BMW 5 Series: Engines with a timing chain

Many engines in the BMW 5 Series have a timing chain instead of a timing belt. These usually never need to be replaced. On this page you will find a list of BMW 5 Series engines that have a cam chain.

You will also find information about which engines that have a timing belt.

I have collected information about various popular diesel engines and petrol engines from the year 1988 until today

The timing chains in BMW 5 Series are known to last very well as long as service and oil changes are handled.

If you hear a rattling sound from a motor with a timing chain, it may be a sign that the chain needs to be replaced.

Consult a mechanic if you hear a strange engine noise, especially if it is a rattling sound.

This can occur if, for example, the car has not been serviced properly.

If you are considering buying a used BMW 5 Series, make sure that the oil changes are made according to the car’s interval.

Table of Contents

BMW 5 Series engines with a timing chain

Here you will find different engines in BMW 5 Series that have a timing chain. I have divided the information into different tables according to each generation and model year.

BMW E34 1988 – 1996

Here you will find information about different engines between the years 1988 and 1996.

Model	Horsepower	Synchronization
BMW 518i E34 1988 – 1996	113 hp	Timing chain
BMW 518i E34 1988 – 1996	115 hp	Timing chain
BMW 520i E34 1988 – 1996	129 hp	?
BMW 520i E34 1988 – 1996	150 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525i E34 1988 – 1996	170 hp	?
BMW 530i E34 1988 – 1996	188 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525i E34 1988 – 1996	192 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525ix E34 1988 – 1996	192 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525i E34 1988 – 1996	192 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525ix E34 1988 – 1996	192 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535i E34 1988 – 1996	211 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530i E34 1988 – 1996	218 hp	Timing chain
BMW 540i E34 1988 – 1996	286 hp	Timing chain
BMW M5 E34 1988 – 1996	315 hp	Timing chain
BMW M5 E34 1988 – 1996	340 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525td E34 1988 – 1996	115 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525tds E34 1988 – 1996	143 hp	Timing chain

BMW E39 1996 – 2001

Here you will find information about different engines between the years 1996 and 2001.

Model	Horsepower	Synchronization
BMW 520i E39 1996 – 2001	150 hp	Timing chain
BMW 523i E39 1996 – 2001	170 hp	Timing chain
BMW 528i E39 1996 – 2001	193 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535i E39 1996 – 2001	235 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535i E39 1996 – 2001	245 hp	Timing chain
BMW 540i E39 1996 – 2001	286 hp	Timing chain
BMW M5 E39 1996 – 2001	400 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525tds E39 1996 – 2001	143 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d E39 1996 – 2001	184 hp	Timing chain

BMW E39 2001 – 2004

Here you will find information about different engines between the years 2001 and 2004.

Model	Horsepower	Synchronization
BMW 520i E39 2001 – 2004	170 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525i E39 2001 – 2004	192 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530i E39 2001 – 2004	231 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535i E39 2001 – 2004	245 hp	Timing chain
BMW 540i E39 2001 – 2004	286 hp	Timing chain
BMW M5 E39 2001 – 2004	400 hp	Timing chain
BMW 520d E39 2001 – 2004	136 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525d E39 2001 – 2004	163 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d E39 2001 – 2004	193 hp	Timing chain

BMW E60 2004 – 2007

Here you will find information about different engines between the years 2004 and 2007.

Model	Horsepower	Synchronization
BMW 520i E60 2004 – 2007	170 hp	Timing chain
BMW 523i E60 2004 – 2007	177 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525i E60 2004 – 2007	192 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525i E60 2004 – 2007	218 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525xi E60 2004 – 2007	218 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530i E60 2004 – 2007	231 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530i E60 2004 – 2007	258 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530xi E60 2004 – 2007	258 hp	Timing chain
BMW 540i E60 2004 – 2007	306 hp	Timing chain
BMW 545i E60 2004 – 2007	333 hp	Timing chain
BMW 550i E60 2004 – 2007	367 hp	Timing chain
BMW M5 E60 2004 – 2007	507 hp	Timing chain
BMW 520d E60 2004 – 2007	163 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525d E60 2004 – 2007	177 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d E60 2004 – 2007	218 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d E60 2004 – 2007	231 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530xd E60 2004 – 2007	231 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535d E60 2004 – 2007	272 hp	Timing chain

BMW E60 2007 – 2010

Here you will find information about different engines between the years 2007 and 2010.

Model	Horsepower	Synchronization
BMW 520i E60 2007 – 2010	170 hp	Timing chain
BMW 523i E60 2007 – 2010	190 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525i E60 2007 – 2010	218 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525xi E60 2007 – 2010	218 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530i E60 2007 – 2010	272 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530xi E60 2007 – 2010	272 hp	Timing chain
BMW 550i E60 2007 – 2010	367 hp	Timing chain
BMW M5 E60 2007 – 2010	507 hp	Timing chain
BMW 520d E60 2007 – 2010	163 hp	Timing chain
BMW 520d E60 2007 – 2010	177 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525d E60 2007 – 2010	197 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525xd E60 2007 – 2010	197 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d E60 2007 – 2010	235 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530xd E60 2007 – 2010	235 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535d E60 2007 – 2010	286 hp	Timing chain

BMW F10 2010 – 2013

Here you will find information about different engines between the years 2010 and 2013.

Model	Horsepower	Synchronization
BMW 520i F10 2010 – 2013	184 hp	Timing chain
BMW 523i F10 2010 – 2013	204 hp	Timing chain
BMW 528i F10 2010 – 2013	245 hp	Timing chain
BMW 528i xDrive F10 2010 – 2013	245 hp	Timing chain
BMW 528i F10 2010 – 2013	258 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530i F10 2010 – 2013	272 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535i F10 2010 – 2013	306 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535i xDrive F10 2010 – 2013	306 hp	Timing chain
BMW 550i F10 2010 – 2013	408 hp	Timing chain
BMW 550i xDrive F10 2010 – 2013	408 hp	Timing chain
BMW M5 F10 2010 – 2013	560 hp	Timing chain
BMW 520d F10 2010 – 2013	184 hp	Timing chain
BMW 520d M Performance F10 2010 – 2013	200 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525d F10 2010 – 2013	204 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525d F10 2010 – 2013	218 hp	Timing chain
BMW 525d xDrive F10 2010 – 2013	218 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d F10 2010 – 2013	245 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d xDrive F10 2010 – 2013	245 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d F10 2010 – 2013	258 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d xDrive F10 2010 – 2013	258 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535d F10 2010 – 2013	299 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535d xDrive F10 2010 – 2013	299 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535d F10 2010 – 2013	313 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535d xDrive F10 2010 – 2013	313 hp	Timing chain
BMW M550d xDrive F10 2010 – 2013	381 hp	Timing chain

BMW F10 2014 – 2017

Here you will find information about different engines between the years 2014 and 2017.

Model	Horsepower	Synchronization
BMW 520i F10 2014 – 2017	184 hp	Timing chain
BMW 528i F10 2014 – 2017	245 hp	Timing chain
BMW 528i xDrive F10 2014 – 2017	245 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535i F10 2014 – 2017	306 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535i xDrive F10 2014 – 2017	306 hp	Timing chain
BMW 550i F10 2014 – 2017	450 hp	Timing chain
BMW 550i xDrive F10 2014 – 2017	450 hp	Timing chain
BMW M5 F10 2014 – 2017	560 hp	Timing chain
BMW M5 Competition F10 2014 – 2017	575 hp	Timing chain
BMW M5 Competition F10 2014 – 2017	600 hp	Timing chain
BMW 518d F10 2014 – 2017	143 hp	Timing chain
BMW 520d F10 2014 – 2017	184 hp	Timing chain
BMW 520d xDrive F10 2014 – 2017	184 hp	Timing chain
BMW 520d F10 2014 – 2017	190 hp	Timing chain
BMW 520d xDrive F10 2014 – 2017	190 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d F10 2014 – 2017	258 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d xDrive F10 2014 – 2017	258 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535d F10 2014 – 2017	313 hp	Timing chain
BMW 535d xDrive F10 2014 – 2017	313 hp	Timing chain
BMW M550d xDrive F10 2014 – 2017	381 hp	Timing chain

BMW G30 2017 – 2020

Here you will find information about different engines between the years 2017 and 2020.

Model	Horsepower	Synchronization
BMW 520i G30 2017 – 2020	184 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530i G30 2017 – 2020	252 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530i xDrive G30 2017 – 2020	252 hp	Timing chain
BMW 540i G30 2017 – 2020	340 hp	Timing chain
BMW 540i xDrive G30 2017 – 2020	340 hp	Timing chain
BMW M550i xDrive G30 2017 – 2020	462 hp	Timing chain
BMW M5 G30 2017 – 2020	600 hp	Timing chain
BMW M5 Competition G30 2017 – 2020	625 hp	?
BMW 520d G30 2017 – 2020	190 hp	Timing chain
BMW 520d xDrive G30 2017 – 2020	190 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d G30 2017 – 2020	265 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d xDrive G30 2017 – 2020	265 hp	Timing chain
BMW 540d xDrive G30 2017 – 2020	320 hp	Timing chain
BMW M550d xDrive G30 2017 – 2020	400 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530e iPerformance G30 2017 – 2020	252 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance G30 2017 – 2020	252 hp	Timing chain

BMW G30 2021 –

Here you will find information about different engines from the year 2021 until today.

Model	Horsepower	Synchronization
BMW M550i xDrive G30 2021 –	530 hp	?
BMW M5 Competition G30 2021 –	625 hp	?
BMW 530e G30 2021 –	292 hp	?
BMW 530e xDrive G30 2021 –	292 hp	?
BMW 545e xDrive G30 2021 –	394 hp	?
BMW 520d G30 2021 –	190 hp	?
BMW 520d xDrive G30 2021 –	190 hp	Timing chain
BMW 530d G30 2021 –	286 hp	?
BMW 530d xDrive G30 2021 –	286 hp	?
BMW 540d xDrive G30 2021 –	340 hp	?

Does the BMW 5 Series have a timing chain or timing belt?

Most engines in the BMW 5 Series have a timing chain instead of a timing belt. As long as you take care of service and oil changes, the timing chains in BMW 5 Series are known to last very well.