I have a 2021 xDrive 40i which is the same platform underneath and a lot of the same components throughout. Have had very few issues but as any car, there have been some. Had the sunroof leack but it was the same thing I have seen on other vehicles. The sunroof itself is fine and they are not known the leak, it's the drain tubes. I have had German, American, Japanese and all have somewhere had the same issue. To avoid I just find a reason to take the vehicle in under warranty and ask them to check them. They do it for free and make sure the drains are cleaned out. No issues with the shark fin leaking. For the transfer case I have had no issues at all. That being said the fluid will be changed along with the diffs and transmission at 50k as a precaution. BMW states these are lifetime, ummm no, and even ZF, who makes the transmission, says to change it at 50k or so. No issues with air suspension and doing research it is not a common problem at al on 2021 and up. Based on older BMW's, once they gets bugs worked out they tend to last many years unlike a certain UK based luxury SUV brand. The steering column mine does that every so often and I figured out the issue. The top piece, under the instrument cluster, is spring loaded to allow it to pivot with the column and keep it in place when it goes in and out. It gets built up dirt underneath. I now include in my interior clean to lift it and wipe underneath. Haven't had the noise since. Brakes have been great but be sure to change the fluid every 2 years regardless of what the computer says. Really a good rule for any car. I don't have soft close doors and have no interest in the feature. I did have the software update issue. My vehicle was stuck with the original software (bought CPO with 20k on it last year) and the dealer had to force the updates to all of the modules to resolve the issue. Other than that the software functionality has been perfect except for CarPlay. I am pretty sure it's my phone because if I forget the BMW and then pair it again, the issue goes away. As for the AC i have not had the issue, even on 90+ days. That being said I tinted all of my windows, including the privacy glass and front window. I used legal 3m Crystaline tint and for the privacy glass, front window, and sunroof, used pretty much a clear tint. Now, even on a hot day, you really have to back off the AC after it gets going because even at 74 degrees it gets too cold. A little expensive but I plan to have the vehicle for a while and the tint and front end clear paint protection, are worth it to me. B58 motor is flat our impressive and so far very reliable. I also have to say, for a BMW, it's amazing to me how DIY serviceable the vehicle is. I have an scan tool so I can set the service modes, etc. and beyond that nearly all of the service, including transmission, diffs, transfer case, oil, and brakes I can do myself in my driveway. You need certain tools for the drivetrain other than oil but if you have them, or access to them, its not hard. Plus you save hundreds, and some cases, well over a thousand dollars for the service. Just keep good records and pictures. One final things regarding the tires. I have the 22" staggered setup and what was siad is spot on. They tend to wear out a little fast and the stock size are really expensive. Plus, with having all-wheel-drive, the tire sizes are required to match or you could mess up the transfer case. Worse, there are very limited choices in tires and nearly all of summer tires so they wear really fast to begin with. Luckily there is a solution. The tires on my X5 to replace with about the only all-season that fits is $3500 which is ridiculous. They will last longer than 15 to 20k but just overpriced. Summer tires are nearly the same price. If you don't mind gaining a little comfort, and not really noticing any difference in handling, then there is an alternative size to use for front an rear. 275/40/22 in the front and 315/35/22 in the rear. Continental DWS 06 comes in the same are around $1600 for a set which is much more reasonable. Plus they have a decently high tread wear so should get around 45 to 50k out of a set.
It would depend on whether the sensor is bad or if it needs a recalibration. Most likely a dealer visit or if you have one of the more expensive OE level scanners, you can calibrate it yourself. No solution from my side for the driver assist issue, though. Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for the detailed video-it was incredibly helpful. I had hoped BMW would be more reliable with the B58 engine, but this video alone has convinced me to steer clear of BMW.
The B58 engine is fantastic and shouldn't be an issue. The problems I mentioned in this video are are nothing compared to issues BMWs used to have! Thanks for watching.
Reading the comments, it seems like it definitely is a common issue as well and not just my car. I will lubricate it and see if that helps it for a couple of years. I hope to make the DIY video for the transfer case fluid in the next few weeks. If you do it before, let me know how it goes!
I had some of the issues you mentioned, but not all of them. Still love my X7. Regarding the steering column grinding noise. I have it as well, and a dealer tried to address it twice by lubricating the telescoping mechanism. It helps at first, but the problem always comes back. And the steering column replacement is very expensive.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I wasn't sure if the steering column was common, but it seems like everyone in the comments has had the issue! Now I'm wondering if I can just turn it off via coding so it doesn't retract each time. I really like this car as well and I don't think I could convince my wife to switch to something else, at least for a while!
@@SimpleCarGuy please let me know if the auto steering wheel adjustment can be disabled. This has been discussed in the bimmerpost forum, but I don't think there is a solution.
Thanks for video. I would appreciate if you could make a video on how to change transfer case fluid. Have one problem so far with my 2020 BMW x7 - Daytime running light broken, passenger outer side - $5500 to replace (only option) if your car over 50k miles.
Oh wow $5500 for the daytime running light is rough, but expected as everything is now integrated into one unit. I'm planning on doing the transfer case fluid change video in the next few weeks.. as soon as I fix my Z4's roof and make space in the garage. Way too cold to do it outside now. Thanks for watching.
I bought a brand new 2025 X7 40i with 14 miles on it in in May 2024, I had to turn it in within a month for excessive engine oil loss (nothing found on the ground) and they don’t know where the oil is going, got it back and had to turn it in again for the same thing in June, got it back (turned in a total of three weeks as of then) had to turn it in again on 12 Sep 2024 for the same 4 months in the shop, only has 3441 miles on it and BMW won’t take it back, I’ve learned that BMW cannot be trusted and that the Texas Lemon Law is a huge ineffective waste of time and effort. Do Not Buy
German automakers have started taking customers for granted. They need a wake up call. Stop buying these junks. Acura or Audi is better than BMW or Mercedes for reliability.
I have a 2021 xDrive 40i which is the same platform underneath and a lot of the same components throughout. Have had very few issues but as any car, there have been some. Had the sunroof leack but it was the same thing I have seen on other vehicles. The sunroof itself is fine and they are not known the leak, it's the drain tubes. I have had German, American, Japanese and all have somewhere had the same issue. To avoid I just find a reason to take the vehicle in under warranty and ask them to check them. They do it for free and make sure the drains are cleaned out. No issues with the shark fin leaking. For the transfer case I have had no issues at all. That being said the fluid will be changed along with the diffs and transmission at 50k as a precaution. BMW states these are lifetime, ummm no, and even ZF, who makes the transmission, says to change it at 50k or so. No issues with air suspension and doing research it is not a common problem at al on 2021 and up. Based on older BMW's, once they gets bugs worked out they tend to last many years unlike a certain UK based luxury SUV brand. The steering column mine does that every so often and I figured out the issue. The top piece, under the instrument cluster, is spring loaded to allow it to pivot with the column and keep it in place when it goes in and out. It gets built up dirt underneath. I now include in my interior clean to lift it and wipe underneath. Haven't had the noise since. Brakes have been great but be sure to change the fluid every 2 years regardless of what the computer says. Really a good rule for any car. I don't have soft close doors and have no interest in the feature. I did have the software update issue. My vehicle was stuck with the original software (bought CPO with 20k on it last year) and the dealer had to force the updates to all of the modules to resolve the issue. Other than that the software functionality has been perfect except for CarPlay. I am pretty sure it's my phone because if I forget the BMW and then pair it again, the issue goes away. As for the AC i have not had the issue, even on 90+ days. That being said I tinted all of my windows, including the privacy glass and front window. I used legal 3m Crystaline tint and for the privacy glass, front window, and sunroof, used pretty much a clear tint. Now, even on a hot day, you really have to back off the AC after it gets going because even at 74 degrees it gets too cold. A little expensive but I plan to have the vehicle for a while and the tint and front end clear paint protection, are worth it to me. B58 motor is flat our impressive and so far very reliable. I also have to say, for a BMW, it's amazing to me how DIY serviceable the vehicle is. I have an scan tool so I can set the service modes, etc. and beyond that nearly all of the service, including transmission, diffs, transfer case, oil, and brakes I can do myself in my driveway. You need certain tools for the drivetrain other than oil but if you have them, or access to them, its not hard. Plus you save hundreds, and some cases, well over a thousand dollars for the service. Just keep good records and pictures. One final things regarding the tires. I have the 22" staggered setup and what was siad is spot on. They tend to wear out a little fast and the stock size are really expensive. Plus, with having all-wheel-drive, the tire sizes are required to match or you could mess up the transfer case. Worse, there are very limited choices in tires and nearly all of summer tires so they wear really fast to begin with. Luckily there is a solution. The tires on my X5 to replace with about the only all-season that fits is $3500 which is ridiculous. They will last longer than 15 to 20k but just overpriced. Summer tires are nearly the same price. If you don't mind gaining a little comfort, and not really noticing any difference in handling, then there is an alternative size to use for front an rear. 275/40/22 in the front and 315/35/22 in the rear. Continental DWS 06 comes in the same are around $1600 for a set which is much more reasonable. Plus they have a decently high tread wear so should get around 45 to 50k out of a set.
Thank you for such thorough feedback on your experience! Very helpful.
Thanks for the video. I wonder if you have any fixes for “rear seat unlocked” issue and driver assist malfunctioning issues.
Thank you!
The rear seat unlocked issue requires a dealer visit. They will need to recalibrate/reprogram a sensor in the affected seat.
It would depend on whether the sensor is bad or if it needs a recalibration. Most likely a dealer visit or if you have one of the more expensive OE level scanners, you can calibrate it yourself. No solution from my side for the driver assist issue, though. Thanks for watching!
I love my 2021 X7 M50i
Awesome car!
No problem. Just higher maintenance cost down the road. Its fantastic car
Thank you so much for the detailed video-it was incredibly helpful. I had hoped BMW would be more reliable with the B58 engine, but this video alone has convinced me to steer clear of BMW.
The B58 engine is fantastic and shouldn't be an issue. The problems I mentioned in this video are are nothing compared to issues BMWs used to have! Thanks for watching.
БМВ из немецкой тройки (ауди, мерседес и тд) один из надежных машин
wow what an awesome video. thanks for the graphics ont he screen makes it much easier to follow
I wonder if the 2022 x5 has the shark fin leak problem
2020 40i. Got the steering column replaced last year under warranty for the grinding noise. Currently planning to diy the transfer fluid.
Reading the comments, it seems like it definitely is a common issue as well and not just my car. I will lubricate it and see if that helps it for a couple of years.
I hope to make the DIY video for the transfer case fluid in the next few weeks. If you do it before, let me know how it goes!
what trim and year is your BMW ? You said you drove 700 miles to get your bmw ? Could not find the car with local dealer ? Just curious...
The X5 also has that very same steering column noise. Lubricating it does help but it’s only a temporary solution.
I figured as much. They share a lot of parts.
I had some of the issues you mentioned, but not all of them. Still love my X7.
Regarding the steering column grinding noise. I have it as well, and a dealer tried to address it twice by lubricating the telescoping mechanism. It helps at first, but the problem always comes back. And the steering column replacement is very expensive.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I wasn't sure if the steering column was common, but it seems like everyone in the comments has had the issue! Now I'm wondering if I can just turn it off via coding so it doesn't retract each time.
I really like this car as well and I don't think I could convince my wife to switch to something else, at least for a while!
@@SimpleCarGuy please let me know if the auto steering wheel adjustment can be disabled. This has been discussed in the bimmerpost forum, but I don't think there is a solution.
I have water trapped in my running board after heavy rain causing sloshing sound when I break.
Thanks for video. I would appreciate if you could make a video on how to change transfer case fluid.
Have one problem so far with my 2020 BMW x7 - Daytime running light broken, passenger outer side - $5500 to replace (only option) if your car over 50k miles.
Oh wow $5500 for the daytime running light is rough, but expected as everything is now integrated into one unit.
I'm planning on doing the transfer case fluid change video in the next few weeks.. as soon as I fix my Z4's roof and make space in the garage. Way too cold to do it outside now. Thanks for watching.
Make a video on X5
Thanks for a very useful feedback and hints. Will definitely be paying attention to these. Really appreciated.
I bought a brand new 2025 X7 40i with 14 miles on it in in May 2024, I had to turn it in within a month for excessive engine oil loss (nothing found on the ground) and they don’t know where the oil is going, got it back and had to turn it in again for the same thing in June, got it back (turned in a total of three weeks as of then) had to turn it in again on 12 Sep 2024 for the same 4 months in the shop, only has 3441 miles on it and BMW won’t take it back, I’ve learned that BMW cannot be trusted and that the Texas Lemon Law is a huge ineffective waste of time and effort. Do Not Buy
I was going to buy a used one thank you for the review. I m going stay away frm bmw.
German automakers have started taking customers for granted. They need a wake up call. Stop buying these junks. Acura or Audi is better than BMW or Mercedes for reliability.
Lmao
First problem with BMW in USA is quality of servicemen!