Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF) BMW 5-Series

Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF)

Easy 0h30–3h00 ~50–300£
Estimated time 0h30–3h00
Estimated labour cost ~50–300£
Difficulty Easy
Vehicles
5-Series 1996-2004 6
  • 520d Diesel (M47D20 (204D1))
  • 525d Diesel (M57D25 (256D1))
  • 525td Diesel (M51D25 (256T1))
  • 525tds Diesel (M51D25 (256T1))
  • 530d Diesel (M57D30 (306D1))
  • 530d Diesel (M57D30 (306D1))
5-Series 2003-2011 13
  • 520d Diesel (M47D20T2)
  • 520d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 520d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 525d Diesel (M57D25TU)
  • 525d Diesel (M57D25TU)
  • 525d Diesel (M57D30 (306D3))
  • 525d, Xd Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 530d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 530d Diesel (M57D30TU)
  • 530d, Xd Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 530d, Xd Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 535d Diesel (M57D30T2TOP)
  • 535d Diesel (M57D30TUTOP)
5-Series 2009-2017 17
  • 518d Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 518d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520d Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 520d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 520d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 520d,-xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 525d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 525d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 525d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20D)
  • 530d, -xDrive Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 530d, -xDrive Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 530d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 535d Diesel (N57D30B)
  • 535d, -xDrive Diesel (N57D30B)
  • M550d xDrive Diesel (N57D30C)
5-Series 2017-2025 12
  • 518d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 518d, -mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 520d, -mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 520d, -mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 520d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 520d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 525d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 530d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1)
  • 530d, -xDrive Diesel (B57D30A)
  • 540d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B)
  • 540d, -xDrive Diesel (B57D30B)
  • M550d xDrive Diesel (B57D30C)
Check the catalytic converter 0h30
Remove/refit the pre-catalytic converter 1h00–2h30
Renew the pre-catalytic converter 1h00–2h30
Remove/refit the catalytic converter 1h00–2h30
Renew the catalytic converter 1h00–2h30
Prepare the catalytic converter heat shield for installation* 0h45
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter 0h45–15h00
Remove/refit the petrol particulate filter 0h45–18h00
Renew the petrol particulate filter 0h45–18h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter 0h45–15h00
Check the diesel particulate filter 0h30
Remove/refit the petrol particulate filter temperature sensor 0h30–2h00
Remove/refit the petrol particulate filter differential pressure sensor 0h30–2h00
Renew the petrol particulate filter differential pressure sensor 0h30–2h00
Renew the petrol particulate filter temperature sensor 0h30–2h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter/catalytic converter assembly 2h00–13h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter/catalytic converter assembly 2h00–13h00
Remove/refit the AdBlue system control unit 1h00
Renew the AdBlue system control unit 1h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter fuel additive reservoir 2h30
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter fuel additive reservoir 2h30
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter fuel additive injector 0h45
Renew the diesel particulate filter fuel additive injector 0h45
Remove/refit the AdBlue tank control unit 1h00–1h30
Remove/refit the AdBlue tank 2h30
Drain/refill the AdBlue tank 0h45
Renew the AdBlue tank control unit 1h00–1h30
Renew the AdBlue tank 2h30
Remove/refit the AdBlue injector 0h45
Renew the AdBlue injector 0h45
Remove/refit the catalytic converter With panoramic sunroof 2h00
Remove/refit the catalytic converter Without panoramic sunroof 1h30
Renew the catalytic converter With panoramic sunroof 2h00
Renew the catalytic converter Without panoramic sunroof 1h30
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter With panoramic sunroof 7h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter Without panoramic sunroof 7h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter With panoramic sunroof 7h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter Without panoramic sunroof 7h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter Rear-wheel drive 10h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter Rear-wheel drive 10h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter 4WD 11h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter 4WD 11h00

What is a BMW 5-Series particulate filter?

Diesel engines and direct-injection petrol engines produce soot particles. The particulate filter (DPF/GPF) traps these harmful particles as exhaust gases pass through its honeycomb structure. It is placed on the exhaust line after the catalytic converter.

How does the BMW 5-Series particulate filter work?

As soot accumulates, the filter periodically burns off (regenerates) the trapped particles. Active regeneration raises exhaust temperatures to 550–600°C, burning soot to ash. This occurs every 300–500 km during normal motorway driving. Vehicles driven only on short urban trips may not regenerate properly, leading to blockage.

When should you change the BMW 5-Series particulate filter?

The DPF is designed to last 150,000–250,000 km but depends on driving patterns. Signs of needed replacement: DPF warning light, engine in limp mode, excessive exhaust smoke, or diagnostic scan showing excessive back-pressure or failed regeneration cycles.

Can the BMW 5-Series particulate filter be cleaned instead of replaced?

Yes, professional DPF cleaning can restore a blocked filter at a fraction of replacement cost. However, if the filter substrate is cracked, melted, or structurally damaged, replacement is the only option. Never use a DPF removal/delete service — it is illegal and will fail the MOT/emissions test.

Is it difficult to change the BMW 5-Series particulate filter?

Difficulty level 2/5: technically straightforward but physically demanding due to the filter's location and weight. Key steps: raise the vehicle, disconnect pressure sensors, remove exhaust clamps/bolts, lower the old DPF, fit the new one with new gaskets, reconnect sensors, clear fault codes, perform a forced regeneration cycle.

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6 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
5-Series 1981-1988 1981-1988 518 Petrol (M10B18), 518i Petrol (M10B18), 520i Petrol (M20B20), 520i Petrol (M20B20), 524td Diesel (M21D24), 525e Petrol (M20B27), 525i Petrol (M30B25), 528i Petrol (M30B28), 535i Petrol (M30B34), M5 Petrol (S38B35) Diesel, Petrol
5-Series 1987-1997 1987-1997 520i Petrol (M20B20M), 525i Petrol (M20B25M), 525i, -ix Petrol (M50B25), 530i Petrol (M30B30M), 535i Petrol (M30B35M), 535i Petrol (M30B35M) Petrol
5-Series 1996-2004 1996-2004 520d Diesel (M47D20 (204D1)), 520i Petrol (M52B20TU (206S4)), 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20 (206S3)), 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20TU (206S4)), 520i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M54B22 (226S1)), 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25 (256S3)), 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B25TU (256S4)), 525d Diesel (… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
5-Series 2003-2011 2003-2011 520d Diesel (M47D20T2), 520d Diesel (N47D20A), 520d Diesel (N47D20C), 520i (120/125 kW) Petrol (N43B20A), 520i Petrol (M54B22), 520i Petrol (N46B20B), 523i Petrol (N52B25A), 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N52B25A), 523i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N53B25A), 525d Diesel (M57D25TU), 525d Diesel (M5… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
5-Series 2009-2017 2009-2017 518d Diesel (B47D20A), 518d Diesel (N47D20C), 520d Diesel (B47D20A), 520d Diesel (N47D20C), 520d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C), 520d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (B47D20A), 520d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N47D20C), 520d,-xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 520i Petrol (N20B16A), 520i Petr… Diesel, Petrol
5-Series 2017-2025 2017-2025 518d Diesel (B47D20B), 518d, -mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B), 520d, -mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 520d, -mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 520d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 520d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20B), 520e Electricity,Petrol (B48B20A+GC1), 520i… 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Electricity, Petrol

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