Review: BMW F10 5-Series sedan (2010-16)

Review: BMW F10 5-Series sedan (2010-13)

Overview

Released in June 2010, the BMW F10 5-Series sedan was an executive sedan. Manufactured in Germany, the rear-wheel drive F10 5-Series sedan range initially consisted of the 528i, 535i and 550i models, with the 520d and 535d following in August 2010. In October 2011, the range was expanded with the introduction of the 520i, while the 528i was fitted with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder petrol engine. Please note that the F10 M5 has been reviewed separately.

EfficientDynamics

The 5-Series sedan benefited from BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies, including electric power steering and brake energy regeneration which controlled alternator output to charge the battery when the vehicle was braking or coasting. The 520i and 520d – the latter from October 2011 – also featured ‘Auto Start Stop’, enabling the engine to shut-down when the vehicle was stationary. The M5 also had Auto Start Stop and brake energy regeneration.

ActiveHybrid 5

The ActiveHybrid 5 was powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 40 kW synchronous electric motor that was integrated in the housing of the automatic transmission and connected to the transmission by a clutch. The electric motor drew power from a 96 cell lithium-ion battery – with an effective energy capacity of 675 Wh – that was housed between the wheel arches in the boot. As a result, cargo capacity was reduced from 520 litres for the standard F10 5-Series sedan to 375 litres for the ActiveHybrid5.

The ActiveHybrid 5 had start-stop functions, ECO PRO mode and coasting modes, the latter enabling the engine to shut down on overrun. The ActiveHybrid5 could also operate solely on electric power up to a speed of 60 km/h, with an expected range of up to four kilometers based on an average speed of 35 km/h.

The hybrid components in the ActiveHybrid 5 added 140 kg to its kerb weight of 2010 kg (140 kg more than the 535i). Furthermore, fuel consumption over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle ranged from 6.4 to 7.0 litres per 100 km according to the tyres fitted.

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to the E60 5-Series sedan , the F10 5-Series sedan was 59 mm longer (at 4899 mm), 13 mm wider (1860 mm), 6 mm lower (1464 mm) and had an 80 mm longer wheelbase (2968 mm). Sharing its platform with the F01 7-Series , the F10 5-Series sedan had all-aluminium double wishbone front suspension and independent, multi-link ‘Integral-V’ rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the F10 5-Series included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, cornering brake control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. Furthermore, the bonnet could also rise in the event of a collision to minimise injuries to pedestrians.

From October 2011, the 5-Series range was fitted with BMW’s Active Protection system which – in emergency situations – would tension the front seatbelts, position the front passenger seat for optimal airbag deployment (only for ‘comfort’ seats) and ensure seatbelt position would not interfere with deployment of the front side airbags.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , F10 5-Series sedans with four and six cylinder engines were awarded a five star safety rating with a 95 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 83 per cent child protection rating. In the offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious leg and chest injury for the driver. In the side impact test, maximum points were awarded. Under ANCAP’s methodology, this resulted in a score of 36.53 out of 37.

Features: BMW F10 5-Series

Standard features for the BMW F10 520i and 520d included 17-inch alloy wheels with runflat tyres, a six speaker sound system with CD player, MP3/WMA compatibility and auxiliary inputs (MP3/USB/iPod), satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, ‘Dakota’ leather upholstery, power adjustable front seats, cruise control (with downhill braking), Bluetooth connectivity, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a split and folding rear seat with ‘load through’ facility, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking with keyless start, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer and immobiliser.

The BMW F10 520d was initially fitted with a head-up instrument display, though this was reserved for the 528i and above models from October 2011. Compared to the 520i and 528i, the 528i was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights with washers and ambient lighting.

Beyond this, the BMW F10 535d and 535i added a twelve speaker HiFi sound system, front seat power lumbar adjustment, driver’s seat memory settings, directional headlights, high beam assist, rear view camera, steering wheel gearshift paddles and proximity key. The 535d and 535i were also fitted with Dynamic Driving Control, which provided selectable driving modes by adjusting steering, throttle, transmission and electronic stability control responses.

Relative to the 535i, the ActiveHybrid5 was further equipped with four-zone climate control air conditioning. Visually, the ActiveHybrid 5 could be identified by its 18-inch ‘Streamline’ light alloy wheels, galvanised grille slats, matt chrome exhaust pipes and eponymous C-pillar lettering.

The range-topping BMW F10 550i was distinguished by its 19-inch alloy wheels, six-stack CD/DVD player, four-zone climate control air conditioning, Professional navigation system, voice recognition, heated and ventilated front seats, front passenger seat memory settings, electrochromatic door mirrors, a power-operated glass sunroof, rear blind and alarm system.

BMW F10 5-Series M Sport package

The 5-Series sedan was also available with an ‘M Sport’ package which included 18-inch double-spoke alloy wheels, 15 mm lower and firmer suspension, contoured sports seats, an ‘M’ leather-wrapped steering wheel and an aerodynamic body kit.

Related links

• Press Kit: BMW F10 5-Series (January 2010)
• Specifications: BMW F10.I 5-Series (February 2013)
• Press Kit: BMW F10 ActiveHybrid 5 (January 2012)

Review: BMW F10 LCI 5-Series sedan (2013-16)

Overview

Released in July 2013, the BMW F10 LCI 5-Series sedan introducd Euro 6 emissions compliant engines, fuel efficiency enhancements and subtle styling changes.

As part of the update, diesel engines were fitted with BMW’s nitrogen oxide-reducing ‘BluePerformance’ technology which, depending on the model, consisted of either a nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter or an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) converter with urea injection. Additional fuel saving measures included:

• A coasting function which disengages the drivetrain; and,
• For models fitted with the Professional navigation system, an Eco Pro Route function.

Visually, the BMW F10 LCI 5-Series sedan could be identified by the additional contour lines surrounding its grille, restructured lower air intakes, integrated door mirror indicator lights and contoured tail-lights. Inside, there was additional chrome trim around the iDrive Control Display, larger storage compartments and cup holders, and new upholstery colours.

Safety equipment

Compared to its F10 predecessor, standard safety equipment for the BMW F10 LCI 528i, 535d, 535i, Active Hybrid 5 and 550i was extended to include lane departure warning, forward collision warning and pedestrian warning with autonomous braking.

Features: BMW F10 LCI 5-Series

Compared to its F10 predecessor, standard features for the BMW F10 LCI 5-Series were extended to include a twelve speaker Hi-Fi sound system, extended smartphone connectivity, BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system (with the iDrive touch controller and internet functionality), bi-xenon headlights, LED fog lights and a reversing camera.

The BMW F10 LCI 528i was further equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, a harman/kardon surround sound system, digital radio (DAB+), a head-up display, BMW’s ‘Surround View’ camera system, adaptive LED headlights (with anti-glare high beam assist and variable light distribution), a proximity key, a �hands free� opening and closing bootlid (BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’), a multifunction instrument cluster and electrochromatic rear view and door mirrors.

The BMW F10 LCI 535i and 535d were also fitted with BMW’s ‘parking assistant’ function, while the ActiveHybrid 5 added 18-inch light alloy wheels, four-zone climate control system and extended instrument cluster.

Luxury and Modern Line packages

The BMW F10 LCI 5-Series sedan was available with optional Luxury and Modern Line packages. Both packages included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, high-gloss black B-pillar trim and door mirror bases, illuminated door pulls with chrome trim and illuminated door sill strips with aluminium inserts. The Luxury Line further included:

• Chrome finishes for the trim bars on the outer sections of the lower air intake, the fronts of the kidney grille slats, window recess finishers, trim strip in the rear apron and exhaust outlets;
• Leather upholstery with exclusive stitching;
• Black sports leather steering wheel; and,
• ‘Fineline’ anthracite wood interior trim strips.

The Modern Line package, however, was distinguished by its:

• Matt chrome finishes for the air intake bars, kidney grille slats, rear trim strip and exhaust outlets;
• Exclusive stitching for the optional leather upholstery;
• Dark Pearl interior trim strips; and,
• The Sports leather steering wheel and instrument panel can be specified in the light Oyster shade.

Professional and Exclusive options packages

From March 2015 production, the BMW F10 LCI 5-Series sedan was available with ‘Professional’ and ‘Exclusive’ options packages.

For the BMW F10 LCI 520i and 520d, the Professional Package added a head-up display, digital radio, BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’ system, automatically dipping interior and door mirrors, and BMW’s ‘Surround View’ camera system. The Professional Package also included:

• BMW’s Driving Assistant –
  • Forward Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking: operating at speeds between 10 and 60 km/h, the system would warn the driver if a pedestrian or stationary vehicle was detected in the vehicle’s path. If the driver failed to react, the system would automatically apply the brakes to prevent or minimise the severity of a collision;
  • Lane Change Warning System: could identify lane markings and warn the driver via steering wheel vibrations if the vehicle was drifting out of its lane; and,
• ConnectedDrive Freedom: provided access to internet-based services, remote services, real-time traffic information and concierge services

For the BMW F10 LCI 528i, the Professional Package included Lane Change Warning System, ConnectedDrive Freedom, heated seats and BMW’s Driving Assistant Plus which added Active Cruise Control with a ‘stop and go’ function for stop/start traffic; the other features were already fitted as standard.

For the BMW F10 LCI 535i, 535d and ActiveHybrid 5, the Exclusive package included BMW’s ‘Driving Assistant Plus’, Lane Change Warning System, Exclusive Nappa leather upholstery, ‘Comfort’ seats with active headrests, heated seats, ‘BMW Individual’ leather instrument panel, automatic tailgate operation, soft-close doors, rear sunblinds and BMW’s ‘ConnectedDrive Freedom’.

2016 BMW F10 LCI 528i Individual

Released in Australia in January 2016, the BMW F10 528i Individual was specified with the following BMW Individual features:

• Fine-wood trim in Piano Black;
• Extended Merino leather upholstery in Platinum;
• Azurite Black paint finish;
• Leather instrument panel;
• Alcantara Platinum roofliner; and,
• Aluminium satinated exterior line.

Otherwise optional features that were fitted as standard for the BMW F10 528i Individual included 19-inch double spoke M alloy wheels, BMW’s Professional Package, M Sport package, Comfort front seats and glass sunroof. Australian deliveries of the BMW F10 528i Individual were limited to ten (10) vehicles.

2016 BMW F10 LCI 535i Individual

Released in Australia in January 2016, the BMW F10 535i Individual was specified with the following BMW Individual features:

• Fine-wood trim in Piano Black;
• Extended Merino leather upholstery in Nutmeg;
• Frozen Brilliant White paint finish;
• Leather instrument panel;
• Alcantara Anthracite roofliner; and,
• High-gloss Shadowline exterior trim.

Otherwise optional features that were fitted as standard for the BMW F10 535i Individual included 19-inch double spoke M alloy wheels, BMW’s Professional Package, M Sport package and glass sunroof. Australian deliveries of the BMW F10 535i Individual were limited to ten (10) vehicles.

Related links

• Press Kit: BMW F10 LCI 5-Series (May 2013)
• Specifications: BMW F10 LCI 5-Series (April 2014)
• BMW Australia: BMW 5-Series Sedan
• Wikipedia.org: BMW F10 5-Series