2011 BMW 5 Series F10

Overview

Engines

3.0L inline-six, 3.0L turbo inline-six, 4.4L twin-turbo V8

Came as

• Sedan

On record

4 warnings, 10 recalls

What changed for 2011

• The 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

Compare 2011 with 2010

Colors

No paint color is recorded yet.

Specs

Badges

• 528i: 3.0L inline-six, 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, Rear-wheel drive, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds
• 535i: 3.0L turbo inline-six, Rear-wheel drive, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds
• 550i: 4.4L twin-turbo V8, Rear-wheel drive, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds

Engines

• 3.0L inline-six N52 engine page Edmunds, CarGurus

  240 hp and 230 lb-ft · 2011

• 3.0L turbo inline-six N55 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  300 hp and 300 lb-ft

• 4.4L twin-turbo V8 N63 Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference

  400 hp and 450 lb-ft, and 443 hp and 479 lb-ft from 2014

Transmissions

• Eight-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
• 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
• Luxury Line Edmunds
• Modern Line Edmunds
• Premium Package Edmunds
• Executive Package Edmunds
• Technology Package Edmunds
• Cold Weather 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

Figures for the whole F10

• Model codes: F10 (sedan), F11 (Touring), F07 (Gran Turismo), F18 (long-wheelbase sedan) A published reference
• Platform: Shared with the F01 7 Series and the F12 6 Series A published reference
• Body: 55 percent stiffer than the E60's, with an aluminum hood, front fenders and doors A published reference
• Built: In Dingolfing, Germany, and by BMW Brilliance in China, from January 2010 to February 2017 A published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Oil use, cooling and turbo trouble on the V8 All years

  One source so far

  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

  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

  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

  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

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2010–2011 Recall 23V707000

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

• 2011–2012 Recall 18V248000

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

• 2007–2011 Recall 17V683000

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

• 2011 Recall 17V067000

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

• 2011 Recall 16V832000

  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

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• 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)

Maintenance

• Automatic gearbox fluid All years

  Replace every 60,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts advises it at around 60,000 to 70,000 miles, despite BMW's lifetime fluid claim A seller's guide (unofficial)

Warranty when new