic. Owners generally praise the B7’s powerful engine, luxurious interior, and comfortable ride, but some dislike its high price and potential maintenance costs.

Engine

4.4L Twin-Turbocharged V8

• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks can occur from various locations, including the valve cover gaskets and the oil filter housing gasket. Symptoms include visible oil drips under the car, a burning oil smell, and low oil levels.
  • Solution: Replacing the leaking gaskets. Requires disassembly and careful reassembly.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1500+ depending on the location of the leak and labor costs.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Coolant Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaks can occur from the coolant expansion tank and the coolant hoses. Symptoms include a low coolant level and overheating of the engine.
  • Solution: Replacing the leaking coolant components. Requires bleeding of the coolant system to ensure all air is evacuated.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ depending on the component and labor costs.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Turbocharger Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Turbine and wastegate problems may lead to boost leaks, decreased performance, or unusual noises.
  • Solution: Replacement or repair of the affected turbocharger components.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $3,000 - $6,000+ depending on the issue and labor costs.
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP75)

• Rough Shifting/Hesitation
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners report experiencing rough or hesitant shifts, particularly at lower speeds. This can be caused by worn-out solenoids in the valve body, degraded transmission fluid, or software glitches.
  • Solution: A transmission flush with the correct fluid can sometimes resolve minor issues. Valve body replacement or reprogramming the transmission control module may be required for more severe cases.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $3,000+, depending on the severity and the required repair.
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Air Suspension Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The air suspension system can experience leaks or compressor failures. Symptoms include the car sitting unevenly, a warning light on the dashboard, and a noisy compressor.
  • Solution: Replacing the leaking air struts, air lines, or the air compressor. Proper calibration of the suspension system may be required after repairs.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $4,000+ per strut, depending on location and labor. Compressor replacement is typically $800 - $1500+.
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Idrive System Malfunctions
  • Description/Symptoms: Problems such as screen freezing, lagging, or unresponsive controls.
  • Solution: Software updates can often resolve minor glitches. More serious issues may require replacement of the iDrive control unit.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $1,500+, depending on the complexity.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Sensor Failures
  • Description/Symptoms: Issues with sensors, especially those related to the driver-assistance systems (e.g., parking sensors, lane departure warning).
  • Solution: Replacing the faulty sensor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+, depending on the sensor’s location and type.
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Adaptive Headlight Malfunctions
  • Description/Symptoms: The adaptive headlights may fail to adjust properly or display error messages.
  • Solution: Replacement of the headlight control module or the headlight assembly itself.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2,000+ per headlight, depending on the specific issue.
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Seat Heater Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The seat heaters may stop working, often due to a break in the heating element within the seat.
  • Solution: Repair or replacement of the seat heating element.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1,000+ per seat, depending on the complexity.
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary:

The 2018 BMW Alpina B7, while a supremely luxurious and powerful vehicle, can suffer from issues common to high-performance luxury cars. Potential issues include engine oil and coolant leaks, turbocharger problems, transmission issues, and air suspension problems. Electrical glitches and interior component failures are also possible. The severity of these issues ranges from minor inconveniences to potentially expensive repairs. Costs can vary significantly depending on the specific problem and the labor involved.