45k+ mileage 7 series - maintenance nightmare?

[carzaddict]

What is everyones opinion on a 45k+ mileage 740? am i looking at a maintenance nightmare or are they fairly reliable (with the exception of the typical wear and tear items)

[13M5F10]

Originally Posted by carzaddict

What is everyones opinion on a 45k+ mileage 740? am i looking at a maintenance nightmare or are they fairly reliable (with the exception of the typical wear and tear items)

I'm jaded, I'm at 22k miles on my 750 g12 and have had some big ticket issues. Glad I have warranty

[Martin2C]

My G11 has just passed 40k miles (18 months) and all is well. It did need an oil pipe feeding one of the turbos replacing, which is one more fault than my 535d had in just over 3 years and 95k miles, so hopefully it’s the first and last problem.

[carzaddict]

Originally Posted by 13M5F10

I'm jaded, I'm at 22k miles on my 750 g12 and have had some big ticket issues. Glad I have warranty

i completely understand your sentiment. to be honest i had a brand new 3 series that broke on my first day of ownership, only 30 miles on the clock! so i totally understand sh*t happens in rare occasions.

however you can kind of tell a general consensus of how cars react when they reach higher mileage. (i.e., oil consumption, coolant hoses, high pressure pumps, etc)

[EZgo]

Originally Posted by 13M5F10

I'm jaded, I'm at 22k miles on my 750 g12 and have had some big ticket issues. Glad I have warranty

Bimmer V8's and bimmer sixes are apple's and oranges. Make that rotten wormy apples and oranges. The reason I chose the 740i over the 750i was 100% only because the N63 was such an unbelievable POS and I don't know for sure that the newer bimmer V8's are not still. Time will tell.

After having literally ten's of thousands in engine repair (mostly under CPO and aftermarket warranty) my 550i decided that wasn't enough and melted down, necessitating a total replacement.

What were some of the issues with your 750i?

[Staszek]

Originally Posted by EZgo

Bimmer V8's and bimmer sixes are apple's and oranges. Make that rotten wormy apples and oranges. The reason I chose the 740i over the 750i was 100% only because the N63 was such an unbelievable POS and I don't know for sure that the newer bimmer V8's are not still. Time will tell.

After having literally ten's of thousands in engine repair (mostly under CPO and aftermarket warranty) my 550i decided that wasn't enough and melted down, necessitating a total replacement.

What were some of the issues with your 750i?

Agreed here, the V8s are more sensitive, the M62Tu was a great engine, but you have to do a lot of preventative maintenance (not oil changes) to keep it running well, I wouldnt touch an N63 until the TU2 came out.

The BMW 6s are are a lot more reliable and if you were keeping a car long term or buying used without CPO I would stay there.

[13M5F10]

Originally Posted by EZgo

Bimmer V8's and bimmer sixes are apple's and oranges. Make that rotten wormy apples and oranges. The reason I chose the 740i over the 750i was 100% only because the N63 was such an unbelievable POS and I don't know for sure that the newer bimmer V8's are not still. Time will tell.

After having literally ten's of thousands in engine repair (mostly under CPO and aftermarket warranty) my 550i decided that wasn't enough and melted down, necessitating a total replacement.

What were some of the issues with your 750i?

Originally Posted by EZgo

Bimmer V8's and bimmer sixes are apple's and oranges. Make that rotten wormy apples and oranges. The reason I chose the 740i over the 750i was 100% only because the N63 was such an unbelievable POS and I don't know for sure that the newer bimmer V8's are not still. Time will tell.

After having literally ten's of thousands in engine repair (mostly under CPO and aftermarket warranty) my 550i decided that wasn't enough and melted down, necessitating a total replacement.

What were some of the issues with your 750i?

I agree. Mine were not related to the motor. Just stupid issues.

Fuel Pump failed at 22K

Steering controller failed

Fan in seat failed - was vibrating

Lane departure controller in the steering failed along with the vibrator function. Had it replaced last week.

Rear shade for the roof failed. Came off the rails.

A few other minor things. If it wasn't for my warranty, I'm sure I'd be out of pocket a few thousand dollars easily.

I still love the brand. I've had several M5s and love BMW. I've just leaned over time that I'd never own a bmw out of warranty. Not worth it for me.

My issues seem isolated. The 7 is an amazing car, it's just made me jaded towards long term ownership

[talaipwros]

67K miles on a 740d xdrive.
not a single issue, but most of them motorway miles

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by carzaddict

What is everyones opinion on a 45k+ mileage 740? am i looking at a maintenance nightmare or are they fairly reliable (with the exception of the typical wear and tear items)

Two things:

1. It all depends on how the previous owner(s) maintained the car. Some people all they do is pour gas on the tank because they have no choice. Those types are adverse to scheduled maintenance and taking back the car to the dealer for oil changes.

2. Pay a trusted and reputable mechanic to have the vehicle put on a lift and fully inspected with a fine tooth comb. Best money ever spent.

Good luck

[Machinebuilder]

Even if you baby the cars it seems to me to be luck whether they start breaking down. That said I will no longer own a BMW out of warranty. I had an engine go at 52,000 miles on my old 740i and just think service costs get stupid expensive. If you want a reliable car that you keep, buy a Lexus. I think all German cars are so complicated and precisely built they are bound to break down. I hold BMW's 4 to 5 years and trade them in.

[EZgo]

Originally Posted by Machinebuilder

...Even if you baby the cars it seems to me to be luck whether they start breaking down. That said I will no longer own a BMW out of warranty.

I've had four bimmers now in the past 10 years (what's wrong with me???). After learning some lessons and making some tweaks, my strategy follows these rules now:

• Buy a three to four year old BMW,
• With at least a few months on the manufacturer's original warranty,
• Have it thoroughly driven and also checked by dealer prior to manufacturer's warranty expiration,
• Right before the manufacture's warranty expires- buy a aftermarket 5yr/60k named exclusion transferable warranty for around $3k-$4k through my credit union (always more than pays for itself).
• Sell it before the transferable aftermarket warranty expires.

I get these benefits:

• Someone else takes the new car $40k-$60k depreciation hit, but I still get to drive what is nearly mechanically the same and looks essentially identical to the latest $100k+ BMW.
• I'm driving a loaded BMW for the same payment as a new loaded Camry.
• Plenty of inventory to chose from- at three to four years there are plenty of lease returns and people selling before 50k miles.
• The car is always under warranty.
• On resale, buyers will pay more for my resale because there is at least some warranty left and they won't get stuck buying a car with an existing problem that immediately screws them.

[Wills2]

I've had 12 BMWs and my 7er has had more issues than the other 11 put together, it's a buggy car and that does annoy me.

1. Surround camera issues with idrive (screen going blank on activation)
2. Light cluster switch module failed.
3. General failure of driver assistance and safety systems.
4. KAFAS cameras - failed
5. Chassis restriction warning.

All the above in less than 12 months car has done 50,000 miles and 3 1/2 year old.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I've had 12 BMWs and my 7er has had more issues than the other 11 put together, it's a buggy car and that does annoy me.

1. Surround camera issues with idrive (screen going blank on activation)
2. Light cluster switch module failed.
3. General failure of driver assistance and safety systems.
4. KAFAS cameras - failed
5. Chassis restriction warning.

All the above in less than 12 months car has done 50,000 miles and 3 1/2 year old.

Yep, you got a first year lemon.

My G30, also a first year production car, has been great. Luck of the draw it seems.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Machinebuilder

Even if you baby the cars it seems to me to be luck whether they start breaking down. That said I will no longer own a BMW out of warranty. I had an engine go at 52,000 miles on my old 740i and just think service costs get stupid expensive. If you want a reliable car that you keep, buy a Lexus. I think all German cars are so complicated and precisely built they are bound to break down. I hold BMW's 4 to 5 years and trade them in.

Can you elaborate how your engine "went" at 52K miles?

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

Yep, you got a first year lemon.

My G30, also a first year production car, has been great. Luck of the draw it seems.

I don't buy that the car was built 12 months into production I've had loads of first year BMWs never had an issue, the platform is just buggy end of, whether 2015/6/7/8 etc....

Not point comparing it to 530i either that's a pretty simple car.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I don't buy that the car was built 12 months into production I've had loads of first year BMWs never had an issue, the platform is just buggy end of, whether 2015/6/7/8 etc....

Not point comparing it to 530i either that's a pretty simple car.

Actually G30 shares quite a bit with G11 beginning with the CLAR architecture, electronics, etc. notable exceptions are the carbon core frame and the V-12 engine in the M760i.

And previous generation F01 shared a lot with F10 5 series as well.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

Actually G30 shares quite a bit with G11 beginning with the CLAR architecture, electronics, etc. notable exceptions are the carbon core frame and the V-12 engine in the M760i.

And previous generation F01 shared a lot with F10 5 series as well.

530i is a valid comparison as 730i exists also in other markets. And pre-LCI 740e shared same power train essentials with 530e hybrid.


https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a1...-ok-with-that/

[Machinebuilder]

Originally Posted by 530iDriver

Can you elaborate how your engine "went" at 52K miles?

I was part of a large number of 740 engines that overheated and failed in the late 90's. It was later part of the recall 98V178000 on v8 engines in 1998. The cooling systems failed and the engine overheated and seized before warning light came on. The engine heater warning came on as the engine imploded so there was no time to react. My engine seized and I had to threaten legal action to get the engine replaced. BMW at first insisted it was not a design flaw but misuse which was not the case. Only after the recall which showed the same had happened to numerous cars did they agree to cover the cost of the engine.

[talaipwros]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I've had 12 BMWs and my 7er has had more issues than the other 11 put together, it's a buggy car and that does annoy me.

1. Surround camera issues with idrive (screen going blank on activation)
2. Light cluster switch module failed.
3. General failure of driver assistance and safety systems.
4. KAFAS cameras - failed
5. Chassis restriction warning.

All the above in less than 12 months car has done 50,000 miles and 3 1/2 year old.

sorry to hear that.
May I ask if you have bought it new?
have the same car really, 67K miles, not a single blip, not even the cricky noise I used to have in the F01 730, almost reminds me of my previous Lexus GS

[Martin2C]

Originally Posted by Wills2

I've had 12 BMWs and my 7er has had more issues than the other 11 put together, it's a buggy car and that does annoy me.

1. Surround camera issues with idrive (screen going blank on activation)
2. Light cluster switch module failed.
3. General failure of driver assistance and safety systems.
4. KAFAS cameras - failed
5. Chassis restriction warning.

All the above in less than 12 months car has done 50,000 miles and 3 1/2 year old.

That’s annoying. I’ve had an oil leak on the feed to one of the turbos and it’s losing coolant at the moment despite them pressure testing it at the last service and saying all was OK. Didn’t have so much as a rattle in my 535d in 3.5 years / 115k miles

[JeffreyC]

I am considering trading a 2016 535i X for a 2016 750i X. I would be going from the six to the N63 V8 and that concerns me. Other than the engine, this would be a huge upgrade in cars even though my 535 is loaded. I have read about the lawsuits involving the N63 and it appears they still have not fixed the oil consumption issue. The 750's warranty expires in May. Should I be concerned about the N63?

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by JeffreyC

I am considering trading a 2016 535i X for a 2016 750i X. I would be going from the six to the N63 V8 and that concerns me. Other than the engine, this would be a huge upgrade in cars even though my 535 is loaded. I have read about the lawsuits involving the N63 and it appears they still have not fixed the oil consumption issue. The 750's warranty expires in May. Should I be concerned about the N63?

Current iteration of the N63 should be best ever in terms of durability but I would still approach a current V8 equipped BMW with plenty caution. If you are keeping the car 5-7 years, the BMW Platinum extended warranty plans are highly recommended.