Used BMW 5 Series CV Joints

CV joints exist on the BMW 5 Series but not across every variant equally — all versions have CV joints at the rear driveshafts (because the rear wheels are driven), and xDrive four-wheel-drive models also have front CV joints at the front driveshafts. Rear-wheel-drive 5 Series without xDrive do not have front CV joints in the same sense, so which joint you need depends on whether your car is standard RWD or xDrive and which end has failed. Always confirm drivetrain and axle position with the breaker when requesting a quote.

The E60 and F10 are entirely different generations — the E60 ran from 2003 to 2010 and the F10 from 2010 to 2017 — and their driveshaft and CV joint dimensions are not the same. Parts do not cross this generation boundary, so you should source an F10-specific joint matched to your engine size and drivetrain (RWD or xDrive). Confirm the exact specification against your registration with the breaker before ordering.

Engine size can affect CV joint specification on the 5 Series because higher-torque engines — particularly the larger six-cylinder and V8 units — can use heavier-duty driveshaft components than four-cylinder variants. It is always worth telling the breaker your exact engine variant alongside the generation to make sure the joint is rated correctly. Never assume a joint from a 520d will be identical to one from a 540i or M550i even within the same generation.

Yes, NS (nearside, left) and OS (offside, right) driveshaft lengths often differ on the 5 Series because the differential is not perfectly centred in the car, so the two shafts are not interchangeable. Always specify which side has failed when contacting a breaker, and double-check this against the physical shaft length if you are unsure. Fitting the wrong side can cause driveline vibration even if the joint itself is in good condition.

Trim level alone — SE, Sport, Luxury, M Sport — does not change the CV joint specification on the F10 5 Series, as the driveshaft components are determined by engine output and drivetrain layout rather than interior or styling pack. An M Sport badge means a different suspension tune and styling, not a different CV joint, so a joint pulled from an SE of the same engine variant and drivetrain should be the same part. Confirm engine size and RWD or xDrive spec with the breaker rather than trim name.

The F10 5 Series received a mid-life facelift in 2013 but this was primarily aesthetic and the underpinning driveshaft architecture was carried over, meaning CV joints may well interchange across that facelift date. However, whether a specific used part from a pre-facelift car fits a post-facelift car is the kind of detail you should confirm with the breaker against your registration, as running-gear revisions can sometimes accompany a facelift without being widely publicised. Give the breaker both the year and engine variant to be safe.