BMW 5 Series F07Fastback2009–2017
Every engine fitted to the 5 Series Gran Turismo F07 — from the 2.0-litre N47 diesel that defines the entry-level 520d, to the 3.0-litre N57 six-cylinder diesel in the 530d and 535d, and the twin-turbo V8 N63 that powers the 550i.
Real UK costs, honest failure data, and the 2013 facelift that brought updated engines to BMW's most distinctive 5 Series.
Backed by 300+ real UK F10/F07 enquiries in 2025 [BMW-VERIFIED].
Engine Database
Every engine fitted to the F07 Gran Turismo — from the entry-level 520d to the range-topping 550i, and the 2013 facelift engine updates.
Overview
The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo F07 is a five-door fastback produced from 2009 to 2017. It was BMW's first "Progressive Activity Sedan" (PAS) and sits between the 5 Series and 7 Series in terms of size and luxury. The F07 shares the F01 7 Series-derived platform and dashboard with the F10 5 Series.
The engine range includes four- and six-cylinder diesels (N47, N57), a six-cylinder petrol (N55), and a V8 petrol (N63). A facelift in 2013 brought updated engines and revised styling. The F07 was succeeded by the 6 Series Gran Turismo G32 in 2017.
Key Facts
Market Intelligence
The F10/F07 family generated 300 real UK engine enquiries in 2025 [EM-VERIFIED], concentrated on the N57 diesel sixes and N63 V8s as these cars age out of warranty.
04Best & Worst Engines
Best Diesel Overall
N57D30A / N57D30B (530d, 2009–2017)
“The 3.0-litre straight-six diesel is the F07's most dependable engine — chain-driven, with a robust bottom end and proven reliability across the BMW range. 245–258 PS and 540 Nm of torque make it effortless, while the 8-speed automatic transmission complements it perfectly.”
Who it's for: buyers who want six-cylinder diesel refinement without the 535d's complexity.
Best Petrol Overall
N55B30A (535i, 2009–2017)
“The N55 is BMW's single-turbo straight-six that replaced the N54 — 306 PS, twin-scroll turbo, and significantly more reliable than its predecessor. The F07 was the first model to receive the N55. It's the petrol you can buy without HPFP anxiety.”
Who it's for: buyers who want six-cylinder petrol performance without the N63's V8 running costs. (Model-wide: B58B30 in the G30 sets the modern benchmark — see G30 →)
Highest Risk
N63B44 (550i, pre-2013)
“The hot-vee V8 suffers from heat-related failures — valve stem seals, turbo coolant lines, and battery drain are common. The N63 has a well-earned reputation for high ownership costs. The 550i is fast, but it's expensive to keep fast.”
Who it's for: buyers with deep pockets who want V8 performance and are prepared for the maintenance bills.
Most Expensive Failure
N63B44 / N63B44B (550i)
“Valve stem seal failure on the N63 requires significant disassembly — repair costs can reach £3,000–£6,000. A full engine replacement sits at £6,000–£10,000. This is the single most expensive ownership cost on the F07 range.”
Who it's for: 550i owners who budget for high-end maintenance.
Best Value
N57D30A (530d, pre-LCI)
“The 530d's 245 PS and 540 Nm offer effortless performance with 45+ mpg potential. The N57 is robust, the chain is accessible, and the F07's weight doesn't overwhelm it. It's the sweet spot of the diesel range.”
Who it's for: buyers who want the best balance of performance, economy, and reliability.
Most Overlooked
N47D20C (520d, 2009–2013)
“The 520d is the entry-level F07 — 184 PS and 380 Nm from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel. It's the most economical engine in the range and the cheapest to replace. The N47's rear-chain risk is the caveat, but addressed proactively, it's a dependable workhorse.”
Who it's for: budget-conscious buyers who prioritise economy over performance.
Best Diesel Overall
N57D30A
/ N57D30B (530d, 2009–2017)
“The 3.0-litre straight-six diesel is the F07's most dependable engine — chain-driven, with a robust bottom end and proven reliability across the BMW range. 245–258 PS and 540 Nm of torque make it effortless, while the 8-speed automatic transmission complements it perfectly.”
Who it's for: buyers who want six-cylinder diesel refinement without the 535d's complexity.
Best Petrol Overall
N55B30A
(535i, 2009–2017)
“The N55 is BMW's single-turbo straight-six that replaced the N54 — 306 PS, twin-scroll turbo, and significantly more reliable than its predecessor. The F07 was the first model to receive the N55. It's the petrol you can buy without HPFP anxiety.”
Who it's for: buyers who want six-cylinder petrol performance without the N63's V8 running costs. (Model-wide: B58B30 in the G30 sets the modern benchmark — see G30 →)
Highest Risk
N63B44
(550i, pre-2013)
“The hot-vee V8 suffers from heat-related failures — valve stem seals, turbo coolant lines, and battery drain are common. The N63 has a well-earned reputation for high ownership costs. The 550i is fast, but it's expensive to keep fast.”
Who it's for: buyers with deep pockets who want V8 performance and are prepared for the maintenance bills.
Most Expensive Failure
N63B44
/ N63B44B (550i)
“Valve stem seal failure on the N63 requires significant disassembly — repair costs can reach £3,000–£6,000. A full engine replacement sits at £6,000–£10,000. This is the single most expensive ownership cost on the F07 range.”
Who it's for: 550i owners who budget for high-end maintenance.
Best Value
N57D30A
(530d, pre-LCI)
“The 530d's 245 PS and 540 Nm offer effortless performance with 45+ mpg potential. The N57 is robust, the chain is accessible, and the F07's weight doesn't overwhelm it. It's the sweet spot of the diesel range.”
Who it's for: buyers who want the best balance of performance, economy, and reliability.
Most Overlooked
N47D20C (520d, 2009–2013)
“The 520d is the entry-level F07 — 184 PS and 380 Nm from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel. It's the most economical engine in the range and the cheapest to replace. The N47's rear-chain risk is the caveat, but addressed proactively, it's a dependable workhorse.”
Who it's for: budget-conscious buyers who prioritise economy over performance.
Engine
Typical Mileage
Common Major Failure
Repair Cost (Specialist)
Replacement Cost (Recon)
Ownership Verdict
Risk vs Reward -budget for chain history
Best Diesel -245 PS, proven, dependableSolid Choice -258 PS, improved over pre-LCI
Performance Diesel -313 PS, complex but rewardingBest Petrol -306 PS, reliable six
Most Expensive -408–449 PS, high ownership costsEngineTypical MileageCommon Major FailureRepair Cost (Specialist)Replacement Cost (Recon)Ownership VerdictRisk vs Reward -budget for chain historyBest Diesel -245 PS, proven, dependableSolid Choice -258 PS, improved over pre-LCIPerformance Diesel -313 PS, complex but rewardingBest Petrol -306 PS, reliable sixMost Expensive -408–449 PS, high ownership costs
The F07 rule
A £4,500–£7,000 N57 recon against a £6,000–£18,000 F07 sits at 25–117% of the car's value. On a sub-£8,000 F07, that brushes our 70% BMW threshold -we'll honestly tell you to walk away. Against a well-kept £15,000+ low-mileage example, the same recon drops to a routine 30–47% -a repair decision, not a financial one. Value the car first. The F07's unique fastback body means values can vary significantly -condition and specification matter more than age.
N47
Timing Chain Stretch (520d)
Affected models:
F07 520d (2009–2017, N47D20C and N47N).
Typical failure mileage:
60,000–100,000 miles.
Root cause:
The rear-mounted timing chain receives the last oil feed and is tensioned by a plastic guide that degrades over time -cold-start rattle for 1–2 seconds is the classic early warning. This affects the entire N47 family across the BMW range.
Tiered Cost Table
Preventative (Repair)
Dealer
Specialist
£1,800–£2,500
£650–£1,800
Catastrophic (Replacement)
Dealer
Specialist
£6,000–£8,000
£3,200–£5,500
Our Recommendation
At the first sign of cold-start rattle on any N47-powered F07, get the chain inspected immediately -a £650–£1,800 preventative repair is dramatically cheaper than the £3,200–£5,500 replacement that follows if ignored. On an F07 worth under £8,000, this decision alone determines whether the car stays economically viable.
N63
Valve Stem Seal Failure (550i)
Affected models:
F07 550i (2009–2017, N63B44 and N63B44B).
Typical failure mileage:
50,000–100,000 miles.
Root cause:
The N63's hot-vee design (turbochargers located in the V of the engine) creates significant heat -valve stem seals can harden and fail, leading to oil consumption, blue smoke on startup, and eventually, catalytic converter damage.
Tiered Cost Table
Preventative (Repair)
Dealer
Specialist
£4,000–£7,000
£3,000–£6,000
Catastrophic (Replacement)
Dealer
Specialist
£10,000–£14,000
£6,000–£10,000
Our Recommendation
On any N63-powered F07, have the valve stem seals inspected at 50,000 miles -a £3,000–£6,000 preventative repair is dramatically cheaper than the £6,000–£10,000 engine replacement that follows if ignored. This is the defining ownership cost of the 550i.
N57S
Turbocharger Wear (535d)
Affected models:
F07 535d (2010–2017, N57S).
Typical failure mileage:
80,000–150,000 miles.
Root cause:
The N57S in the 535d uses two turbochargers in a sequential arrangement -the smaller turbo can suffer from wear, leading to reduced boost, loss of power, and eventually, turbocharger failure. The N57S is otherwise a robust engine.
Tiered Cost Table
Preventative (Repair)
Dealer
Specialist
£1,200–£2,500
£800–£2,000
Catastrophic (Replacement)
Dealer
Specialist
£5,000–£7,000
£3,500–£5,500
Our Recommendation
On any N57S-powered F07, have the turbochargers inspected at every major service -an £800–£2,000 turbo repair is far cheaper than the £3,500–£5,500 engine replacement that follows if ignored. The 535d is rewarding but requires proactive maintenance.
Air
Suspension Compressor Failure (rear air suspension)
Affected models:
F07 models with optional rear air suspension (most UK-market examples with self-levelling).
Typical failure mileage:
60,000–120,000 miles.
Root cause:
The rear air suspension compressor can fail with age -the compressor motor seals deteriorate, leading to longer pump times, overheating, and eventual failure. The car may sit low at the rear or fail to level.
Tiered Cost Table
Preventative (Repair)
Dealer
Specialist
£800–£1,400
£500–£900
Catastrophic (Replacement)
Dealer
Specialist
£1,800–£2,800
£1,200–£1,800
Our Recommendation
Have the air suspension system leak-tested at every service on F07s over 60,000 miles -a £500–£900 compressor repair is cheap insurance against the £1,200–£1,800 full system overhaul that follows if ignored.
VariantEngine Code
Used (Supply)
Reconditioned (Supply)
Rebuilt (Supply)
Labour HoursScope note: All variants listed are F07 Gran Turismo (fastback) only. F10 Saloon and F11 Touring share most of these engines but are covered on their own Generation Pages. The 520d was introduced at launch (2009) and continued through to 2017. The 530d was available from 2010 to 2017. The 535d was introduced in 2010. The 535i was available from launch. The 550i was available from launch with the N63B44, and the N63B44B replaced it for LCI models. xDrive (all-wheel drive) was available as an option on most variants.
Most Requested Engines (2025)
Most Requested Variants
Average Replacement Cost
£3,200–£10,000 supply only
[BMW‑QUOTE]
Most Common Failures
Live FeedBMW 530d F07
N57
ManchesterPre‑purchase inspection4
enquiries
Updated MonthlyBMW 520d F07
N47
BirminghamCold‑start rattle3
enquiries
Updated MonthlyBMW 550i F07
N63
LondonOil consumption check2
enquiries
Updated MonthlyMost Requested Engines (2025)
Most Requested Variants
Average Replacement Cost
£3,200–£10,000 supply only
[BMW‑QUOTE]
Most Common Failures
Most Requested Engines (2025)
Most Requested Variants
Average Replacement Cost
£3,200–£10,000 supply only
[BMW‑QUOTE]
Most Common Failures
Scope note: All variants listed are F07 Gran Turismo (fastback) only. F10 Saloon and F11 Touring share most of these engines but are covered on their own Generation Pages. The 520d was introduced at launch (2009) and continued through to 2017. The 530d was available from 2010 to 2017. The 535d was introduced in 2010. The 535i was available from launch. The 550i was available from launch with the N63B44, and the N63B44B replaced it for LCI models. xDrive (all-wheel drive) was available as an option on most variants.
Most Requested Engines (2025)
Most Requested Variants
Average Replacement Cost
£3,200–£10,000 supply only
[BMW‑QUOTE]
Most Common Failures
Most Requested Engines (2025)
Most Requested Variants
Average Replacement Cost
£3,200–£10,000 supply only
[BMW‑QUOTE]
Most Common Failures
Most Requested Engines (2025)
Most Requested Variants
Average Replacement Cost
£3,200–£10,000 supply only
[BMW‑QUOTE]
Most Common Failures
Live FeedBMW 530d F07
N57
ManchesterPre‑purchase inspection4
enquiries
BMW 520d F07
N47
BirminghamCold‑start rattle3
enquiries
BMW 550i F07
N63
LondonOil consumption check2
enquiries
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