F10 vs G30 — Which BMW 5 Series Should You Buy?

The G30 wins for most buyers — it's a more modern car with better efficiency, more advanced technology, and higher retained values. The F10 is the enthusiast's choice, offering a classic driving experience and simpler mechanicals, but its age means more frequent repairs and a lower value threshold for major engine work.

G30: 177 enquiries in 2025, £14,000–£30,000 typical value [EM-VERIFIED / THIRD-PARTY]
F10: 300 enquiries in 2025, £5,000–£16,000 typical value [EM-VERIFIED / THIRD-PARTY]
F10 is cheaper to buy but carries higher risk of an N47 or N57 timing chain failure costing more than the car's value
G30 offers better efficiency, more power, and a more comfortable daily drive, with the B47 and B57 engines being significantly more reliable
For a weekend car or project, the F10 is a more rewarding choice; for a daily driver, the G30 is the sensible pick

Full spec comparison, five-year cost of ownership, the case for each generation, and which to choose for your situation below.

At a Glance

	BMW F10 (2010–2017)	BMW G30 (2017–2023)
Chassis	F10/F11 (saloon/touring)	G30/G31 (saloon/touring)
2025 UK Enquiries	300 [EM-VERIFIED]	177 [EM-VERIFIED]
Typical UK Value	£5,000–£16,000 [THIRD-PARTY]	£14,000–£30,000 [THIRD-PARTY]
Recon Supply Cost (diesel)	£3,200–£7,000 (N47/N57)	£2,800–£8,000 (B47/B57)
R&R Labour	10–14 hrs (N47) / 12–16 hrs (N57)	8–12 hrs (B47) / 12–16 hrs (B57)
Defining Failure	N47 timing chain / N57 chain + turbo	EGR cooler (B47) / coolant leaks (B57)
Best For	Enthusiasts, hydraulic steering fans, budget project builds	Daily drivers, efficiency, modern tech, high residual value

The Verdict

For most buyers, the G30 is the stronger choice. It generates fewer enquiries in our data (177 vs 300) because it's a newer car with fewer failures proportionally — but its higher retained values mean that a major engine replacement is more likely to be financially viable. The F10, while more affordable to purchase, can easily become a money pit — a £3,200–£7,000 engine replacement on a £5,000 car is a scrap threshold proposition. That said, the F10 is not a bad car — it's a brilliant one, but it's now a classic. Buy it for the experience, not for the economics.

F10 Deep Dive

The F10 is the last of the hydraulic‑steering 5 Series — a traditional feel, a stiff body, and a range of turbocharged four‑ and six‑cylinder engines. The diesel range (N47, N57) offers excellent fuel economy and torque, but carries the same N47 timing chain risk that plagues the E90 and earlier cars — it's a well‑documented failure on pre‑2011 examples, typically at 60–120k miles. The petrol range (N55, N63) is more robust but has its own issues (N63 valve stem seals). At £5,000–£16,000, the F10 is a cheap entry point, but you're buying a 10‑15 year old car. Full specs, fitment and reliability rating live on the N47 Knowledge Centre and N57 Knowledge Centre.

G30 Deep Dive

The G30 brought the 5 Series into the modern era — more power, better efficiency, and a significantly more refined interior. The diesel range (B47, B57) is a major step forward in reliability; the B47 and B57 are considered significantly more robust than their predecessors, with only minor issues like EGR cooler failures on the B47 and coolant leaks on the B57. The petrol range (B48, B58) is also excellent. The G30 is the better daily driver, with more space, better refinement, and a wider range of models. Full specs and fitment on the B47 Knowledge Centre and B58 Knowledge Centre.

Five-Year Ownership Cost

The practical cost difference between these two generations over five years is driven by three factors: depreciation, running costs, and the probability of a major engine failure. The G30 will cost more to buy but will retain more of its value — a well-maintained G30 520d will still be worth £8,000+ after five years, while an F10 520d will have dropped to around £3,000. Running costs are better on the G30 — the B47 and B57 deliver 50+ mpg from the diesels and significantly better fuel economy from the petrols, while parts are similarly priced. The probability of a major failure is substantially lower on the G30, especially post-2019 cars with the B47 and B57 engines. The gap widens if you choose an F10 with the N63 V8 — a magnificent engine, but the valve stem seals can be an expensive repair at around £3,000–£6,000.

Which Should You Buy?

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Buying a Daily Driver

Go G30 — it's more efficient, more refined, and more modern. The B47/B57 engines are significantly more reliable than the N47/N57, and the car is a better all-rounder for daily use.

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Buying a Weekend Car or Project

F10, decisively — the driving experience, the hydraulic steering, the classic shape, and the simpler mechanicals make it a more rewarding project, especially with the N55 or N57 engines.

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Prioritising Lowest Running Cost

G30 — it's more economical to run, and a major failure is far less likely to write off the car, thanks to higher retained values. Parts are equally cheap on both.

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Buying to Keep Long-Term

If you plan to keep the car for many years and are willing to maintain it, the F10's classic status means it might actually appreciate, while the G30 is a tool. The F10 is the better long-term investment, but only if you can work on it yourself.

One point worth being explicit about: neither generation is "the reliable one" and the other "the unreliable one" in any simple sense. Both have a known weak point (N47 timing chain on early F10s), and both can be reliable if maintained correctly. The F10 is more likely to suffer from age-related issues (valve stem seals, suspension bushes, rust), while the G30 is more likely to suffer from emissions-related failures (DPF, EGR). The decision genuinely comes down to what you want from the car — a classic sports saloon or a modern, practical daily.

Other 5 Series Comparisons

If you're still narrowing down which 5 Series to buy, these cover the other most-asked generations.

E39 vs E60 →

The classic 5 Series generations compared.

E60 vs F10 →

The E60 against its successor.

G30 vs G60 →

The G30 against its latest successor.

5 Series vs 7 Series →

The executive saloon vs the flagship.

Whichever generation you choose, the same repair vs replace framework applies to the replacement decision once you've bought the car.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the G30 better than the F10?

For most buyers, yes — the G30 is more efficient, more refined, and has a wider range of engines. The F10 is the enthusiast's choice, offering a classic driving experience and simpler maintenance.

Which BMW 5 Series is more reliable, F10 or G30?

The G30 is significantly more reliable, especially with the B47 and B57 engines. The F10's N47 and N57 are known for timing chain issues, while the G30's engines are much more robust. Post-2017 G30s have very few major engine problems.

Is the F10 cheaper to run than the G30?

Parts are similarly cheap, but the G30 is more fuel-efficient, especially the petrol models. The F10 is cheaper to buy, but the G30 is more likely to have a major repair that's financially viable, thanks to its higher retained value. In practice, the G30 is the lower-risk proposition.

Which is better, F10 530d or G30 530d?

The G30 530d is the better car — it's more powerful, more efficient, and more refined than the F10 530d. The F10 530d is a classic, but it's now an old car. Buy the G30 for daily use, the F10 for weekend enjoyment.

Which is easier to replace when it fails, F10 or G30?

Both are relatively straightforward, but the G30's higher value makes replacement more financially viable. The F10's low value often makes a £3,000+ engine replacement uneconomical, while the G30's £10,000+ value makes it a more sensible proposition.

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477 Combined EnquiriesBoth generations analysed from real 2025 UK data.

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A Real VerdictWe name a winner, and explain honestly when the "loser" is still the right choice.

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20+ Vetted BMW SpecialistsExperienced with both generations of the 5 Series.

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100% IndependentNo sponsors, no manufacturer influence.

F10 vs G30 — Which Should You Buy?