BMW Serie 5 G30 B48 / B38 (520i and 530i) problems
The BMW Serie 5 G30 used the B48 / B38 from 2017 to 2023 (520i and 530i). 4 documented faults affect it; the most important is “deterioration of hoses and seals in the cooling circuit, with coolant loss” (medium severity, occasional). Our verdict: “Buy”. Among the documented engines of the BMW Serie 5 G30, the safest option is the B57.
Engine score on this car
7.6 out of 10Good reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Serie 5 G30. How we calculate it
Overall score for the BMW Serie 5 G30
6.2 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
BMW B48 (B48A20 / B48B20) / B38 (B38A15 / B38B15) · Petrol
- In the Serie 5 G30
- 2017–2023[1]
- Names
- 520i · 530i
- Faults that affect it
- 4 · 1 of high or critical severity
Verdict for the versions it uses
B48 2.0 178-197 hp (120i, 220i, 320i, 520i, X1/X2/X3 20i, MINI Cooper S)since 2014 · 178–197 hp · B48A20, B48B20
BuyIt is the most widely fitted B48 version and has no serious, widespread fault on record; it is worth checking the cooling circuit and any oil leaks next to the turbo and the VANOS.[2]
B48 2.0 252-258 hp (330i, 530i, X3/X4 xDrive30i)since 2015 · 252–258 hp · B48A20, B48B20
BuyIt shares its block and architecture with the rest of the B48; we have found no serious, widespread fault on record that is specific to this more powerful version.[2][3]
Faults that affect the Serie 5 G30
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingDeterioration of hoses and seals in the cooling circuit, with coolant lossYes: over the years and many heat cycles, the hoses, the expansion tank and some of the plastic seals in the B48/B38 cooling circuit can deteriorate and lose coolant, sometimes without any visible puddle under the car.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationOil leaks or seepage from seals and covers, near the turbo and the VANOSYes: over time, oil seepage or leaks can appear at seals, covers and crankcase ventilation connections, in an area of the engine close to the turbo and the VANOS system.
- High severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TUWe have found no documented cases of timing chain breakage on the B48. The one concrete fact that does exist is that BMW redesigned the chain as a single piece in the 2018 B48TU update, which points to an area for improvement in engines built before that date.
- Low severityFrequency: CommonIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valves (direct injection)Yes, as on most direct-injection engines: because they are not washed by fuel, the intake valves on the B48/B38 build up carbon over the years, especially in urban use, with a loss of smoothness and a less stable idle.
What to check before buying a used BMW Serie 5 G30 B48 / B38 (520i and 530i)
Each point comes from a documented fault that affects this car. You can tick them off as you inspect it.
If it has the BMW B48 / B38 (2017–2023)
Other engines and gearboxes of the BMW Serie 5 G30
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the BMW Serie 5 G30 outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemTwo successive campaigns over a fire risk in the starter motor relay (2025 and 2026)Yes: BMW recalled the 5 Series G30 twice for the same risk in the starter motor relay - which can corrode or build up deposits, overheat and cause a short circuit with a risk of fire - first in September 2025 and again in July 2026 for more recent cars.
- High severityFrequency: RareSteeringWear or failure of the electric steering rackThere are documented cases of electric steering rack failure on the 5 Series G30: gebrauchtwagenberater.de reports its replacement in a long-distance endurance test by BILD magazine, and fiches-auto.fr records a similar case on a 2017 540i.
- High severityFrequency: RareGearbox and clutchJerking and failure of the xDrive transmission on all-wheel-drive versionsfiches-auto.fr documents the complete replacement of the xDrive transmission on a 2017 530d (€5,680 invoiced by BMW and covered by the warranty at 81,000 km); there are no statistics indicating what proportion of cars fail.Repair: €5,680
- Medium severityFrequency: RareElectronics and infotainmentTraction control interferes with acceleration on the M550i and 540i xDrive (fixed by software, 2021)In November 2021, the M550i xDrive and the 540i xDrive had a fault in which the traction control interfered with acceleration; BMW fixed it with an over-the-air (OTA) software update, with no need to visit a garage.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorPanoramic roof that creaks, sticks or leaksGebrauchtwagenberater.de and fiches-auto.fr report complaints of panoramic roofs that creak or stick when closing, and the odd isolated case of leaking through the drain channel; there are no figures indicating what proportion of cars suffer from it.
Buying a BMW Serie 5 G30 B48 / B38 (520i and 530i)?
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The BMW Serie 5 G30 has 3 documented recalls and campaigns. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW Serie 5 G30 B48 / B38 (520i and 530i) reliable?
The BMW Serie 5 G30 used the B48 / B38 from 2017 to 2023 (520i and 530i). 4 documented faults affect it; the most important is “deterioration of hoses and seals in the cooling circuit, with coolant loss” (medium severity, occasional). Our verdict: “Buy”. Among the documented engines of the BMW Serie 5 G30, the safest option is the B57.
What faults does the BMW Serie 5 G30 B48 / B38 (520i and 530i) have?
The documented ones that affect this car are: deterioration of hoses and seals in the cooling circuit, with coolant loss (medium severity), oil leaks or seepage from seals and covers, near the turbo and the VANOS (medium severity), timing chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TU (high severity) and carbon build-up on the intake valves (direct injection) (low severity).
Which engine should you choose for the BMW Serie 5 G30?
The safest option is the BMW B57 in the B57D30 265 hp, single turbo (B57D30O0, 2015-2020) and B57D30 286-340 hp, twin turbo with 48 V (B57D30O2/T2, 2020 onwards) versions, with a «Buy» verdict.
Own a BMW Serie 5 G30 B48 / B38 (520i and 530i)? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- BMW B48Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Motor BMW B48: defectos, mantenimiento y guía de compraRecambios y Accesorios BMW (blog) · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- 5 BMWs That Prove the B48 Four-Cylinder Engine Is Better Than You ThinkBMWBLOG · Other source · published April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026