2002 BMW Serie 7 problems
The 2002 BMW Serie 7 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the BMW M57 and the BMW N62 / N63. The BMW M57 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the BMW N62 / N63 (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2002 cars, such as wear of the front suspension arms and bushes.
2002 BMW Serie 7 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 10 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine5.4From 3.7 to 7.1 depending on the engine
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension8.31 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes7.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.1 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering8.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights8.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment9.61 fault
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.81 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2001 BMW Serie 7
- Score: 7.6 → 6.7
- New engines or gearboxes: BMW M57
- Starts to be affected by: broken intake swirl flaps (BMW M57), crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failure (BMW M57), cracked exhaust manifold (BMW M57) and crankshaft pulley vibration damper failure (BMW M57) and 1 more
BMW M57 engine in the 2002 BMW Serie 7
Names: 730d
- With caution
M57D30TU, first revision 3.0 litres (201-272 hp, 2001-2006)
201–272 hp · M57D30TU
A BMW specialist workshop places this revision among those that generally have the swirl flaps prone to breaking.[2]
Faults that affect 2002 cars
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonIntakeBroken intake swirl flapsYes: most automatic M57 and M57TU engines (330d, 530d, 535d, 730d, X3 3.0d and so on) have six metal flaps in the intake manifold that can seize, come loose and wreck a cylinder. The E53 X5 3.0d and the manual gearboxes of the first 330d/530d are free of them, according to a specialist workshop.
- High severityFrequency: CommonLubricationCrankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failureThe valve that separates oil from the crankcase gases (PCV) degrades over time, especially after 120,000-150,000 km, and can cause oil consumption, bluish smoke and a rough idle and, if ignored, foul the turbo, the EGR or the particulate filter.Appears at around 120,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockCracked exhaust manifoldThe M57 exhaust manifold can crack, causing loss of power, an unstable idle and a smell of exhaust fumes in the cabin; the recommended repair is to replace it with a cast one.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOtherCrankshaft pulley vibration damper failureThe M57 crankshaft vibration damper (pulley) can fail with use, warning with abnormal noises and knocking at the front of the engine before it breaks completely.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeFaulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power)The air flow meter is a known fault on six-cylinder M57 diesels: over time it loses accuracy and the car pulls less. It is a cheap repair compared with the turbo or injection.Repair (garage): €100–€300
BMW N62 / N63 engine in the 2002 BMW Serie 7
Names: 735i / 735Li · 745i / 745Li · 740i / 740Li · 750i / 750Li
- With caution
N62B36 3.6 naturally aspirated 272 hp (735i, 2001-2005)
272 hp · N62B36
It is the oldest N62 and the 6 Series guide places coolant loss mainly on the older examples; check the hoses and level before buying.[5][6]
- With caution
N62B44 4.4 naturally aspirated 320-333 hp (545i, 645Ci, 745i, X5 4.4i; 2001-2006)
320–333 hp · N62B44
A 100,000 km test of a 745i recorded no engine defects, but the sources cite coolant loss from hoses (Gebrauchtwagenberater and Auto Bild) and, to a lesser extent, valve stem seals (Auto Bild): both points need checking.[6][7][8]
Faults that affect 2002 cars
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingN62 coolant loss from hoses and the pipe between the cylinder banksOn the N62 V8, coolant loss from cracked hoses or pipes is typical, especially on the earliest units. Replacing them is laborious: the hose between the banks means removing a good part of the engine.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationN62 blue smoke and oil consumption from hardened valve stem sealsOn the N62 V8, the valve stem seals can harden with age and cause oil consumption with blue smoke. It is not a widespread fault: several German guides describe the engine as solid.
Faults outside the engine in the 2002 BMW Serie 7
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionWear of the front suspension arms and bushesAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, the 7 Series E65's front suspension arms, bushes, bearings and ball joints appear in 8 of 64 testimonies. No mileage or cost is given.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorPaint degradation on door handles and bodywork corrosionAccording to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, 5 of 64 owners of the 7 Series E65 cite paint degrading on the door handles and spots of rust, as well as misting of the headlights.
- Low severityFrequency: RareElectronics and infotainmentiDrive CCC unit failure and infotainment equipment faults (sat nav, CD, radio, speakers)According to testimonies collected by fiches-auto.fr, the iDrive CCC unit and other infotainment equipment (sat nav, CD changer, radio, speakers, DVD player) are among the faults cited for the 7 Series E65. The entry gives no individual figures or costs.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 BMW Serie 7 reliable?
The 2002 BMW Serie 7 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the BMW M57 and the BMW N62 / N63. The BMW M57 has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the BMW N62 / N63 (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2002 cars, such as wear of the front suspension arms and bushes.
Is the 2002 BMW Serie 7 better than the 2001?
Our score goes from 7.6 in 2001 to 6.7 in 2002. Starts to be affected by: broken intake swirl flaps (BMW M57), crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failure (BMW M57) and cracked exhaust manifold (BMW M57). BMW M57 arrive.
What is the best year for the BMW Serie 7?
According to our score, the best is 2001 (7.6/10). The year with the worst score is 2002 (6.7/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2002 BMW Serie 7 have?
The most important ones documented for 2002 cars are: broken intake swirl flaps (BMW M57, critical severity), crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failure (BMW M57, high severity), cracked exhaust manifold (BMW M57, medium severity), crankshaft pulley vibration damper failure (BMW M57, medium severity) and n62 coolant loss from hoses and the pipe between the cylinder banks (BMW N62 / N63, medium severity).
Own a 2002 BMW Serie 7? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- BMW 7 Series (E65)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Motor BMW M57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- BMW N62Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
- BMW N62Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
- BMW 6er E63, E64 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 5 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
- BMW 5er E60, E61 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 26 April 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
- BMW 745i (E65): Test über 100.000 kmAUTO ZEITUNG · Motoring press · published 12 January 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
- BMW 650i: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 4 December 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German