Home › Models › F32 › Common problems

BMW F32 4 Series common problems & repair costs

2014–2020 · 428i/430i/435i/440i, RWD and xDrive (N20, N55, B46/B48, B58). The repairs that come up most on the F32, the symptoms owners describe, and what each costs at a dealer or an independent shop.

Last updated

At a glance

ProblemEngineIndependent shopDealer
N20 timing chain replacementN20 / N26$2,769–$3,101
owners paid $2,375–$2,832		$3,416–$4,858
owners paid $3,550–$5,000
B58 / B48 oil filter housing (coolant leak)B58 and B46/B48$1,225–$2,101
owners paid $1,800–$3,300		$2,465–$4,010
owners paid $2,825–$3,950
N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG)N55$610–$760
owners paid $648–$763		$1,492–$1,970
N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV)N55$1,225–$1,547
owners paid $930–$1,625		$2,017–$2,557
owners paid $1,450–$2,076
B58 valve cover / PCV failureB58; one B46/B48 point included and labeled$1,248–$2,352$3,128–$5,052
owners paid $3,049–$4,450
N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostatN52, N54, N55$758–$1,259$1,841–$2,250
N55 oil pan gasketN55$1,066–$2,020
owners paid $1,588–$1,900		$1,705–$2,900
VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust)N20, N52, N54, N55, B46/B48, B58$549–$703$973–$1,199
Front control arms / thrust arms (F30/F32 3 & 4 Series)All F30/F31/F32/F34/F36$1,145–$1,816$2,714–$3,874
B58 / B48 fuel tank vent valve (purge valve)B58 and B46/B48; the same valve is listed for the S58$63–$173$195–$285
N55 ignition coils (all six)N55$355–$789$1,064–$1,299
N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacementN55$578–$922$1,287–$1,744
B58 heat management module (thermostat) replacementB58$978–$1,506$2,234–$3,037
ZF 8-speed automatic transmission fluid and pan/filter serviceZF 8HP automatic behind the N55, B58 and others$535–$789$1,080–$1,515

Estimates are national averages; each repair page re-prices for your ZIP. "Owners paid" is the middle of the real prices we sourced. Buying a F32? Run the pre-purchase VIN check →

N20 timing chain replacement

N20 / N26 (2.0L turbo 4-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Whining/whirring noise from the front of the engine, rising with RPM
  • Rattle on cold start
  • Check-engine light with camshaft/crankshaft correlation faults
  • In the worst case, plastic guide breaks and the chain fails (major engine damage)

Which cars and when

2012–2015 F30 320i/328i, F32 428i, F10 528i, F25 X3 28i, E84 X1 28i, F22 228i, Z4 sDrive28i (N26 = SULEV 328i). Problem mainly on pre-2016 builds per owners.

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 62k mi, 86.6k mi, 95k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

N20 timing chain replacement: prices, 8 sourced quotes →

B58 / B48 oil filter housing (coolant leak)

B58 (3.0L 6-cyl) and B46/B48 (2.0L 4-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Low coolant warning with no visible external leak
  • Coolant smell / residue at the back-right of the engine
  • Coolant mixing into oil area; overheating if ignored
  • Discovered during an oil change (housing cracked or filter stuck)

Which cars and when

2016+ 340i/440i/540i/740i, X3/X4 M40i, X5/X7 40i, Z4 M40i, Supra; B46/B48 in 230i/330i/430i/530i, X3 30i, etc.

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 55k mi, 67k mi, 75k mi, 95k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

  • SIB 11 01 20 Oil filter housing cracking Oil filter housing cracking on BMW G01/G02/G05/G07 and other models (2012–2021); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jun 2021

B58 / B48 oil filter housing (coolant leak): prices, 21 sourced quotes →

N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG)

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Oil on the serpentine belt / tensioner pulley (belt can shred)
  • Burning-oil smell after driving
  • Oil on the coolant hose at the cylinder head
  • Oil seeping down the front of the engine

Which cars and when

2011–2018 335i/435i/535i/640i, X3/X4 35i, X5/X6 35i, M235i/M2 (N55), 135i (2011–12)

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 160k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

  • SIB 11 01 20 Oil filter housing cracking Oil filter housing cracking on BMW G01/G02/G05/G07 and other models (2012–2021); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jun 2021

N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG): prices, 15 sourced quotes →

N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV)

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Oil leak at the valve cover edge; burning oil smell
  • Rough idle / misfire, whistling at idle (failed PCV — integrated in the cover)
  • Oil in the spark plug wells

Which cars and when

2011–2018 335i/435i/535i, X3/X4/X5/X6 35i, M235i, 135i (2011–12)

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 85k mi, 90k mi, 107k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV): prices, 14 sourced quotes →

B58 valve cover / PCV failure

B58 (3.0L 6-cyl); one B46/B48 point included and labeled

Symptoms owners report

  • High-pitched whistle at idle
  • Blue/white smoke from the exhaust
  • Rough running, shudder, reduced power / limp mode
  • Check-engine light

Which cars and when

2016+ 340i/440i/540i/740i, X3/X4 M40i, X5/X7 40i, Z4 M40i, Supra

The sources we have don't establish a typical mileage for this repair.

Related BMW bulletins

B58 valve cover / PCV failure: prices, 4 sourced quotes →

N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat

N52, N54, N55 (3.0L 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Coolant temperature warning / 'Engine hot' message
  • Reduced power, electric fan running hard
  • Water pump fault codes; sudden failure can leave the car stranded

Which cars and when

2006–2018 328i/335i/535i, X3/X5 (E70/F15) 35i, 135i/M235i, Z4 (E89)

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 56k mi, 91k mi, 165k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices, 8 sourced quotes →

N55 oil pan gasket

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Oil drips under the engine / film on the pan near the drain plug
  • Oil spots on the driveway
  • Burning smell if oil reaches the exhaust

Which cars and when

2011–2018 335i/435i/535i, X3/X4/X5 35i, M235i/M2; xDrive versions cost more

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 160k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

N55 oil pan gasket: prices, 7 sourced quotes →

VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust)

N20, N52, N54, N55, B46/B48, B58

Symptoms owners report

  • Rough or unstable idle, especially cold
  • Loss of low-end power
  • Check-engine light with camshaft timing faults (e.g. P0010–P0015 range)
  • Worse fuel economy

Which cars and when

Most 2006+ BMW 4- and 6-cylinder gas engines

The sources we have don't establish a typical mileage for this repair.

Related BMW bulletins

  • SIB 12 08 18 VANOS rough running VANOS rough running on BMW G01/G11/G12/G30 and other models (2014–2018); BMW gives an inspection and repair procedure. Service bulletin · Mar 2018

VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust): prices, 1 sourced quotes →

Front control arms / thrust arms (F30/F32 3 & 4 Series)

All F30/F31/F32/F34/F36 (chassis job, not engine-specific)

Symptoms owners report

  • Clunk over bumps
  • Steering wheel shimmy under braking, often 50–70 mph (worn thrust-arm bushings)
  • Uneven front tire wear, wandering

Which cars and when

2012–2019 3 Series (F30/F31/F34), 2014–2020 4 Series (F32/F33/F36)

The sources we have don't establish a typical mileage for this repair.

Related BMW bulletins

  • NHTSA 10216792 Tec25 Wishbone Return Tec25 Wishbone Return on BMW G11/G12/E60/E89 and other models (2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2016

Front control arms / thrust arms (F30/F32 3 & 4 Series): prices, 2 sourced quotes →

B58 / B48 fuel tank vent valve (purge valve)

B58 (3.0L 6-cyl) and B46/B48 (2.0L 4-cyl); the same valve is listed for the S58

Symptoms owners report

  • Check-engine light with tank ventilation faults (BMW codes 190F08, 191C02, 195014) or lean-mixture faults (118001, 118401)
  • Hard starting, or rough running and stalling right after filling up
  • Rough idle
  • Loud ticking or metallic clicking from the valve on top of the engine
  • Fuel pump nozzle clicking off early when filling up

Which cars and when

2016+ 330i/340i, 230i/M240i, 430i/440i, 530i/540i, 740i, 840i, X1/X2 28i, X3/X4 30i and M40i, X5/X6/X7 40i, Z4; F- and G-series

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 46k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

  • SIB 01 02 24 EVAP system warranty extension EVAP system warranty extension on BMW G11/G12/G20/F22 and other models (2016–2024); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jun 2026
  • SIB 01 04 19 EVAP system warranty extension EVAP system warranty extension on B46/B48 engines (2016–2020); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Sep 2024
  • SIB 13 04 20 Fuel tank fault codes Fuel tank fault codes on BMW G01/G02/G05/G07 and other models (2012–2020); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · May 2020

B58 / B48 fuel tank vent valve (purge valve): prices, 2 sourced quotes →

N55 ignition coils (all six)

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Flashing check-engine light and a misfire you can feel, often under load or on cold starts
  • Misfire fault codes for one cylinder (BMW codes 29CD–29D2, OBD P0301–P0306)
  • Rough or shaky idle
  • Engine power reduced message after a misfire
  • The misfire follows the coil when it is swapped to another cylinder

Which cars and when

2011–2016 F30 335i, F32 435i, F10 535i, E90/E92 335i (2011+), F25 X3 35i, F15 X5 35i and other N55 cars. Priced here for the F30 335i.

The sources we have don't establish a typical mileage for this repair.

N55 ignition coils (all six): prices, 0 sourced quotes →

N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Sudden loss of power with a loud pop or hiss under boost
  • Engine power reduced / drivetrain malfunction message
  • Check-engine light with boost or mixture faults
  • A whooshing sound under acceleration
  • Cracked plastic pipe at the throttle-body end or where the small vacuum line connects

Which cars and when

F30 335i (2012–2015) and F10 535i (2011–2016); the F30 pipe also fits the F32 435i, F22 M235i, F25 X3 35i and F26 X4 35i

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 50.7k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement: prices, 1 sourced quotes →

B58 heat management module (thermostat) replacement

B58 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Coolant temperature warning or engine running hot
  • Engine slow to warm up, poor heater output
  • Check-engine light with thermostat / coolant temperature faults
  • Coolant leak from the module at the front of the engine
  • Low coolant warning

Which cars and when

G30 540i / 540i xDrive (2017–2023). The same module is used on many B58 cars (340i, 440i, M340i, X3/X4 M40i, X5/X6 40i, 740i, 840i) with different labor.

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 60k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

B58 heat management module (thermostat) replacement: prices, 1 sourced quotes →

ZF 8-speed automatic transmission fluid and pan/filter service

ZF 8HP automatic (8HP45/8HP51/8HP70) behind the N55, B58 and others

Symptoms owners report

  • Harsh, slow or flared shifts, especially 1–2 or 2–3
  • Shudder when pulling away
  • Transmission fluid weep from the plastic pan
  • High mileage (many owners and ZF suggest about 60,000–100,000 miles even though BMW calls it lifetime fill)
  • Transmission malfunction message (have it diagnosed first)

Which cars and when

G05 X5 xDrive40i (B58) and F15 X5 35i (N55); the same service applies to most BMWs with the ZF 8-speed from 2011 on

The sources we have don't establish a typical mileage for this repair.

ZF 8-speed automatic transmission fluid and pan/filter service: prices, 1 sourced quotes →

BMW warranty extensions that list the F32

If a car qualifies, the listed repair may be free. Check eligibility for the VIN with a BMW center.

More for the F32

F32 repair costs F32 maintenance schedule & costs All F32 service bulletins

Sources: the owner posts linked on each repair page, BMW service bulletins filed with NHTSA (public data), and our estimates. Not affiliated with BMW.

The weekly BMW bench report

New bulletins, recalls and real prices, once a week. Free.