BMW F11 Buyer Guide: 5 Series (2010-2017)
The F11 is the Touring (estate) variant of the F10 sixth-generation BMW 5 Series, sold in the UK from 2010 to 2017. Same engines as the F10 saloon, same trims, same chassis-level concerns, plus Touring-specific items: standard rear self-levelling air suspension (universal failure mode), panoramic glass roof drainage maintenance if fitted, and a commonly-fitted electric tailgate. No F11 M5 was built; F10 M5 was saloon only.
Quick verdict
The F11 is the family-distance hauler of the F10 generation and carries the same buying logic plus a few Touring-specific items. Post-LCI cars (mid-2013 onwards) get the better B47 and B57 diesels, ULEZ-compliant. The buying trade-off vs F10 saloon is the standard rear air suspension (£400 to £800 per side past 80,000 miles, every F11 has it), more emphasis on the panoramic roof drainage if fitted, and Touring practicality you can't get on the saloon.
What is the BMW F11?
Most F11s in UK classifieds are 2014 to 2016 LCI 520d Touring M Sport diesels with the optional electric tailgate and panoramic roof. That's the modal F11. The 530d Touring xDrive is the family-distance pick. The 550i Touring (N63 V8) is very rare in UK and carries the same £2,500 coolant pipe long-tail expense as the saloon. The M550d Touring (tri-turbo N57S) is also rare but well-regarded among family-hauler enthusiasts.
The F10 Touring is the family-distance hauler of the F-generation 5 Series. Heavy ex-fleet presence; the 520d Touring is the modal car. Cargo capacity 560L seats up, 1,670L seats folded, with rear self-levelling air suspension standard. No F11 M5 was built; F10 M5 was saloon only.
| Series | 5 Series |
|---|---|
| Body style | Touring (estate) |
| Generation | 6 |
| UK production years | 2010 to 2017 |
| Predecessor | E61 |
| Successor | G31 |
| LCI (facelift) year | 2013 |
| Related chassis | F10 (Saloon (the saloon sister)), F07 (5 Series Gran Turismo), F18 (Long Wheelbase (China only; no Touring variant)) |
| Length / Width / Wheelbase | 4907 / 1860 / 2968 mm |
Pre-LCI vs LCI: what changed
BMW launched the F11 in September 2010 as the Touring companion to the F10 saloon. LCI in July 2013 tracked the F10: B47 replaced N47, B57 replaced N57, N20 came into the 528i mid-cycle, iDrive moved from CIC to NBT, LED headlight option added, refreshed bumpers. Cars registered after roughly September 2013 are the LCI cars and the safer pick for daily London use.
Engines and which to choose
For most UK Touring buyers, the 520d (B47, post-LCI) is the right F11. The 530d (B57, post-LCI) is the long-distance family pick, especially in xDrive form. The 535i (N55) is the ULEZ-compliant petrol six. The 550i (N63 V8) Touring is very rare and only makes sense if you accept the £2,500 coolant transfer pipe job. Avoid pre-LCI N47 diesels without timing-chain receipts.
| Badge | Engine | Years | Power | Fuel | ULEZ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 518d | N47 |
2013-2014 | 143 bhp | diesel | No | Entry diesel; rare in Touring |
| 518d | B47 |
2014-2016 | 150 bhp | diesel | Yes | ULEZ-compliant LCI |
| 520d | N47 |
2010-2014 | 184 bhp | diesel | No | Most common F11 diesel; pre-LCI; verify EGR recall and timing-chain |
| 520d | B47 |
2014-2017 | 190 bhp | diesel | Yes | ULEZ-compliant LCI; the modal post-2014 F11 |
| 520d EfficientDynamics | B47 |
2014-2017 | 190 bhp | diesel | Yes | Eco-tuned with longer gearing |
| 525d | N57 |
2012-2016 | 218 bhp | diesel | No | Smaller-displacement N57; not ULEZ-compliant |
| 530d | N57 |
2010-2013 | 245 bhp | diesel | No | Pre-LCI; family-distance pick; not ULEZ-compliant |
| 530d | B57 |
2014-2017 | 258 bhp | diesel | Yes | LCI; ULEZ-compliant; the strongest F11 family pick |
| 535d | N57 |
2010-2013 | 313 bhp | diesel | No | Bi-turbo N57; not ULEZ-compliant |
| 535d | B57 |
2014-2017 | 313 bhp | diesel | Yes | Bi-turbo LCI; ULEZ-compliant; top F11 diesel |
| M550d | N57S |
2012-2016 | 381 bhp | diesel | No | Tri-turbo halo diesel Touring; very rare; actuator history is the long-tail expense |
| 520i | N20 |
2011-2016 | 184 bhp | petrol | Yes | N20 timing-chain risk on pre-2017 builds |
| 528i | N20 |
2011-2016 | 245 bhp | petrol | Yes | N20 turbo six-replacement; rare as Touring |
| 535i | N55 |
2010-2017 | 306 bhp | petrol | Yes | Single-turbo inline-six; rare in Touring |
| 550i | N63 |
2010-2017 | 449 bhp | petrol | Yes | N63 V8 Touring; coolant transfer pipe is the £2,000+ long-tail expense; very rare |
Engine codes link to the dedicated reliability guide where one exists. Codes without a guide link to the chassis × engine reference until the engine page is published.
ULEZ status by year and engine
Identical to F10 saloon. All F11 petrols are ULEZ-compliant from launch. F11 diesels are split by LCI: pre-LCI N47 / N57 are Euro 5 (NOT compliant), post-LCI B47 / B57 are Euro 6 (compliant). Transition around September 2013 production. Verify the V5 emissions class.
Common F11-specific problems
Chassis-level failure modes only: body, electrics, infotainment, suspension, ancillaries. Engine-specific faults (timing chain, EGR, DPF) live on the engine guides linked above.
| Failure mode | Severity | Frequency | Typical onset | UK repair range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear self-levelling air suspension bag failure | Moderate | Common | 80 to 130k mi | £400 to £800 |
| Coolant transfer pipe failure (550i N63 V8 only) | Serious | Common | 70 to 130k mi | £2,000 to £3,500 |
| Electric water pump failure | Moderate | Very common | 60 to 110k mi | £500 to £750 |
| Electric tailgate motor or sensor failure | Mild | Common | 60 to 130k mi | £40 to £500 |
| iDrive CIC head unit freeze (pre-LCI cars) | Mild | Common | 60 to 130k mi | £80 to £450 |
| Rear lower control arm bushes | Moderate | Very common | 80 to 130k mi | £350 to £550 |
| Panoramic glass roof drainage blockage (cars with the option) | Moderate | Common | 40 to 130k mi | £50 to £200 |
Rear self-levelling air suspension bag failure
- Car sitting noticeably lower at the rear in the morning
- Suspension warning light
- Compressor running for extended periods on cold starts
- Visible age cracking on the rubber air bag
What to do about it: Replace failed air bag promptly. OEM bags around £200 to £350 per side in parts; 3 hours specialist labour per side. Replace both sides if one has failed past 100k.
If ignored: Drivable but increasingly uncomfortable, especially loaded. Eventual MOT failure. Compressor wear from extended running.
UK repair exposure: £400 to £800.
Additional notes: STANDARD on F11 Touring (unlike F10 saloon where it's optional). Every F11 has this failure mode; plan for it past 80,000 miles.
Coolant transfer pipe failure (550i N63 V8 only)
- Persistent coolant loss with no visible external leak
- Sweet coolant smell from the engine bay
- Coolant pooling at the back of the engine valley
- Eventual overheating
What to do about it: Replace the cross-over coolant pipe at 100,000 miles. Sits under the intake manifold; manifold removal required. £2,000 to £3,500 at indie. BMW issued service campaigns for some markets.
If ignored: Sudden total coolant loss, engine overheats, head gasket damage. Worst case engine replacement £8,000+.
UK repair exposure: £2,000 to £3,500.
Recall / TSB: BMW Customer Care Package on some US-market N63 cars. UK buyers verify with BMW dealer.
Additional notes: Applies only to 550i N63 V8. Other F11 engines not affected. Very rare as Touring.
Electric water pump failure
- Coolant warning light
- Heater blowing cold while engine is at temperature
- Coolant pump fault codes
- Engine overheating in stop-start traffic
What to do about it: Replace pump and thermostat together between 80,000 and 100,000 miles. Around 2 hours specialist labour.
If ignored: Engine overheats, head gasket damage, £1,500+ repair before knock-on damage.
UK repair exposure: £500 to £750.
Additional notes: Universal F-chassis petrol issue. Same pattern as F10.
Electric tailgate motor or sensor failure
- Tailgate stops mid-cycle and won't open or close
- Auto-open fails on key-fob press
- Tailgate falls or drifts under its own weight
What to do about it: Replacement gas struts (£40 to £80 each) when tailgate begins to fall. Replacement motor unit (£250 to £450 fitted) when motor fails.
If ignored: Tailgate becomes manual; cosmetic from buying perspective.
UK repair exposure: £40 to £500.
Additional notes: Common option on M Sport and high-spec F11. Cars without it don't have this failure mode.
iDrive CIC head unit freeze (pre-LCI cars)
- iDrive screen freezes or reboots
- Bluetooth or media playback drops
- Reverse camera fails to engage
What to do about it: Reflash CIC firmware at indie BMW specialist; £80 to £200. Post-LCI cars use NBT and rarely show this failure.
If ignored: Cosmetic; car still drives.
UK repair exposure: £80 to £450.
Additional notes: Only applies to pre-LCI F11 (2010 to mid-2013) with CIC. LCI cars use NBT.
Rear lower control arm bushes
- Knocking from the rear over potholes
- Loose-feeling rear end on sweeping roads
- MOT advisory for rear lower arm bush deterioration
- Uneven rear tyre wear
What to do about it: Replace both sides with a four-wheel alignment. Touring carries more rear-axle weight on average, wear can appear sooner on heavily-loaded cars.
If ignored: Rear geometry drifts, premature tyre wear, MOT failure.
UK repair exposure: £350 to £550.
Additional notes: Universal F-chassis wear item.
Panoramic glass roof drainage blockage (cars with the option)
- Water dripping inside on heavy rain
- Wet headlining around the roof rails
- Pooling water in either front footwell or rear corners
What to do about it: Clear roof drainage tubes annually. Each corner has a drain that runs down the A or C pillar. £20 DIY or £50 to £100 at indie.
If ignored: Water reaches headlining, soaks carpet, can damage BCM under front carpet. £500+ repair if persistent.
UK repair exposure: £50 to £200.
Additional notes: Common option on F11. Cars with the standard solid roof don't have this failure mode.
MOT advisory patterns
Typical MOT advisories aggregated across UK F30 records. Not all will be present on any given car, but at 80,000+ miles you should expect at least two from this list:
- Rear lower control arm bushes deteriorating
- Rear air suspension bag age cracking (universal on F11)
- Brake disc corrosion on rear axle
- Anti-roll bar drop links worn
- Run-flat tyre sidewall damage from kerbing
- Damp signs in load bay (panoramic roof drain check on cars with the option)
UK trim levels
The UK trim ladder for the F11, in roughly ascending order of equipment and used premium.
| Trim | Description |
|---|---|
| SE | Base trim. Cloth or part-leather seats, 17 inch alloys. |
| Modern | Light-colour interior accents and light wood. Less common than M Sport. |
| Luxury | Chrome and wood trim, premium leather, quieter ride. |
| M Sport | Most common UK trim. M body kit, lowered sport suspension, sport seats, 18 to 19 inch M alloys. |
| M Sport Plus | M Sport plus Adaptive Drive, heated seats, Harman Kardon, sun protection glass. |
Options worth chasing
The factory options below add measurable used premium or change the ownership experience meaningfully.
| Option | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Panoramic glass roof | Common F11 option. Adds light; introduces drainage maintenance. Worth £300 to £600 used premium. |
| Electric tailgate | Useful with hands full. Common on M Sport. Failure: £40 to £500. |
| Adaptive Drive (active anti-roll + EDC) | Transforms cornering composure on a Touring carrying load. Worth £500 to £1,000 used premium. |
| Integral Active Steering | Rear-wheel steering option; long-tail module fault cost £800 to £1,500. |
| Comfort Access (keyless entry and start) | Useful but battery-drain failure mode if aerial fails. |
| Head-Up Display | Popular UK option. Worth £400 to £700 used premium. |
| Harman Kardon hi-fi or B&O | Harman Kardon £400 to £700 premium. B&O is rarer and adds £1,000 to £1,500. |
| Adaptive LED headlights | Standard on later M Sport; big improvement on country roads. |
| Reversing camera + Surround View | Standard on most LCI M Sport. Surround View is the four-camera 360 system. |
| iDrive NBT vs CIC | NBT (post-LCI 2013) is the buy. CIC (pre-LCI) is documented failure-prone. |
| Roof rails and roof box mountings | Standard on M Sport from facelift. Useful for family Touring use. |
| Heated rear seats | Useful family upgrade on Touring; less common option. |
UK market pricing (2026)
| Example car | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 to 2012 520d SE Touring, 130,000+ miles | £3,800 to £5,500 | Pre-LCI N47, not ULEZ. Touring premium over saloon: around £300 to £600. |
| 2013 LCI 520d M Sport Touring, 100,000 miles | £7,000 to £9,500 | Late N47 or early B47; verify by V5. |
| 2015 520d M Sport Touring, 80,000 miles | £10,000 to £13,500 | Sweet-spot used buy. B47, ULEZ-compliant. |
| 2016 530d M Sport Touring xDrive, 70,000 miles | £13,500 to £17,500 | Strong family-distance pick; B57 diesel, ULEZ-compliant. |
| 2014 535i M Sport Touring, 80,000 miles | £11,500 to £14,500 | N55 single-turbo; ULEZ-compliant; rare as Touring. |
| 2014 550i M Sport Touring, 80,000 miles | £12,500 to £18,000 | N63 V8 Touring; very rare. Verify coolant pipe history. |
| 2014 M550d Touring, 80,000 miles | £16,500 to £22,000 | Tri-turbo Touring; very rare. Actuator history is the buying conversation. |
Price ranges are indicative UK figures for 2026 based on common AutoTrader listings. Real prices vary by region, history, and condition. View live AutoTrader listings for this chassis →
Pre-purchase checklist (F11-specific)
Add these F11-specific checks on top of our generic UK used-BMW inspection checklist:
- Park overnight at viewing. Sagging at the rear is a £400 to £800 per-side air-bag job; budget both sides past 100k.
- If panoramic glass roof is fitted: check the headlining and load bay corners for damp. Annual drain clearance is £50 to £200 if missed.
- Test the electric tailgate if fitted. Two open and close cycles, check obstruction sensor.
- Same F10 checks otherwise: N47 cold-start rattle on pre-LCI, FRM3 module, water pump status, rear bushes, EGR recall on diesels.
- On a 550i (N63 V8) Touring: confirm the coolant transfer pipe has been replaced. If not, factor £2,000 to £3,500.
- Verify the cargo cover and luggage net are present. Replacement OEM cargo cover £200 to £350.
- Check the rear suspension by pushing down on each rear corner. Sluggish rebound suggests compressor or air bag is degrading.
Buy, negotiate, or walk away
Buy
Post-September-2013 LCI build with B47 diesel or B57 diesel, M Sport trim, full service history, electric water pump and rear bushes done within recent history, rear air suspension level, panoramic roof drains clear if fitted, EGR recall completed on diesels.
Negotiate
Pre-LCI N47 diesel without chain receipts (£1,500 to £2,500 risk + no ULEZ). 550i Touring N63 without coolant pipe replacement (£2,000 to £3,500). Sagging rear air suspension (£400 to £800 per side). Outstanding rear bush MOT advisory. iDrive CIC freezing on pre-LCI cars.
Walk away
Sagging rear air suspension AND damp headlining AND no service history past 100k. 550i Touring with documented overheating events. M550d with no actuator history past 80k. Salvage or write-off on HPI.
Long-term ownership verdict
Properly maintained, an F11 will run to 250,000+ miles regardless of engine. Same chassis as F10 saloon; equally well-resolved. Touring-specific failures (rear air suspension is universal, panoramic roof drains, electric tailgate) are all addressable for under £1,000 each. The B47 diesel and N55 petrol are the strongest engine choices for long-term value. The N63 V8 Touring is rewarding to own if you've factored in the coolant pipe; otherwise it's the same trap as the saloon. Buy on the service file, not the spec sheet.
Related chassis
The F11 shares its platform with related body styles and performance variants. Each is a different car with different fault patterns and a different used market.
Bimmer.AI is designed to help you identify BMW-specific buyer risks before you travel, negotiate, or pay for an inspection. It does not replace a physical inspection by a qualified mechanic, a legal vehicle-history check (e.g. HPI Check), or independent verification of finance, stolen, or write-off status. Repair-cost ranges are indicative UK figures that vary by region, specialist, parts supply, and labour rates.
Check a specific F11 listing
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Run a Bimmer.AI buyer report →Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW F11 Touring reliable?
Generally yes, with the same engine-dependent caveats as F10 saloon. The chassis is well-resolved; main F11-specific concerns are the standard rear self-levelling air suspension (universal failure mode at 80,000 to 130,000 miles, £400 to £800 per side), the panoramic glass roof drainage if fitted, and the electric tailgate motor on cars with the option. Otherwise: identical buying logic to F10.
What's the difference between F10 and F11?
Same generation, two body styles. F10 is the saloon, F11 is the Touring (5-door estate). They share all engines except F10 M5 (saloon only; no M5 Touring was built in F-generation). The F11 has rear self-levelling air suspension as standard (optional on F10 saloon), and is more commonly fitted with the panoramic glass roof and electric tailgate options.
Is the F11 520d Touring ULEZ-compliant?
Same answer as F10 saloon: depends on the build date. Pre-LCI N47 is Euro 5 (not compliant). Post-LCI B47 is Euro 6 (compliant). Transition around September 2013. Verify on the V5 emissions class.
Is the rear air suspension a problem on the F11?
Not a problem when it's working; it provides genuinely better ride quality on a Touring carrying load. It does eventually fail (the air bags age at 80,000 to 130,000 miles, £400 to £800 per side). It is STANDARD on every F11 (unlike F10 saloon where it's optional). Plan for it as a known F11 cost. Cars where both sides have been replaced are slightly more attractive used buys.
How much should I pay for a 2015 F11 520d M Sport Touring?
In 2026, expect £10,000 to £13,500 with 80,000 miles, full service history and M Sport. Touring premium over an equivalent F10 saloon: around £300 to £600. Options that add a meaningful used premium: panoramic glass roof, electric tailgate, M Sport Plus (Adaptive Drive + Harman Kardon + heated seats), Head-Up Display.
Which F11 engine should I buy?
For UK daily use: 520d B47 (post-LCI, ULEZ-compliant). For long-distance family: 530d B57 xDrive Touring. For petrol: 535i N55 if you can find one. The 550i Touring is very rare and only sensible if you've factored in the £2,500 coolant pipe job. Avoid 525d and pre-LCI N47 diesels without timing-chain history.
Why is there no F11 M5 Touring?
BMW built the F10 M5 as saloon only (2011 to 2016, S63 V8). No M5 Touring in F-generation. The most recent M5 Touring (G99, on the current G60 generation) returned in 2024. F11 buyers wanting M-performance get the M550d (tri-turbo diesel, 381 bhp) or 535i (single-turbo petrol, 306 bhp).
How long will an F11 last?
200,000 to 250,000+ miles is realistic with documented servicing, exactly the same as F10. Touring usage tends to be heavier (cargo, dog, family) so rear suspension bushes and air bags do age slightly faster than on a saloon. Still no structural concerns.
Should I buy an F11 with panoramic glass roof?
Worth having if you keep the drains clear. The panoramic roof has four drainage tubes; clogged drains cause water ingress into headlining and footwell, which can damage Body Control Module under the carpet. Annual clearance is £20 DIY or £50 to £100 at indie. Cars where drains have been maintained are fine; cars with damp signs at viewing need careful inspection.