Used 2017/18 730d G11 - Pitfalls/Costs

[Max1234]

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and would much appreciate your advice/expierence. I am currently looking into buying a used 730d from 2017/2018 with sub 25k miles on it.
For example, I'm looking at this one currently:
AutoTrader 2018 BMW 730d

I am particularly interested in what could go wrong with this.

1) Are there any defects these cars often get after a few years?
2) Are there any expensive repairs/replacements expected up to e.g. 60k miles?
3) From experience, how much maintenance cost would you plan for within 3 years from used purchase?

Thanks all for your help in advance.
Max

[Markr]

I have had my 740d xDrive M Sport since new in 2018, and have 16 or 17k miles on the clock - no issues at all. Same car, just that I have got twin turbos, so more power.

You will have some manufacturer warranty left for anything immediate. Check if it came with a 5 year service pack, as mine did. Also, if it has Apple Car Play it has now been opened up, so that you don’t have to pay any subscription after the initial 3 years.

Happy buying....

[RaptorStrike]

Originally Posted by Max1234

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and would much appreciate your advice/expierence. I am currently looking into buying a used 730d from 2017/2018 with sub 25k miles on it.
For example, I'm looking at this one currently:
AutoTrader 2018 BMW 730d

I am particularly interested in what could go wrong with this.

1) Are there any defects these cars often get after a few years?
2) Are there any expensive repairs/replacements expected up to e.g. 60k miles?
3) From experience, how much maintenance cost would you plan for within 3 years from used purchase?

Thanks all for your help in advance.
Max

That seems a tad expensive. I bought a Nov 67 Plate 740Ld in Dec. Had 11k miles on the clock and has a far higher spec than that car. It was also from a main dealer.

My car is an Exclusive edition and in addition to what the one you posted has my car has:

Additional turbo on engine
Longer wheelbase
Adaptive Laserlights
Sky Lounge Panaoramic roof
Ventilated & Massage seats
Ambient Air
Alcantara headlining
Fine Nappa Leather

I paid £33k for it. Was advertised at £34995 but I haggled down as I was buying outright.

The point to this is don't discount main dealers as that does seem quite high priced in comparison. I searched for a few months though so if you can wait then the odd gem/bargain crops up.

In terms of issues. I have only had one and it was caused by the dealer themselves (to do with a map update which corrupted my whole dash). But they rectified it.

Other than that (touches wood) I've had no issues in the 7mths I've had it. It's due a brake fluid change in Aug but the car will tell you when stuff is due.

If you don't get that particular car then as mentioned make sure you get one that has the 5yr service pack on it.

Other than that they generally don't go wrong. Like anything though you will get good and bad apples. So make sure you get one with a decent warranty. BMW main dealer you get a 1yr warranty which covers pretty much everything apart from brakes and tyres.

Tyres can be expensive. You're looking at circa £750 for a set of 4 rubbers (depending on the tyre of course). But other than consumables I would not expect much to be needed in 3yrs.

Happy hunting, they are lovely cars to own and drive.

[SteveB730]

Pretty sure that all G11's have free servicing/warranty as standard upto 50,000 or 5 years, whichever comes first.

[Martin2C]

Originally Posted by SteveB730

Pretty sure that all G11's have free servicing/warranty as standard upto 50,000 or 5 years, whichever comes first.

Yes, it was standard. Not on the facelift cars though.

[Chuckyarla]

Originally Posted by Martin2C

Yes, it was standard. Not on the facelift cars though.

Mine came with 4 years/50,000 service pack.

[Markr]

It will vary by market. We purchased a Škoda Citigo for my mother-in-law in Dublin from Škoda Ireland and both spec and terms were different from Škoda UK. You used to be able to buy cars in either as spec was the same, but now cars in Eire have KPH as primary display rather than MPH as in UK - which was a physical change rather than digital, so could not be changed without changing the instrument pack.

[Chuckyarla]

My car came from the UK. The 4 year service pack is what it had in the UK.

[Markr]

Is that 4 years remaining or from new, as my 2018 came with 5 years from new.

[RaptorStrike]

My Nov 2017 car had 5yrs service and remains valid until Nov 2022.

[Chuckyarla]

4years from new.

[Martin2C]

Mine is a June 17 car and has a 5 year, 50,000 mile service pack.

I should say did, as it’s well past 50,000 miles now.

[Pelo Cat]

Originally Posted by Max1234

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and would much appreciate your advice/expierence. I am currently looking into buying a used 730d from 2017/2018 with sub 25k miles on it.
For example, I'm looking at this one currently:
AutoTrader 2018 BMW 730d

I am particularly interested in what could go wrong with this.

1) Are there any defects these cars often get after a few years?
2) Are there any expensive repairs/replacements expected up to e.g. 60k miles?
3) From experience, how much maintenance cost would you plan for within 3 years from used purchase?

Thanks all for your help in advance.
Max

Hi Max1234, welcome to the 7 forum and car. The 7 is such a lovely car I'm sure you'll love it in no time.

As others have said, the used market is quite big now on pre-LCI G11/12's so best to look around and wait for the perfect one given that a lot of them were simply basic spec used as chauffeur cars. Now that the LCI version is available, many will have started to upgrade and that will mean more choice for you (whether as an approved used from the dealer or 3rd party).

Personally, the 730d models (F01 and G11) have been very good to me and I've been very pleased with them. I had a 2011 F01 730d until 2017 and sold it when I had 113k miles on it with no issues at all really. The G11 is much nicer to drive and the interior is amazing but the engine is equally bulletproof really if it has been maintained (as others have said, do make sure there is a full service history by checking the centre display history in the car). My G11 730d has 63k miles on it and I've had very few issues and the ones I have had I associate with the car being an earlier model so some of the initial bugs weren't yet quite sorted. None were big really, from what I gather, 15 and 16 reg G11/12's could have the following niggles:

1) A/C compressor has a small leak that means it needs replacement but not heard of it in later models. Usually something that gets noticed in first 3 years so gets sorted under warranty.

2) the centre console can display that a seat position button has been pressed on the driver side when it hasn't been touched...this again seems to be only during cold days (> 0 C) and rough roads in the UK on early 15 and 16 reg cars. No movement happens and no issue but annoying as the display can change and it looks like something is happening until the car warms up.

3) the drivers door can sometimes suffer from the cold and frost conditions so that it doesn't 'latch' when closed until it warms up...I've only had this happen twice in 4 years and 63k miles but annoying when it does! I'm told it can be fixed by replacing the latch but as it happens so little I have just waited for the car to warm up first before taking off when it did happen.

The engine is solid, I think you may find the steering bushings need replacement around 100k miles if the car has been driven fairly hard but otherwise it should really just be normal maintenance and tires (don't forget the ad blue costs that the G11 will have in comparison to older F01 gen cars to meet newer emissions standards.

Regarding the warranty, most cars (pre-LCI) did come with 5 years or 50k miles (whichever came first) free of charge in the UK, however, some dealers were sneaky and it could be removed to save a paltry £300 for the dealer if it was a pre-reg...so do check if the mileage and time would still be valid for the car you are looking at...definitely avoid those cars just to be safe! The warranty was transferable to second owners so no issues there and personally I'd also recommend buying an approved used so you have the extra piece of mind in case anything goes wrong.

Do come back and let us know what you get in the end and happy motoring.

[Max1234]

Thank you all so much for all the information. Will make my decision a lot easier.
Overall very happy to hear that this is such a solid car.

Thanks again!

[The7th]

Originally Posted by Max1234

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and would much appreciate your advice/expierence. I am currently looking into buying a used 730d from 2017/2018 with sub 25k miles on it.
For example, I'm looking at this one currently:
AutoTrader 2018 BMW 730d

I am particularly interested in what could go wrong with this.

1) Are there any defects these cars often get after a few years?
2) Are there any expensive repairs/replacements expected up to e.g. 60k miles?
3) From experience, how much maintenance cost would you plan for within 3 years from used purchase?

Thanks all for your help in advance.
Max

Hi Max.
Welcome to our forum.

DO NOT buy that 730. One of my friends went for a test drive and it has some funny noise from the u/s. And it doesn't have lasers. adaptive leds, heated rear seats, etc. Not worth it and it's expensive!
Go for a 740x as they do come with more kit as standard and some cheaper. You will find the insurance is cheaper than a 730x.
Defects do come and go ; not had any yet as I have warranty, service pack and some good friends working for BMW so no stress here.
You may want to check suspension or if the car had different wheels/tyres.
Costs over 3 years are hard to predict as it depends of a lot of factors: driving periods, road condition, servicing, looking after it.

Mine is a 740 x M Performance and I drive it in sport Individual. That ECo is pointless as it;s not a Vw Fox.
Am I going for the next model up ? NO! It will be either an x5M or S500 Coupe.

[JamesW11]

I am looking to purchase either a 2017 730d M sport or a 2017/18 530d M sport and currently have a preference for the 7 series. I believe they have the same running gear and do not suffer from timing chain issues like the N series engines. The only concern I have is with the air suspension systems of 7 whereas the G30 has a standard or adaptive option. I believe Volvos and Audis have a more robust strut system but Mercedes tend to be problematic but unsure on the BMW as its the first time they have used the Vibracoustic system on all axles and not much info online. Hoping someone can shed some light on its durability.

[Martin2C]

Originally Posted by JamesW11

I am looking to purchase either a 2017 730d M sport or a 2017/18 530d M sport and currently have a preference for the 7 series. I believe they have the same running gear and do not suffer from timing chain issues like the N series engines. The only concern I have is with the air suspension systems of 7 whereas the G30 has a standard or adaptive option. I believe Volvos and Audis have a more robust strut system but Mercedes tend to be problematic but unsure on the BMW as its the first time they have used the Vibracoustic system on all axles and not much info online. Hoping someone can shed some light on its durability.

I can’t help you with your question re the air suspension, but I can tell you that the 7 is a significant step up from the 5 so buy a 730d!

We’ll be able to help with spec / options.

[Pelo Cat]

Originally Posted by JamesW11

I am looking to purchase either a 2017 730d M sport or a 2017/18 530d M sport and currently have a preference for the 7 series. I believe they have the same running gear and do not suffer from timing chain issues like the N series engines. The only concern I have is with the air suspension systems of 7 whereas the G30 has a standard or adaptive option. I believe Volvos and Audis have a more robust strut system but Mercedes tend to be problematic but unsure on the BMW as its the first time they have used the Vibracoustic system on all axles and not much info online. Hoping someone can shed some light on its durability.

All G11/G12 models have air suspension on both axles and while it's only anecdotal evidence, I believe there are a few members on here with G11/G12's that have done at least 60k miles with their 7's and no issues. I certainly haven't had any issues and I'm at 63k miles. (2016 model). I have seen a few other posters with high mileage and no issues with the G11/G12.

The 3l 6 cyl. diesel engines have been very robust throughout, it was really the older 4 cyl. 2l diesels and V8 petrols that were problematic.

As others have said, the 7 is a step up from the 5, hope you find the car that is right for you.

Safe travels.