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BMW F10 5 Series common problems & repair costs

2011–2016 · 528i/535i/550i, xDrive versions (N20, N55, N63). The repairs that come up most on the F10, the symptoms owners describe, and what each costs at a dealer or an independent shop.

Last updated

At a glance

ProblemEngineIndependent shopDealer
N20 timing chain replacementN20 / N26$2,769–$3,101
owners paid $2,375–$2,832		$3,416–$4,858
owners paid $3,550–$5,000
N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG)N55$610–$760
owners paid $648–$763		$1,492–$1,970
N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV)N55$1,225–$1,547
owners paid $930–$1,625		$2,017–$2,557
owners paid $1,450–$2,076
N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostatN52, N54, N55$758–$1,259$1,841–$2,250
N55 oil pan gasketN55$1,066–$2,020
owners paid $1,588–$1,900		$1,705–$2,900
VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust)N20, N52, N54, N55, B46/B48, B58$549–$703$973–$1,199
N55 ignition coils (all six)N55$355–$789$1,064–$1,299
N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacementN55$650–$855$1,287–$1,629
ZF 8-speed automatic transmission fluid and pan/filter serviceZF 8HP automatic behind the N55, B58 and others$535–$789$1,080–$1,515
N63 valve stem seals (oil burning / blue smoke)N63 / N63TU$6,290–$8,208$16,673–$21,989
N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V)N63 / N63TU$509–$754$903–$1,309
owners paid $2,000–$3,202
N63 valve cover gaskets (both banks)N63 / N63TU$2,772$5,583–$7,425

Estimates are national averages; each repair page re-prices for your ZIP. "Owners paid" is the middle of the real prices we sourced. Buying a F10? Run the pre-purchase VIN check →

N20 timing chain replacement

N20 / N26 (2.0L turbo 4-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Whining/whirring noise from the front of the engine, rising with RPM
  • Rattle on cold start
  • Check-engine light with camshaft/crankshaft correlation faults
  • In the worst case, plastic guide breaks and the chain fails (major engine damage)

Which cars and when

2012–2015 F30 320i/328i, F32 428i, F10 528i, F25 X3 28i, E84 X1 28i, F22 228i, Z4 sDrive28i (N26 = SULEV 328i). Problem mainly on pre-2016 builds per owners.

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 62k mi, 86.6k mi, 95k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

N20 timing chain replacement: prices, 8 sourced quotes →

N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG)

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Oil on the serpentine belt / tensioner pulley (belt can shred)
  • Burning-oil smell after driving
  • Oil on the coolant hose at the cylinder head
  • Oil seeping down the front of the engine

Which cars and when

2011–2018 335i/435i/535i/640i, X3/X4 35i, X5/X6 35i, M235i/M2 (N55), 135i (2011–12)

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 160k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

  • SIB 11 13 15 Oil filter housing leak Oil filter housing leak on BMW E60/E84/E89/E90 and other models (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Aug 2015
  • SIB 11 05 15 N20 and N55 Engine N20 and N55 Engine on N20/N55 engines (2011–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015

N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG): prices, 15 sourced quotes →

N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV)

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Oil leak at the valve cover edge; burning oil smell
  • Rough idle / misfire, whistling at idle (failed PCV — integrated in the cover)
  • Oil in the spark plug wells

Which cars and when

2011–2018 335i/435i/535i, X3/X4/X5/X6 35i, M235i, 135i (2011–12)

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 85k mi, 90k mi, 107k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV): prices, 14 sourced quotes →

N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat

N52, N54, N55 (3.0L 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Coolant temperature warning / 'Engine hot' message
  • Reduced power, electric fan running hard
  • Water pump fault codes; sudden failure can leave the car stranded

Which cars and when

2006–2018 328i/335i/535i, X3/X5 (E70/F15) 35i, 135i/M235i, Z4 (E89)

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 56k mi, 91k mi, 165k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

Related BMW bulletins

N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices, 8 sourced quotes →

N55 oil pan gasket

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Oil drips under the engine / film on the pan near the drain plug
  • Oil spots on the driveway
  • Burning smell if oil reaches the exhaust

Which cars and when

2011–2018 335i/435i/535i, X3/X4/X5 35i, M235i/M2; xDrive versions cost more

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 160k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

N55 oil pan gasket: prices, 7 sourced quotes →

VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust)

N20, N52, N54, N55, B46/B48, B58

Symptoms owners report

  • Rough or unstable idle, especially cold
  • Loss of low-end power
  • Check-engine light with camshaft timing faults (e.g. P0010–P0015 range)
  • Worse fuel economy

Which cars and when

Most 2006+ BMW 4- and 6-cylinder gas engines

The sources we have don't establish a typical mileage for this repair.

Related BMW bulletins

  • SIB 11 02 08 VANOS reduced power VANOS reduced power on BMW E46/E60/E61/E70 and other models (2006–2015); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Sep 2020
  • NHTSA 10162395 VANOS rattle VANOS rattle on N55 engines (2006–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2019
  • NHTSA 10162416 VANOS reduced power VANOS reduced power on N54 engines (2006–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2019
  • SIB 01 10 14 VANOS warranty extension VANOS warranty extension on BMW E60/E70/E82/E88 and other models (2009–2013); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Feb 2018

VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust): prices, 1 sourced quotes →

N55 ignition coils (all six)

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Flashing check-engine light and a misfire you can feel, often under load or on cold starts
  • Misfire fault codes for one cylinder (BMW codes 29CD–29D2, OBD P0301–P0306)
  • Rough or shaky idle
  • Engine power reduced message after a misfire
  • The misfire follows the coil when it is swapped to another cylinder

Which cars and when

2011–2016 F30 335i, F32 435i, F10 535i, E90/E92 335i (2011+), F25 X3 35i, F15 X5 35i and other N55 cars. Priced here for the F30 335i.

The sources we have don't establish a typical mileage for this repair.

N55 ignition coils (all six): prices, 0 sourced quotes →

N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement

N55 (3.0L turbo 6-cyl)

Symptoms owners report

  • Sudden loss of power with a loud pop or hiss under boost
  • Engine power reduced / drivetrain malfunction message
  • Check-engine light with boost or mixture faults
  • A whooshing sound under acceleration
  • Cracked plastic pipe at the throttle-body end or where the small vacuum line connects

Which cars and when

F30 335i (2012–2015) and F10 535i (2011–2016); the F30 pipe also fits the F32 435i, F22 M235i, F25 X3 35i and F26 X4 35i

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 50.7k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement: prices, 1 sourced quotes →

ZF 8-speed automatic transmission fluid and pan/filter service

ZF 8HP automatic (8HP45/8HP51/8HP70) behind the N55, B58 and others

Symptoms owners report

  • Harsh, slow or flared shifts, especially 1–2 or 2–3
  • Shudder when pulling away
  • Transmission fluid weep from the plastic pan
  • High mileage (many owners and ZF suggest about 60,000–100,000 miles even though BMW calls it lifetime fill)
  • Transmission malfunction message (have it diagnosed first)

Which cars and when

G05 X5 xDrive40i (B58) and F15 X5 35i (N55); the same service applies to most BMWs with the ZF 8-speed from 2011 on

The sources we have don't establish a typical mileage for this repair.

ZF 8-speed automatic transmission fluid and pan/filter service: prices, 1 sourced quotes →

N63 valve stem seals (oil burning / blue smoke)

N63 / N63TU (4.4L twin-turbo V8)

Symptoms owners report

  • Blue smoke from the exhaust after idling, then accelerating
  • Oil consumption of a quart every few hundred to ~1,000 miles
  • Oily spark plugs / misfires
  • Failed smog (visible smoke)

Which cars and when

2009–2018 550i/550i GT, 650i, 750i/750Li, X5 xDrive50i (E70/F15), X6 xDrive50i (E71/F16). Original N63 most affected.

The sources we have don't establish a typical mileage for this repair.

Related BMW bulletins

N63 valve stem seals (oil burning / blue smoke): prices, 6 sourced quotes →

N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V)

N63 / N63TU (4.4L twin-turbo V8)

Symptoms owners report

  • Low coolant warning with no puddle
  • Sweet coolant smell or white vapor from the top/back of the engine
  • Coolant crust on the plastic Y-connector under the turbos
  • Drips on the alternator

Which cars and when

2009–2018 550i, 650i, 750i/750Li (F01 and G11/G12), X5/X6 xDrive50i (E70/E71/F15/F16)

Mileage in the owner reports we sourced: 25k mi. These are individual cars, not a typical failure point.

N63 turbo coolant lines (coolant leak in the hot V): prices, 9 sourced quotes →

N63 valve cover gaskets (both banks)

N63 / N63TU (4.4L twin-turbo V8)

Symptoms owners report

  • Burning-oil smell (oil drips onto the hot turbos/manifolds in the V)
  • Smoke from the engine bay
  • Oil around spark plug wells / misfires

Which cars and when

2009–2018 550i, 650i, 750i, X5/X6 xDrive50i

The sources we have don't establish a typical mileage for this repair.

N63 valve cover gaskets (both banks): prices, 1 sourced quotes →

BMW warranty extensions that list the F10

If a car qualifies, the listed repair may be free. Check eligibility for the VIN with a BMW center.

More for the F10

F10 repair costs F10 maintenance schedule & costs All F10 service bulletins

Sources: the owner posts linked on each repair page, BMW service bulletins filed with NHTSA (public data), and our estimates. Not affiliated with BMW.

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