F10 / F11 · 2011–2013

BMW 520i F10 / F11 · 184 hp · N20B20B (2011–2013)

The 520i (petrol) produces 135 kW (184 hp) and 270 Nm from the N20B20B engine of 1997 cc. Same name, different version: do not confuse with the 520i 135 kW / N20B20B (2013–2016, facelift). Engine code and output appear in the registration and VIN data.

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Identify the car and prepare its maintenance

Technical specifications

Fuel
Petrol
Power
184 PS / 135 kW
Displacement
1 997 cm³
Torque
270 Nm
Engine code
N20B20B
Period covered
2011–2013
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • Manual · 6 speeds
  • Automatic · 8 speeds

Figures apply to the cited configuration and market; equipment and transmissions may vary by production date.

Specification source : [1] ADAC e.V. [2] ADAC e.V. [3] ADAC e.V.

Identification and specifics

The 520i (petrol) produces 135 kW (184 hp) and 270 Nm from the N20B20B engine of 1997 cc. ADAC period: 09/2011–06/2013. Body: F10 Saloon and F11 Touring. Gearbox: six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. 0–100 km/h: 7.9 s; NEDC combined: 6.8 l/100 km (Saloon, manual, RWD, ADAC). Same name, different version: do not confuse with the 520i 135 kW / N20B20B (2013–2016, facelift). Engine code and output appear in the registration and VIN data.

Source : [3] [1]

Engine oil for this version

BMW oil-change quantity (press specification sheets): 5.75 l — F10 Saloon and F11 Touring. It is a service quantity: check the level after filling.

Source : [4] [5]

Servicing and CBS deadlines

CBS calculates deadlines from usage; read distance and date under Vehicle info → Vehicle status → Service required. The F10 handbook lists oil, oil filter and microfilter at each oil service; spark plugs and air filter every second oil change; front and rear pads, brake fluid and vehicle check at their own deadlines. The handbook sets no universal fixed oil-change mileage. The handbook consulted covers 2013–2017 F10s; for a pre-facelift car, confirm the schedule from the VIN.

Source : [6] [7] [8]

Documented recalls

ADAC’s F10/F11 5 Series list cites, for this period: brake-booster vacuum pump that may fail for lack of lubrication, 20i/28i versions (October 2013 recall, cars built 06/2012–08/2013). These campaigns target build ranges and often other models too: only a VIN check confirms eligibility and completion.

Source : [2]

Preparing the service

Bring the VIN, build month, engine code N20B20B and the 135 kW output. Note the CBS deadlines and hand over the key used on the last drive: it stores service data. Mention any period with the battery disconnected, which CBS does not count. Ask for oil, filters and operations to be itemised and the service recorded in the history.

Source : [7] [3]

BMW N20 petrol engine (2.0 l turbo four)

This applies to every car fitted with the N20 engine.

What the N20 is

A 1,997 cc inline four-cylinder petrol engine (84 × 90.1 mm) with an aluminium crankcase, twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection, third-generation Valvetronic and two balance shafts. BMW’s training material compares it with the naturally aspirated N52 six: 180 kW and 350 Nm as the N20B20O0, introduced for the 2012 model year (September 2011 in the US). It comes in several outputs, for example N20B20U0 in the 2014 2 Series.

Source : [10] [13]

Engine oil

BMW’s owner’s manual for the F20 1 Series (X/14) allows BMW Longlife-01, Longlife-01 FE and Longlife-04 oils for petrol engines, in SAE 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-30; Longlife-04 is approved for petrol engines only in the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein. The oil change quantity depends on the model: 5.75 l for the F30 320i (2012), 5.0 l for the F22 220i and 228i Coupé (2014) according to BMW’s data sheets. Have the figure confirmed for your car.

Source : [12] [9] [14] [13]

Timing drive

Chain drive in two parts: at the top, the camshaft timing chain, lubricated by an oil spray nozzle in the tensioner; at the bottom, a chain driving the oil pump and the balance shafts, with its own tensioner. No replacement interval is set.

Source : [10] [11]

Chain wear: US warranty extension

BMW of North America (bulletin SIB 11 03 17, September 2021 revision) acknowledges that a whine from the lower engine near the oil pump, rising with engine speed, can indicate excessive wear of the timing chain and/or oil pump drive chain on N20 and N26 engines. The prescribed fix replaces the oil pump chain module, timing chain, tensioner and rails. In the US, coverage of these parts is extended to 7 years or 70,000 miles for the listed models (production 2011 to February 2015); it is not a European recall. Elsewhere, such a whine deserves a prompt diagnosis.

Source : [15]

Maintenance and records

Oil, oil filter and microfilter

At the CBS deadline

The F10 handbook pairs the oil change with a new oil filter and climate-control microfilter. Check the final level.

Source [8]

Air filter

Every second oil change

Replace the element; sooner in dusty conditions.

Source [8]

Spark plugs (petrol)

Every second oil change

Renew the spark plugs.

Source [8]

Front and rear brakes

At the CBS deadline

Pads, disc thickness and surface check; front and rear have separate deadlines.

Source [8]

Brake fluid

At the CBS deadline

Replace the fluid; check the date on the active bonnet gas struts.

Source [8]

Vehicle check

At the CBS deadline

Lights, belts, tyres, chassis, steering, sealant kit, road test.

Source [8]

Questions about this version (5)

Which engine powers this 184 hp 520i?

The 520i (petrol) produces 135 kW (184 hp) and 270 Nm from the N20B20B engine of 1997 cc. ADAC period: 09/2011–06/2013. Body: F10 Saloon and F11 Touring. Gearbox: six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. 0–100 km/h: 7.9 s; NEDC combined: 6.8 l/100 km (Saloon, manual, RWD, ADAC).

Source : [3] [1]

How much oil does the 520i N20B20B take?

BMW oil-change quantity (press specification sheets): 5.75 l — F10 Saloon and F11 Touring. It is a service quantity: check the level after filling.

Source : [4] [5]

What does the BMW handbook schedule for the 520i besides the oil change?

CBS calculates deadlines from usage; read distance and date under Vehicle info → Vehicle status → Service required. The F10 handbook lists oil, oil filter and microfilter at each oil service; spark plugs and air filter every second oil change; front and rear pads, brake fluid and vehicle check at their own deadlines. The handbook sets no universal fixed oil-change mileage. The handbook consulted covers 2013–2017 F10s; for a pre-facelift car, confirm the schedule from the VIN.

Source : [6] [7] [8]

Which recalls should be checked on a 520i N20B20B?

ADAC’s F10/F11 5 Series list cites, for this period: brake-booster vacuum pump that may fail for lack of lubrication, 20i/28i versions (October 2013 recall, cars built 06/2012–08/2013). These campaigns target build ranges and often other models too: only a VIN check confirms eligibility and completion.

Source : [2]

How do I tell this 520i from other versions?

Same name, different version: do not confuse with the 520i 135 kW / N20B20B (2013–2016, facelift). Engine code and output appear in the registration and VIN data.

Source : [3] [1]

Documentary sources

  1. [1] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 5er-Reihe F10/F11 (2010–2013)

    ADAC e.V. · DE · Allemagne · Liste des versions F10 avec périodes de commercialisation, kW/PS ; bornes de carrosserie F10 2010–2013, F11 2010–2013, M Performance 2012–2013, M5 F10M, Gran Turismo F07. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  2. [2] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 523i (03/10–09/11)

    ADAC e.V. · DE · Allemagne · Fiche technique : N53B30A, 2996 cm³, 150 kW/204 PS, 270 Nm, boîte manuelle 6, 0–100 km/h 7,9 s, NEDC 7,6 l/100 km. Rubrique « Rückrufe & Mängel » de la 5er-Reihe. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  3. [3] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 520i (09/11–06/13)

    ADAC e.V. · DE · Allemagne · Fiche technique : N20B20B, 1997 cm³, 135 kW/184 PS, 270 Nm, manuelle 6, 0–100 km/h 7,9 s, NEDC 6,8 l/100 km. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW Group PressClub — BMW 5 Series Sedan specifications, 520i / 528i, 09/2011

    BMW AG · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · Valid from 09/2011. 135 kW/184 hp and 180 kW/245 hp; engine oil 5.75 l each. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] BMW Group PressClub — BMW 5 Series Touring specifications, 520i / 528i, 09/2011

    BMW AG · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · Valid from 09/2011. 135 kW and 180 kW; engine oil 5.75 l each. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  6. [6] BMW 5er Limousine F10 — Betriebsanleitung (Sach-Nr. 01 40 2 956 193)

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 94 : Servicebedarf — distance ou date de la prochaine maintenance, Fahrzeuginfo → Fahrzeugstatus → Servicebedarf. Notice des F10 2013–2017. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] BMW 5er Limousine F10 — Betriebsanleitung (Sach-Nr. 01 40 2 956 193)

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 247 : CBS selon conditions d’utilisation ; remettre la clé du dernier trajet ; immobilisations batterie débranchée non comptées (liquide de frein, huile, microfiltre) ; historique ; contrôles standard. Notice des F10 2013–2017. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  8. [8] BMW 5er Limousine F10 — Betriebsanleitung (Sach-Nr. 01 40 2 956 193)

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 248 : huile, filtre et microfiltre ; bougies (essence), filtre à gazole (diesel) et filtre à air tous les deux vidanges ; plaquettes avant/arrière ; liquide de frein ; contrôle du véhicule. Notice des F10 2013–2017. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  9. [9] BMW TIS — BMW Quality Longlife-04

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · SI 11 03 04 (156) · revision 09/2005 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  10. [10] BMW Technical training — Product information: N20 Engine

    BMW AG — Technical training (archive.org copy) · EN · Europe · Information status 11/2010 · §3.4.2 Oil level monitoring · §3.5.2 Chain drive · Accessed 08/10/2026

  11. [11] BMW parts catalogue (ETK) — F20 125i N20: timing and valve train, timing chain

    bmwfans.info (copy of the BMW ETK parts catalogue) · EN · Europe · Group 11 · timing chain · Accessed 08/10/2026

  12. [12] BMW Betriebsanleitung — Der BMW 1er (Online-Version für Sach-Nr. 01 40 2 956 470)

    BMW AG (copy hosted by kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Germany · deutsch X/14 · p. 71 (Servicebedarf) · pp. 166–169 (Motoröl, freigegebene Motorölsorten) · pp. 172–174 (Wartung: CBS, Übersicht Wartungsumfänge) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  13. [13] BMW UK Technical data — 2 Series Coupé [F22], March 2014

    BMW Group UK · EN · United Kingdom · Engine type (N20B20U0, N55B30O0, N47D20U1, N47D20O1, N47D20T1), output, torque, gearbox, “Engine oil — exchange quantity” · Accessed 08/10/2026

  14. [14] BMW — 320i berline, fiche 03/2012

    BMW Group · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · 2 pages : 135 kW/184 ch, 1 997 cm³, 270 Nm, huile de vidange 5,75 l. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  15. [15] BMW North America — SIB 11 03 17, révision 9, 14/09/2021

    BMW of North America / NHTSA · EN · USA uniquement · Pages 1–2 : modèles N20/N26 et chaînes distribution/pompe à huile ; extension de garantie américaine, pas un rappel européen. · Accessed 08/10/2026

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