The G11 740i with the B58 engine is generally solid, but this generation suffered from early-production transmission cooling issues and occasional high-pressure fuel system failures. The engine itself is durable, though some early B58s saw oil consumption issues that could lead to catastrophic damage if ignored.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission overheating warning on iDrive, Harsh or delayed shifting when hot, Limp mode activation during highway driving, Coolant or ATF leaks near transmission bell housing
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler and associated seals. ZF 8HP requires partial drop and fluid replacement. 4-6 hours labor. Early 2016-2017 models most affected due to cooler design flaw.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failure
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Long crank or no-start condition, Rough idle and misfires under load, 30BA fuel pressure regulation codes, Metal shavings in low-pressure fuel filter
Fix: Replace HPFP on engine block, fuel filter, and flush fuel system if contaminated. If pump grenades, injectors may need replacement too. 3-5 hours for pump only, 8-12 if injectors involved.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,500 pump only, $5,000-7,500 with injectors
Excessive Oil Consumption Leading to Engine Damage
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Low oil warnings between service intervals (1+ quart per 1,000 mi), Blue smoke on cold start or acceleration, Eventual rod bearing failure with oil starvation, Catastrophic engine noise (knocking, rattling)
Fix: Early B58 engines used piston rings prone to coking. If caught early, valve stem seals or PCV update may help. If rod bearings spin, you're looking at complete engine rebuild or long block replacement. 30-40 hours for rebuild.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000 for seals/PCV, $12,000-18,000 for engine rebuild or replacement
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk on acceleration or deceleration, Vibration through floorboard at idle in Drive, Visible tearing or fluid seepage from mount, Increased drivetrain noise during shifts
Fix: Replace hydraulic transmission mount. Requires support of transmission, 2-3 hours labor. Wears faster on cars driven aggressively or in stop-and-go traffic.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Coolant Thermostat/Housing Leaks
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant smell in engine bay, Visible coolant weeping from plastic thermostat housing, Fluctuating temp gauge or overheating warning, Low coolant level warnings
Fix: Replace thermostat assembly and associated gaskets. Common BMW plastic-housing issue. 2-3 hours labor. May as well do water pump if it's original at this mileage.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400 thermostat only, $1,800-2,800 with water pump
Air Suspension Compressor and Strut Failure
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Car sits low on one or more corners after sitting overnight, Suspension inactive warning on iDrive, Compressor runs excessively or constantly, Harsh ride quality, no auto-leveling
Fix: Replace air struts (common leak points) or compressor. Strut replacement 2-3 hours per corner. Compressor replacement 3-4 hours. Aftermarket options available but OE recommended for longevity.
Estimated cost: $1,500-2,200 per strut, $2,000-3,200 compressor
Buy one if maintained obsessively with records showing oil consumption monitoring and early trans service — skip if no history or high miles without those services documented.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.