2023 vs 2024 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.

2023

  • 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)

2024

  • Controls moved onto the screen All years

    What to check: On the test drive, try the climate, media and driving settings through the touchscreen.

    Edmunds lists the onscreen controls among the car's drawbacks, and CarGurus says the controls have irked many reviewers and the system is complex to learn.

    Edmunds, CarGurus

  • The integrated brake system recalls All years

    What to check: Ask for proof that every brake system recall has been done, and watch for ABS or stability control warnings on the test drive.

    NHTSA lists several recalls for the integrated brake system on 2024 and 2025 cars, for faults that can lose power brake assist or stop the ABS and stability control working properly.

    NHTSA

Recalls

2023

  • 23V821000 2023

    A badly made weld on the gearbox control unit's cover can let transmission oil leak into the control unit. Dealers replace the mechatronics module and the fluid as needed. 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

2024

  • 23V700000 2024

    The steering wheel's ground connection may be loose, so the hands-on detection system does not work. Dealers reattach it. NHTSA

  • 24V104000 2024–2025

    The integrated brake system can malfunction, losing power brake assist or stopping the ABS and stability control working properly. Dealers replace it. NHTSA

  • 24V697000 2024

    Welds in the integrated brake module's servomotor can break, losing power brake assist and rear braking, and the ABS and stability control may not work. Dealers replace the brake system. NHTSA

  • 24V714000 2024–2025

    The steering spindle can break, making the car harder to steer. Dealers replace its double universal joint. NHTSA

  • 24V739000 2024

    The integrated brake system can malfunction, losing power brake assist or stopping the ABS and stability control working properly. Dealers replace the module. NHTSA

  • 26V422000 2024–2025

    The integrated brake system can malfunction, losing power brake assist or stopping the ABS and stability control working properly. Dealers inspect it and replace it if needed. NHTSA

Both years

  • 26V056000 2021–2024

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

What changed between

After 2023, up to and including 2024.

  1. 2024G60 begins.
  2. 2024The redesigned 5 Series arrives as the 530i and 540i xDrive, both mild hybrids and more powerful than before, with the electric i5 alongside. Edmunds, CarGurus

What it came with

2023

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
Packages
Luxury Line Edmunds, a published reference, Adaptive Drive Package Edmunds, Dynamic Handling Package Edmunds, Lighting Package Edmunds, Driving Assistance Package Edmunds, Driving Assistance Plus Package Edmunds, Parking Assistance Package Edmunds, Shadowline Package Edmunds

2024

Engines
2.0L turbo four-cylinder with a 48-volt mild hybrid Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference, 3.0L turbo inline-six with a 48-volt mild hybrid Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference
Packages
M Sport Professional Package Edmunds

Both years

Transmissions
Eight-speed automatic Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains
Rear-wheel drive CarGurus, Edmunds, xDrive all-wheel drive CarGurus, Edmunds, a published reference
Body styles
Sedan Edmunds, a published reference
Packages
M Sport Package Edmunds, Premium Package Edmunds, Executive Package Edmunds, Convenience Package Edmunds, Luxury Seating Package Edmunds, Driving Assistance Professional Package Edmunds, a published reference

Colors

2023

Nothing that 2024 lacks.

2024

  • Frozen Deep Grey 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Oxide Grey Metallic 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Black Sapphire Metallic 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Frozen Pure Grey Metallic 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Brooklyn Grey Metallic 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Cape York Green Metallic 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Carbon Black Metallic 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Alpine White 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Phytonic Blue Metallic 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Dark Graphite Metallic 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Tanzanite Blue II Metallic 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Mineral White Metallic 2024–2026 Edmunds

Interiors

2023

Nothing that 2024 lacks.

2024

  • Smoke White Veganza 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Black M Veganza and Alcantara 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Espresso Brown Veganza 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Burgandy Red Veganza 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Black Veganza 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Copper Brown and Atlas Grey Extended Merino 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Silverstone II and Atlas Grey Extended Merino 2024–2026 Edmunds
  • Black and Atlas Grey Extended Merino 2024 Edmunds

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2023

  • 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)

2024

Nothing that 2023 lacks.