BMW S63 engine report, M5 F10
BMW S63 · M5 (F10)
4.4 LPetrolV82011–2016
44/100
Checked by hand
[risky]
Huge pace, with the bearings and injectors to budget for
Worth buying, but only on the right car. Documented rod bearing replacement, updated injectors, and oil changes every 5,000–8,000 km on record.
ExcellentGoodSolidRiskyAvoid
- Known issues
- 10
- Critical
- 3
- Sources
- 54
Verdict
Spun rod bearings are the S63's very common, critical failure, so a car with no record of new bearings, or any knock from the bottom end, is one to leave.
Injectors fail very often too, though they are a cheaper fix. If the car was built between July and September 2012, check that the oil pump recall work was carried out: a machining fault on the pump shaft could seize the engine. The high-pressure fuel pump, the VANOS solenoids and oil consumption give trouble occasionally, and head gasket, water pump and seal failures are rare.
Specs
- Displacement
- 4.4 L
- Layout
- V8
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Production
- 2009–present
- Chassis
- F10
- Generation
- F10 M5
- Fitted
- 2011–2016
Known issues
10 confirmed · sorted by severity
CriticalRod bearing failure
Connecting rod (big end) bearing wear or spun bearing, usually from oil starvation or extended oil-change intervals -- can destroy the engine if not caught early.
Symptoms
- Knocking Noise
- Warning Light
How often
Very common · Owner-caused. Can destroy the engine if ignored. Not safely drivable.
Evidence
20 owner reports back this, confidence 45/100.
CriticalOil pump failure
The oil pump stops delivering full pressure. The oil-pressure warning comes on, and if the engine keeps running, the bearings and turbo are starved of oil within minutes.
Symptoms
- Oil Pressure Warning
- Warning Light
- Knocking Noise
How often
Rare · Manufacturing defect. Can destroy the engine if ignored. Not safely drivable.
Evidence
1 owner report backs this, confidence 95/100.
CriticalHead gasket failure
Head gasket failure, often preceded by overheating; can lead to a warped head or cracked block if not addressed.
Symptoms
- Coolant Loss
- Smoke (White/Blue/Black)
- Warning Light
How often
Rare · Age-related wear. Can destroy the engine if ignored. Not safely drivable.
Evidence
3 owner reports back this, confidence 40/100.
HighHigh-pressure fuel pump failure
HPFP wear or failure, sometimes shedding metal debris into the fuel system.
Symptoms
- Misfire
- Warning Light
- Hesitation
How often
Occasional · Age-related wear. Does not normally destroy the engine. Not safely drivable.
Evidence
5 owner reports back this, confidence 40/100.
ModerateExcessive oil consumption
Worn valve stem seals, piston rings, or a clogged PCV/oil separator system causing oil consumption above manufacturer spec.
Symptoms
- Oil Consumption
- Smoke (White/Blue/Black)
How often
Occasional · Age-related wear. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
ModerateWater pump failure
Water pump seal or bearing failure (mechanical or electric pump), causing coolant loss.
Symptoms
- Coolant Loss
- Warning Light
How often
Rare · Age-related wear. Can destroy the engine if ignored. Still drivable.
Evidence
2 owner reports back this, confidence 40/100.
LowFuel injector failure
Injector wear, sticking, or seal failure causing misfires, rough running, or fuel leaks.
Symptoms
- Misfire
- Rough Idle
- Fuel Smell
How often
Very common · Age-related wear. Can destroy the engine if ignored. Still drivable.
LowVariable valve timing solenoid/actuator failure
VANOS/VTEC/VVT-style variable valve timing solenoids or actuators fail or clog, causing rough idle, rattle on start, or reduced power.
Symptoms
- Rough Idle
- Reduced Power Mode
- Warning Light
How often
Occasional · Age-related wear. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
4 owner reports back this, confidence 40/100.
LowOil leak from seals or gaskets
Valve cover gasket, rear main seal, or front main seal degradation causing external oil leaks.
Symptoms
- Oil Consumption
How often
Rare · Age-related wear. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
2 owner reports back this, confidence 40/100.
LowThermostat / temperature sensor failure
Thermostat sticking open or closed, or temperature sensor drift, causing incorrect operating temperature.
Symptoms
- Warning Light
How often
Very rare · Age-related wear. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
- Critical
- High
- Moderate
- Low
Rod bearing failurefrom 120k km
Excessive oil consumptionfrom 93k km
Fuel injector failurefrom 113k km
Check the car you're looking at
Set the mileage of the car you're looking at. Problems owners say start before it are the ones to ask the seller about; the next ones are what to budget for.
km
1 already past · 2 coming up
Already past: ask for proof
Owners say these start before this mileage. Nothing tells us whether this car had them fixed, so ask, and ask for the invoice.
The next 30k km
No reliable mileage High-pressure fuel pump failure, Oil pump failure, Head gasket failure, Water pump failure, Variable valve timing solenoid/actuator failure, Oil leak from seals or gaskets, Thermostat / temperature sensor failure
Too few owners said at what mileage these start, so they are not placed above.
Buying checklist
BMW S63 (M5 F10) · Buying checklist
Sources
Updated 15 Sept 2026 · scoring v2.7
Behind this report sit 54 owner posts, forum threads and official records. Nothing gets on the list on one person's word. It takes a recall, or owners on separate platforms describing the same fault. The score then sets how often a problem turns up against the damage it does.