In recent years, the fashion for used cars, in particular German cars, has become more and more widespread. This is understandable - German quality has long been an independent brand. However, does it exist and is it worth the money that is asked for it? Let's try to understand.
General information
The BMW E60 and its fellow E61 (the only difference is in the body, the E60 is a sedan, and the E61 is a station wagon) first appeared in 2003 as part of the group's fifth series of cars. At the start, the car did not find recognition - it was difficult for him to compete with his own ancestor - the E39 model, which is still considered the best "five" of all. However, the car was soon “tasted” and although it never reached the heights of the E39, it was able to take its rightful place in the BMW lineup.
E60 and E61 are equipped with both gasoline and turbodiesel engines, with a volume of 2.2, 2.5, 3 and 4.4 (gasoline) and 3 (diesel) liters. The latter exists in the form of four- and six-cylinder. As for gasoline, they are mostly six-cylinder, but the 4.4-liter version already has eight cylinders. Engine power varies from 163 to 333 horsepower. The standard engine is 2.5 liters (192 hp). There are versions with both manual and automatic transmission.
Now that we already know what exactly we are dealing with, let's start looking for both the problems themselves and ways to eliminate them.
Body problems
The most problem-free part of the car. Thanks to the very good work of German designers and chemists, the body feels solid even though some of the parts are made of aluminum. However, the owners should especially take care of the hood, spars, suspension on the subframe and fenders - they are made of soft metal.Engine problems
It’s worth mentioning the engine right away - it doesn’t have enough stars from the sky, regardless of volume and series. Of course, for European roads it is more than acceptable, but in Russian realities, the bar of 250,000 km, which BMW was so proud of, takes 30 percent of the total. The rest overheat due to a breakdown of the crankcase gas recirculation valve and the formation of carbon deposits on the piston crown and rings.
Another weak point is the exhaust gas converters. They just bake and fall apart after about 100,000 km. Spark plugs with platinum electrodes can last somewhere between 30-40,000 km, and in Europe they gave out 100,000, which is a pretty good result. The bearings of cooled generators serve about the same amount.
Transmission problems (gearbox)
The most competently made part of the car, as, in fact, always with BMW. There are no special problems, the gearbox normally serves up to 150,000 kilometers, although if the driver is careless, it may fail even after 50,000 km. Every 60,000 kilometers it is recommended to change the oil in the boxes.
As for reliability, it is better to look at the option with a manual transmission, especially if the car has a high mileage. Despite the absence of drastic differences in production, a manual transmission lasts a little longer due to a simpler design.
Suspension problems
Mechanically the weakest part of the car (we will still reach the “leader” in service calls). The fact is that the E60 is designed for driving on the highway or even the autobahn, but it is clearly not ready for a meeting with Russian roads. There are three weak points in the suspension - the steering rack, ball bearings and silent brakes of the rear levers, and up to 100,000 km all this rarely survives. So it is worthwhile to carry out diagnostics of the suspension more often and, at the first manifestations of deformation of parts, think about replacing them.
Electronics problems
The winner of our impromptu "hit parade". Most owners mention the BMW E60 electronics extremely obscenely and you can understand them, because despite the rather advanced system (more than 150 electronic components), it is extremely difficult to achieve normal operation from it. The problem lies not in the design itself, but in the software developed by BMW and which, as conceived by the designer, was supposed to take control of all the secondary functions of the car. The fact that some of the electronic units from the first series came out defective and the consequences of this marriage are still manifesting itself does not increase the stability of the BMW E60 electronics either.
Fortunately, in later series, this problem was solved - and the blocks went better, and the software on them was more run-in. However, if you still took a chance and bought yourself an old E60, then here's a little advice for you - go to a car service and carry out a complete diagnosis of the electronics. This will help to identify the presence of a defective unit and replace it with a new one.
Other issues
In addition to the problems that can affect the driving performance of the car, which we have already sorted out, there are also small problems related to the comfort of the driver and passengers. And the most important - parking sensors, both in connection with the "clumsy" electronics, and on their own. When buying a car, they should also be subjected to serious diagnostics.
The brush on the rear window is also unpleasantly surprising. A seemingly simple design begins to jam in the second or third month of use. The solution is to disassemble the mechanism and lubricate it with graphite grease, after cleaning the oxidized places with fine sandpaper.
In addition, sooner or later the steering wheel creaks. There can be three reasons: lack of lubrication on the electric button tracks, damaged steering shaft crosses and a loose spacer under the hood. In the first case, you need to add grease to the tracks, in the second - lubricate or replace the crosses (grease is a temporary solution), in the third - tighten the bolts.
Conclusion
BMW E60 is a pretty good car, but it should not even be compared with the same E39. Of course, after a little “finishing with a file”, the car will even become good, but for the E39 this refinement was not required at all. And if you are completely satisfied with the "old man", you should look for it in good condition, for the price they are approximately comparable with the E60.
Produced in Germany, Mexico, Indonesia, Egypt, Russia, China, India and Thailand.
Restyling in 2007.
In Kaliningrad, only rear-wheel drive versions were produced. All 4WD vehicles are made in Germany.
Body
Aluminum front fenders and hood. There will be no corrosion on them, but repairs after an accident will be expensive.
Electrician
The car has a lot of expensive electronics that fail for various reasons.
By 120 t. Km, the heating of the front seat fails.
In the cold, the joystick on restyled cars freezes. The system fails when any of the numerous sensors fails, which leads to the replacement of the entire computer ($ 1600) /
There is a problem with the ground wire on the right rear light. Contact burns out.
The generator clutch may hum from water ingress.
Engine
The M54B22 engine (170 hp, 2.2 l) was installed on the 520 i
The N43B20 engine (170 hp, 2.0 l) was installed on the 520 i
The N52B25 engine (177 hp, 2.5 l) was installed on the 523 i
The N53B25 engine (190 hp, 2.5 l) was installed on the 523 i in the period from 2007 to 2010.
The M54B25 engine (192 hp, 2.5 l) was installed on the 525 i in the period from 2003 to 2005.
The N52B25 engine (218 hp, 2.5 l) was installed on the 525 i in the period from 2005 to 2007.
The N53B30 engine (218 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on the 525 i in the period from 2007 to 2010.
The M54B30 engine (231 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on the 530 i in the period from 2003 to 2005.
The N52B30 engine (258 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on the 530 i in the period from 2005 to 2007.
The N53B30 engine (272 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on the 530 i in the period from 2007 to 2010.
The N54B30 engine (306 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on the 535 i in the period from 2007 to 2010.
The N62B40 engine (306 hp, 4.0 l) was installed on the 540 i
The N62B44 engine (333 hp, 4.4 l) was installed on the 545 i in the period from 2003 to 2005.
The N62B48 engine (367 hp, 4.8 l) was installed on the 550 i in the period from 2005 to 2010.
The M47D20 engine (163 hp, 2.0 l) was installed on the 520 d in the period from 2005 to 2007.
The N47D20 engine (177 hp, 2.0 l) was installed on the 520 d in the period from 2007 to 2010.
The M57D25 engine (177 hp, 2.5 l) was installed on the 525 d
The M57D30 engine (197 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on the 525 d in the period from 2007 to 2010.
The M57D30 engine (218 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on the 530 d in the period from 2003 to 2005.
The M57D30 engine (231 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on the 530 d in the period from 2005 to 2007.
The M57D30 engine (235 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on the 530 d in the period from 2007 to 2010.
The M57D30 engine (272 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on the 535 d between 2004 and 2007.
The M57D30 engine (286 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on the 535 d in the period from 2007 to 2010.
Diseases of petrol engines BMW M (1933-2011)
Diseases of petrol engines BMW N (2001-present)
Diseases of BMW M diesel engines (1983-present)
Diseases of diesel engines BMW N (2006-present)
Common diseases of BMW engines
To 150 t. Km, a radiator flows. By 170-180 t. Km, the pump and valves of the cooling system fail. The pipes of the cooling system burst. The thermostat fails. The radiator is leaking.
Engines eat oil.
On pre-styling cars, the valve in the crankcase ventilation system fails every 80 tons. Km. After restyling, it was built into the valve cover and the resource doubled.
The valve cover gasket is leaking in the cold with a run of about 100 tons. Km.
Sometimes ignition coils fail.
Transmission
When buying an all-wheel drive version, it is necessary to diagnose the all-wheel drive system ($ 200).
On pre-styling cars, the gearbox pan gasket is leaking.
On pre-styled cars with automatic transmission, a push is felt when turned on D and R . Partially eliminated by a software update of the box. After restyling, the problem went away. When changing the driver, the box may kick. According to the regulations, the oil in the automatic transmission does not change.
At automatic transmission 6-26, the turbine shaft wears out by 80-100 tons. Km.
On all-wheel drive versions, by 150 t. Km, the handout motor fails.
To 140 t. Km, gearbox oil seals flow.
The automatic transmission plastic pan leads from the temperature difference and an oil leak appears.
Chassis
By 70-90 t. Km on rear-wheel drive versions, the rear suspension is completely worn out. Sometimes without H-arms. On all-wheel drive, she walks 140 tons. Km. Hub bearings run 170 tons. Km. Stabilizer racks go 60 tons. Km. The front suspension goes 90-110 tons. Km.
If a rear air suspension is installed, then the compressor wears out due to the poor location of the air intake.
In general, the all-wheel drive suspension is stronger.
Stabilizer struts go 20-30 tons. Km.
The hydraulic actuators of the active stabilizers are leaking in the presence of the dynamic drive system.
Control mechanisms
A weak active steering rack starts knocking ($ 3500) to 100 thousand km, the car floats. Many change tie rods at the risk of damaging the bushings, which exacerbates the knock. On pre-styling cars with an active rail, the sensor located at the bottom of the rail fails. Crankcase protection can significantly extend the life of the sensor.
Weak steering shaft.
On all-wheel drive, there are no problems with the steering rack.
The front brake pads run 35 thousand km, the rear 80 thousand km. Drives are 2 times longer.
By 180 t. Km, the power steering pump fails. Power steering hoses are leaking.
Other
In general, all the problems of the car are predictable and the increase in reliability compared to the previous generation is visible to the naked eye.
Expensive corporate service.
hijacked. They steal mirrors.
The BMW E60 is a full-size sedan of the BMW 5 Series business class, modified in 2004. It was produced on the assembly line until 2009. It is considered the successor to the model in the back of the E39. In 2007, the first restyling for the BMW E60 was released. The 520i trim was considered the most basic version. In addition to the hatchback, the model was produced in the station wagon. In December 2009, by decree of the BMW management, the E60 production workshop was closed. This decision was made in order to modernize the conveyor in preparation for the production of the next generation of the BMW 5 Series. From 2003 to 2009, 1,096,444 sedans and 263,426 station wagons of the E60 model were sold.
Engines and models for BMW E60
- 520, petrol 2 liters, 156 liters. s., acceleration to 100 km / h in 9.6 seconds, fuel consumption of 11.2 / 6.1 liters per 100 km (MKP)
- 520, diesel 2 liters, 177 forces, fuel consumption 7.1 / 4.7 liters (MT), acceleration to 100 km / h in 8.3 seconds
- 525, 2.5 gasoline, 218 forces, consumption of 13.5 / 7 liters (automatic transmission), acceleration to 100 km / h in 7.9 seconds
- 525, 3.0 gasoline, 218 forces, consumption of 11.2 / 6.3 liters (automatic transmission), acceleration to 100 km / h in 7.9 seconds
- 530, 3.0 diesel, 235 forces, consumption 9.1 / 52 (automatic transmission), acceleration to 100 km / h in 6.8 seconds
- 530, 3.0 gasoline, 272 horsepower, consumption of 13.6 / 6.8 liters (automatic transmission), acceleration to 100 km / h in 6.6 seconds
- 535, 3.0 diesel, 286 forces, consumption 9/5.4 liters (automatic transmission), acceleration to 100 km / h in 6.4 seconds
- 540, 4.0 gasoline, 306 forces, consumption of 15.5 / 7.5 liters (automatic transmission), acceleration to 100 km / h in 6.2 seconds
BMW E60 reviews on consumption per 100 km.
- Oleg, Tambov, version 520. I took the most basic version in 2005. It was my first BMW, and so I decided not to save up and buy quickly, in the end I took the minimum wage. A machine with mechanics, a basic set of equipment, nothing more. Didn't regret it. The car consumes about 10 liters in the city.
- Igor, Sverdlovsk, version 520. We needed a comfortable and inexpensive car for a taxi. For such purposes, the base 520 fit, which has excellent fuel consumption - I get no more than 10 liters per 100 km. Most passengers are happy. The only drawback is that the three of us sit closely in the back. There are no problems with the dynamics, it copes with its tasks. The front panel is well assembled, does not creak. Pretty stiff suspension, but this is offset by a sharp steering wheel and an almost complete lack of roll.
- Dmitry, Irkutsk, 525. A three-liter engine with a capacity of 218 forces turned out to be very voracious. But the dynamics are great. Consumes an average of 15 liters per 100 km. This car, although a business class, is primarily focused on the driver.
- Vasily, Dnepropetrovsk, version 530. I drive mostly in the back seat. My personal driver likes the car for reliable handling in extreme conditions. He even says that it is very difficult to get into an accident on this five - it steers so quickly and predictably. It's just that we often drive fast, my work is far away - outside the city. The fuel consumption of my 530th is at least 10 liters, up to 15.
- Anatoly, 530. A car with a three-liter gasoline engine eats a lot, but the sound of this engine is simply magnificent. After a test drive, I realized what to take. And don't care about the cost. So what if more than 15 liters comes out. The dynamics are infernal, the brakes and handling are infernal, in general, everything is hurt.
- Sergey, Tver, 525. A dynamic car, although not in the top-end configuration. Consumption of about 12 liters on average. Comfort is top notch. Lots of features, nice to sit in the cabin. But the suspension is a bit loud for our roads.
- Peter, 535. Advised by friends, took over. It's not like that at all. I have a family, children, they do not need a sports car. I wanted a comfortable and luxurious car. And it's too frisky, straight shakes the soul, the cabin is very loud. The suspension is the stiffest I've tested. Fuel consumption is about 16 liters per hundred. I am very glad that one of my friends responded and agreed to buy it. I'll buy a Camry with the money I make.
- Victor, Donetsk, 540. Bought in 2007. Full stuffing. Automatic, four-wheel drive, four-liter 300-horsepower engine. It seems that nothing more is needed for life. And it's good that I don't have a family yet. And then you would have to take some kind of minivan. I'm over 40, but this car gives a second youth. I did not regret a penny that I bought the 540th. Against the background of this five, all other versions of the BMW 5 e60 seem to be pawns, what can I say about competitors. In my opinion, this is the best car not only of its time - it is in this configuration. Fuel consumption can reach up to 20 liters. But I repeat that I do not regret a penny for the operation of my boomer. He is with me everywhere and everywhere. Fast and comfortable. The costs for him are already divine, he is already ten years old, after all. It's time to change, but the hands do not rise in any way. I'm used to it and I won't sell it to anyone.
- Nikolai, Volgograd, 740. Thoroughly tested it, and only then took it. A true premium sports car. The car justifies the money spent. Took with a run of 60 thousand, already of course without a guarantee. I visit the service regularly, I somehow repair such a car myself. Fuel consumption is 20-25 liters per hundred.
- Marina, Kharkiv, 525. The car met all my expectations, I drive it to work. Eats 11-12 liters, depending on the situation in the city. Comfortable and quiet in the cabin.
- Oleg, Moscow, 520. I will characterize my purchase as follows - cheap and cheerful. Here is my strict German-conservative, calm and prudent. He doesn't need anything extra. There are almost no options, the gearbox is a handle. Single zone climate works great. Nothing more is needed for comfort. After ten years of use, all the electrics are working properly, but I visit the service regularly. Fuel consumes about 10 liters per 100 km.
- Alexey, St. Petersburg, 540. I bought a supported copy of 2008 with a mileage of 100 thousand. What they didn't do with him. It is clear that for such money there will be a donut hole. But not to the same extent ... It turned out that there was a major accident. The back of the body is completely wrinkled, I had to cut it. Thank God, there was a donor, and they borrowed the back from him. The costs are insane. But it's all over. Capital made, chip tuning done, interior and body repainted, and now you can pile on every day. I am now so happy and fast that I manage to fly with a consumption of 30 liters per 100 km.
BMW E60 of the 5 Series model range provides high ride comfort and excellent handling. Not so little time has passed since the debut of the E60 body, but despite this, not everyone can afford to buy!
The fifth generation BMW 5 Series was introduced in 2003. It was a completely different “five”, which combines the elegance and chic of the big “seven”, with the maneuverability slightly inferior to the “troika”.
The designer of the E60 body, Chris Bangle, was “mixed with dirt” by automotive journalists at the time of the presentation of the car, and the new fifth series was heavily criticized. However, after a few months, they looked at the car in a completely different way, as they saw a bold step in a non-standard BMW design. The car still looks sensational today.
BMW E60 is equipped with extensive electronics, which makes the trip not only comfortable, but also provides a high level of safety. Despite the years since its release, the E60 makes a good impression in the body and is still regarded as synonymous with prestige and professional success for its owner. And although the car is a tempting offer, when buying it is worth considering that the cost of maintaining the E60 still exceeds the financial capabilities of the average resident of our country.
During the 7-year production period, the "five" E60 was updated once (restyling), offered in two body styles (sedan and since 2004), was available with rear-wheel drive and a 4 × 4 all-wheel drive system (xDrive), it was supplied with a manual or automatic transmission, and of course with various variations of gasoline and diesel engines.
What to look for when choosing a BMW E60/E61 and how to decide which model to choose before buying?! Let's figure it out in order.
Appearance
The first acquaintance with the BMW E60 is, of course, visual, and although the appearance of the car does not affect its reliability in any way, it is nevertheless worth giving an example of two slightly different versions. This moment when choosing, perhaps for someone plays an important role.
As mentioned above, for the entire period of production in the car there was an update (in 2007):
- exterior - in front, restyled models received a new bumper with a modified shape of fog lamps, as well as new front optics. Side — new thresholds. The rear received new taillights, a slightly modified bumper and a slightly updated trunk lid;
- interior - in the cabin, the door trim itself was changed, the control of the curtains and power windows was moved to the armrest below, the center console was modernized, an electronic automatic transmission selector with a modern shape was installed (later they were installed on) and an engine start button;
- power units - new generation N-Series engines are installed under the hood;
- problems - it is also worth noting that in the restyled models some problem areas that arose in the 2003-2007 models were eliminated;
On cars since 2005, the Bavarians began to install the "Start-Stop" button instead of the key.
How and how do pre-styling and restyled models produced since 2007 differ, you can find out by visually comparing their appearance from the photos below using the example of a sedan:
The first thing that catches your eye is the bumper, you won’t immediately notice the difference in optics
The side part was not left without attention - the door sills on the restyled version seem to be inflated
At the rear, the changes affected the bumper - its lower part changed shape a little, the taillight - got a more modern appearance, the trunk lid - the changes affected its license plate part, as a result of which the lock was moved higher
In this photo you can see that they also did a good job on the interior.
The aerodynamic M Sport Package looks very dynamic on the BMW E60, and outwardly even the diesel 520th sedan is very similar to the "charged" version of the M5.
At first glance, the cars are almost identical in appearance, but a fan of the BMW brand, in particular the E60 body, despite the photo, will tell you what are the characteristic differences in the M package and the M Series sedan, but if you are just getting to know the world of BMW, then in the following photo find 6 differences, where on the first (top) photo is a BMW 520d with the M Sport package, and on the second (bottom):
With regards to the body itself, it is worth noting here that the anti-corrosion resistance of the body in the E60s models is significantly higher compared to its predecessor. A car that has not been involved in a serious accident should not be corroded. Do not stop your attention on a car that has been in a serious accident, especially for cars with a blow that came to the front part, since the front part is made of aluminum and not all service stations will undertake the repair of this body element, and what will the restoration of the front part of the car by unskilled specialists lead to it's not hard to guess.
The lineup
BMW 520i E60 - until 2007 with a 6-cylinder engine with 170 hp, after restyling, a 4-cylinder engine with the same power was installed under the hood of the updated model.
BMW 523i E60 - until 2007, this modification was available with (177 hp and 230 Nm). In 2007, the power unit was replaced by the N53 (190 hp and 235 Nm). In the same year, it was finalized, and the torque increased to 240 Nm.
BMW 525i E60 - as well as a sedan, a touring with rear-wheel drive, an all-wheel drive version of the 525xi, until 2005, it was equipped with an M54 engine (192 hp), from 05 ′, a 6-cylinder BMW N52 engine (218 hp) was installed on the car .With.). After the facelift, the N53 engine was installed with the same power, but 20 Nm more torque. For the US market, this model was offered as the 528i.
BMW 530i E60 (530xi) - until 2005, the M54 engine (231 hp) was installed on the car. In the period from 2005 to 2007, the sedan, as well as the station wagon, was equipped with an N52 engine (258 hp). Restyled versions received a more powerful version of the engine - N53 (272 hp).
The BMW 535i E60 is a sedan version with an N54 engine (306 hp) for the North American market.
BMW 540i E60 / BMW 545i E60 / BMW 550i E60 - TOP 3 most powerful production versions of the E60 body, of course, not counting the BMW M5 E60. All three models were equipped, but with different volume and technical characteristics: 540i (306 hp) / 545i (333 hp) / 550i (367 hp).
The BMW 520d E60 is the most economical and affordable diesel modification of the BMW E60. Since 2005, the car has been produced with (163 hp), after restyling it was equipped with a more powerful one (+14 hp).
BMW 525d E60 - a more powerful diesel version was supplied with an engine (177 hp). A four-wheel drive version was introduced in 2007, and from 07′ both models were equipped with the same engine, but with an increase in power of 20 hp.
BMW 530d E60 - until 2007, the car was equipped with a 218-horsepower M57 power unit, after restyling the same engine, but more powerful (+13 hp).
The BMW 535d E60 is the top diesel model of the BMW E60 5 Series. Just like the previous diesel 6-cylinder models, this version received the M57 engine (from 2004 to 2007 - 272 hp, from 2007 to 2010 - 286 hp).
Engine
Theoretically, with a wide range of models and their equipment, everyone will find something for themselves, but in practice, as it turns out, this moment is not so simple. The difficulty in finding your future car is not the question of which engine to buy a BMW E60 5 series or with which transmission, but that it will not be easy to find a really well-groomed copy, in excellent condition, with a reasonable and confirmed mileage.
Speaking through the lips of the owners of BMW cars - "It does not matter what year the BMW is made, it is important in what condition it is." And when searching for your car - you yourself can be convinced of this.
The motor is the heart of the car and one of the most important devices in it, if not the most important, every motorist knows about it. Which engine to choose when buying a BMW E60?
During production, the BMW E60 was offered with a wide choice of engines - 4-, 6-, 8-cylinder petrol and 4-, 6-cylinder diesel engines with different specifications. The legendary 10-cylinder mounted on the BMW M5 was also installed on the E60. Many attribute it to the E60 body, but this is just documented. The M5 version is part of the M Series family, in which even the suspension is different, not to mention the equipment, engine and external differences.
Reliable and problematic BMW E60 engines
From the list above, it can be seen that the range of engines of the "five" is very wide. In the secondary market, you can most often find gasoline versions of 520i, 525i and 530i.
The BMW M54 engine is considered an old type, although the power and reliability in operation is not inferior to later versions equipped with direct injection. This motor is more resistant to poor quality fuel, and with proper care it works without any complaints and unexpected surprises. Regardless of which version this motor is installed on, one of the most common engine problems is the timing chain. This element stretches over time, which leads to knocking and rattling. Nevertheless, the chain can be adjusted, but the problem, unfortunately, is not eliminated for a long time, and will require further replacement. Nevertheless, the BMW M54 engine is considered the most reliable BMW E60 engine.
On N-series engines up to liters in volume, the problem is high oil consumption for waste - it can reach up to 1 liter per 1000 km, this indicator depends on the state of the power unit itself. In motors of this series, this problem is removed by replacing the caps. Another common problem with engines of this family is an open timing chain, which must be changed every 150-200,000 km.
As for the top modifications with the H62 engine, it is worth noting that the engine does not have a “bouquet” of problems, but when buying a used BMW E60 540/545/550i, it is quite possible to get on a “shabby” engine. The main problem areas should be noted the presence of oil zhora and "badass" in the cylinder blocks. The first problem is caused by the wear of the valve stem seals after 100,000 km of run, but the second one will have to be looked for using endoscope diagnostics when buying a car with an N62 engine. In the presence of "seizures" - the block is considered non-repairable.
When buying a restyled E60 equipped with a new generation engine, you must be firmly confident in the good condition of the engine and proper care for it by the previous owner, since these engines, despite their dubious fame, are actually not inferior in reliability to the same line of M series engines, subject to timely and proper maintenance. And perhaps it is worth noting that a good N-series motor is not only more powerful than the M54, but also more economical. In other words, if you do not plan to take care of the engine in a timely manner, buying only NOT high-quality or NOT original lubricants, parts of engine components (this also applies to the suspension) - and drive a car periodically only refuel and expect any breakdown, then the engine N-series is not for you.
Among the diesel-powered E60 range, the most common are the 520d, 525d and 530d.
Unlike the 4-cylinder M47, the 6-cylinder M57 is more reliable, more powerful, and fuel consumption is almost comparable to a two-liter engine.
In the M47, quite often the turbocharger, 2-mass flywheel, and injectors create a problem. There are also known cases of problems with the crankshaft, which ended in a major overhaul of the engine or its replacement.
With proper maintenance, such as changing engine oil, the BMW M57 engine will work for a long time and without any problems. When choosing a car with this engine, first of all, it is necessary to diagnose the turbine, since it “suffers” during operation in the first place, and has a resource of about 110,000 km.
With increased oil consumption on a diesel engine, it says that the crankcase ventilation valve has most likely failed (approximately 80,000 km).
Approximately once every 12-15,000 km, an oil change notice will appear on the information board, but experts recommend changing the oil at 10,000 km, and this applies to all E60 engines.
Most BMW gasoline and diesel engines also suffer from low-quality fuel. Therefore, try to refuel at proven network gas stations, and to extend the life of the engine - only gasoline with an octane rating of 98.
When pouring low-quality gasoline, after 50,000 kilometers, the oxygen sensor and fuel pump may fail, and by 100,000 the catalyst may fail.
Transmission
Gearboxes installed on the BMW E60 are generally quite reliable, especially mechanical ones, although there are not so many with BMW E60 mechanics.
As for the automatic 6-speed, problems are still possible with it, some of them:
- failures in the control program (electronic control unit), due to which some malfunctions appear, for example, the appearance of shocks when changing the stage. Troubleshooting - flashing or erasing errors in the software;
- leaking plastic pallets;
- “Floating” speed is a problem in the torque converter. It is possible to get rid of a breakdown only by repairing the automatic transmission, namely, replacing worn parts;
It doesn’t matter if the automatic transmission is installed on a BMW, Audi or Mercedes, the automatic transmission itself is more complex in design and demanding in operation, which cannot be said about a manual gearbox.
Chassis
The chassis of the BMW E60 has an almost completely aluminum construction, it consists of a front and rear multi-link suspension, each of which has 4 levers.
When operating the BMW E60 on a poor-quality road surface, knocks may occur, the cause is most likely the stretched bolts of the beam and levers. To fix the problem, sometimes you need to tighten the bolts.
In the front suspension of the BMW E60, the stabilizer struts and the steering rack often fail, mostly the problem appears within 50-80,000 km. Shock absorbers will last 100-120,000 km.
Silent blocks of the front lower arms and steering tips will last up to 100,000 km. Racks of a low-quality brand will make themselves felt in the near future after installation, which will lead to a trip to the service station. Experts recommend installing branded ones, such as Lemförder or TRW.
In all-wheel drive models, the problematic place is the front axle shafts.
The rear suspension is more reliable, and the first thing that can disturb you is the shock absorbers. As for touring, if you buy a BMW E61 station wagon, then it is more subject to stress and less reliable than the rear suspension of a sedan.
When choosing a BMW E60, pay attention to a car without Dynamic Drive and "active steering". In fact, these systems are very useful, Dynamic Drive allows you to reduce car roll, and active steering contributes to more precise handling. But these systems in service can hit the pocket. So, for example, active stabilizers fail after 30-40,000 km, and replacing one axle costs about 50,000 rubles.
Electronics
Most of the auxiliary functions in the BMW E60 are controlled electronically, namely the iDrive system, which is an internal computer.
Although it is designed to help and create comfort, but because of this system, the reputation of the BMW E60 is badly damaged.
Most problems are solved by flashing, so you need to do it once a year. The failure of at least one of the sensors can lead to a failure in the entire system. To fix the problem, you need to update the software (software), which will cost about 5,000 rubles. The failure of the car's main computer will require "laying out" 30-50,000 rubles, depending on the place of repair - authorized or not authorized.
Most problems with failures in electronics are solved by restarting the engine. If the sensor lights up on the display, restart the engine, waiting 10-15 minutes before starting again.
Outcome
And finally, "Repetition is the mother of learning ..." - if you want to buy a BMW E60 at the lowest market price - do not count on the reliability of the car without investing a tidy sum in it.
This generation of "fives" is very reliable with proper and timely care, and trips will please you for a long time if you operate the car correctly, taking into account the manufacturer's maintenance recommendations.
When choosing a used BMW E60 in a pre-styling body, pay attention to the gasoline version with an M54 engine with a 3-liter volume if you need a car with a powerful engine.
If you want a modest, reliable and comfortable premium sedan / touring, take a look at the BMW 520i (M54) with a 2.2-liter engine. Of course, the technical parameters of the 2.2-liter E60 are inferior to the 3-liter version, nevertheless, the engine of the 520th model is quite capable of delivering pleasure from the trip.
The M54 engine is cheaper to maintain than the N-series engines, and although it is inferior in power, the M-series engine will still be more reliable given the condition of most E60 BMWs that are currently offered on the secondary market.
N-Series engines do not have a very good reputation among owners, and there is a reason for this. Since the 90s, for fans of the brand, the BMW engine has been the standard of reliability, power and inexpensive repairs. But, as time goes on, and with it the development of automotive technologies, which entail a reduction in CO 2 emissions into the atmosphere and a reduction in fuel consumption. Even these two indicators require serious refinement of the power unit.
The modern BMW engine, including those installed on the restyled E60, is a structurally complex power unit that requires attention, proper care and quality service. Having saved on the purchase of one part from a low-quality manufacturer, in the future you will have to “give it your all” to buy the whole system or any node.
If you want a BMW E60 sports sedan, pay attention to a rare model - the BMW 550i E60. This version came with a large package and a powerful 5-liter engine, but the machine is not cheap to maintain.
When choosing a diesel BMW E60, give your preference to the 3-liter M57 engine. Its reliability has been proven by time, and unlike gasoline engines, a diesel engine is more economical, although it is slightly inferior in power, and compared to a 4-cylinder M47, a 6-cylinder engine only consumes a little more, but takes the lead in quality.
Wish you the right choice and a successful purchase.
24.10.2016
sixth generation BMW E60 was a big step forward in the automotive industry. This car not only looked different, but also had fantastic driving characteristics and had revolutionary equipment for those times. And it's not just about the number of options that many modern cars can envy. The fact is that many of the mechanisms of this car are controlled by electronics. But how reliable electronic systems turned out to be in practice, and what to look for when buying a used BMW E60, I will tell you in this article.
A bit of history:
BMW E60- modification of the body of the fifth series, which was produced from 2003 to 2009, the predecessor of this body was the BMW E39. In 2007, a restyling took place, as a result of which the car acquired an electronic automatic transmission selector, new headlights, bumpers, and the Start / Stop button also appeared. In the technical part, three-liter gasoline engines (280 hp and 235 hp) were added. The car is available in two body styles - a sedan (E60) and a station wagon (E61), there is also a charged version of the M5, which was equipped with a 5-liter V10 engine that produces 510 hp, which allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 in 4.7 seconds . The maximum speed of all fives is electronically limited to 250 km / h, without a limiter, the car can accelerate to 305 km / h. The last car rolled off the assembly line in 2009; in December of the same year, the BMW E60 production workshop was closed for re-equipment for the production of the new F10 model. During the period from 2003 to 2009, the company sold over a million sedans and 250,000 station wagons.
Advantages and disadvantages of the BMW E60 with mileage.
There are two facts you need to know about the body of the BMW of the fifth series: the first is that the car has an ideal coloring along the axes (50 \ 50) in terms of weight. And in order to achieve this, the engineers had to make the front part of aluminum (spars, cups, racks, etc.). And since aluminum is attached to the steel frame only by means of riveting, there are times when this connection begins to “breathe” (knocks and clicks are heard during movement). If the car was hit in the front part of the body with damage to the power elements, then it will not be possible to restore the car in any garage service. For restoration at the dealer - you will have to pay half the cost of the car. But in order to "pump" a broken car, our craftsmen work wonders, so you need to be extremely careful. The second fact that you need to know about the BMW body is that this car does not rot, as the manufacturer carries out two-sided anti-corrosion treatment, plus, the quality of the paintwork is at the highest level. If you see a BMW E60 with pockets of corrosion, it is in 99.9% of cases - broken cars.
Power units.
BMW E60 has a large line of powertrains (more than 20), but it makes no sense to talk about all of them. In the CIS countries, the most widely used cars of the following modifications: gasoline versions - "520i" volume 2.0 (170 hp), "525i" volume 2.5 (192 hp), "530i" volume 3.0 (231 hp .), "545i" volume 4.4 (333 hp) and "M5" volume 5.0 (510 hp). Diesel modifications - "525d" volume 2.5 (177 hp) and "530d" volume 3.0 (218 hp). Cars with 2.0 and 2.5 liter engines can be not only rear-wheel drive, but also all-wheel drive. Most often, power units suffer from low-quality fuel, not only diesel, but also gasoline engines. If the previous owner refueled with low-quality fuel, be prepared to replace the oxygen sensor and fuel pump, and after 100,000 km - the catalyst (but, as practice shows, we simply remove it).
All motors have considerable oil consumption. Consumption up to 0.4 liters per 1000 km, for cars over 6 years old, this is the norm, if oil consumption is more than 0.6 liters per 1000 km, replacement of valve stem seals is required. Don't be alarmed if you don't find an oil dipstick when looking under the hood, as some motors have a sensor installed instead of it, which signals the need to top up the oil. The weakest engine has problems starting in the cold season, and the owners also call it floating speed XX. The 2.5 and 3.0 engines have proven to be the most trouble-free. In order to extend the life of engines, you should change the oil every 10,000 km. The cooling radiator is considered the weakest point (replacement is required every 70-90 thousand kilometers). And to prolong its life, do not forget to flush the radiator with a high-pressure jet of water every time you wash your car, this will help to avoid early leaks.
When choosing a diesel engine, you should start with the diagnosis of the turbine, since, first of all, it suffers from low-quality fuel. The resource of the turbine is a little more than 100,000 km, the replacement will cost 1500-2000 USD. Also, quite often on used cars (with a mileage of more than 70,000 km), the crankcase ventilation valve fails, as a result, oil consumption increases significantly. It is worth remembering that the bulk of the diesel BMW E60 was imported from Europe, and, as a rule, with a mileage of more than 250,000 km. Therefore, if you meet such a car with a mileage of 100-150 thousand km, then there is a high probability that this car has a twisted mileage or it has been restored after a serious accident.
Transmission
BMW E60 is equipped with a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. If we talk about mechanics, then this unit does not have any drawbacks, but the automatic transmission can present a surprise in the form of a software failure, which causes a lot of malfunctions (shocks, jerks during switching from first to second gear). This ailment is treated by flashing or erasing an error in the software. There is no reason to refuse all-wheel drive versions either, malfunctions of the electromagnetic clutch are very rare.
Salon
The quality of materials and assembly of the cabin is at the highest level. For neat owners, in cars with a mileage of 100-150 thousand km, the salons look like new. But the presence of a large number of electronics delivers a lot of unpleasant moments. The main one is " I Drive"- a system to control most of the auxiliary functions, but it is because of this smart system that the reputation for reliability of this car suffers very much. The failure of even one sensor often leads to the failure of the entire system. In most cases, problems are solved by flashing the main control unit, such a service will cost about 50-100 USD. (it is recommended to reflash the main unit once a year), replacing the unit at 1500 USD. Many owners call electronics problems "invisible", as they are often solved by simply restarting the machine.
Driving performance BMW E60 with mileage.
There is an opinion that you should not expect any reliability from the E60 suspension, because it is made of aluminum and constantly crumbles. In fact, the problem is of a different nature - this car is bought by not sufficiently wealthy young people with an aggressive driving style, who rarely pay attention to the quality of the road surface, pits, speed bumps, etc. As a result, the suspension needs to be sorted out after 50,000 km of run, and since original spare parts are not cheap, many eat to save money and buy parts made in China or Taiwan, which have a short working life.
- The stabilizer struts wear out the fastest in the suspension and require replacement every 20-30 thousand kilometers.
- The silent blocks of the front lower arms will last 70-80 thousand km.
- Steering tips, on average, live up to 80,000 km.
- If the car is not constantly overloaded, the shock absorbers will have to be changed every 90-100 thousand kilometers.
- Ball bearings and wheel bearings run more than 100,000 km.
- The rear suspension is practically unkillable and requires repair no more than once every 120-150 thousand km.
- In the Dynamic Drive suspension, active stabilizers fail every 30-40 thousand kilometers.
The steering rack is very weak and can knock with a run of 60-80 thousand km. If the rail rattles, this does not mean that it needs to be changed immediately, since it will travel at least another 30-50 thousand km, and you will have time to collect the required amount for replacement (1000-1200 USD). There is no point in repairing the rail, since it will last for 20-40 thousand kilometers (it will cost 150-200 USD). 
Outcome:
The BMW E60 is a very interesting option for buying, not only in terms of appearance and dynamic performance, but thanks to German reliability and build quality. And if you approach the selection of a car correctly, then you, from the operation of the car, will only have positive emotions. BMW E60 is a popular car not only among motorists, but also among car thieves, therefore, be sure to check the car in MREO (GBDD).
Advantages:
- Exterior and interior.
- The quality of the paintwork.
- Large selection of power units.
- Reliability
Flaws:
- Failures of electronic systems.
- Cost of original parts