2020 BMW 840i xDrive
The 2020 BMW 840i xDrive is a luxury grand tourer that combines performance with comfort. The 840i xDrive comes standard with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 335 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. It is paired exclusively with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Other engine options for the 8 Series include a more powerful V8. Owners often praise the 840i xDrive for its sleek design, luxurious interior, and comfortable ride. However, some common dislikes include the infotainment system’s complexity and the limited rear seat space.
Engine
3.0L Turbocharged Inline-Six (B58)
- Oil Leaks from the Oil Filter Housing/Cooler
- Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks are observed near the oil filter housing. This can cause a burning smell, low oil levels, and potentially damage other engine components.
- Solution: Replacement of the oil filter housing gasket or the entire oil filter housing assembly.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $800+
- Recalls: None Found
- Coolant Leaks
- Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaks are observed. This can cause overheating.
- Solution: Replacement of the coolant expansion tank.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
- Recalls: None Found
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)
- Rough Shifting/Hesitation
- Description/Symptoms: Owners report experiencing rough or delayed shifting, particularly when the transmission is cold. There may also be noticeable hesitation during acceleration.
- Solution: Software update of the transmission control module (TCM) to improve shift quality. In some cases, replacement of valve body solenoids is required.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500 (software update); $1000 - $2500+ (valve body repair)
- Recalls: None Found
Suspension
- Adaptive Damper Malfunctions
- Description/Symptoms: Error messages related to the adaptive suspension system appear on the dashboard. The ride quality becomes noticeably harsher, and the vehicle may exhibit unusual handling characteristics.
- Solution: Diagnosis of the affected damper(s) and replacement as needed. The control module might also require reprogramming.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2000+ (per damper)
- Recalls: None Found
Electrical
- Infotainment System Freezing/Rebooting
- Description/Symptoms: The iDrive infotainment system freezes, becomes unresponsive, or spontaneously reboots. This can affect navigation, audio, and other vehicle functions.
- Solution: Software update of the iDrive system. If the problem persists, the iDrive control unit may need to be replaced.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300 (software update); $1000 - $3000+ (control unit replacement)
- Recalls: None Found
- Battery Drain Issues
- Description/Symptoms: The vehicle’s battery drains quickly, especially when the car is not driven frequently. This can result in difficulty starting the engine or completely dead battery.
- Solution: Diagnosis of parasitic drain. This may involve identifying and addressing faulty modules or accessories that are drawing power when the car is off. Also, ensure that the battery is coded to the car.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $500+ (diagnosis), $200+ (battery and coding)
- Recalls: None Found
Exterior
- Sensor Failures
- Description/Symptoms: Malfunctioning or non-functioning sensors. This can affect safety features such as parking assist and adaptive cruise control.
- Solution: Sensor replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+ (per sensor)
- Recalls: None Found
Interior
- Seat Motor Failure
- Description/Symptoms: One or more of the seat motors fails causing one or more directions of seat travel to become inoperable.
- Solution: Motor replacement.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,500+
- Recalls: None Found
Summary
The 2020 BMW 840i xDrive, while a desirable luxury grand tourer, does have some potential issues owners might encounter. Engine oil leaks and coolant leaks can occur. Transmission problems like rough shifting can arise, sometimes requiring more extensive repairs. Electrical issues can include infotainment system malfunctions and battery drain. Suspension problems like adaptive damper failures can be expensive to repair. Overall, while many issues are minor and easily addressed with software updates or minor repairs, some can be more costly, requiring component replacements. It’s important to have a thorough inspection before purchasing and to keep up with scheduled maintenance to mitigate potential problems.