What is the transmission model of the BMW 740?
3 Answers
The transmission model of the BMW 740 is the ZF 8HP50. Classification of transmissions: Manual transmission, manual-automatic transmission, CVT continuously variable transmission/CVT with gears, dual-clutch transmission, AMT and sequential transmission. Methods to identify transmission models: Transmission nameplate identification: Many transmission housings have a small metal nameplate, which usually indicates the name of the automatic transmission manufacturer, model, production serial number code, torque converter specifications, and other details. Vehicle nameplate identification: Some vehicles have nameplates in the engine compartment, driver's cabin, door pillars, etc. These nameplates generally include the manufacturer's name, vehicle model, body model, chassis model, engine model, transmission model, and production serial number. Housing marking identification: Some transmissions have the model marked on the housing and oil pan during production, making it easy to visually identify the automatic transmission model.
I've repaired quite a few BMW 740s, and their transmissions are mostly from ZF's 8AT series. The specific model depends on the year: pre-2016 740s mostly use the 8HP45, models from 2016 to 2020 generally come with the 8HP50, and post-2020 new models might use the 8HP75. This transmission has a great reputation in the repair community for its fast and smooth shifting. However, it's important to remind owners to change the transmission fluid on time, recommended every 60,000 kilometers, otherwise the valve body can easily stick and cause jerking. If you encounter delayed shifting or a warning light on the dashboard, first check the fluid condition and solenoid valves—this is much cheaper than directly dismantling the transmission.
My 740Li was purchased in 2019, and the most surprising aspect is the transmission response. Official documentation states it's equipped with the ZF 8HP50 model, whose 8-speed design makes city driving exceptionally smooth, while keeping RPM remarkably low during highway cruising. This transmission pairs flawlessly with the 3.0T engine, delivering crisp shifts in Sport mode. The only thing to note is minor hesitation during cold starts in winter for the first few minutes of driving, which disappears once the fluid warms up. After 50,000 km of stable operation, remember to perform regular transmission adaptive resets to maintain optimal performance.
