2019 BMW M850i xDrive
The 2019 BMW M850i xDrive is a luxury grand tourer known for its powerful engine, sophisticated technology, and comfortable ride. It came standard with a 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8 engine producing 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. While not offered in the 2019 M850i, later models were offered with inline 6-cylinder engines. The M850i xDrive is paired exclusively with an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. Owners typically praise its performance and elegant design, but some common complaints revolve around electronic glitches, the cost of maintenance, and the complexity of the infotainment system.
Engine
4.4L TwinPower Turbo V8
- Oil Leaks
- Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks can occur from various locations, including the valve cover gaskets, oil filter housing, and the rear main seal. Symptoms include visible oil drips under the car, a burning oil smell, and low oil levels.
- Solution: Replacing the leaking gaskets or seals. In more severe cases, the entire oil filter housing or rear main seal needs replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $2,000+ depending on the leak’s location and severity.
- Recalls: None Found
- Coolant Leaks
- Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaks often occur from the plastic components in the cooling system (e.g., coolant expansion tank, hoses, or the water pump). Symptoms include low coolant levels, overheating, and visible coolant leaks.
- Solution: Replacing the leaking components with updated or reinforced parts.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1,500+ depending on the leak’s location and severity.
- Recalls: None Found
- Turbocharger Issues
- Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported premature turbocharger failure or issues with the wastegate actuator. Symptoms include loss of power, unusual noises from the engine (whining or whistling), and engine codes related to turbocharger performance.
- Solution: Replacing or rebuilding the turbocharger, or replacing the wastegate actuator.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $3,000 - $8,000+ for turbocharger replacement, $500 - $1,500 for wastegate actuator.
- Recalls: None Found
Transmission
8-Speed Steptronic Automatic
- Harsh Shifting/Hesitation
- Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported issues with rough or delayed shifting, particularly during low-speed maneuvers or when cold.
- Solution: In some cases, a transmission software update can resolve the issue. In more severe cases, valve body or mechatronic unit replacement might be necessary.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $500 for software update, $1,500 - $4,000+ for valve body or mechatronic unit replacement.
- Recalls: None Found
- Transmission Oil Leaks
- Description/Symptoms: Transmission oil leaks can occur from the pan gasket, seals, or the mechatronic unit sleeve. Symptoms include visible oil leaks under the car and rough or delayed shifting.
- Solution: Replacing the leaking gaskets or seals. In some cases, the entire transmission pan or mechatronic unit sleeve needs replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1,000+ depending on the leak’s location and severity.
- Recalls: None Found
Suspension
- Adaptive Suspension Malfunctions
- Description/Symptoms: The M850i xDrive comes with adaptive suspension, and some owners have reported issues with error messages, loss of damping control, or uneven ride height. This can be caused by faulty sensors, control modules, or air struts (if equipped with air suspension).
- Solution: Diagnosing the fault and replacing the affected components (sensors, control module, or struts).
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $3,000+ depending on the component that needs replacement.
- Recalls: None Found
Electrical
- Infotainment System Glitches
- Description/Symptoms: The iDrive system can experience various glitches, including freezing, lagging, random reboots, and connectivity issues with Bluetooth or Apple CarPlay.
- Solution: Sometimes, a software update can resolve the issue. In other cases, the iDrive control module may need to be replaced.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $500 for software updates, $1,000 - $3,000+ for control module replacement.
- Recalls: None Found
- Sensor Failures
- Description/Symptoms: Various sensors, such as those for parking assist, blind spot monitoring, and tire pressure monitoring, can fail. Symptoms include error messages on the dashboard and malfunctioning driver-assistance systems.
- Solution: Replacing the faulty sensor.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ per sensor, depending on the location and type of sensor.
- Recalls: None Found
- Battery Drain Issues
- Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported issues with the battery draining quickly, especially if the car is not driven regularly. This can be caused by a parasitic drain from various electronic modules.
- Solution: Diagnosing and addressing the parasitic drain. This may involve updating software or replacing faulty modules. Battery replacement may also be necessary.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $1,000+ depending on the source of the drain.
- Recalls: None Found
Exterior
- Headlight Issues
- Description/Symptoms: Problems with the LED headlights, including flickering, uneven brightness, or complete failure.
- Solution: Replacing the headlight assembly or individual LED modules.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $4,000+ per headlight assembly.
- Recalls: None Found
Interior
- Seat Motor Failures
- Description/Symptoms: The power seats can experience motor failures, preventing them from adjusting properly.
- Solution: Replacing the faulty seat motor.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,500+ per seat motor.
- Recalls: None Found
Summary
The 2019 BMW M850i xDrive, while a luxurious and powerful vehicle, can be prone to certain issues. Engine and transmission oil leaks, electrical glitches, and suspension malfunctions are some of the most common complaints. The cost to fix these issues can range from a few hundred dollars for minor repairs to several thousand dollars for major component replacements like turbochargers or headlight assemblies. While some problems might be covered under warranty, owning an M850i xDrive can potentially involve significant maintenance expenses, especially as the vehicle ages.