BMW 750i
Third-generation hot-V eight-cylinder — electric wastegates, 350 bar injection, forged internals. In Sport mode a rich V8 growl with turbo hiss; in Comfort barely audible. Throttle response noticeably more direct than TU/TU2 thanks to electric wastegates. The most reliable N63 variant, but the hot-V architecture remains: short oil change intervals (max. 8,000 km) with 0W-40 are mandatory, not an optional extra. Valve stem seals and timing chain guides remain as residual risk at high mileage.
Flagship V8 with Understated Elegance
G11 750i with N63 TU3 — hushed and commanding day-to-day, distinctive V8 rumble in Sport. More discreet than AMG, but more polished. The finest way to travel relaxed with V8 character.
Engine Weaknesses 5
The fundamental design with valve stem seals is retained. At very high mileages (>150,000 km) and aggressive use the seals can suffer thermal wear. Repair costs €3,300–3,800 (approx. 6–8 hours' work, engine removal required).
Symptoms: Increased oil consumption at very high mileages, slight blue smoke on cold start or after extended standstill, oil deposits in the exhaust
The plastic timing chain guide rails are sensitive to degraded engine oil. Extended oil change intervals (BMW Longlife) accelerate degradation. Complete engine removal (~40 labour hours) required; preventive replacement at >150,000 km is advisable.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, engine warning light, occasionally loud clattering with heavily degraded oil
The hot-V design also generates residual heat in the turbo oil feed lines after shutdown in the TU3. Immediate shutdown after full-load driving causes carbon deposits in the oil lines. Cases with fully coked lines at 60,000 km have been documented.
Symptoms: Power loss under load, occasional turbo whistling, in extreme cases blue smoke after a motorway run
350-bar direct injection without intake valve flushing — carbon deposits on intake valves are inevitable even in the TU3. Walnut blasting every 60,000–80,000 km is recommended; cost €400–900.
Symptoms: Power loss at part throttle, occasional rough idle, increased fuel consumption
The TU3 generation uses a separate cooling circuit for the turbochargers. Coolant loss documented at 14,000–15,000 km, often without visible leak. Turbo coolant hoses under the covers are a frequent leak point.
Symptoms: Coolant warning light without visible puddle, periodic coolant loss, coolant smell after shutdown
Vehicle Weaknesses 16
Wiring harness problems or CAN bus faults cause fault messages across many control units simultaneously.
The PHEV system has no alternator. A fault in the SME module opens the contactors and the 12V battery discharges while driving.
Air bellows become porous from around 100,000–150,000 km; the compressor overheats from frequent pumping and fails. Car sags on one side or completely.
Signal fault in the motor position sensor can deactivate hydraulic brake assist. Approximately 1 million vehicles worldwide.
Recall KBA 16187R: a potentially misrouted cockpit wiring harness can be damaged during cabin filter replacement. A short circuit can cause smoke or fire — 337,374 vehicles worldwide affected.
G11 sags unevenly at all four wheels overnight. No fault code stored.
NOx sensor upstream of the SCR catalyst fails. Complete tank replacement costs 2,500–3,000 €.
Blocked or porous panoramic roof drain tubes channel water into the cabin instead of outside. Water collects in the headlining and runs toward the battery or control units.
Driver assistance systems on the G11 (lane keep assist, blind spot warning, junction assistant) malfunction frequently and require software updates or camera reinitialisations.
Faulty comfort access system draws continuously elevated current and drains the battery.
The interior door opening button integrated into the diamond light strip fails and no longer illuminates. Climate controls on the same side can also fail simultaneously. BMW replaces the entire light strip — approximately 4 weeks lead time.
Heavy luxury saloon with large brake discs. Surface rust after standing causes squealing.
Over-the-air updates can cause malfunctions: eSIM loses connection, settings reset.
The i7 shows significant range loss in cold conditions due to battery thermal management.
The G70's integrated eSIM module frequently loses connection at vehicle startup. BMW addressed the issue with software update 11/2023.42; improvements confirmed by several owners.
Soft-close doors don't retract reliably; comfort exit function stops working after OTA updates. Various body electronics functions show sporadic failures.
Reports & Tests
13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2015–2022). Most reported: Engine (3), Electrical (3), Seat Belts (2).