2012 BMW 5 Series F10

Overview

Engines

2.0L turbo four-cylinder, 3.0L turbo inline-six, 4.4L twin-turbo V8, 3.0L turbo inline-six with an electric motor

Came as

• Sedan

On record

6 warnings, 5 recalls

What changed for 2012

• The 528i switches to a turbo four-cylinder and can have all-wheel drive, auto stop-start becomes standard on the 528i and 535i, and the ActiveHybrid 5 joins. Edmunds, CarGurus

Compare 2012 with 2011

Colors

• Mojave Metallic2012
• Deep Sea Blue Metallic2012
• Tasman Green Metallic2012
• Milano Beige Metallic2012
• Dark Graphite Metallic II2012

Interiors

• Oyster and Black Dakota2012
• Everest Gray Dakota2012
• Venetian Beige Dakota2012
• Cinnamon Brown Dakota2012–2016
• Black Dakota2012–2016
• Oyster and Black Nappa2012
• Black Nappa2012–2016

Sources: Edmunds

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
• ActiveHybrid 5: 3.0L turbo inline-six with an electric motor, Rear-wheel drive NHTSA, CarGurus, a published reference

Engines

• 2.0L turbo four-cylinder N20 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

  240 hp and 255 lb-ft in Edmunds' 2012 review, 240 hp and 260 lb-ft in its 2016 one · 2012–2016

• 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

• 3.0L turbo inline-six with an electric motor CarGurus, a published reference

  The 535i's engine, with a motor in the gearbox housing. The EPA rated the 2013 car at 26 mpg combined · 2012–2014

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.

• Timing chain on the four-cylinder 2012–2016

  Check: Listen for a rattle at a cold start, and ask whether the chain has been replaced.

  Euro Premium Parts calls the N20's chain a known weak point that often fails early, and CarGurus also names faulty timing chains on the four-cylinder. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Oil use on the four-cylinder 2012–2016

  One source so far

  Check: Check the oil level, and ask how often it has needed topping up.

  Euro Premium Parts says many owners report excessive oil use, which can damage the engine if it is not watched. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• 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.

• 2012–2016 Recall 24V608000

  A badly sealed electrical connector on the water pump can let water in and short circuit. Dealers inspect and replace the pump and connector as needed and fit a shield. NHTSA

• 2011–2012 Recall 18V248000

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

• 2011–2012 Recall 16V746000

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

• 2012–2013 Recall 14V627000

  The vacuum pump for the brake booster may not be lubricated enough and can fail. Dealers fit a locking ring to keep the camshaft's seal disk in place. This expands 13V454000. NHTSA

• 2012–2013 Recall 13V454000

  The vacuum pump for the brake booster may not be lubricated enough and can fail. Dealers modify the cars to prevent 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)

• Watch for

  An early four-cylinder 528i 2012–2013

  Less sought after One source so far

  CarGurus says the 2010 to 2013 four-cylinder models draw the most complaints and the most serious issues of the F10 range. CarGurus

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