Used BMW 5 Series Crankshaft

The 5 Series moved from the E60/E61 generation (2003–2010) to the F10/F11 generation (2011–2017) in 2010, so these two cars use entirely different engine families and their crankshafts are not interchangeable across that boundary. Within the F10/F11 generation, fitment depends on matching the engine code exactly — for example, an N47 diesel crankshaft will not suit an N55 petrol engine even though both appeared in the same generation. Always confirm the engine code from your V5 or a VIN check before ordering, and verify interchangeability with the breaker against your registration.

The engine code is the single most important detail for a crankshaft — it determines the bore, stroke, and crank journal dimensions, all of which differ between BMW's engine families used across 5 Series generations. Common codes include the N47 and M57 for diesels and the N52, N54, and N55 for petrols, but this is not an exhaustive list and specifications changed even within a code over production years. You'll find the engine code on your V5 logbook or via a VIN check, and you should supply it directly to the breaker when requesting a quote.

Trim levels like SE, Sport, and M Sport do not affect the crankshaft — this is a purely mechanical part defined by the engine fitted, not the badge or specification level. An M Sport 520d and an SE 520d with the same engine code will use the same crankshaft. Where xDrive is concerned, this refers to four-wheel drive and does not change the engine internals, so again the engine code is what matters.

No — petrol and diesel engines have fundamentally different crankshaft designs due to differences in bore size, stroke length, and the much higher compression loads a diesel crankshaft must withstand, so they are not interchangeable under any circumstances. Always ensure the crankshaft you source comes from a donor car with an identical engine code to your own. If you are unsure of your engine type, this will be shown on your V5 or confirmed by a VIN check.

The F10/F11 generation ran from 2011 to 2017, with a facelift introduced in 2013 that brought styling and equipment changes but did not overhaul the core engine families. Whether a crankshaft from a 2015 car fits a 2012 car therefore depends entirely on whether both share the same engine code and specification — if the codes match, fitment is likely but not guaranteed. Confirm this directly with the breaker against both registrations, as ancillary or internal engine changes can occur mid-production without a formal facelift.

Every internal combustion engine — petrol or diesel — contains a crankshaft, so all BMW 5 Series variants powered by a conventional engine will have one. The crankshaft is a core rotating component that converts the pistons' up-and-down motion into the rotational drive that ultimately reaches the wheels. If you drive a 5 Series with a combustion engine, sourcing a used crankshaft from a breaker is a legitimate repair route, provided the engine codes match precisely.