2021 BMW 5 Series G30

Overview

Engines

2.0L turbo four-cylinder, 3.0L turbo inline-six, 2.0L turbo four-cylinder plug-in hybrid, 4.4L twin-turbo V8

Came as

• Sedan

On record

5 warnings, 9 recalls

What changed for 2021

Refresh

• A 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

Compare 2021 with 2020

Colors

• Jet Black2018–2022
• Alpine White2018–2022
• Bluestone Metallic2018–2022
• Dark Graphite Metallic2018–2022
• Black Sapphire Metallic2018–2022
• Mineral White Metallic2018–2022
• Carbon Black Metallic2018–2022

Interiors

• Cognac Dakota2018–2022
• Ivory White Dakota2018–2022
• Mocha Nappa2018–2022
• Black Nappa2018–2022
• Black Dakota2018–2022
• Ivory White Nappa2018–2022

Sources: Edmunds

Specs

Badges

• 530i: 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, Rear-wheel drive, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds
• 540i: 3.0L turbo inline-six, Rear-wheel drive, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds
• 530e: 2.0L turbo four-cylinder plug-in hybrid, Rear-wheel drive, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, CarGurus
• M550i xDrive: 4.4L twin-turbo V8, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds, CarGurus

Engines

• 2.0L turbo four-cylinder B48 engine page Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference

  248 hp and 258 lb-ft

• 3.0L turbo inline-six B58 engine page Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference

  335 hp and 332 lb-ft, with a 48-volt mild hybrid from 2021

• 2.0L turbo four-cylinder plug-in hybrid Edmunds, a published reference

  248 hp and 310 lb-ft, and 288 hp from 2021. The EPA rated its electric range at 16 miles at first, and at 21 miles with rear-wheel drive from 2020, with a larger battery · 2018–2023

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

  456 hp and 480 lb-ft · 2018–2023

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

Figures for the whole G30

• Model codes: G30 (sedan), G31 (Touring) A published reference
• Platform: BMW's CLAR, first used by the G11 7 Series CarGurus, a published reference
• Built: In Dingolfing, Germany, and from March 2017 also by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria A published reference
• IIHS: A Top Safety Pick+ for 2017, and CarGurus says in all but one year it was on sale CarGurus, a published reference

Watch out

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

• Timing chain stretch on the four-cylinder All years

  One source so far

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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

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

• 2021–2023 Recall 26V525000

  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

• 2021–2024 Recall 26V056000

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

• 2020–2022 Recall 25V636000

  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

• 2021 Recall 21V554000

  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

• 2020–2021 Recall 21V096000

  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

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• 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)

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter All years

  Replace every 7,500 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts advises every 7,500 miles rather than BMW's up to 15,000 A seller's guide (unofficial)

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

• Coolant All years

  Replace every 60,000 miles or 4 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Spark plugs All years

  Replace every 60,000 miles, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Gearbox and differential fluid All years

  Replace every 60,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says at 60,000 to 80,000 miles, as specialists do not treat it as a lifetime fill A seller's guide (unofficial)

• Brake fluid All years

  Replace every 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

Warranty when new