Generation-specific owner insights from 44+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?266
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2009–2012
3
recall campaigns
engine
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owners overwhelmingly advise against purchasing this generation as a used car, particularly the V8 N63-powered 750i/750Li models, which are described as unreliable, extremely expensive to repair, and prone to catastrophic failures.
6 problems reported (1 very frequent, 2 recurrent, 3 isolated) · high confidence
Carbon deposits requiring engine removal, and injector failures.
The 740i with the N55 inline-six engine is the consensus pick within this generation. Owners repeatedly state that the N55 is far more reliable than the N63 V8, and several explicitly advise seeking out a 740Li over any V8 model. No owner recommends the 750i/750Li under any circumstances.
Owners compare it most often with the Lexus LS, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, Genesis Sedan and Lexus GS350.
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Owners overwhelmingly advise against purchasing this generation as a used car, particularly the V8 N63-powered 750i/750Li models, which are described as unreliable, extremely expensive to repair, and prone to catastrophic failures. The inline-six 740i is consistently cited as the only version worth considering, though owners still warn that the car's complexity and flagship-level repair costs make it a poor choice for budget-conscious buyers. A few owners with extensive BMW mechanical experience report that these cars can be rewarding if properly maintained, but they universally stress the need for deep repair funds and specialized knowledge.
Owners frequently recommend the Lexus LS as the far more reliable and cost-effective alternative, noting it offers comparable comfort and brand cache with dramatically lower ownership costs. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is mentioned as a potentially better choice than the BMW, particularly the non-turbo V8 versions, with owners reporting solid reliability when well maintained. The Audi A8 4.0T is described as having its own serious turbo issues, making it equally unappealing, though some owners note the BMW is preferable to the Audi based on known catastrophic A8 failures. Genesis sedans are suggested as a lower-maintenance alternative with solid engines and heavy depreciation.
Owners advise choosing the 740i/740Li with the N55 inline-six engine and avoiding all N63 V8 models from 2009-2012. The early production years of this generation are described as having more issues, with owners suggesting later models within the range are somewhat improved. No owner recommends the 750i or 750Li regardless of condition or price.
This generation should only be purchased by owners with substantial repair budgets, access to experienced BMW specialists, or the ability to perform their own mechanical work. Owners repeatedly state that anyone shopping in the $8,000-$15,000 price range cannot afford the maintenance on these cars, which were originally priced over $85,000. Extended warranties are described as essential if one insists on ownership. Owners with hands-on experience report that water pumps and thermostats fail around 130,000 miles, and transmission fluid maintenance is critical. The 2009-2011 model years are specifically called out as early production with more problems, while 2012 is somewhat less criticized but still carries the same fundamental N63 concerns for V8 models.
Owners note that this generation shares more components with other BMW models than previous 7 Series generations, which some believe reduces repair costs slightly. The car's rapid depreciation is frequently mentioned, with owners noting that $85,000-$100,000 vehicles can be found for under $10,000 within a decade, which itself signals the ownership cost problem. One owner with a 2010 750Li xDrive reports that after initial repairs and transmission work, the car provided reliable service to 215,000 kilometers, but this owner had extensive BMW mechanical experience and performed all work themselves. Analysis based on approximately 44 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 97 | 2 | engine |
| 2011 | 95 | 1 | engine |
| 2010 | 48 | 0 | engine |
| 2009 | 26 | 0 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2012 · power train:driveline:constant velocity jointcampaign 17V067000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
2012 · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/superchargercampaign 18V248000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
2011 · engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/superchargercampaign 18V248000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.