2020 vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

vs

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

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

2020

  • iDrive freezes on early cars 2017–2020 One source so far

    What to check: Try the screen and the digital instruments, and ask whether the software is up to date.

    Euro Premium Parts says freezes and glitches are more common before the facelift and mostly fixed by dealer software updates, and reports instrument cluster failures.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

2021

Nothing that 2020 lacks.

Both years

  • Timing chain stretch on the four-cylinder All years One source so far

    What to check: Listen for a rattle at a cold start, and scan for timing fault codes.

    Euro Premium Parts reports chain stretch on higher-mileage cars, typically between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, and high-pressure fuel pump failures on the same engine.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • A failed charge pipe on the 540i All years One source so far

    What to check: Feel for a sudden loss of power, and scan for boost fault codes.

    Euro Premium Parts says the plastic pipe from the turbo to the intercooler can fail, usually between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, and reports water pump and thermostat housing leaks and valve cover leaks on the same engine.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Oil use on the V8 2018–2023 One source so far

    What to check: Ask for oil top-up records and check the level.

    Euro Premium Parts says some N63 engines use a quart or more every 1,000 miles, and that turbo failures are often linked to it.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • The 530e's hybrid battery 2018–2023 One source so far

    What to check: Ask a BMW dealer for a hybrid battery health report, and look over the charging port.

    Euro Premium Parts says the battery's loss of range becomes noticeable after 70,000 to 100,000 miles, and that a replacement is expensive.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Worn front control arm bushings All years One source so far

    What to check: Feel for vague steering and listen for clunks over bumps.

    Euro Premium Parts says they wear early on cars driven in town, typically between 40,000 and 70,000 miles.

    A seller's guide (unofficial)

Recalls

2020

  • 19V684000 2018–2020

    The reversing camera's settings can be changed so its picture is no longer visible, and the car keeps that setting. Dealers update the camera software. NHTSA

  • 21V598000 2020

    At start-up the engine software can cause a loss of brake assist, though the brakes still work without it. Dealers update the software. NHTSA

  • 26V441000 2018–2020

    The engine starter's relay can corrode, overheat and short circuit. Owners are told to park outside and away from buildings until a dealer replaces the starter. NHTSA

  • 26V695000 2018–2020

    The positive battery cable on the engine starter can loosen. Dealers inspect it and replace the starter if needed. NHTSA

2021

  • 20V761000 2021

    The connection between the 48-volt battery and the starter-generator may have been assembled badly, raising its resistance. Dealers inspect it and replace it if needed. NHTSA

  • 21V554000 2021

    The passenger seat belt's automatic locking retractor can switch off before the belt has fully retracted. Dealers inspect the retractors and replace them if needed. NHTSA

  • 26V056000 2021–2024

    Wear inside the engine starter can make it overheat and catch fire. Dealers replace the starter. NHTSA

  • 26V525000 2021–2023

    The joint between the driveshaft and the rear differential can be damaged, losing drive to the rear wheels or letting the car roll away. Dealers inspect it and repair or replace the parts as needed. NHTSA

Both years

  • 20V598000 2020–2021

    A small part of the reversing camera's picture may be obscured. Dealers inspect the camera and update its software. NHTSA

  • 20V601000 2020–2021

    Debris may have got into the hybrid battery cells when they were made. Drivers are told not to charge the car until dealers inspect the battery and replace modules if needed. NHTSA

  • 21V046000 2020–2021

    The rear output shafts may break because of a heat treatment error at the supplier. Dealers replace them. NHTSA

  • 21V096000 2020–2021

    Part of the reversing camera's picture may be blocked, or the screen may stay dark, when reverse is selected. Dealers update the camera software. NHTSA

  • 25V636000 2020–2022

    The engine starter's relay can corrode, overheat and short circuit. Owners are told to park outside and away from buildings until a dealer replaces the starter. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2020, up to and including 2021.

  1. 2021A facelift brings an updated grille and a larger touchscreen, a mild hybrid for the 540i and more power for the 530e. Edmunds, a published reference

What it came with

2020

Nothing that 2021 lacks.

2021

Nothing that 2020 lacks.

Both years

Engines
2.0L turbo four-cylinder Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference, 3.0L turbo inline-six Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference, 2.0L turbo four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (2018–2023) Edmunds, a published reference, 4.4L twin-turbo V8 (2018–2023) Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference
Transmissions
Eight-speed automatic Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference
Drivetrains
Rear-wheel drive Edmunds, CarGurus, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, CarGurus
Body styles
Sedan Edmunds, a published reference
Packages
M Sport Package Edmunds, a published reference, Luxury Line Edmunds, a published reference, Adaptive Drive Package Edmunds, Premium Package Edmunds, Executive Package Edmunds, Convenience Package Edmunds, Luxury Seating Package Edmunds, Dynamic Handling Package Edmunds, Lighting Package Edmunds, Driving Assistance Package Edmunds, Driving Assistance Plus Package Edmunds, Driving Assistance Professional Package Edmunds, Parking Assistance Package Edmunds, Shadowline Package Edmunds

Colors

2020

Nothing that 2021 lacks.

2021

Nothing that 2020 lacks.

Both years

  • Jet Black 2018–2022 Edmunds
  • Alpine White 2018–2022 Edmunds
  • Bluestone Metallic 2018–2022 Edmunds
  • Dark Graphite Metallic 2018–2022 Edmunds
  • Black Sapphire Metallic 2018–2022 Edmunds
  • Mineral White Metallic 2018–2022 Edmunds
  • Carbon Black Metallic 2018–2022 Edmunds

Interiors

2020

Nothing that 2021 lacks.

2021

Nothing that 2020 lacks.

Both years

  • Cognac Dakota 2018–2022 Edmunds
  • Ivory White Dakota 2018–2022 Edmunds
  • Mocha Nappa 2018–2022 Edmunds
  • Black Nappa 2018–2022 Edmunds
  • Black Dakota 2018–2022 Edmunds
  • Ivory White Nappa 2018–2022 Edmunds

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2020

Nothing that 2021 lacks.

2021

Nothing that 2020 lacks.

Both years

  • Sought after: The six-cylinder 540i All years

    Euro Premium Parts calls the 540i's B58 the most dependable choice for used buyers, and CarGurus calls the 540i the best overall value of the range. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

  • Sought after: The V8 M550i xDrive 2018–2023 One source so far

    CarGurus says the M550i is generally considered the most fun of the range, one step below the M5. CarGurus

  • Watch for: An M550i without full service records 2018–2023 Walk away One source so far

    Euro Premium Parts advises avoiding the N63 unless the car has a full documented service history, and warns of potentially large repair bills. A seller's guide (unofficial)