2010 vs 2011 BMW 5 Series

vs

Each year's own entries sit side by side, then what both share. Warnings of different generations are listed apart even under the same name, because what to check can differ.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

2010

  • A failed brake booster All years One source so far

    What to check: Feel for a hard, stiff brake pedal.

    CarGurus lists failed brake boosters, which can stiffen the pedal dramatically, among the E60's typical problems.

    CarGurus

  • Worn control arms and bushings All years

    What to check: Feel for vibration under braking and listen for clunks, and look for uneven tire wear.

    CarGurus lists broken or worn-out control arms, and Euro Premium Parts says worn front bushings cause vibration under braking.

    CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Cooling system parts All years

    What to check: Look for coolant leaks, and ask whether the water pump and thermostat have been replaced.

    Euro Premium Parts says radiator, expansion tank, water pump and thermostat failures are routine at around 80,000 to 100,000 miles on the sixes. CarGurus lists bad thermostats and fuel pumps too.

    CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Oil use and leaks on the V8s All years One source so far

    What to check: Look for blue smoke at start-up and oil around the timing covers.

    Euro Premium Parts lists worn valve stem seals, timing cover and alternator bracket gasket leaks, and high oil use even on well-kept cars.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Battery drain and electrical faults All years

    What to check: Ask about battery warnings, and try the locks, lights, windows and climate control.

    Euro Premium Parts lists battery drain from the battery sensor or the trunk wiring, and CarGurus lists a variety of electrical issues and leaky sunroof seals.

    CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

2011

  • Oil use, cooling and turbo trouble on the V8 All years One source so far

    What to check: Ask for oil top-up and repair records, and look for signs of overheating.

    Euro Premium Parts lists cylinder scoring, excessive oil use, overheating, turbo, timing chain and fuel pump failures, worst before the facelift.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • High-pressure fuel pump and injectors on the 535i All years One source so far

    What to check: Feel for misfires or a loss of power, and listen for a rattling wastegate.

    Euro Premium Parts says the pump and injectors can fail, and that wastegate actuators can wear and rattle.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Leaking trunk and sunroof seals All years One source so far

    What to check: Look for damp carpets in the trunk and cabin, and stains around the sunroof.

    CarGurus lists leaking trunk and sunroof seals among the most common F10 issues, with crankshaft pulleys, battery drains and small electrical problems.

    CarGurus

  • Worn suspension bushings All years One source so far

    What to check: Listen for knocks over bumps on the test drive.

    Euro Premium Parts says the bushings can wear early, especially on high-mileage cars.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

Recalls

2010

  • 10V446000 2004–2010

    A check valve in the brake vacuum pump can leak oil, which over time can contaminate the brake booster. Dealers repair it. NHTSA

  • 12V126000 2004–2010

    The positive battery cable's connector may have been fitted wrongly to the trunk floor, so its bolt can loosen and the connection overheat. Dealers inspect and secure it. NHTSA

  • 13V407000 2008–2010

    Resistance at the taillights' contacts can damage the connector, so some rear lights work only intermittently or not at all. Dealers replace the bulb carriers. NHTSA

  • 22V119000 2006–2010

    The heater for the crankcase ventilation valve can short circuit. Dealers fit a wiring harness with a fuse. This replaces and expands 17V683000 and 19V273000. NHTSA

2011

  • 11V521000 2011

    The circuit board of the electric auxiliary water pump can overheat. Dealers replace the pump. NHTSA

  • 12V161000 2011

    The circuit board of the electric auxiliary water pump can overheat. Dealers replace the pump. NHTSA

  • 14V176000 2011

    The bolts holding the VANOS housing can loosen over time and break. Dealers replace them. NHTSA

  • 16V746000 2011–2012

    Wire contacts in the in-tank fuel pump may not be crimped well enough. Dealers replace the fuel pump module. NHTSA

  • 16V832000 2011

    The replacement sensor cluster unit may be programmed wrongly and misjudge when to fire the airbags, pretensioners and active head restraints. Dealers replace it. NHTSA

  • 17V067000 2011

    The rear driveshaft's constant velocity joint can fatigue and break. Dealers inspect it and replace it depending on when it was made. NHTSA

  • 18V248000 2011–2012

    The electric auxiliary water pump can fail and its circuit board overheat. Dealers replace the pump. NHTSA

Both years

  • 10V331000 2010–2011

    The fuel level sensor in the tank can become wedged against the tank. Dealers repair it. NHTSA

  • 17V683000 2007–2011

    The heater for the crankcase ventilation valve can short circuit. Dealers replace it. NHTSA

  • 23V707000 2010–2011

    The aluminum bolts holding the VANOS housing can loosen over time and break. Dealers replace them. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2010, up to and including 2011.

  1. 2011F10 begins.
  2. 2011The redesigned 5 Series arrives as a sedan only, with a turbo V8 in the 550i and an eight-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive later in the year. Edmunds, a published reference

What it came with

2010

Engines
4.8L V8 (2006–2010) Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference, 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six (2008–2010) Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference
Transmissions
Six-speed Steptronic automatic Edmunds, a published reference, Six-speed SMG automated manual Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference
Body styles
Sport Wagon (2006–2010) Edmunds, a published reference
Packages
Value Package (2010) Edmunds

2011

Engines
3.0L turbo inline-six Edmunds, a published reference, 4.4L twin-turbo V8 Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference
Transmissions
Eight-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
Packages
Luxury Line Edmunds, Modern Line Edmunds, Premium Package Edmunds, Executive Package Edmunds, Technology Package Edmunds, Lighting Package Edmunds, Luxury Seating Package Edmunds, Driver Assistance Package Edmunds, Driver Assistance Plus Package Edmunds, Dynamic Handling Package Edmunds, Individual Composition Package Edmunds

Both years

Engines
3.0L inline-six (2011) Edmunds, CarGurus
Transmissions
Six-speed manual (2011–2014) Edmunds
Drivetrains
Rear-wheel drive Edmunds, CarGurus, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, CarGurus
Body styles
Sedan Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference
Packages
Sport Package Edmunds, M Sport Package Edmunds, Cold Weather Package Edmunds

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2010

  • Sought after: A naturally aspirated six, such as the 530i 2006–2010 One source so far

    Euro Premium Parts calls the N52 530i the best balance of performance and reliability, and says the inline-six cars are generally the safest choice. A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Watch for: The SMG gearbox All years Walk away One source so far

    CarGurus lists trouble with the SMG transmissions among the E60's problems and says it is better just to stay away from them. CarGurus

2011

  • Sought after: A six-cylinder car, such as the 535i All years

    CarGurus says it is better to go for a six, which is more powerful and more reliable than the four, and Euro Premium Parts calls the 535i the best balance of performance and reliability. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Watch for: The V8 550i without a documented engine fix All years Walk away One source so far

    Euro Premium Parts says the 550i's N63 has one of the worst reliability reputations in BMW's history and advises avoiding it unless the car has a documented engine replacement or major upgrades. A seller's guide (unofficial)