BMW 5 Series F10 - BMW 520d DPF issue

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What do you think of Elon Musk? Have your say | No thanks
View Threaded
Sun 15 Apr 2018 17:09
BMW 5 Series F10 - BMW 520d DPF issue - rossy71

I have a 2011 BMW 520D Touring which seems to be struggling with a DPF issue. Hoping to get some good advice here.

The car has done 118,000 miles. MPG is way down on previous models- 36mpg urban and 44mpg on motorways.

I got an Indy BMW garage to check this and they diagnosed DPD issues. Ran a cleaner programme and forced regeneration but the regen did not work. I like the car to drive,but concerned that the dpf issue will become a bigger problem. Ran the car to Newcastle from Sussex last week, but no improvement in mpg.

Is there an option to replace the DPF or is it better to sell and find a replacement? Would a remap fix it?

I'm doing more shorter journies now than before so maybe this (plus winter) is a factor- but the DPF should regen regularly if working, shouldn't it??

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 15 Apr 2018 18:54
BMW 5 Series F10 - BMW 520d DPF issue - SLO76
At 118,000 miles the DPF has simply reached the end of its lifespan. Replace it would be your best bet as the car will be next to worthless with the DPF/Emissions light on. These engines are very bad for timing chain and turbo failure however so it’s a risk to keep it. Make sure it’s being maintained by a genuine specialist and not just some dodgy Joe who’s decided to call himself one and it may keep going but no one should buy a mileagy old BMW thinking it’ll be cheap to run however, these are never ending wallet stingers.

Edited by SLO76 on 15/04/2018 at 18:55

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 15 Apr 2018 20:15
BMW 5 Series F10 - BMW 520d DPF issue - rossy71

Just to confirm- there is no light or fault showing on the car. The dpf issue is based on a diagnostic by a specialist. The car drives well and pulls well....it is just not returning what it should on mpg

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 15 Apr 2018 20:38
BMW 5 Series F10 - BMW 520d DPF issue - RobJP

No, a remap wouldn't fix it.

As SLO says, the DPF sounds as if it is fully clogged up.

If that is the case, no snake oil chemicals or forced regens are going to help.

The choices are either :

A. Get it professionally cleaned using the 'ceramex' system.

B. Get a new DPF fitted.

Do note that whichever option you take, the DPF 'canister' will look different to how it originally did, and as such the car will automatically fail future MOTs unless you have DOCUMENTED evidence of the work carried out.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 15 Apr 2018 23:50
BMW 5 Series F10 - BMW 520d DPF issue - pd

I'd try getting it professionally cleaned before replacing it. It has to be removed from the car to do this.

It should be possible to tell if it's blocked by anaysing the pressure differential readings.

Also check it is getting the proper readings as if one of the sensors has failed that might be why it is getting blocked.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide