Second Hand BMW 5 Series Windscreen

The BMW 5 Series runs in well-established generations: E60/E61 (2003–2010), F10/F11 (2010–2017, facelift 2013), and G30/G31 (2017–2024). Each generation uses a different windscreen and parts do not cross between them, so knowing your generation is the first step before searching. Check your registration against these year ranges and quote the chassis code to the breaker for certainty.

Both a 2012 and a 2015 5 Series fall within the F10/F11 generation (2010–2017), so you are on the same side of a generation boundary, which is a good starting point. However, the F10 received a facelift in 2013 and some ADAS camera brackets and heating element configurations changed across the range during this period, so you cannot assume every F10 windscreen is a straight swap. Confirm with the breaker whether the screen has the same heated and camera-bracket specification as your car before buying.

Trim level — whether SE, Sport, M Sport, or M550i — does not affect windscreen fitment on the 5 Series; the glass is determined by generation and by which options your car has, not the trim badge. What can differ is that higher or optional-spec cars are more likely to have heated windscreens or ADAS camera brackets fitted, so a screen pulled from a base SE may lack these features compared to your M Sport if your car has them. Always check whether the donor screen matches your car's heated and bracket specification rather than worrying about the trim name.

Yes, if your car has a forward-facing ADAS camera — common on F10 facelifts from 2013 onwards and standard fitment on the G30 generation from 2017 — the windscreen needs a compatible camera bracket or mounting point, and the glass must be free of distortion in the camera's field of view. Using a screen without the correct bracket will mean the camera cannot be refitted properly and your driver-assistance systems may not work. Because compatibility between the donor screen's bracket and your specific ADAS system is not always straightforward, confirm this detail directly with the breaker against your registration before purchasing.

Yes, it matters — a heated windscreen contains fine filaments or a conductive coating in the glass, and swapping a non-heated screen into a car wired for heating means the heating function will simply not work, while the reverse swap is also not recommended. Heated windscreens became more common across the 5 Series range over time, particularly on higher-spec and later cars, so always check whether your current screen is heated before sourcing a replacement. Ask the breaker to confirm the screen's heated or non-heated status and match it to your car's specification.

Both a 2019 and a 2021 5 Series sit within the G30/G31 generation (2017–2024), so you are within the same platform, which is the right starting point. The G30 did receive a facelift in 2020, and while the fundamental screen shape remained consistent, ADAS camera bracket configurations and heating specifications should still be verified between the two cars. Confirm with the breaker that the bracket layout and heated status of the donor screen match your specific car's setup before going ahead.