Top 3 Pros/Cons For The BMW F10 Platform | What You Need To Know

In todays video I walk you through some of the pros & cons of the BMW F10 platform! These are simply some of the things i have noticed since owning my F10 and i thought i would make this video laying out my thoughts so far up to this point.
Everything mentioned in this video is my own opinion, and is definitely subjective for everyone, take everything i'm saying with a grain of salt as i am no expert in this platform, just a passionate owner!
If you want to follow along with my build, please consider subscribing!
Check out my previous video below I install a rear Msport bumper +. some bonus parts! (Link Below)
Link: • BMW F10 Build Almost C...
0:00 Introduction
0:56 LOW BARRIER OF ENTRY
2:29 TONS OF INFO ABOUT THE PLATFORM
4:02 MODERN STYLING FOR A 10+ YEAR OLD PLATFORM
5:54 THIS CAR IS MASSIVE (SIZE & WEIGHT)
8:10 COST TO MAINTAIN
9:56 HARD TO FIND CLEAN EXAMPLES

[@SHWELL11]

I stumbled onto a 2016 535i M Sport with 41k miles and had to have it. I paid $25k for it and Im in love.. It is my 5th % Series (Currently own the F10, E39, and E60). 2 weeks into ownership and I dont wanna drive any of my other vehicles. FBO for the F10 is slowly developing, awaiting parts at the moment. Your channel has been great and inspiring. Thanks for sharing the content.

[@Anthony_B]

Congrats! These are super fun cars and I was surprised myself when i finally picked mine up, FBO is my same plan, just waiting for some deals on some parts haha Thank you for the kind words, it’s much appreciated 🙏🏼

[@jshifty9618]

i’ve just got the 2016 550 with 72k miles for $23,8. she’ll be here tuesday 🥲

[@Ramel34]

I almost got the same deal. Mint condition 2016 535i with 61k miles and a 36k mile warranty. $22k. It was $19k without the waranty

[@SHWELL11]

@@Ramel34 Thats fantastic. The $25k I mentioned also includes an additional 36k mile warranty.

[@sven5069]

Im so jealous of you Americans getting cars at lower prices than us Europeans

[@jcranetx66]

Agree with your pros and cons. I don’t recommend these 10 year F10s for someone who knows nothing about cars and not willing to perform own maintenance. Will cost you thousands fixing the previous owners lack of maintenance. Most importantly, change the oil and do not wait for 10k miles. This is the most important maintenance item and is super easy on the F10. Maintenance before modifications. Value cover gasket, valve cover, oil cooler housing gaskets, spark plugs, coils, Coolant, brakes, pulleys, belt tensioner, belt, etc. I replaced every sticky door handle as well as trunk springs along with a long list of other items. I’ve learned the platform over the past years and enjoy driving my 535i even more.

[@Anthony_B]

I 100% agree, a car like this isn’t for the inexperienced, it’s still a $50-$60k+ car at the end of the day (not current market values, just overall cost from the start) so people can/should expect to pay a premium to keep them running, ESPECIALLY if they aren’t doing the work themselves

[@wazzoa4790]

The maintenance items you mentioned do you do these yourself? I wrench on my cars in my driveway so just wondering if the f10 535 would be easy enough for a diy driveway wrencher to work on on?

[@jcranetx66]

@@wazzoa4790 if you are willing to invest the time and money in tools it will save you a lot of money. Start with performing your own oil changes. You’ll need a metric ratchet set, oil filter removal tool and I use rhino ramps. Other tools is a torx socket set, metric wrenches, a good 2 ton Jack. Purchased many of my tools on Amazon and harbor freight. KZbin has a strong community for DIY job so you learn how to tackle each maintenance job.

[@zlord1199]

Yep I’ve replaced all of these items as well which is kinda normal for any car of this age and millage. The F10 535i is probably one of BmWs best models. I’ve had mine for 4 years and I’m at 135k miles and I love the car

[@youtubedeletesmychannels2329]

@@Anthony_Bshould I go for a f10 or a 2006 bmw 325? Which is more reliable?

[@phonerepairwizard4453]

As a fellow F10 owner. This vid is on point. A lot of these F10s are sadly dying because many can't afford the cost to properly maintain and repair these things. And by this age. Be prepared for some woes.

[@Anthony_B]

100%, but despite that flaw, it almost makes it better for us enthusiast since the market for them tends to go down because of that, so win-lose haha

[@duncanscubie]

Awesome video . I just imported a rare bmw M525d from Germany to Portugal. Full M5 spec inside and out . I just registered the car and there is only 4 in Portugal. I bought the car from one owner full bmw service history. I bought the car through an import company and it will arrive next Friday . I’m so excited . All the videos that I’ve seen about bmw’s cars I’ve seen , I can agree with you. Maintenance is critical to these cars . Germans over engineer the cars and expect the high maintenance to ensure longevity. Compared to Japanese cars (Toyota , Nissan , Mitsubishi ect. ) they expect people to neglect maintenance so they under power the cars and have higher engine tolerances to compensate for the long maintenance intervals. And that’s key to the difference between German cars and Japanese cars .

[@Anthony_B]

Congrats, sounds like a really rad car! I’d love to buy another f10 one of these days but get the m5 this time around, would be such a fun car to own! Spot on about the maintenance too 👍🏼

[@DariousK1NG1]

I got my 2014 535 for a little over 8k with less than 119k miles. Pro tip: patience saves pockets. I wanted an F10 for about 3 years before actually making getting a good example of one but owning the car now with it being so well taken care of puts my mind at ease knowing I don’t have to break my pockets just to get it in decent shape

[@crowdedhouse007]

I love my F10. Bought it with 60k in miles (2013.) Low miles. Engine is clean. Interior is perfect. Very responsive for an 11 year old car. Sits comfortably doing 90mph on the highway for long trips!

[@Anthony_B]

They really are special cars!

[@olav-mr5lu]

I’ve owned my F10 Alpina B5 for 18 months now and I absolutely love it. Before this I drove the F10 535D and this was also a very nice car. I can definitely recommend them!

[@Anthony_B]

Oh wow, super cool model, don’t see a lot of those around anywhere, congrats on owning one!

[@olav-mr5lu]

@@Anthony_B thank you :)

[@deacon_leon]

I've been thinking about stepping up from my f30 340i to one of these. This video is very informative 👍🏾

[@Anthony_B]

I appreciate you checking them out, good luck on the hunt for one if you decide to go through with the step up!

[@Kyronsk8]

I don’t think I’ll ever want a 3 series anymore after having my f10. There’s just so much to lose, however you lose some reliability unfortunately. But we all know that by now. I have 550 that’s why I say that.

[@billywelch4611]

My favorite BMW outside of an e24 or e9… I definitely would put the looks as a top pro..I have the m5 and it’s the perfect blend of chill highway vibe and still will move on someone if necessary… and of course the maintenance is crazy lol

[@topmarques]

2012 535d. I'm in the car business and have had many nice cars over the years. Just really impressive as an everyday package. Put shadow chrome M2 competition wheels on it and even though it's old now, still a lovely car to have.

[@Anthony_B]

I agree, a really good all around car!

[@findlaywilliams1867]

i agree with your take on how all cars are becoming smoothed out and look too similar

[@Anthony_B]

That’s what makes these older ones that much more special!

[@cameronaragon6492]

I love my f10, im rocking so much stuff on it, havnt lowered it but I have 20inch rims and thick super sport 11 inch tires in the rear and 9.5inch in the front, I have FUUULLL bolt ons, 7.5inch intercooler, BOV, JB4, swapped fuel pumps for E85 blend (around E45-50 for 98ish octane), and I have had maintenance like new fuel injectors, valve cover, and a few other small things, also did carbon fiber lip, spoiler, and mirrors. I love it, beautiful cars. I believe mine is around 480 WHP, and I smoke the heavier hellcats and many other cars all day long!

[@cameronaragon6492]

Doing upgraded ECS coil overs soon for a stiffer feel than the stock ones.

[@Anthony_B]

That’s awesome, sounds like a really rad build, I never got into the performance mode much, but it’s cool to see what these cars are capable of from other owners!

[@kelvinlin1926]

bro do you got any modification suggestion for upgrade 535i? I already got ecu for bm3 and changed the downpipe, But I can't find anything about tcu or exhaust because f10 parts are really scarce, so I wanted to ask if you have any modification ideas for n55? Thank you

[@shy550i]

Great video! Keep it up

[@Anthony_B]

Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@danisantabarbara5931]

Thanks mate, 525d from Spain, really appreciated your video. Cheers

[@Anthony_B]

I appreciate you checking it out!

[@cgcars3427]

Looks awesome and love these f10s as well. Still looking to get one, will look nice with my e39 5 series.

[@Anthony_B]

The perfect combo!

[@Smurkishf10]

I have a 2014 550i N63tu 7 years strong now great car has 58k miles best car I’ve owned

[@garyk5141]

Last year i got a super deal on a 2011 535i sport package with 71k one owner, no accident clean title for $12500. Very luxurious and timeless styling. Great car if you find a nice example, but as everyone knows maintenance and parts are expensive, which makes getting a well maintained and low price example even that much more important. A good way to know if a bmw is right/affordable for you, consider if you would buy/afford it at 30% more than the sale price, this way the maintenance is considered up front. If yes, proceed to buy, if no then you probably can't afford future expenses and dont.

[@Anthony_B]

I agree, definitely have to account for potential maintenance costs when buying a car like this, but they are well worth it if you’re willing to keep them running!

[@chooks620]

6 speed 550 F10 checkin in! great vid bro

[@Anthony_B]

Aye!! Thanks for checking it out!

[@valeriestribling4054]

I own the 2015 535 and yes it can be expensive but if take care of her she'll take care of you. I haven't had to many issues but when I do I can expect to spend 1.2k or better. And when I got mine I was blessed to find on that had no mods ... wheeew but I have 150k on the dash now

[@Anthony_B]

I agree, super rad cars when taken care of!

[@Sdubk20]

Great explanation brother, I’m currently in the market for one.

[@Anthony_B]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@josephsimon1398]

Great video! I agree with everything

[@Anthony_B]

I appreciate you checking it out!

[@joseavitia1054]

Will say, I have a 2011 535i with 219k when I sold it, ran good no lights on dash, would take it on 6 hour trips no problem but I would do oil changes every 5k full synthetic, preventative change the water pump, thermostat, ofhg, and would fix anything the moment it leaked or made noises. They are solid cars IF you maintain them. But like anything it costs money. Cant expect going into a now 13 year old car that there will be little to no maintenance. Like you said you need to remember it’s a 60k car new so the maintenance will match that.

[@Anthony_B]

Couldn’t have said it better myself, I agree 100%

[@ericacollins8815]

I bought a one owner, clean title, CA car, 2012 528i w/80K miles for $10,500. We bought it for our sons 16th bday. I love the car, wish I had one for myself lol!

[@Anthony_B]

Pretty good deal, nice to know you can still find good deals out there!

[@ericacollins8815]

@@Anthony_B They’re usually going for around $13-$15K w/similar mileage, yr & condition. I def think I found a great deal and my son absolutely loves it.

[@pclayton5063]

Just purchased a one owner 2014 535i M-Sport, Space Gray w/white leather, w/98k miles, from a BMW Car Club member, for $14.5k. The car is absolutely immaculate with the clear protective application over the front surfaces, lights, and mirrors, and brand new Pirelli P7 AS tires. It has all maintenance records and had a complete cooling system refresh 2 years ago ($5k) including radiator, water pump, thermostat, and expansion tanks. The only additions I've made is adding the oem rubber floor mats (trashed the Weathertech's) and the M5 rear spoiler. Not a fan of the run flats so will replace those at some point. Definitely love that 8-speed automatic transmission. Just need to get the outside mirrors programmed to open and close when locking/unlocking the car.

[@Anthony_B]

Congrats, sounds like a solid pickup! 💯

[@cekken4o]

Did you figure out how to program the mirrors ?

[@ezequielhernandez3968]

nice car you have you can buy beamer code and doit your self i have an f10 2015 5 series 528i n20 twin turbo it runs great for 4 cil 8 speed transmission and love it greetings from juarez mexico

[@ezequielhernandez3968]

@@cekken4o buy a beamer code its easy to doit your self and with beamer code you can due alot of things w it like start your car w your control

[@westsyde5696]

I just bought 1, a 2016 f10 and I’m looking to do crazy stuff to it, already have a stage 1 tuning with 400hp

[@Anthony_B]

Congrats! Im sure that will be super fun once its at that power, enjoy many fun/long drives with it!

[@kjhnsn7296]

I have a 2015 535. Fully loaded. Only 55k miles. Love it. Unless the M, this is a luxury highway cruiser. A mini 7 series. While not meant for the track, the 6 and 8 cylinder versions will push your head back!😂😂😂

[@kasmiester8]

Going to check out a 2015 550i this weekend. 81k miles for 19k

[@Anthony_B]

Nice! Hopefully it all checks out and you pick it up, they’re fun cars!

[@donaldbarron7916]

Nice 😊

[@gurjjj]

Nice video

[@Anthony_B]

I appreciate it!

[@satryopradana4599]

waaww the f10 535i is my dream but in Indonesia for 2012 is $37k

[@Dominyc718]

Sheesh. i was lucky when I found mines back in 2017. A 2011 F10 6speed Manual w/ 32,000 miles for $19k. Still have it to this day w/ only 108k miles

[@Anthony_B]

Got really lucky finding mine! Haha

[@poraminthongcachok6655]

In Thailand is still expensive. It cost around 25,000 dollars for 520d 2012

[@Anthony_B]

Geez, pretty pricey out there!

[@bruno_cabcg]

I recently scooped up a 2012 535i M sport 6 speed MT. Paid 22k, low miles 76k.

[@Anthony_B]

Awesome! These cars are really cool and still worth picking up in my opinion, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it a ton!

[@albertjackson1064]

I just bought a 528i x drive for my first bmw are these the same as the 535i and up. Is the only thing that’s different is the engine?

[@Anthony_B]

For the most part, there are different trim levels of each car of course, but for the most part you are correct

[@SHWELL11]

Mine is very clean, but does have a Valve Cover Gasket leak, even with only 41k miles..

[@Driven_Life]

I have the n63tu f10 and my valve cover doesn’t leak which motor do you have shwell11

[@SHWELL11]

@@Driven_Life N55. Ive only had it for 2 weeks. luckily I purchased an extended warranty for an extra 35k miles. gonna wait another 2 weeks before taking it in.

[@Vamp2020]

I'm having my valvecover done at 50k because it's leaking. Definitely was surprised it was already failing.

[@Driving_Somewhere]

It isn't that large once you get used to it . . but the styling . . .it's still good from every angle. Looks more sculpted and more expensive than the G30

[@Anthony_B]

I agree, I think having upgraded the suspension and making the whole car more stiff, it doesn’t feel nearly as big as it did. Makes me wonder just how nimble it would feel with a beefier sway bar installed!

[@Driving_Somewhere]

@@Anthony_B Yeah stock is a most imprecise boat / lumbering beast....lol. But still a strong and stiff chassis...A small 7 it is after all . . . Enjoy ! 😃

[@JJdaSamuRai]

For the weight part my 2011 528i is only 3.8k lbs very nimble

[@Anthony_B]

With the right mods it can definitely tighten up and feel very precise!

[@j.c.ubagox873]

Fantastico video estoy casi por comprarme un f10 2013 535i m package con 97 mil millas en 13.000$ en el sur de la florida y esta informacion es valiosa

[@Anthony_B]

I’m glad it was able to help a bit, hope you enjoy your new f10!

[@j.c.ubagox873]

@@Anthony_B Mechanically, what should I look at when looking at an f10?

[@Anthony_B]

In regards to the 535i only, just make sure the big ticket items have been addressed if it has higher miles, so things like the water pump, injectors, potentially turbo as they can be problematic after lots of miles, and of course above all else, any and all maintenance history you can get your hands on, that will relieve you of a bunch of stress knowing it was taken care of!

[@j.c.ubagox873]

@@Anthony_B How do I know if any of them fail?

[@Anthony_B]

You likely won’t know until they happen, or there will be faults displayed on your combo meter/idrive screen, but you can always just check for leaks underneath or listen for anything abnormal while it’s running, to get a rough idea for the condition of the car, but sometimes you simply won’t know until something has already failed, that’s why getting a car with good service history is heavily advised, so you have a better idea of the condition of the car

[@salaschristopher]

👏

[@Anthony_B]

🫡

[@drebuckzz878]

picked up a 2011 535xi 8speed for $15k with 54k miles back in 2021

[@Anthony_B]

Pretty good deal for one with low miles, congrats!

[@titolozada2510]

my F10 535i MSport spunned a bearing, and kick a rod at 59k well maintained, and never tuned just beat a few domestic on the highway so for me they suck

[@Anthony_B]

That’s a bummer :/ I’m sorry you had a rough experience with yours, hopefully the next car will be a better car to own!

[@titolozada2510]

@@Anthony_B I own a couple of BMW’s and I would never own anything with the n55 engine again

[@MoneyTV01]

Went from a 7-Series to my F10, this feels small to me

[@Anthony_B]

Dang yea I bet, those are huge too haha

[@nwabuezeozuzu6370]

oh yeah, the 7 is a behemoth

[@Alpharizzchad]

It's the same car just more crap

[@OmarNeria]

Just got a 2015 F10. Bone stock 😭

[@Anthony_B]

One mod at a time! 💪🏼

[@OmarNeria]

@@Anthony_B Any chance you know of a specific front lip and spoiler that’ll fit a 2015 528i? Hard to find one that has the assembly to install it myself instead of the “professionally installed” option

[@neo9234]

Picked up 2014 528 with 70k for 12,000 no finance bout to flip it for 16k getting 2015 m5

[@Anthony_B]

Not a bad deal, hopefully you're able to make the flip! I'd love to get into an m5 one of these days

[@Tight--LiNeZ]

Thanks for the vid. Did you just come from the dentist or bite your tongue? cos it seems swollen or something, or you're sticking it forward for some reason. Hope it got better...

[@Jesus_Muslim_]

The only way to maintain a BMW is an infinite supply of cash

[@razorzz2]

Lol here in Germany a F10 535i with about 100.000 miles will cost you $20k...

[@Anthony_B]

That’s pretty gnarly, guess we’re just lucky out here

[@lion3014]

I wouldn’t recommend buying a f10 550i those engines break easy due to plastic n hot v configuration the m5 is much better built than the 550 also the 535i as Well

[@Anthony_B]

Agreed!

[@teleblack2069]

Um sir 130k miles is a lot 💀

[@Anthony_B]

130k miles divided by 12 years (the car was a 2011 and my video was made in 2023) is just below 11k miles a year, or less than 1000 a month, which is close to on track for what a daily would see in its life, so I wouldn’t say it’s a lot for a daily, maybe a lot for someone who never drives their cars 👍🏼

[@PsalmMiracle]

All I did was a tune to downpipes chargepipes and intakes and exhaust and making almost 600hp. I think that’s more than enough mine is a 550i 2016

[@Anthony_B]

Yea these cars are super tunable, the beauty of turbos 😎💯

[@Mate0456]

Haven’t found the right one….🥲