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BMW F07 5 Series Gran Turismo buyer's guide

2010–2017 · 535i GT / xDrive, 550i GT / xDrive (N55, N63 V8)

BMW 530d Gran Turismo (F07)
BMW 530d Gran Turismo (F07). Photo: M 93, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped, resized).

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Engines by year Model-year changes Known problems Warranty extensions Recalls Inspection checklist Red flags Specs Paint codes Coding Ownership costs Production Sources

Models and engines by year

ModelUS model yearsEngine
535i GT / xDrive2010–2017N55
550i GT / xDrive2010–2017N63 V8

US-market models. Chassis codes: F07. Not sure which one you have? The VIN check decodes year, model and engine.

Model-year changes

Model yearWhat changed
LaunchProduced from September 2009 and the first model of the F10 generation; the 535i GT was the first car with the N55 engine.8
2010US lineup in the EPA listings: 3.0L 6-cyl turbo: 535i Gran Turismo; 4.4L 8-cyl turbo: 550 GT, 550i xDrive GT.9
2011New: 535i xDrive Gran Turismo (3.0L 6-cyl turbo), 550i Gran Turismo (4.4L 8-cyl turbo), 550i xDrive Gran Turismo (4.4L 8-cyl turbo). No longer listed: 550 GT, 550i xDrive GT.9
2016No longer listed: 550i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo.9
EndProduced until 2017, replaced by the 6 Series Gran Turismo (G32).8
2017New: 550i xDrive Gran Turismo (4.4L 8-cyl turbo).9

US model years unless noted. "LCI" (Life Cycle Impulse) is BMW's name for a mid-cycle facelift.

Known problems and when they show up

Mileages are what the cited shops, specialists and owner forums report. They are typical ranges, not predictions for any one car.

N55 engine

535i GT / xDrive (2010–2017) · N55 bulletins

ProblemWhen it shows upWhat to knowRepair prices
Valve cover and gasket leakabout 60,000–100,000 milesBurning-oil smell and oil on the spark plug wells. The plastic cover can also crack, so it is often replaced together with the gasket.1,2,3N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV)
Owners paid: indie shop $930–$1,625 · dealer $1,450–$2,076
Oil filter housing gasket leakabout 50,000–130,000 milesOil drips onto the belt and tensioner. Fix it before the belt is damaged.1,2,3,4N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG)
Owners paid: indie shop $648–$763
Electric water pump and thermostatusually before 100,000 miles; reported failures range from about 30,000 to over 120,000Fails suddenly, often with no warning, then overheats.1,2,3N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat
Plastic charge pipecan crack at any age, even at stock boost; about 40,000–90,000 miles (60,000–150,000 km) per EngineScopeSudden loss of boost and a whoosh under load.1,3N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement
Oil pan gasketusually past 100,000 milesExpensive labor because the subframe must be lowered.1N55 oil pan gasket
Owners paid: indie shop $1,588–$1,900
VANOS solenoidsaround 120,000 milesRough idle and cam timing faults.1VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust)

N63 engine

550i GT / xDrive (2010–2017) · N63 bulletins

ProblemWhen it shows upWhat to knowRepair prices
Oil consumption and valve stem sealsusually a higher-mileage problem; mostly the original N63Blue smoke on start-up or overrun, high oil use, oil-fouled plugs. BMW published a dedicated procedure and tool for N63TU/S63TU valve seals (SI B11 01 17).5N63 valve stem seals (oil burning / blue smoke)
N63 Customer Care Package itemsany mileage; 2009–2014 carsBMW's Customer Care Package (SIB 11 06 14) checks and replaces, as needed: air mass sensors, piezo injectors, vacuum pump, low-pressure fuel sensor and line, turbo intake seals and crankcase vent hoses. It lists F01/F02/F04/F07 to 6/2012, F10 to 7/2013, F12/F13 to 7/2012, E70 to 6/2013, E71 to 6/2014 and E72. Ask a dealer whether the VIN has had it.6No price yet
Turbo coolant lines, valve cover gaskets and timing chaincommonly 70,000+ milesThe heat of the "hot vee" layout ages rubber and plastic parts. The N63TU (from mid-2012 to 2013, by model) revised the timing chain, VANOS, crankcase ventilation and cooling.7,6N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V)
Owners paid: dealer $2,000–$3,202

Warranty extensions and service campaigns 29

Warranty extensions (28)

Showing 15 of 28.

Service campaigns (1)

Filed by BMW with NHTSA. Extensions usually follow the car to later owners and can reimburse earlier repairs; a BMW dealer can confirm by VIN.

NHTSA safety recalls 8

  • Recall 18V248: engine 550I, 550I GRAN TURISMO, 650I, 750I, 750LI, 760LI, ACTIVE HYBRID 7, ACTIVEHYBRID 7, X5, X5 M, X6, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID, X6 M, 2008–2012. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
  • Recall 17V067: constant velocity joint 1 SERIES M, 135I, 335D, 335I, 535I, 535I GRAN TURISMO, 550I GRAN TURISMO, 740I, 740LI, Z4, 2011–2012. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
  • Recall 16V746: fuel pump 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, 528I, 535I, 535I ACTIVEHYBRID, 550I, 640I, 650I, X5, X6, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID, 2007–2012. 0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDri
  • Recall 14V176: engine 128I, 135I, 328I, 335I, 528I, 535I, 535I GRAN TURISMO, 640I, X3 SAV, X5 SAV, X6 SAV, Z4, 2010–2012. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
  • Recall 12V161: turbo/supercharger 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, 6 SERIES, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, X6 SAV, 2011–2012. BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2012 6-SERIES CONVERTIBLE, 7-SERIES, X5 SAV, AND X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY WATER PUMP CAN OVERHEAT.
  • Recall 11V521: turbo/supercharger 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, 7-SERIES, X5, X6, 2008–2011. BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 7-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 X5 SAV, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 X6 SAV VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8- OR 12-CYLINDER, TURBOCHARGED, ENGINES BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE ELECTRIC AUXILI
  • Recall 10V331: fuel gauge system 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO, 2010–2011. BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2010 AND 2011 5-SERIES AND 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 12 THROUGH JULY 1, 2010.
  • Recall 10V047: labels 550I GRAN TURISMO, 7-SERIES, 2009–2010. BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 7-SERIES AND MODEL YEAR 2010 550i GRAND TURISMO VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLE'S ARE EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE PRESSURE LABEL INDICATING THAT THE V

Matched from NHTSA's public recall file by model and model year. A recall may cover only some cars from a year, and it may already have been done on yours. Check by VIN →

Test drive and inspection checklist

  1. Run the VIN for open recalls. Open safety recalls are free at any BMW dealer. Check on NHTSA's site or our recall page before you buy.10
  2. Scan for stored fault codes with a BMW-capable tool. A generic OBD reader misses most BMW modules. Specialist guides recommend a BMW-level scan (ISTA or similar) to catch faults that have been cleared from the dash but still stored.11,12
  3. Start it from cold. Ask the seller not to warm the car up first. Chain rattle, VANOS rattle, lifter tick and rough idle show most clearly in the first seconds after a cold start.11,13,14
  4. Ask a BMW dealer about warranty extensions and campaigns. Several BMW warranty extensions follow the car, not the owner, and some reimburse earlier repairs. A dealer can check the VIN. The list for this chassis is below.
  5. Get a pre-purchase inspection from a BMW specialist. A few hundred dollars for an independent BMW specialist is the usual advice, especially for M cars and high-mileage turbo engines.15,11

Engine items to listen and look for are in the known problems section.

Service-history red flags

  • Oil changes only at the long computer interval. Several guides advise changing oil more often than the onboard service indicator (CBS) suggests, especially with lots of city driving.14,16
  • Gaps in the records around known failure mileages. If the engine section below lists a job that usually comes due at the car's mileage, ask for the invoice. A missing record isn't proof it wasn't done, but it is a negotiating point.
  • Tuned or "deleted" cars. Tunes, emissions deletes and removed parts complicate warranty claims and inspections and raise wear on turbo cars. Ask, and look for aftermarket intakes, downpipes and charge pipes.
  • N55: ask for records of Valve cover and gasket leak; Oil filter housing gasket leak; Electric water pump and thermostat; Plastic charge pipe; Oil pan gasket; VANOS solenoids.
  • N63: ask for records of Oil consumption and valve stem seals; N63 Customer Care Package items; Turbo coolant lines, valve cover gaskets and timing chain.

F07 specs

BMW's US figures we have on file run from 300 hp (535i Gran Turismo) to 445 hp (550i xDrive Gran Turismo), with 0-60 mph as quick as 4.7 s.

No manual gearbox appears in the EPA listings for this chassis. Full F07 specs: every US engine, transmission and drive by year →

Factory paint and option codes

Paint colors BMW of North America listed for the F07 in the ordering and pricing guides we read:

CodeColorModel years
300Alpine White2017
416Carbon Black Metallic2017
475Black Sapphire Metallic2017
668Jet Black2017
A52Space Gray Metallic2017
A72Cashmere Silver Metallic2017
A83Glacier Silver Metallic2017
A89Imperial Blue Metallic2017
A90Dark Graphite Metallic2017
A96Mineral White Metallic2017
B03Damask Red Metallic2017
B64Callisto Grey Metallic2017
B65Jatoba Brown Metallic2017

93 option codes are listed for the F07 in the same guides. Search them.

Only model years covered by the guides we could obtain are shown.

Coding

The coding apps' own lists show 158 settings that owners can change on the F07 with a phone and an OBD adapter, in areas such as Seat heating/cooling, Convenient opening/closing, Display options iDrive system, Audio, Headlight cleaning, Display options instrument cluster. 138 come from BimmerCode's list and 20 more appear only in Carly's list.

Full F07 coding list with tool, difficulty and caveats →

Ownership costs

Routine maintenance: oil service prices by engine size, published BMW Value Service prices (brakes, spark plugs) from 16 US dealers, and the F07 maintenance schedule.

Repairs we price that apply to the F07

"Owners paid" is the middle 50% of sourced owner prices across chassis with the same engine. Each job page reprices for your ZIP.

By model year

YearModels and enginesNHTSA recallsWarranty extensionsRepairs we price
2010535i GT / xDrive N55
550i GT / xDrive N63 V8
61610
Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%)
2011535i GT / xDrive N55
550i GT / xDrive N63 V8
71610
Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%)
2012535i GT / xDrive N55
550i GT / xDrive N63 V8
51710
Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%)
2013535i GT / xDrive N55
550i GT / xDrive N63 V8
02010
Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%)
2014535i GT / xDrive N55
550i GT / xDrive N63 V8
01910
Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%)
2015535i GT / xDrive N55
550i GT / xDrive N63 V8
01910
Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%)
2016535i GT / xDrive N55
550i GT / xDrive N63 V8
02010
Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%)
2017535i GT / xDrive N55
550i GT / xDrive N63 V8
01710
Priciest: N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V), owners paid up to $3,202 (dealer, middle 50%)

Recalls and warranty extensions are counted when their published model-year range includes that year. Each one may cover only some cars, so check by VIN. Repairs counted are the ones whose engine was offered that year.

Production

WhatUnitsSource
Sixth-generation 5 Series family sold, including the Gran Turismo
BMW does not break out the Gran Turismo
more than 2 millionBMW UK media information

Figures are copied as each source publishes them (retrieved October 18, 2026). "Sold" figures are BMW's reported sales, not production counts. Where we add numbers up, they come from one source. We leave out anything that hasn't been published.

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