The BMW 5 F10 was unveiled at the Olympic Sports Complex in Munich on November 23, 2009. A quarter later, when the sedan started trading, the German automotive company presented the wagon. Soon after, a large crowd noticed a third type of vehicle of this generation, in a liftback body.
Thus, the BMW 5 Series VI F10, F11, F07 replaced the production line of cars E60 and E61. In addition to these three cars, the concern also produced a version of the car, the F18. It had a longer wheelbase and was intended for sale in the People's Republic of China, Mexico, and the Middle East.
Since 2010, more than a million units have been sold.
Exterior of BMW 5 F10
The design of the sixth generation BMW 5 Series cars is characterized by a corporate style. The car features a striking appearance. The front end is equipped with a rugged optics and «nostrils» that are familiar to everyone.
It is worth noting the «smart» headlights. When the driver turns on the high beam, they automatically switch to low beam when an oncoming vehicle approaches.
The aluminum hood is elongated, the roof is sloping. The fenders and doors are made of the same material, reducing the weight of the car and improving its dynamics. Additionally, this design also minimizes air resistance.
By achieving this, professionals managed to increase the fuel efficiency of the «five.» At the rear, there are two exhaust pipes. Typically, they are either dual or positioned on the sides. The rear features L-shaped optics, creating a sporty style that is characteristic of all vehicles of the Bavarian corporation.
The size of the tires on the BMW F10 depends on the installed engine. The car can be equipped with tires R17, R18, and R19.
It is worth noting that the design of the BMW 5 F10 was created by the Polish expert J. Frolich. The concern decided not to collaborate with C. Bangle, who founded the design solutions of the previous «five.» It did not appeal to many car enthusiasts. According to the recommendations of qualified specialists, the exterior of the cars was a subject of debate. But the design of the BMW F10, judging by the owners' feedback, appealed to almost everyone.
The sedan's dimensions are as follows: length — 4.907m, width — 1.83m, height — 1.464m. The minimum ground clearance is 14.1cm, and the wheelbase is 2.968m.
Headlights
The main optics is equipped with equipment that adjusts the adaptation sometimes in the standard modification of the vehicle. This significantly increases safety and convenience when driving in poor visibility conditions.
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Features include the Head-Up display along with active cruise control.
The safety of the car is at the highest level.
Multiple test drives have confirmed this. As a result of EuroNcap testing, the F10 received five out of five possible stars! Moreover, American experts stated that among all business-class cars, this vehicle is the most reliable.
Another additional feature is the projector, which allows projecting essential information directly onto the windshield (!). The vehicle driver can read it without taking their eyes off the road. The car's safety is also ensured by the all-around view. This system is used by other car manufacturers as well.
It is present in models such as the Nissan Patrol and Infiniti QX56, allowing the car owner to view the car from above on the monitor. As a result, all obstacles, from pedestrians to potholes near the vehicle, can now be seen. This is a useful feature, especially when the car is moving from a stop.
Engine of BMW 5 F10
The BMW F10 has various technological properties. Let's review the engines.
The base option is the rear-wheel-drive model 520i. The car is equipped with a two-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 184 horsepower and direct fuel injection. All this allows the base «five» to accelerate to «a hundred» in 7.9 seconds, maintain a top speed of 235 kilometers per hour, and consume 6.8 liters of fuel per hundred kilometers in various modes.
A similar turbo engine is found in the BMW F10 523i, but with specifications of 2.5 and 204 horsepower. This is why certain differences in characteristics are noted. The acceleration to a hundred in the 523i model is only slightly faster (7.8 seconds), the maximum speed is slightly higher (238 kilometers per hour), and the fuel consumption is greater (7.6 liters).
Switching to all-wheel-drive cars, the BMW F10 528i xDrive is powered by a 3.0-liter engine enhancing 258 horsepower. Therefore, the acceleration period is shortened to 6.6 seconds, the maximum speed is increased to 250 kilometers per hour. The fuel consumption of the BMW 528 F10 engine increases to 7.8 liters.
The 535i and 550i xDrive modifications are equipped with twin-turbo engines.
The power unit size of the main/secondary modification reaches 3 or 4.5 liters, with power of 306 or 408 horsepower. The top speed changes to 250 kilometers per hour, acceleration time — 6/5 seconds, and fuel consumption of the BMW F10 — 8.5 or 10.4 liters.
Additionally, there is the M5 version. Various diesel engines are available.
The «base» is considered to be the 520d sedan with an engine that has a volume of two liters and 185 horsepower. The BMW F10 with a 2.0-liter diesel accelerates in just 8.1 seconds, has a top speed of 228 kilometers per hour, and averages 5.0 liters of fuel consumption.
The most useful installations of this kind are found in the 525d and 530d models. With a volume of 3, the power is 204 or 245 horsepower. The acceleration time is reduced to 7.2/6.3 seconds, the maximum speed is increased to 236 or 250 kilometers per hour, and the diesel consumption is reduced to 7.2 or 6.3 liters.
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The car automatically switches to near-light mode when an oncoming vehicle approaches, and then prepares for a reverse operation. The car owner does not need to switch manually by moving the switch to the corresponding position.
Wheels of BMW 5 F10
The car is equipped with wheel discs ranging from 17 to 19 inches in diameter. The tire size may vary depending on the installed engine to provide the highest dynamics and benefit from good peak speed characteristics.
Bumper
The front bumper features special air intakes that provide the least frontal air resistance and the highest cooling parameters in many areas where necessary, especially in the brake wheel discs of the vehicle.
Interior of BMW 5 F10
The interior of the BMW 5 Series F10 carries on the traditions of the company with high-quality finishing materials. The instrument cluster is traditional — a three-spoke multi-wheel + main console, which is rotated (the angle of rotation is seven degrees Celsius) towards the driver, equipped with music and climate control elements.
It features a 10.25-inch digital screen at its core. It includes the iDrive function, allowing changes to be made to the car's options and various equipment, including the car stereo. The main row consists of ergonomic seats that have a wide adjustment range and a firm profile.
As a function, the comfortable seats in the BMW F10 are equipped with controlled lateral support. Adjustment is carried out by an electric drive. Behind, there is a spacious and comfortable sofa. Indeed, the passenger sitting in the center will be obstructed by the transmission tunnel.
There is also the «door-closing» feature available to the consumer.
The standard equipment includes dual-zone climate control. Optionally, a four-zone system can be installed. The car can be equipped with a night vision device.
The function displays the view on a ten-inch main display. The diagnostics have shown that a pedestrian can be recognized in complete darkness at a distance of three hundred meters. This is supported by the feedback from BMW 5 F10 consumers.
The interior of this car features very functional ambient lighting. However, different people have different tastes, so some consumers are not satisfied with the basic equipment. Anticipating this, the manufacturer may offer to customize the interior lighting of the BMW F10.
The «Five» can be equipped with an instrument panel in four variants.
In the standard version, the numbers are white, and the dial circles are steel. During the day, almost nothing is illuminated, so the track looks dull. However, in the evening, when the orange backlight is activated, it becomes more exciting and attractive.
Another option is Black. It has enhanced features. In the inactive state, it looks even neater than the standard track. On a dark background, you can still see white circles. But when the door is opened, the illumination is activated (white during the day, orange in the evening) for everything possible.
Then the numbers light up. A spacious screen is located directly below the speedometer, occupying the entire space. This «dark panel» is the most adorned and informative.
The next option is the LED instrument panel of the BMW F10. It is 2.5 times larger than the Black variant, but it's now up to the customer's preference. Not everyone may like cartoonish illustrations. Analog gauges are still more familiar.
Lastly, the finishing option is the M panel. In other words, it is the Black panel, but it bears the M label, has red indicator arrows, and displays additional original information about the car's sport mode options.
As you can see, the well-appointed interior of the BMW F10 is designed to provide maximum comfort to everyone seated inside the car. The sedan's trunk volume is 520 liters.
Car Electronics and Reliability
Additionally, the BMW F10 offers a multitude of features that some car owners simply may not be aware of. Let's list some of them.
Furthermore, the F10 comes with functional power steering. All this is thanks to the Servotronic system with an electric power steering. Added to this is a powerful electric brake package. It includes electric assistants and disc segments «all around.»
The system that provides the greatest satisfaction for vehicle control is the Active Steering system (this is mental steering) and the functional regulators of cross stiffness/suspension EDC (adjusting the stiffness of the shock absorbers). Through the menu, the owner can program the exterior lights' ignition time.
The function is called «follow me home.» Additionally, on most cars, the lighting is interrupted when the power unit «freezes.» In the BMW F10, this light does not turn off at night. It stays on for as long as it is predetermined. Some modifications are sometimes equipped with a thermovisor!
Features include the Head-Up display along with active cruise control.
The safety of the car is at the highest level.
Multiple test drives have confirmed this. As a result of EuroNcap testing, the F10 received five out of five possible stars! Moreover, American experts stated that among all business-class cars, this vehicle is the most reliable.
Another additional feature is the projector, which allows projecting essential information directly onto the windshield (!). The vehicle driver can read it without taking their eyes off the road. The car's safety is also ensured by the all-around view. This system is used by other car manufacturers as well.
It is present in models such as the Nissan Patrol and Infiniti QX56, allowing the car owner to view the car from above on the monitor. As a result, all obstacles, from pedestrians to potholes near the vehicle, can now be seen. This is a useful feature, especially when the car is moving from a stop.
Engine of BMW 5 F10
The BMW F10 has various technological properties. Let's review the engines.
The base option is the rear-wheel-drive model 520i. The car is equipped with a two-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 184 horsepower and direct fuel injection. All this allows the base «five» to accelerate to «a hundred» in 7.9 seconds, maintain a top speed of 235 kilometers per hour, and consume 6.8 liters of fuel per hundred kilometers in various modes.
A similar turbo engine is found in the BMW F10 523i, but with specifications of 2.5 and 204 horsepower. This is why certain differences in characteristics are noted. The acceleration to a hundred in the 523i model is only slightly faster (7.8 seconds), the maximum speed is slightly higher (238 kilometers per hour), and the fuel consumption is greater (7.6 liters).
Switching to all-wheel-drive cars, the BMW F10 528i xDrive is powered by a 3.0-liter engine enhancing 258 horsepower. Therefore, the acceleration period is shortened to 6.6 seconds, the maximum speed is increased to 250 kilometers per hour. The fuel consumption of the BMW 528 F10 engine increases to 7.8 liters.
The 535i and 550i xDrive modifications are equipped with twin-turbo engines.
The power unit size of the main/secondary modification reaches 3 or 4.5 liters, with power of 306 or 408 horsepower. The top speed changes to 250 kilometers per hour, acceleration time — 6/5 seconds, and fuel consumption of the BMW F10 — 8.5 or 10.4 liters.
Additionally, there is the M5 version. Various diesel engines are available.
The «base» is considered to be the 520d sedan with an engine that has a volume of two liters and 185 horsepower. The BMW F10 with a 2.0-liter diesel accelerates in just 8.1 seconds, has a top speed of 228 kilometers per hour, and averages 5.0 liters of fuel consumption.
The most useful installations of this kind are found in the 525d and 530d models. With a volume of 3, the power is 204 or 245 horsepower. The acceleration time is reduced to 7.2/6.3 seconds, the maximum speed is increased to 236 or 250 kilometers per hour, and the diesel consumption is reduced to 7.2 or 6.3 liters.
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