BMW Buyer's Guide

Comprehensive Used Car Analysis
← Back to 7 Series
7 Series F01 / F02

7 Series F01 / F02

F01 • 2008–2015 • Sedan
Engines: 4 Issues: 17 Reliability: 50%
4
Engine Options
17
Known Issues
2
Critical Issues
50%
Reliability Score

Facelift (LCI) – 2012

  • Revised headlights with full LED option
  • Updated kidney grilles
  • New iDrive with touchpad controller
  • Introduction of M Performance models
50% – Below Average

Engines

N54B30 – 3.0L Twin-Turbo Petrol

740i • 326 hp • 450 Nm
Displacement 3.0L
Layout I6
Fuel Petrol
Transmission 6-Speed Automatic (ZF 6HP)
Twin turbochargersPiezo direct injectionDouble-VANOSAll-aluminium construction
Known Issues4 issues
critical High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failure Common (>30%)
The Bosch high-pressure fuel pump fails, causing long cranks, misfires, and limp mode. Covered by an extended warranty programme in some regions.
Typical Mileage
40,000–100,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€600–€1,200
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Long crank on startLimp modeFuel smellLoss of power
medium Wastegate Rattle Very Common (>60%)
Twin turbo wastegate actuators wear, causing an annoying rattle at idle and under light load. Cosmetic at first but can worsen.
Typical Mileage
50,000–100,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€300–€800 or €2,000+ (turbo replacement)
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Rattling at idleMetallic clatter under load
high Injector Failures Common (~35%)
Piezo fuel injectors fail and leak, causing misfires and rough running. Often replaced in sets.
Typical Mileage
60,000–120,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€800–€1,800 (all 6)
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
MisfiresRough idleFuel smellCheck engine light
medium Charge Pipe & Boost Leaks Common (>30%)
Plastic charge pipe cracks or blows off under boost.
Typical Mileage
50,000–100,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€100–€250
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Loss of powerBoost leak whistleLimp mode

N55B30 – 3.0L Turbo Petrol

740i • 320 hp • 450 Nm
Displacement 3.0L
Layout I6
Fuel Petrol
Transmission 8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)
TwinPower Turbo (twin-scroll single turbo)Valvetronic IIIDirect injectionDouble-VANOSElectric water pump
Known Issues4 issues
medium Charge Pipe Blow-Off Common (>35%)
Factory plastic charge pipe blows off under high boost, particularly in warm weather or spirited driving. Aftermarket aluminium replacement recommended.
Typical Mileage
40,000–80,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€100–€250
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Sudden power lossBoost leak whistleLimp mode
high Valve Cover / VANOS Gasket Leak Common (>35%)
Valve cover and VANOS solenoid gaskets seep oil over time. Oil can drip onto hot exhaust components causing burning smell and smoke.
Typical Mileage
60,000–120,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€300–€700
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Burning oil smellVisible oil seepageSmoke from engine
high Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak Common (>35%)
Oil filter housing gasket deteriorates and leaks oil onto belts and other components.
Typical Mileage
60,000–100,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€250–€400
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Oil leakBurning smellOil on engine
high Electric Water Pump Failure Common (~30%)
Electric water pump fails causing overheating. Shared issue with other N-series inline-6 engines.
Typical Mileage
80,000–130,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€400–€700
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
OverheatingWarning lightNo heat from vents

N63B44 – 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 Petrol

750i, 750Li • 407 hp • 600 Nm
Displacement 4.4L
Layout V8
Fuel Petrol
Transmission 6-Speed Automatic (ZF 6HP), 8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)
Hot-V turbo layoutDirect injectionCross-bank exhaust manifoldsDouble-VANOS
Known Issues2 issues
critical Hot-V Turbo Oil & Coolant Leaks Very Common (>50%)
The N63's 'hot-V' design places turbos between the cylinder banks, causing extreme heat. Oil and coolant leaks from valve cover gaskets, turbo oil lines, and timing cover are endemic.
Typical Mileage
60,000–120,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€2,000–€5,000+
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Oil consumptionBurning smellSmokeCoolant loss
high Injector Failure Common (>30%)
High-pressure direct injectors fail due to heat stress in the hot-V configuration.
Typical Mileage
60,000–120,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€1,000–€2,500
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
MisfiresRough idleCheck engine light

N57D30 – 3.0L Diesel

730d, 740d • 245–313 hp • 540–630 Nm
Displacement 3.0L
Layout I6
Fuel Diesel
Transmission 6-Speed Automatic (ZF 6HP), 8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)
Common-rail piezo injectionSingle/bi-turbo/tri-turbo variantsAluminium blockVariable geometry turbo
Known Issues4 issues
medium Turbo Boost Pipe Leak Common (~25%)
Aluminium boost pipes develop cracks at crimp joints, causing loss of boost pressure.
Typical Mileage
80,000–150,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€200–€500
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Loss of boostWhistling noiseReduced power
medium Oil Leak from Oil Pan Gasket Moderate (~20%)
Oil pan gasket seeps over time, causing oil drips.
Typical Mileage
100,000–180,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€300–€600
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Oil dripsOil stains under car
high Injector Failure Moderate (~20%)
Fuel injectors develop faults causing misfires and rough running.
Typical Mileage
100,000–180,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€500–€1,200
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Rough runningMisfiresBlack smoke
high EGR Cooler Failure Moderate (~20%)
EGR cooler can crack, leaking coolant into the exhaust system.
Typical Mileage
100,000–180,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€600–€1,200
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Coolant lossWhite smokeEGR codes

Common Issues (F01-specific)

Suspension 1

high Air Suspension Failure Common (>30%)
Air springs and compressor fail, especially on cars with adaptive drive. Replacement costs are significant.
Typical Mileage
80,000–150,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€800–€2,500
Category
Suspension
Sagging cornerCompressor noiseSuspension warning light

Electrical 1

medium Comfort Access & Keyless Entry Faults Common (~25%)
Door handle sensors and comfort access modules fail, preventing keyless entry from working.
Typical Mileage
60,000–120,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€300–€700
Category
Electrical
Keyless entry not workingHandle not respondingIntermittent operation

Body 1

medium Soft-Close Door Mechanism Failure Common (>30%)
Soft-close door actuators fail, a continuing issue from the E65 generation.
Typical Mileage
80,000–150,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€300–€600 per door
Category
Body
Door not latchingMotor grindingDoor ajar warning

Wear Items

N54B30 – Wear Items

740i

Spark Plugs (Increased Frequency) Every 30,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€100–€180
Wear Factor70%
Ignition Coils 60,000–100,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€250–€400
Wear Factor55%

N55B30 – Wear Items

740i

Spark Plugs Every 45,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€100–€180
Wear Factor60%
Ignition Coils 80,000–120,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€200–€400
Wear Factor50%

N63B44 – Wear Items

750i, 750Li

Engine Gaskets & Seals (Major Service) 80,000–120,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€2,000–€5,000
Wear Factor75%

N57D30 – Wear Items

730d, 740d

DPF 150,000–200,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€800–€2,500
Wear Factor40%
Glow Plugs 80,000–120,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€100–€250
Wear Factor50%
AdBlue System Refill every 15,000 km; pump at ~150,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€200–€800
Wear Factor40%

All Variants

All Variants

Complete list of model variants for F01 / F02

ModelEngineDisplacementLayoutPowerTorqueTransmission
740i N54B30 3.0LI6326 hp450 Nm Automatic
740i N55B30 3.0LI6320 hp450 Nm Automatic
750i N63B44 4.4LV8407 hp600 Nm Automatic
750Li N63B44 4.4LV8407 hp600 Nm Automatic
730d N57D30 3.0LI6245–313 hp540–630 Nm Automatic
740d N57D30 3.0LI6245–313 hp540–630 Nm Automatic