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5 Series F10 / F11
F10 • 2010–2017 • Sedan, Touring
3
Engine Options
14
Known Issues
2
Critical Issues
67%
Reliability Score
Facelift (LCI) – 2013
- Full LED headlights
- Updated iDrive with touchpad
- New engines (B-series replacing N-series)
- Revised bumpers and tail lights
67% – Average
Engines
N20B20 – 2.0L Turbo Petrol
520i, 528i • 184–245 hp • 270–350 Nm
Displacement 2.0L
Layout I4
Fuel Petrol
Transmission 8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)
Known Issues4 issues
critical
Timing Chain Stretch Common (>30%)
The N20 timing chain and guides wear prematurely, causing rattling and potential engine failure if ignored. Particularly common on earlier production units.
Typical Mileage
60,000–120,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€1,500–€3,000
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Rattling on start-upCheck engine lightRough idleRough running
critical
Oil Pump Failure Occasional (~15%)
Oil pump drive can fail leading to complete oil pressure loss. Catastrophic engine damage results.
Typical Mileage
80,000–150,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€2,000–€6,000+
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Oil pressure warningEngine knockSudden power loss
medium
Charge Pipe Failure Common (>30%)
The plastic charge pipe cracks under boost pressure, causing a sudden loss of power. Aftermarket aluminium upgrades available.
Typical Mileage
50,000–100,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€100–€250 (aftermarket upgrade)
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Boost lossWhistling noiseLimp mode
medium
Coolant Loss at Thermostat Common (~30%)
Thermostat housing cracks or gasket leaks, causing slow coolant loss.
Typical Mileage
60,000–100,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€200–€400
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Low coolant warningPuddle under carOverheating
N55B30 – 3.0L Turbo Petrol
535i • 306 hp • 400 Nm
Displacement 3.0L
Layout I6
Fuel Petrol
Transmission 8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)
Known Issues4 issues
medium
Charge Pipe Blow-Off Common (>35%)
Factory plastic charge pipe blows off under high boost, particularly in warm weather or spirited driving. Aftermarket aluminium replacement recommended.
Typical Mileage
40,000–80,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€100–€250
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Sudden power lossBoost leak whistleLimp mode
high
Valve Cover / VANOS Gasket Leak Common (>35%)
Valve cover and VANOS solenoid gaskets seep oil over time. Oil can drip onto hot exhaust components causing burning smell and smoke.
Typical Mileage
60,000–120,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€300–€700
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Burning oil smellVisible oil seepageSmoke from engine
high
Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak Common (>35%)
Oil filter housing gasket deteriorates and leaks oil onto belts and other components.
Typical Mileage
60,000–100,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€250–€400
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Oil leakBurning smellOil on engine
high
Electric Water Pump Failure Common (~30%)
Electric water pump fails causing overheating. Shared issue with other N-series inline-6 engines.
Typical Mileage
80,000–130,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€400–€700
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
OverheatingWarning lightNo heat from vents
N57D30 – 3.0L Diesel
525d, 530d, 535d • 211–313 hp • 450–630 Nm
Displacement 3.0L
Layout I6
Fuel Diesel
Transmission 8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)
Known Issues4 issues
medium
Turbo Boost Pipe Leak Common (~25%)
Aluminium boost pipes develop cracks at crimp joints, causing loss of boost pressure.
Typical Mileage
80,000–150,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€200–€500
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Loss of boostWhistling noiseReduced power
medium
Oil Leak from Oil Pan Gasket Moderate (~20%)
Oil pan gasket seeps over time, causing oil drips.
Typical Mileage
100,000–180,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€300–€600
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Oil dripsOil stains under car
high
Injector Failure Moderate (~20%)
Fuel injectors develop faults causing misfires and rough running.
Typical Mileage
100,000–180,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€500–€1,200
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Rough runningMisfiresBlack smoke
high
EGR Cooler Failure Moderate (~20%)
EGR cooler can crack, leaking coolant into the exhaust system.
Typical Mileage
100,000–180,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€600–€1,200
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Coolant lossWhite smokeEGR codes
Common Issues (F10-specific)
Suspension 1
high
Air Suspension Issues (if equipped) Common (~30%)
Rear air springs leak and compressor fails on cars with rear air suspension.
Typical Mileage
80,000–150,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€500–€1,500
Category
Suspension
Sagging rearCompressor noiseSuspension warning
Steering 1
medium
Steering Rack Issues Moderate (~20%)
Electric power steering rack develops play or leaks (on hydraulic variants).
Typical Mileage
80,000–150,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€500–€1,500
Category
Steering
Steering playGroaning noiseWarning light
Wear Items
N20B20 – Wear Items
520i, 528i
Spark Plugs
Every 60,000 km
Replacement Cost€80–€150
Wear Factor55%
Turbo Wastegate Rattle Fix
60,000–100,000 km
Replacement Cost€100–€300
Wear Factor45%
N55B30 – Wear Items
535i
Spark Plugs
Every 45,000 km
Replacement Cost€100–€180
Wear Factor60%
Ignition Coils
80,000–120,000 km
Replacement Cost€200–€400
Wear Factor50%
N57D30 – Wear Items
525d, 530d, 535d
DPF
150,000–200,000 km
Replacement Cost€800–€2,500
Wear Factor40%
Glow Plugs
80,000–120,000 km
Replacement Cost€100–€250
Wear Factor50%
AdBlue System
Refill every 15,000 km; pump at ~150,000 km
Replacement Cost€200–€800
Wear Factor40%
All Variants
All Variants
Complete list of model variants for F10 / F11
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Layout | Power | Torque | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 520i | N20B20 | 2.0L | I4 | 184–245 hp | 270–350 Nm | Automatic |
| 528i | N20B20 | 2.0L | I4 | 184–245 hp | 270–350 Nm | Automatic |
| 535i | N55B30 | 3.0L | I6 | 306 hp | 400 Nm | Automatic |
| 525d | N57D30 | 3.0L | I6 | 211–313 hp | 450–630 Nm | Automatic |
| 530d | N57D30 | 3.0L | I6 | 211–313 hp | 450–630 Nm | Automatic |
| 535d | N57D30 | 3.0L | I6 | 211–313 hp | 450–630 Nm | Automatic |