BMW 5 Series F10: A Worthy Representative of Bavarian Premium

Introduction

The BMW 5 Series in the F10 body remains one of the most sought-after vehicles in the secondary market. Elegant design, excellent driving characteristics, and prestigious status have made this model an object of desire for many car enthusiasts. But what exactly lies beneath the attractive exterior of this Bavarian sedan? Let's explore the features of this model, its strengths, and nuances that should be considered when purchasing.

Model History

The F10 generation, which also includes the F11 station wagons and F07 hatchbacks, was produced from 2009 to 2017. During its production, the model underwent one facelift, which took place in 2013. The appearance of the car changed insignificantly after the update, however, BMW engineers significantly improved the electronic components. In addition, after the facelift, the manufacturer abandoned naturally aspirated engines in favor of turbocharged units in most markets.

Body Construction Features

The body of the BMW 5 Series F10 is designed quite unusually. The front doors, fenders, and hood are made of aluminum, making the car lighter and improving its handling. However, this design solution means that repairing these elements requires a special approach.

The corrosion resistance of the F10 is at the highest level thanks to quality metal, excellent paint, and modern protective compounds that thoroughly treat the internal cavities. The most critical areas are additionally covered with plastic overlays. Thanks to this, an original, accident-free body is practically not susceptible to corrosion.

Interior

The interior of the BMW 5 Series F10 fully corresponds to the status of a premium car. Quality assembly, expensive finishing materials, and well-thought-out ergonomics are the hallmarks of this model.

On pre-facelift cars, dashboard squeaks are sometimes noted. This problem can be solved by tightening the fasteners. In extreme cases, removing the dashboard for gluing the fasteners may be required. Overall, the interior of the "five" ages gradually and nobly. Even the buttons do not lose their presentable appearance until after 7-8 years of intensive use.

The electrical part of the F10 is highly reliable, especially compared to its predecessor - the E60 series, which had many "childhood diseases" in this area. Sometimes servomotors may act up on older specimens, but this does not happen often.

Engines

Gasoline Engines

The most common engine for the BMW 5 Series F10 is the two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, installed on the 520i and 528i versions. This N20 series unit is found on cars produced after 2011.

N20 engines are quite reliable with proper maintenance. For owners who regularly change the oil, the engine can run up to 300,000 km without serious problems. Even with significant cylinder wear, the engine can be restored by sleeving rather than completely replaced.

However, there are several points to pay attention to:

1. After 100,000 km, replacement of the thermostat and the fuel system booster pump is often required.
2. The timing chain can stretch and require replacement. Fortunately, a stretched chain does not threaten serious problems such as skipping or breaking.
3. Direct injection nozzles usually require replacement after 80,000 km, and the high-pressure fuel pump after 150,000 km.
4. The chain drive of the oil pump, located in the balance shaft block, can wear out after about 80,000 km. In 2014, this problem was resolved by the manufacturer, and warranty repairs were provided for earlier specimens.

An important note for 520i version owners: some of them give in to the desire to increase power through software tuning from 156 to 245 hp. However, few know that the more powerful version differs not only in firmware but also in construction - it has different fuel equipment and a different piston shape. Therefore, N20 engines tuned in this way rarely last more than 120,000 km.

Diesel Engines

Diesel variants of the BMW 5 Series F10 are found almost as often as gasoline ones. The most preferable option is the six-cylinder N57 engine, the resource of which can exceed 500,000 km. At a mileage of about 250,000 km, replacement of the timing drive chain is usually required.

Like all modern diesel engines, the N57 does not like prolonged urban operation without high-speed modes. Under such conditions, the service life of the exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) and the particulate filter is reduced. A clogged EGR valve, in turn, can negatively affect the intake manifold flaps.

A specific problem of N57 engines is the failure of the rubber damper of the crankshaft pulley after about 150,000 km of mileage, which can be evidenced by a characteristic smell. The glow plug control unit also lasts about the same amount of time.

Early production four-cylinder diesel N47 units had problems with rapid wear of the timing drive. On F10 generation cars, the situation improved - chains serve at least 100,000 km. However, the design feature remained: the chain is located on the back side of the engine, which requires engine removal for its replacement.

In 2014, BMW introduced next-generation diesel engines - B47, which proved to be more reliable. However, they have their own weakness - the EGR module, which can fail after just 20-30 thousand kilometers of mileage, after which the control unit limits engine power.

Transmission

Most BMW 5 Series F10 are equipped with automatic transmissions. An eight-speed automatic transmission is installed on most cars, although on pre-facelift specimens, a six-range ZF 6HP automatic can be found.

The six-speed ZF 6HP transmission is very demanding on the quality and cleanliness of the oil, which is recommended to be changed every 50-60 thousand kilometers. Even with such a maintenance regime, the transmission's resource before major repairs rarely exceeds 200,000 km.

The weak point of this transmission is the plastic pan, due to which the box can lose oil. In this case, it is recommended to replace the pan completely, rather than just replacing the gasket.

The eight-range ZF 8HP unit is considered more reliable and durable. With proper maintenance, it can run up to 250,000 km without major repairs. However, early specimens of this transmission had a design flaw - over time, the body of the unit itself would wear through, which negatively affected the condition of the reduction gear part and the hydraulic system. However, this problem was quickly fixed by the manufacturer.

The main factor affecting the longevity of the automatic transmission is the driving style of the previous owner. With aggressive use, the unit may require repair after just 100,000 km.

Transmission and All-Wheel Drive

In the transmission of the BMW 5 Series F10, the weak point is the silent block of the reducer mount. Its wear can lead to the misalignment of the drive shaft, which eventually leads to the failure of the latter. The driveshaft itself is quite delicate - it's good if it lasts 150,000 km.

When knocking appears during starting, you should not rush to repair: the aluminum beam on which the reducer is mounted requires qualified maintenance.

The durability of the xDrive all-wheel drive system largely depends on the engine power and driving style. For owners of powerful versions who prefer a dynamic driving style, major transmission repairs may be required after just 50,000 km. Front driveshafts and drive shafts suffer first.

Suspension and Steering

A complete revision of the BMW 5 Series F10 suspension usually occurs at a mileage of 100-150 thousand kilometers. The specific maintenance period strongly depends on the road conditions and driving style. Replacement usually requires updating not only the shock absorbers but also the arms of the front and rear suspensions.

The design of the steering mechanism depends on the car's engine: powerful versions were equipped with a classic power steering, while others had electric power steering. In both cases, the steering rack itself is very reliable.

The electric power steering with the control unit can sometimes "glitch," but in most cases, updating the software is enough to solve the problem, replacement of expensive components is usually not required.

Electronics

The electronic components of the BMW 5 Series F10 are highly reliable, especially compared to its predecessor - the E60 series. Most systems work without failures throughout the car's service life.

On pre-facelift cars, problems with the seat heating system are sometimes noted. In addition, various servomotors may act up on older specimens.

The iDrive multimedia system in the F10 generation became much more convenient and intuitive. After the 2013 facelift, it received additional functions and became even more responsive.

Selection Tips

When choosing a BMW 5 Series F10 in the secondary market, you should pay attention to the following points:

1. Accident Check. Even minor damage can lead to serious consequences, especially if the repair was done poorly. Pay attention to the gaps between body panels and the uniformity of the paint coating.
2. Mileage. Mileage adjustment is a common practice in the secondary market. To identify the actual mileage, you can use the second key and the headlight operating counter, but this only works if the previous owner has not updated their readings. Indirect signs of high mileage may be whitened fog lights; however, cracks in the plastic headlight covers are a factory defect not related to either age or mileage.
3. Engine. The most reliable options are the three-liter N57 diesel and N20 gasoline engines with regular maintenance. When buying a car with an early production N20 engine, it is worth checking whether the engine has undergone warranty service for problems with the oil pump chain drive.
4. Transmission. The eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic is considered more reliable than the six-speed ZF 6HP. During a test drive, pay attention to jolts and other signs of transmission wear.
5. Configuration. In the secondary market, base versions of the model with a manual transmission are not in demand. However, such specimens are usually more reliable and cheaper to maintain.

Conclusion

The BMW 5 Series F10 is a worthy representative of Bavarian premium in the secondary market. A solid body, reliable chassis, and relatively problem-free electronics make it an attractive option for purchase. The main disadvantage of the model can be called the not most reliable engines, with the exception of the three-liter N57 diesel.

When choosing a "five" F10, it is worth paying special attention to the technical condition of the car and its service history. A properly selected specimen will serve for a long time and will please the owner with comfort, dynamics, and prestige.

Remember that the main thing is to make the right choice. Thorough inspection before purchase and regular maintenance afterward are the keys to enjoying this wonderful car.

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