F10 / F11 · 2010–2011

BMW 528i F10 / F11 · 258 hp · N53B30A (2010–2011)

The 528i (petrol) produces 190 kW (258 hp) and 310 Nm from the N53B30A engine of 2996 cc. Same name, different version: do not confuse with the 528i 180 kW / N20B20A (2011–2013, pre-facelift) and 180 kW / N20B20A (2013–2016, facelift). Engine code and output appear in the registration and VIN data.

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Technical specifications

Fuel
Petrol
Power
258 PS / 190 kW
Displacement
2 996 cm³
Torque
310 Nm
Engine code
N53B30A
Period covered
2010–2011
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 528i (petrol) produces 190 kW (258 hp) and 310 Nm from the N53B30A engine of 2996 cc. ADAC period: 03/2010–09/2011. Body: F10 Saloon and F11 Touring. Gearbox: six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. 0–100 km/h: 6.6 s; NEDC combined: 7.8 l/100 km (Saloon, manual, RWD, ADAC). Same name, different version: do not confuse with the 528i 180 kW / N20B20A (2011–2013, pre-facelift) and 180 kW / N20B20A (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): 6.5 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: propshaft flexible disc that can break (February 2017 recall, cars built 12/2010–06/2011); VANOS unit bolts that can break on petrol straight-sixes (April 2014 recall, cars built 09/2009–11/2011); ignition coils that may fail early (July 2012 action, cars built 09/2006–12/2010). 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 N53B30A and the 190 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 N53 petrol engine (3.0 l direct-injection six)

This applies to every car fitted with the N53 engine.

What the N53 is

A naturally aspirated 2,996 cc inline six-cylinder petrol engine with second-generation direct injection (High Precision Injection: piezo injectors at up to 200 bar next to the spark plug) able to run in stratified lean mode, and a composite magnesium-aluminium crankcase. BMW’s workshop documentation pairs it with the 325i and 330i of the E90/E91/E92 3 Series; in the 2008 European range BMW quotes 160 kW (325i) and 200 kW (330i).

Source : [11] [12]

Engine oil

Oil change quantity: 6.5 l for the 2008 E90 325i and 330i according to BMW’s data sheet. Longlife-04 is approved for petrol engines only in the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein; elsewhere, use the approval BMW specifies for the country.

Source : [11] [9]

Oil service interval (CBS)

The oil service is calculated by CBS. From September 2008, BMW encodes a 30,000 km starting value for several petrol engines, including the ECE (European) N53, instead of 25,000 km for some previously. It is a starting value that CBS adjusts to use, not a guaranteed interval, and countries with a shortened provision do not get it.

Source : [10]

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 258 hp 528i?

The 528i (petrol) produces 190 kW (258 hp) and 310 Nm from the N53B30A engine of 2996 cc. ADAC period: 03/2010–09/2011. Body: F10 Saloon and F11 Touring. Gearbox: six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. 0–100 km/h: 6.6 s; NEDC combined: 7.8 l/100 km (Saloon, manual, RWD, ADAC).

Source : [3] [1]

How much oil does the 528i N53B30A take?

BMW oil-change quantity (press specification sheets): 6.5 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 528i 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 528i N53B30A?

ADAC’s F10/F11 5 Series list cites, for this period: propshaft flexible disc that can break (February 2017 recall, cars built 12/2010–06/2011); VANOS unit bolts that can break on petrol straight-sixes (April 2014 recall, cars built 09/2009–11/2011); ignition coils that may fail early (July 2012 action, cars built 09/2006–12/2010). 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 528i from other versions?

Same name, different version: do not confuse with the 528i 180 kW / N20B20A (2011–2013, pre-facelift) and 180 kW / N20B20A (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 528i (03/10–09/11)

    ADAC e.V. · DE · Allemagne · Fiche technique : N53B30A, 2996 cm³, 190 kW/258 PS, 310 Nm, manuelle 6, 0–100 km/h 6,6 s, NEDC 7,8 l/100 km. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW Group PressClub — BMW 5 Series Sedan specifications, 523i / 528i, 09/2010

    BMW AG · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · Valid from 09/2010. 150 kW/204 hp and 190 kW/258 hp; engine oil (oil change) 6.5 l each. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] BMW Group PressClub — BMW 5 Series Touring specifications, 523i / 528i / 535i, 09/2010

    BMW AG · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · Valid from 09/2010. Engine oil (oil change) 6.5 l. · 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 TIS — Harmonisation of oil change intervals

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · ECE · SI 00 13 07 (391) · 10/2007 · launch 09/2008 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  11. [11] BMW — The new BMW 3 Series, July 2008

    BMW AG · EN · Europe · BMW AG European press kit; pp. 53–72: Saloon and Touring; oil change quantities · Accessed 08/10/2026

  12. [12] BMW TIS — E90/E91 model and engine index

    BMW AG (TIS, archive) · EN · Europe · 3 Series E90 and E91: N46, N52, N53, N54, M47T2, M57T2 and N47 · Accessed 08/10/2026

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