BMW 520i
Modular four-cylinder turbo, the workhorse of the current model range. Very broad power spectrum from 135 to 306 hp. Reliable; watch oil consumption and turbocharger at high mileage.
Solid Turbo Petrol
Reliable four-cylinder turbo — competent in everyday use, but without a goosebump moment.
Engine Weaknesses 6
Timing chain guide rail can break; chain jump and engine damage follows. More common on early production years and with spirited driving.
Symptoms: Rattling, clattering from the engine, sudden power loss, engine damage
Oil filter housing with integrated oil/water heat exchanger leaks. Coolant loss and overheating risk from about 60,000 km.
Symptoms: Coolant level warning, oil puddle under engine, overheating
A plastic bleed line between the cylinder head and expansion tank becomes porous and breaks. Coolant loss follows; the mounting location is difficult to access, so labour costs dominate.
Symptoms: Dropping coolant level; coolant warning on the instrument cluster; faint sweet smell; no visible puddle under the car
The wastegate linkage on the B48 turbocharger has too much play by design and rattles, especially on cold start and at low revs. BMW offers a repair kit (e-actuator 11655A7A286) as a goodwill measure.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling or clattering from the turbo area on cold start and at idle; disappears at higher revs
As a direct-injection engine the B48 does not wash the intake valves with fuel. Oil vapour from crankcase ventilation and EGR gases form deposits that reduce flow and cause misfires.
Symptoms: Stumbling on cold start; power loss at high revs; rough idle; increased fuel consumption
The crankcase ventilation (PCV) integrated into the valve cover wears out and allows oil into the intake tract. Because PCV and valve cover are a single unit on the B48, the entire cover must be replaced.
Symptoms: Increased oil consumption (>0.5 L/1,000 km); blue smoke on cold start; oil in the intake line; rough idle
Vehicle Weaknesses 20
BMW recalled several G60 models from 2023–2024 due to faulty cell contacts in the high-voltage battery. A defect can cause discharge and present a fire risk.
BMW recalled the 5 Series G60/G61 because a misrouted cockpit wiring harness can be damaged during pollen filter replacement. A short circuit can cause fire. KBA 16187R.
The AdBlue dosing system crystallises during long standstill or at low temperatures. Fault code 26F500 appears. NOx sensor is a classic wear point. Repair is expensive.
The flex disc (Hardy disc) in the drivetrain often cracks before 100,000 km. BMW sometimes covers it under goodwill. Replacement including prop shaft can cost 2,000 €.
A signal fault in the motor position sensor of the integrated brake system can deactivate the hydraulic brake assist. ABS and DSC fail. BMW replaces the entire IBS free of charge.
The M5 G90 weighs around 2,435 kg as a PHEV — approximately 500 kg more than the F90 predecessor. The extra weight affects dynamics and causes understeer in tight corners. The system is still very new and long-term data is lacking.
Related BMW PHEV models such as the X5 50e show CCU (Combined Charging Unit) failures below 2,000 km. Whether the M5 G90 uses identical components and is affected remains unclear — the model is too new for reliable data.
Traffic sign recognition, TPMS sensors, digital instrument cluster, and lane/parking assistance failures are frequently reported. Usually resolved by software updates.
Various suspension components (top mounts, drop links, control arms) wear out. Air suspension on the G31 Touring is a known weak point. Rear lighting fails due to wiring breaks.
The G30's iDrive system tends to crash and restart sporadically. Navigation, Bluetooth, and CarPlay are intermittently unavailable. Software updates usually only help temporarily.
Especially on M Sport vehicles, the front brakes squeal when braking lightly. BMW acknowledged the issue and released a revised brake system. No safety risk.
Some G60 drivers report occasional messages that recuperation is not working. After software updates BMW also significantly changed the hybrid drivetrain characteristics, leading to owner complaints.
The new BMW OS 9 operating system in the G60 still has various software bugs: voice control fails, assistant systems falsely deactivate, smartphone pairing is unstable.
On the G60 with M Sport suspension, noises occur at full lock or when parking. BMW dealers recommend shock absorber replacement as the fix — whether the top mount or damper is the root cause has not been conclusively determined.
A quiet rattle from the steering wheel area at 30–60 km/h on uneven road. Cause is a loose airbag pot, not the steering itself. Issue appears to be known but no official service bulletin has been issued.
Wireless CarPlay disconnects from the system sporadically; eSIM shows connection error on startup. Digital key sometimes cannot be set up. Issue occurs reproducibly for several i5 owners — often every third journey.
When steering with M Sport suspension, especially on the 520d xDrive, noises come from the steering area. Dealers in isolated cases recommended shock absorber replacement, which didn't reliably resolve the issue.
Several G60 owners report noticeable steering play and imprecise steering feel, resolved by steering rack replacement under warranty.
G60 owners report Spotify connection drops, incorrect navigation position, and driver assistance failures. Software instability with OS9 systems.
The additional weight of around 500 kg compared to the F90 M5 places considerable strain on the G90's braking system. Despite recuperative braking, mechanical brakes need replacing earlier.