Typical disadvantages of a used BMW E60. BMW E60 - choice - which engine is better BMW 5 series E60

BMW E60 The 5 Series model range provides high ride comfort and excellent handling. Not much time has passed since the debut of the E60 body, but despite this, not everyone can afford to buy it!

The Bavarians introduced the fifth generation of the BMW 5 Series in 2003. It was a completely different “five”, which combined the elegance and chic of the big “seven”, with the maneuverability slightly inferior to the “three”.

The designer of the E60 body, Chris Bangle, was “mixed into mud” by automotive journalists at the time of the car’s presentation, and the new fifth series was subjected to strong criticism. However, a few months later, they looked at the car completely differently, as they saw a bold step in the non-standard design for BMW. The car still looks sensational today.

The BMW E60 is equipped with extensive electronics, which makes the trip not only comfortable, but also provides a high level of safety. Despite the passage of years since its introduction, the E60 makes a good impression in its body and is still considered synonymous with the prestige and professional success of its owner. And although the car is a tempting offer, when purchasing, it is worth considering that the costs of maintaining the E60 still exceed the financial capabilities of the average resident of our country.

During the 7-year production period, the E60 “five” was updated once (restyling), offered in two body styles (sedan and since 2004), was available with rear-wheel drive and a 4x4 all-wheel drive system (xDrive), It came 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 purchasing?! 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 in any way affect its reliability, it is nevertheless worth giving an example of two slightly different versions. This moment when choosing, perhaps plays an important role for someone.

As mentioned above, during the entire production period the car underwent an update (in 2007):

• exterior - in front, restyled models received a new bumper with a modified shape of fog lights, as well as new front optics. On the side there are new thresholds. The rear end received new taillights, a slightly redesigned bumper and a slightly updated trunk lid;
• interior - the door trim itself was changed in the cabin, the control of the curtains and window lifts 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;

Since 2005, the Bavarians began installing a “Start-Stop” button instead of a key on cars.

You can find out how and what is the difference between pre-restyling and restyled models produced since 2007 by visually comparing their appearance using 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 did not go unnoticed - the door sills on the restyled version seem to be inflated

In the rear part, changes affected the bumper - its lower part changed its shape slightly, the taillight - received a more modern appearance, the trunk lid - changes affected its numbered part, as a result of which the lock was moved higher

This photo shows that they also did a good job on the interior.

The aerodynamic package M Sport Package looks very dynamic on the BMW E60, and even the diesel 520 sedan looks 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 the characteristic differences are in the M package and the M Series sedan, but if you are just getting acquainted with the world of BMW, then in the picture below photo find 6 differences, where in the first (top) photo there is a BMW 520d with the M Sport package, and in the second (bottom):

Regarding the body itself, it is worth noting that the anti-corrosion resistance of the body in the E60 models is significantly higher compared to its predecessor. A car that has not been involved in serious accidents should not be subject to corrosion. Do not stop your attention on cars that have been in a serious accident, especially for cars with an impact on 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 unqualified specialists lead to? It's not difficult to guess.

The lineup

BMW 520i E60 - until 2007, with a 6-cylinder engine producing 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 with the N53 (190 hp and 235 Nm). In the same year it was modified, and the torque increased to 240 Nm.

BMW 525i E60 - just like the sedan, touring with rear-wheel drive, the all-wheel drive version of the 525xi until 2005 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 car was equipped with an M54 engine (231 hp). 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).

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 volumes 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 was produced with (163 hp), after restyling it was equipped with a more powerful one (+14 hp).

BMW 525d E60 - a more powerful diesel version came with an engine (177 hp). A version with all-wheel drive was offered in 2007, and starting in 2007, both models were equipped with the same engine, but with increased power by 20 hp.

BMW 530d E60 - until 2007, the car was equipped with a 218-horsepower M57 power unit, after restyling it was 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 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 point 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 with which transmission, but the fact that finding a truly well-maintained copy, in excellent condition, with a reasonable and confirmed mileage will not be easy.

Speaking from the mouths of BMW car owners, “It doesn’t matter what year the BMW is made, what matters is what condition it is in.” And when searching for your car, you can see for yourself

The engine is the heart of the car and one of the most important devices in it, if not the most important, every car enthusiast knows about this. 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 technical characteristics. The E60 also featured the legendary 10-cylinder engine installed on the BMW M5. Many people attribute it to the E60 body, but this is just documentary. The M5 version is part of the M Series family of models, in which even the suspension is different, not to mention the configuration, engine and external differences.

Reliable and problematic BMW E60 engines

From the above list it is clear that the range of “five” engines is very wide. On the secondary market you can most often find petrol versions 520i, 525i and 530i.

The BMW M54 engine is considered to be an old type, although it is not inferior in power and reliability to later versions equipped with direct injection. This engine is more resistant to poor quality fuel, and with proper care it works without any complaints or unexpected surprises. Regardless of which version this engine is installed on, one of the 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 unfortunately the problem does not disappear for long and will require replacement in the future. Still, the BMW M54 engine is considered the most reliable engine in the BMW E60.

On N-series engines with a volume of up to liters, the problem is the high oil consumption due to waste - it can reach up to 1 liter per 1000 km, this indicator depends on the condition of the power unit itself. In motors of this series, this problem is eliminated by replacing the caps. Another common problem with engines of this family is a broken timing chain, which needs to 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 end up with a “worn out” engine. The main problem areas should be noted the presence of excess oil and “scuffing” in the cylinder blocks. The first problem is caused by wear of the valve stem seals after 100,000 km, but the second one will have to be looked for using endoscope diagnostics when buying a car with an N62 engine. If there are “scores”, the block is considered beyond repair.

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 of 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 correct maintenance. And perhaps it’s worth noting that a good N-series engine 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 driving a car periodically only refuel and expect any breakdown, then the engine N-series is not for you.

Among the E60 model range with a diesel engine, the most commonly found 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 problem is caused by the turbocharger, 2-mass flywheel, and also the injectors. 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 the 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 you need to diagnose the turbine, since it is the first thing that “suffers” during operation and has a resource of about 110,000 km.

With increased oil consumption on a diesel engine, he says that the crankcase ventilation valve has most likely failed (approximately 80,000 km).

Approximately once every 12-15,000 km, a notification about an oil change will appear on the information board, but experts recommend changing the oil at 10,000 km, and this applies to all E60 engines.

Most gasoline and diesel BMW engines also suffer from low-quality fuel. Therefore, try to refuel at proven network gas stations, and to extend the life of the engine, use only gasoline with an octane rating of 98.

When filling with low-quality gasoline, after 50,000 kilometers the oxygen sensor and fuel pump may fail, and by 100,000 kilometers the catalyst may fail.

Transmission

The gearboxes installed on the BMW E60 are generally quite reliable, especially the mechanical ones, although the BMW E60 is not so much so with the mechanics.

As for the automatic 6-speed, problems are still possible with it, some of them:

• failures in the control program (electronic control unit), which causes some malfunctions, for example, the appearance of shocks when changing stages. Troubleshooting - flashing or erasing errors in the software;
• leakage of plastic pallets;
• “floating” speed is a problem in the torque converter. It is possible to get rid of the breakdown only by repairing the automatic transmission, namely, replacing worn parts;

It doesn’t matter whether the automatic transmission is installed on a BMW, Audi or Mercedes, the automatic transmission itself is more complex in design and demanding to operate, which cannot be said about a manual transmission.

Chassis

The chassis of the BMW E60 has an almost entirely aluminum structure; 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, knocking noises may occur; the cause is most likely stretched bolts of the beam and levers. To fix the problem, you sometimes need to tighten the bolts.

In the front suspension of the BMW E60, the stabilizer struts and steering rack often fail; the problem usually 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 problem area is the front axle shafts.

The rear suspension is more reliable, and the first thing that may bother you is the shock absorbers. As for touring, if you buy a BMW E61 station wagon, it is more subject to loads and less reliable, unlike the rear suspension of a sedan.

When choosing a BMW E60, pay attention to a car without the Dynamic Drive system and “active steering”. In fact, these systems are very useful, Dynamic Drive allows you to reduce the roll of the car, and active steering contributes to more precise handling. But these systems can be very expensive to maintain. 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, the reputation of the BMW E60 suffers greatly because of this system.

Most problems can be solved by flashing it, so it needs to be done once a year. Failure of at least one of the sensors can lead to failure of the entire system. To fix the problem, you need to update the software, which will cost about 5,000 rubles. Failure of the car's main computer will require you to pay 30-50,000 rubles, depending on the location of the repair - authorized or not.

Most problems with electronic failures can be resolved by restarting the engine. If the sensor lights up on the display, restart the engine, waiting 10-15 minutes before starting again.

Bottom line

Well, and finally, “Repetition is the mother of learning...” - if you want to buy a BMW E60 at the minimum 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 your trips will delight 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-restyling body, pay attention to the petrol version with an M54 engine with a 3-liter capacity if you need a car with a powerful engine.

If you want to have a modest, reliable and comfortable premium sedan/touring car, take a closer look at the BMW 520i (M54) with a 2.2-liter engine. Of course, the 2.2-liter E60 is inferior in technical parameters to the 3-liter version, however, 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 be more reliable given the condition of most BMW E60s, which are offered on the secondary market today.

N-Series engines do not have a very good reputation among owners, and there is an explanation for this. Since the 90s, for fans of the brand, the BMW engine has been the standard of reliability, power and inexpensive repairs. But time moves forward, and with it the development of automotive technologies, which entail a reduction in CO 2 emissions and a reduction in fuel consumption. Even these two indicators require serious modification of the power unit.

A 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 “exploit” on the purchase of an entire system or some component.

If you want a BMW E60 sports sedan, pay attention to the 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 in comparison with the 4-cylinder M47, the 6-cylinder engine consumes only a little more, but takes the lead in quality.

I wish you the right choice and a successful purchase.

24.10.2016

Sixth generation BMW E60 was a big step forward in automobile manufacturing. This car not only looked different, but also had fantastic driving characteristics and had revolutionary equipment for its time. And we’re not just talking about the number of options, which are the envy of many modern cars. 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 little history:

BMW E60– modification of the fifth series body, which was produced from 2003 to 2009; the predecessor of this body was the BMW E39. In 2007, there was a restyling, as a result of which the car acquired an electronic automatic transmission selector, new headlights, bumpers, and a “Start\Stop” button. In the technical part, three-liter gasoline engines (280 hp and 235 hp) were added. The car is available in two body styles - sedan (E60) and station wagon (E61), there is also a charged version of the M5, which was equipped with a 5-liter V10 engine producing 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 workshop for the production of the BMW E60 was closed for re-equipment for the production of the new F10 model. During the period from 2003 to 2009, the company sold more than a million sedans and 250,000 station wagons.

Advantages and disadvantages of a used BMW E60.

You need to know two facts about the body of the BMW fifth series: the first is that, in terms of weight, the car has an ideal axle pattern (50\50). And to achieve this, the engineers had to make the front part from aluminum (spars, cups, struts, etc.). And since aluminum is attached to a steel frame only by means of riveting, there are times when this connection begins to “breathe” (knocks and clicks are heard when moving). If the car was hit in the front part of the body with damage to the power elements, then no garage service will be able to properly restore the car. For restoration at a dealer, you will have to pay half the cost of the car. But in order to “sell” a damaged 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, since the manufacturer carries out double-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, in 99.9% of cases it is a damaged car.

Power units.

The BMW E60 has a large range of power units (more than 20), but there is no point in talking about all of them. In the CIS countries, the most widely used cars are 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 engines 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, the valve stem seals need to be replaced. Don’t be alarmed if you look under the hood and don’t find the oil dipstick, as some engines have a sensor installed instead that signals the need to add oil. The weakest engine has problems starting in the cold season, and owners also complain about floating idle speeds. The 2.5 and 3.0 engines have proven to be the most trouble-free. In order to extend the service life of engines, the oil should be changed every 10,000 km. The cooling radiator is considered the weakest point (replacement is required every 70-90 thousand kilometers). And to extend its life, do not forget to rinse the radiator with a high-pressure jet of water every time you wash your car, this will help avoid early leaks.

When choosing a diesel engine, you should start by diagnosing the turbine, since, first of all, it suffers from low-quality fuel. The operating life of the turbine is slightly more than 100,000 km, 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, resulting in a significant increase in oil consumption. It is worth remembering that the bulk of diesel BMW E60s were imported from Europe, and as a rule, with a mileage of more than 250,000 km. Therefore, if you come across such a car with a mileage of 100-150 thousand km, then there is a high probability that this car has lost mileage or has been restored after a serious accident.

Transmission

The BMW E60 is equipped with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. If we talk about mechanics, then this unit does not have any shortcomings, but the automatic transmission can present a surprise in the form of a software failure, which causes many malfunctions (shocks, jerks when switching from first to second gear). This disease is treated by flashing or erasing the error in the software. There is no reason to refuse all-wheel drive versions; malfunctions of the electromagnetic clutch are very rare.

Salon

The quality of materials and assembly of the interior is at the highest level. Careful owners of cars with 100-150 thousand km mileage have interiors that look like new. But the presence of a large amount of electronics causes many unpleasant moments. The main one is “ I Drive"- a system for controlling most auxiliary functions, but it is precisely because of this smart system that the reputation for reliability of this car suffers greatly. The failure of at least one sensor often leads to a failure of the entire system. In most cases, problems are solved by flashing the main control unit; such a service will cost approximately 50-100 USD. (it is recommended to reflash the main unit once a year), replacement of the unit costs 1500 USD. Many owners call problems with electronics “invisible”, since very often they are solved by simply restarting the car.

Driving performance of a used BMW E60.

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 insufficiently wealthy young people with an aggressive driving style, who rarely pay attention to the quality of the road surface, potholes, speed bumps, etc. As a result, the suspension needs to be rebuilt after 50,000 km, and since original spare parts are not cheap, many try to save money and buy parts made in China or Taiwan, which have a short service life.

• The stabilizer links in the suspension wear out the fastest and require replacement every 20-30 thousand kilometers.
• The silent blocks of the front lower control arms will last 70-80 thousand km.
• Steering ends, on average, last 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 joints and wheel bearings last more than 100,000 km.
• The rear suspension is practically indestructible and requires repair no more often 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 rattle after a mileage of 60-80 thousand km. If the rack rattles, this does not mean that it needs to be changed immediately, since it will cover at least another 30-50 thousand km, and you will have time to collect the required amount for replacement (1000-1200 cu). There is no point in repairing the rack, since it will last for 20-40 thousand kilometers (will cost 150-200 USD).

Result:

The BMW E60 is a very interesting option for purchase, 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 will have only positive emotions from operating the car. The BMW E60 is a popular car not only among car enthusiasts, but also among car thieves, therefore, be sure to check the car at the MREO (State Traffic Safety Inspectorate).

Advantages:

• Exterior and interior.
• Quality of paintwork.
• Large selection of power units.
• Reliability

Flaws:

• Electronic system failures.
• Cost of original spare parts

Inside the updated BMW E60 sedan, changes affected the center console and the iDrive system, which received eight freely programmable buttons. The car has different front door panels with more convenient closing “handles”. The glass and mirror adjustment buttons are built into the armrest. Innovations also include a redesigned selector lever and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Added touch keys for the standard radio. New finishing materials have increased the attractiveness of the interior. Standard equipment includes fog lights, electric mirrors, a leather multifunction steering wheel, an on-board computer, dual-zone climate control, and an electric driver's seat. Options include heated and memory seats, leather upholstery, a navigation system and more.

On the Russian market, a number of modifications of the updated BMW 5-series began with the most inexpensive model 520d with a 163-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine. The next position was occupied by the most popular gasoline models with six-cylinder engines: 525i and 530i. The first was equipped with a 3.0-liter unit with a capacity of 218 hp, and the second was increased to 272 hp. recoil. Another diesel modification, the 530d, was also equipped with a six-cylinder engine - 3.0 liters and 235 hp. The top places on the list were occupied by the 540i (4.0 l, 306 hp) and 550i (4.8 l, 367 hp) models with V-shaped eights. The latter accelerates from zero to “hundreds” in just 5.2 seconds. The best result was only achieved by the sports “Emka” with a V10 engine (5.0, 507 hp) in combination with a 7-speed SMG gearbox - the M5 sedan accelerated to “hundreds” half a second faster. All versions of the updated BMW 5 Series E60 come standard with a range of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies. These include brake energy regeneration, active choke control and activation or deactivation of driving aids depending on driving conditions. The Shift Point Display, located between the speedometer and tachometer, shows the driver the best gear to save energy according to his driving style. The result is one of the best ratios of dynamism and efficiency in the class.

The fifth generation BMW 5-Series has a fully independent aluminum suspension. The front one has MacPherson struts. The rear multi-link, complex and technically advanced, provides a high degree of stability. Rear air suspension was installed upon request. The optional Dynamic Drive active suspension with hydraulic actuators for active anti-roll bars ensures a very smooth ride in comfort mode and prevents body roll in sport mode. The brakes on all wheels are disc (ventilated front), the steering is power-assisted. An optional active steering system was offered that adjusted the steering angle in proportion to the vehicle's speed. For some modifications, an xDrive all-wheel drive system was offered - based on an electromagnetic clutch that flexibly distributes traction between the axles. Dimensions of the E60 sedan: length 4841 mm, width 1846 mm, height 1468 mm. Wheelbase 2888 mm. The turning circle is 11.4 m. The vehicle weight is 1545-1735 kg. Trunk volume is 520 liters.

The safety of updated BMW E60 models since 2007 is determined by the presence of belts with tensioners and six airbags. Active safety is ensured by the ABS system, complemented by emergency braking assistance and brake force distribution. The car was also equipped as standard with a dynamic stability control and traction control system (Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Traction Control). The list of additional options includes a new “Stop & Go” adaptive cruise control system, designed to maintain speed during monotonous driving in long traffic jams, right up to a complete stop and acceleration. New features also include lane departure warning, head-up display, and night vision.

The advantages of the BMW 5-Series E60 sedan are handling, dynamics, comfort. The sporting qualities are not in doubt, but the chassis requires increased attention. The aluminum front is a plus in terms of lack of corrosion, but a minus when it comes to repairs. After restyling, the problem with the gas ventilation valve and other “diseases” were eliminated, but increased oil consumption and a capricious “automatic” remain. The car requires qualified service, especially in terms of electrics.

The BMW E60 is a car with an extraordinary appearance, stuffed with advanced technologies for those times. In 2003, the BMW 5 Series in the E60 body became a revolutionary car in its class. Now we’ll figure out how this affected the reliability of the car and whether it makes sense to buy a car in this body on the secondary market.

The E60 is the most popular 5 in BMW history, because the largest number of these cars were produced. In terms of driving performance, it is significantly better than its predecessors. Excellent handling without compromising ride comfort, ideal weight distribution along the axles. The car is equipped to the highest standard: 6 airbags, dynamic stabilization system, climate control, alloy wheels.

On the secondary market, the simplest options equipped with 156-horsepower 4-cylinder engines are very rare. Mostly there are cars with 2.5 and 3 liter engines.

You can find cars with all-wheel drive and station wagon. Rust on the body is very rare, but it can occur on the cheapest examples. But basically, the metal of the body resists corrosion very well. Also, the owners of a 5k BMW are wealthy people who do not skimp on quality service. Nevertheless, creaks and clicks in the area of ​​the front panel may appear over time. And all because the body of the 5 Series is made using a special technology - the front strut spars are made of aluminum and riveted to a steel frame for proper weight distribution of the car.

This design must be rigid and as durable as possible. But there were often cases, especially after driving on bad roads, that these connections ceased to be strong. This defect was corrected under warranty. But in the event of a serious accident with damage to the power elements, you will have to take the car to a company service center.

Also, if problems arise with electronics, then handicraftsmen will not help here either. Although the BMW 5 has a lot of problems with electronics. The most common problems in electronics are glitches in the iDrive system. Essentially, this is a computer that controls almost every function in the car, from the settings of the stiffness of the shock absorbers to the brightness settings of the interior lighting. If at least one of the sensors fails, this, in most cases, leads to a failure of the entire system. BMW engineers are constantly improving electronics, so the service recommends updating iDrive every six months. And such an operation costs 5,000 rubles. And if the processor fails, you will have to replace the entire computer, which will cost 50,000 rubles.

The suspension here is aluminum, thanks to it we managed to achieve excellent handling. And it is quite reliable, the rear multi-link is especially good, its parts can easily last up to 100,000 km. But it also has its weak points, for example the stabilizer struts - they last 20-30 thousand km. Even the steering rack may begin to tap after just a year of use, but it only needs to be changed if fluid starts to leak, which is quite rare. But the hydraulic actuators of active stabilizers leak very often, and they cost serious money - about 50,000 rubles. Therefore, you need to buy a car with a conventional suspension, without the Dynamic Drive system; even with it you can save on shock absorbers. Front and rear pads last an average of 25-30 thousand km.

Brake discs will last about 60,000 km. The car was produced in this body for only 8 years, and during this time 20 different engines were installed in it. Some motors were discontinued in 2005 and are not found on later versions. But the most problem-free engines are considered to be 2.5-liter gasoline and 3-liter 6-cylinder engines, and 2.2-liter engines with a power of 170 hp. With.

After 2007, direct injection engines of the N53 series appeared, which were installed in the 523i, 525i and 530i. But these engines still eat oil - about 1 liter of oil per 3000 km. And you can only control the oil level using the indicator on the instrument panel, since engines usually do not have a dipstick. And if the light comes on, it means it’s time to add a whole liter of oil. Also after 12,000 km. The light comes on indicating it’s time to change the oil, but mechanics recommend changing it after 10,000 km. mileage

You also need to clean the radiator of the cooling system from dust and dirt once a year. But this does not save from leaks. It happens that the radiator begins to leak after just a year of operation.

It goes without saying that you only need to refuel with high-quality fuel, because the fuel pump and spark plugs may fail prematurely. But even if you refuel with high-quality fuel, the catalysts still fail after 100,000 km. mileage And the replacement must be done as soon as possible, because crumbs from the destroyed honeycombs can get into the cylinders and then the engine will end.

Diesel engines are quite reliable, the car starts well in winter. But the weak point is considered to be the turbine, which lasts no more than 100,000 km. It is better to avoid a car with a 4-cylinder engine; this is a restyled 520i model. It often experiences loss of traction and difficulty starting in cold weather.

Transmission

The gearboxes that are installed in BMWs are quite reliable. Manual transmissions do not break down at all, but as a rule, you cannot find a car with manual transmission on the secondary market. And in a 6-speed automatic transmission, shocks can sometimes appear during shifting, and all due to malfunctions in the control unit. But if you reflash it, the problems may go away. Sometimes a plastic transmission pan is required; severe overheating can cause it to leak, causing oil leakage.

Produced in Germany, Mexico, Indonesia, Egypt, Russia, China, India and Thailand.

Restyling in 2007.

In Kaliningrad, only rear-wheel drive versions were produced. All four-wheel drive vehicles are made in Germany.

Body

Front fenders and hood made of aluminum. There will be no corrosion on them, but repairs after an accident will be expensive.

Electrics

A car has a lot of expensive electronics that fail for various reasons.

At 120k km the front seat heating fails.

The joystick on restyled cars freezes in the cold. The system crashes if any of the many sensors fail, leading to the replacement of the entire computer ($1600)/

The right rear light has problems with the ground wire. The contact burns out.

Water ingress may cause the generator clutch to hum.

Engine

The M54B22 engine (170 hp, 2.2 l) was installed at 520 i

The N43B20 engine (170 hp, 2.0 l) was installed at 520 i

Engine N52B25 (177 hp, 2.5 l) was installed on 523 i

Engine N53B25 (190 hp, 2.5 l) was installed on 523 i between 2007 and 2010.

The M54B25 engine (192 hp, 2.5 l) was installed on 525 i between 2003 and 2005.

Engine N52B25 (218 hp, 2.5 l) was installed on 525 i between 2005 and 2007.

Engine N53B30 (218 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on 525 i between 2007 and 2010.

The M54B30 engine (231 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on 530 i between 2003 and 2005.

The N52B30 engine (258 hp, 3.0 l) was installed at 530 i between 2005 and 2007.

Engine N53B30 (272 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on 530 i between 2007 and 2010.

Engine N54B30 (306 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on 535 i between 2007 and 2010.

The N62B40 engine (306 hp, 4.0 l) was installed at 540 i

Engine N62B44 (333 hp, 4.4 l) was installed on 545 i between 2003 and 2005.

Engine N62B48 (367 hp, 4.8 l) was installed on 550 i between 2005 and 2010.

The M47D20 engine (163 hp, 2.0 l) was installed at 520 d between 2005 and 2007.

The N47D20 engine (177 hp, 2.0 l) was installed at 520 d between 2007 and 2010.

The M57D25 engine (177 hp, 2.5 l) was installed on 525 d

The M57D30 engine (197 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on 525 d between 2007 and 2010.

The M57D30 engine (218 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on 530 d between 2003 and 2005.

The M57D30 engine (231 hp, 3.0 l) was installed on 530 d between 2005 and 2007.

The M57D30 engine (235 hp, 3.0 l) was installed at 530 d between 2007 and 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 between 2007 and 2010.

Diseases of gasoline engines BMW M (1933-2011)

Diseases of gasoline engines BMW N (2001-present)

Diseases of BMW M diesel engines (1983-present)

Diseases of BMW N diesel engines (2006-present)

Common BMW engine diseases

At 150k km the radiator is leaking. By 170-180 thousand km the pump and valves of the cooling system fail. Cooling system pipes burst. Thermostat fails. The radiator is leaking.

Engines eat oil.

On pre-restyling cars, a valve in the crankcase ventilation system fails every 80 thousand km. After restyling, it was built into the valve cover and the service life doubled.

The valve cover gasket leaks in the cold with a mileage of about 100 thousand km.

Sometimes ignition coils fail.

Transmission

When purchasing an all-wheel drive version, you need to do diagnostics of the all-wheel drive system ($200).

On pre-restyling cars, the transmission pan gasket leaks.

On pre-restyling cars with automatic transmission, a jolt is felt when turning on D and R . Partially eliminated by updating the box software. 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.

On an automatic transmission 6-26, the turbine shaft wears out at 80-100 thousand km.

On all-wheel drive versions, the transfer case motor fails at 150 thousand km.

By 140 thousand km the gearbox seals leak.

The plastic pan of the automatic transmission leads to temperature changes and oil leaks appear.

Chassis

By 70-90 thousand km on rear-wheel drive versions, the rear suspension completely wears out. Sometimes without H-arms. With all-wheel drive, it runs 140 thousand km. The hub bearings run 170 thousand km. Stabilizer struts travel 60 thousand km. The front suspension runs 90-110 t. km.

If a rear air suspension is installed, the compressor wears out due to the poor location of the air intake.

In general, the suspension on all-wheel drive is stronger.

Stabilizer struts run 20-30 thousand km.

Hydraulic actuators of active stabilizers leak when equipped with a dynamic drive system.

Control mechanisms

A weak active steering rack begins to knock ($3500) at 100 thousand km, the car floats. Many people change tie rods at the risk of damaging the bushings, which worsens the knocking noise. On pre-restyling cars with an active rack, the sensor located at the bottom of the rack 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 last 35 thousand km, the rear ones 80 thousand km. Discs are 2 times longer.

At 180 thousand km the power steering pump fails. Power steering hoses are leaking.

Other

In general, all the car’s problems are predictable and the increase in reliability compared to the previous generation is visible to the naked eye.

Expensive branded service.

Hijacked. They steal mirrors.