BMW 7er-Reihe F01/F02 740d, 306 PS, 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (2009–2012)

Research for this car

Engine guide BMW N57 3.0 diesel (330d, 530d, X5 30d): problems, costs and what to check
A six-cylinder diesel with costly chain risk, so buy only with recall proof and oil and chain records.
Gearbox guide ZF 6HP 6-speed automatic (BMW Steptronic, Audi tiptronic): problems, costs and what to check
A workable six-speed when its fluid is changed on time, but mechatronic and bushing wear recur. Buy with service proof and a clean scan.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost	Source
Crankshaft vibration damper failure	All N57 engines	100,000-150,000 km	No confirmed price	Engine guide
Timing chain stretch and wear	All N57 engines	More than 200,000 km	No confirmed price	Engine guide
EGR cooler leaks and recall	All N57 engines in the recall build range (sources disagree on the range)	Not stated	No confirmed price	Engine guide
Swirl flap and intake manifold carbon	All N57 engines	About 100,000 km (cleaning advice)	No confirmed price	Engine guide
EGR valve clogging	All N57 engines	About 100,000 km	No confirmed price	Engine guide
Mechatronic and solenoid faults	All 6HP cars, worst when overheated	100,000 to 150,000 km	No confirmed price	Gearbox guide
Worn bushings	All 6HP cars, Audi drum bushings and 6HP21 input shaft	60,000 to 150,000 km	No confirmed price	Gearbox guide
Torque converter shudder	All 6HP cars	120,000 to 150,000 km on Audi quattro units up to 2009 (Kolesa.ru, Audi A6 C6)	No confirmed price	Gearbox guide

Chain (cold-start test, invoice). Listen for a rattle on a cold start. Ask for a chain job invoice. Bad: a rattle, or no chain record past 100,000 km.
Damper (look under the pulley). Check the rubber ring of the crankshaft pulley for cracks or a loose ring. Ask for a damper replacement receipt. Bad: visible cracks, or no record on a car over 100,000 km.
EGR recall (check the VIN). Check the VIN with a BMW dealer or the KBA recall list (reference 008124). Bad: an open campaign, or a cooler replaced with no record.
Swirl flaps and intake (ask for records). Ask whether the intake was cleaned and the flaps checked. Bad: no record at about 100,000 km, or a flap removed with no proof.
EGR and flap faults (scanner needed). Read the fault memory for EGR or swirl flap errors. Bad: any such error, or the engine warning light.
Oil history (paperwork). Check the service book for regular oil changes. Bad: long gaps between oil changes.

Read the fault memory with ISTA or a BMW or Audi scanner. Bad result: BMW codes 4F85, 4F8F or 4F83, or a past limp mode. A scanner is needed.
Ask for fluid and pan service records. Bad result: no change in the last 60,000 to 100,000 km, or no adaptation reset afterwards. Dirty oil adds to mechatronic wear.
Drive 15 minutes in town, then under load. Bad result: slipping, flaring, or jerks on 2-3 and 3-4.
Hold a steady light throttle at 60 to 80 km/h. Bad result: a shudder or vibration, which points to the torque converter lock-up clutch.
Drive under load in 4th and 5th. Bad result: slip under load or jerks on shift, which points to worn bushings.

Operational	€221
Workshop	€244
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€296
Total per month	€761
New-car depreciation (not included)	€97

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de in this generation with this fuel, gearbox and power.

First registration	Listings	Median price	Median mileage
2012	15	€13,650	224,000 km
2011	28	€11,999	260,000 km
2010	14	€9,000	278,000 km
2009	2	–	–

Medians only for years with at least 5 listings. Many cars are first registered after production ends, so years can run past the build years.

Month	Listings	Median price	Middle half	Median mileage
Nov 2026	59	€11,700	€8,500 – €14,990	260,000 km
Oct 2026	59	€11,700	€8,500 – €14,990	260,000 km

Median asking price at the last snapshot of each month.

All 1 ADAC versions

Version	Power	Production years	Running cost per month
740d Automatic	306 PS	2009–2012	€761