BMW 5 Series E60

The general public saw the 5th generation of the 5 Series in 2003.  At the beginning it was shown a sedan, a year later – a touring. Let’s face it, BMW 5 series E60 E61 could not reach the peak of popularity of BMW E39. But their ancestor was considered the best car in the whole series. Therefore, over time and BMW 5 series V E60 took its rightful place in the lineup of sedans of the Bavarian manufacturer. Until 2010, when it came off the assembly line, almost 1.5 million cars were produced.

Appearance

Perhaps no model has caused as much controversy as the 2004 BMW 5 E60. Not everyone liked the appearance of the car. After the presentation of the sedan, designer K. Bangle was powerfully criticized by journalists. The design was non-standard, so even now, after 15 years, the car looks, and even as. Perhaps, journalists just did not understand the intentions of the concern specialist. After 2-3 months, they looked at the car differently, saying that the designer made a bold step. In short, the new cars of 5 series were accepted ambiguously. Whether you like or not BMW 5 E60, judge by the photo.

From the front, you can see the hood in relief. You can see lines along its edges. The radiator grille is created in the corporate style of the concern. Under running lights of BMW E60 there are optics angel eyes. Chrome air intake of rectangular shape is placed in the bumper. On the edges, as on the F10, you can notice fog lights BMW E60. Many people ask what kind of lamp is in the low beam? It’s a D1S xenon bulb.  Let’s move on to the profile of the sedan. The wheel arches, or even more precisely, their extensions, catch the eye. They are large and connected by a stamped line at the bottom, near the sill. The beautiful top of this element is connected to the front optics. The second element of the profile, the windows, are trimmed with chrome all around.

All disputes about the exterior concerned the front part of the sedan. However, nobody had any claims to the stern of the car. In the opinion of all critics, it is decorated chicly. The rear part of the car is decorated with BMW E60 taillights. The aerodynamics of the car was improved thanks to the duck lip of the trunk lid. The massive bumper is equipped with cataphores (a device that reflects a beam of light with dispersion towards the source). Under it there is a system of release.  It is worth to touch and parameters of disks BMW E60. All the same, they also give the exterior of the car a significant look. However, apart from the aesthetic role, this element of the car can increase/decrease its controllability. In the base for all models, R16 is offered. Depending on the modification, the size of BMW E60 disks can vary within the range of R17-20.

As an option, the 2008 BMW 5 E60 sedan is equipped with a sunroof for ski transportation and LED headlights with the ability to illuminate up to 0.5 km. If you are not satisfied with the optics from BMW, you can install hella or depo headlights. Original lighting equipment will improve the comfort of driving, increase the safety of movement and create a unique design of the car.

We finish the review of exterior with dimensions. Standard values are the width (1846 mm) of the sedan, its wheelbase (28888), clearance (142). Based on the model, the length of the car (4841-4843), the height of the “Bavarian” (1468-1491), its weight (1535-1835 kg) vary in the range.

Interior

Even now, in 2018, everything looks good inside the car. That’s because the BMW E60 interior is finished with quality materials. The front seats are leather and thick. They are heated and have various electric adjustments. On a comfortable sofa of the second row with heating, three passengers will feel comfortable. There is enough space for legs and head.

The BMW E60 active leather steering wheel looks simple. It is equipped with a small number of buttons. You can operate cruise control and the audio system. On the plus side, there are paddles that allow manual gear shifting. The steering wheel is allowed to adjust in reach and adjust in height. In expensive modifications there are head restraints, massage function and side support, which can be changed.

The instrument panel is simple, but according to BMW E60 owners, many people liked it. Quite possibly due to the spectacular orange illumination in the dark. On it you can see two analog gauges that have a chrome trim. And through the on-board computer, which warns the driver of emerging errors in the control system, it is possible to adjust the dimensions. The system will independently adjust the screen brightness when the driver turns on the parking lights.   A small screen of the navigation and multimedia systems is installed in the torpedo. Under the deflectors there are 3 washers. This is the unit that controls the climate control of the cabin. At the bottom there is a setting for heated seats. On the tunnel, which is partly made of wood, there is a handle of the gearbox, and on it there is a button for parking. Nearby are the sport mode and multimedia control buttons. The last element of the tunnel is the armrest, where you can store your cell phone or some small things. Of course, modern cars have much more buttons, but do not forget that this car was produced 15 years ago.

It is possible to install a CIC system on BMW E60. It includes an 80 GB hard disk, 8.8″ display, new controller and USB connector. You can watch DVD movies in good quality and expand the capabilities of your Iphone.

The BMW E60 is equipped with a CCC rearview camera at an additional cost, and the speedometer readings will be displayed on the windshield. A special information projector will be installed on the car, which will send orange-colored symbols, numbers and inscriptions to the windshield. They will not interfere with the driver’s ability to follow the roadway. What’s interesting, passengers won’t see it because the information is not visible from a different viewing angle.  Optionally, the 2005 BMW E60 sedan is equipped with a folding sofa backrest.

The trunk of the car has a good volume, 520 liters. Curiously, the E61 station wagon has a similar volume. It is surprising, because the luggage compartment of a touring car is always larger than that of a sedan.

Electronics and security

Elements of the safety system are based on intelligence. First of all, it is worth noting the efficient braking system. Protection from frontal/side impacts is provided by the airbags, which have a tubular structure. In the event of a collision with any obstacle, the head restraints instantly move forward, protecting the neck and preventing the head from making sudden movements.

Adaptive headlights keep the car’s light from being lost when cornering. By turning at the same time as the car, the optics direct the light to the roadway ahead.

The car is equipped with active steering with power steering. All wheels (front wheels with ventilation) have disc brakes with ABS/EBD systems.

Technical specifications

In the BMW E60 review of technical characteristics, let’s start with the engines. All of them are equipped with Valvetronic (continuously variable valve train control).

On all powertrains, the Bavarian concern installs its own development, Double Vanos. The system, by changing the valve timing, increases the sedan’s power and makes fuel consumption more economical. The latter indicator is so low that this characteristic of BMW E60 2.5 corresponds to the world standard ULEV II (USA).

A total of 19 modifications of units are installed on the vehicles. Let’s analyze some of them.

BMW 5 E60 engines are quite reliable, but you will need quality fuel and careful operation. It is necessary to pass technical inspection in time, to change consumables, to eliminate malfunctions. It is also necessary to maintain the right level of viscous oil in BMW E60.

The basic gasoline unit is a two-liter atmospheric engine. It has 156 “horses” of power and 16 valves. The maximum speed of BMW E60 sedan with this engine is 219 km/h, and it takes 9.6 sec to reach the first “hundred”. It would be possible to move quietly in the city, but the fuel consumption is high, 12 liters / 100 km. On the highway twice less, but it is also a high indicator of gasoline consumption.

The 2nd motor has more serious technical characteristics. The displacement is up by half a liter and the horsepower. – by 62 units. Therefore, the car BMW E60 2.5 accelerates 1.6 sec. faster, and its speed limit is higher by 23 km/h. However, it also consumes 2/1 liter more fuel per 100 km. in the city/on the highway. Even higher indicators of the 3rd gasoline motor BMW E60 3.0. 272 “horses” allow the unit to accelerate the sedan in 6.6 sec, and the maximum speed is 250 km/h. Gasoline consumption is 14 liters.

Finally, the most powerful gasoline version of the atmospheric engine, the N62B40 V8. There is distributed injection, 4 liters of volume and 306 “horses” of power. Dynamics of acceleration to 100 – 6.1 sec., maximum – 250 km / h., fuel “burns” from 16 liters.   If you want economical fuel consumption, choose diesel units.

In the “base” is offered two-liter N47D20 with a power of 190 “horses” and direct injection of diesel fuel. Spend only 7/5 liters in the city / on the highway, develop the top speed up to 228 km / h and gain the first 100 km / h in 7.5 sec.   Slightly faster (6.8 sec.) accelerates the car BMW E60 3.0 d 235-horsepower motor, but the consumption of diesel is a bit higher, 9/6 in the city / on the highway. The speed limit is 250 km/h.

BMW E60 has another 3.0 diesel engine. It is a 286-horsepower motor M57D30, accelerating the car in 6.4 sec. and reaching the limit of 250 km/h. Fuel consumption is 9/6 in the city / on the highway. One more diesel unit can be noted, 2.5 liters, with a capacity of 170-197 hp.

Which option to choose, diesel or gasoline, it is up to the buyers to decide.

The 6-speed transmission is offered in two variants: “mechanics”, “automatic”. MKPP is more reliable in operation. The automatic transmission is comfortable.

The sedan’s suspension is fully independent. The car’s chassis is equipped with Dynamic Drive stabilizers and has a driving style adjustment.

Equipment or model range

The 520i was powered by a 6-cylinder M54 engine with 170 hp. After 2007, when the BMW 5 Series V E60 E61 underwent a restyling, this engine was replaced by a 4-cylinder N43 with similar power.

The situation was similar with the 177-horsepower N52 unit. Since 2007, after restyling, a 190-horsepower refined N53 has been available on the 523i.

The 525i with rear-wheel drive and 525xi with all-wheel drive were equipped until 2005. with a 192-horsepower M54 engine. Then it was replaced in BMW E60 by a 6-cylinder N52, which has a power of 218 “horses”. And after restyling these models were equipped with N53 with similar power.  One in one repeats the situation with the same units on 530i/530xi models. Only their power is a little higher. M54 has 231, N52 – 258, N53 – 272 “horses”.

Putting aside the BMW E60 M package, the most powerful gasoline versions are 540i/545i. These modifications were powered by the N62 unit, but with different specifications and power: 306/333/367 hp.

The most economical diesel version, 520d, was offered with 163 hp M47 engine. After the update, it was replaced by N47, which has 14 units more power. 525d was equipped with M57 engine (177 “horses”). After restyling, its power has increased by 20 hp. The same is with 530d. It was equipped with a similar, but 218-horsepower installation. Since 2007, its power has increased by 13 units.

The top diesel modification, 535d, was equipped with a 6-cylinder 272-horsepower unit M57, the power of which after restyling increased to 286.

Difference between restyling and prerestyling

In 2007, the BMW E60 underwent a restyling, the differences from the pre-styled version can be clearly seen in the photo.

The contours of the front optics have not changed, but the “eyebrows” in the upper part have been changed. Air intakes received a new shape, lights at the stern – new LEDs. Under the doors on the sills you can notice a decorative element rib. There are new colors for interior trim and higher quality materials. Heat cameras have been installed on the cars. With the help of Night Vision system it became possible to quickly detect pedestrians at night and distinguish animals, if they stand in the path of the car.

For serious businessmen, in 2008-2010, the concern began to offer an armored version of the sedan on the basis of 530i/550i. Before it, only X5 crossover was “dressed” in armor. The weight of the car will increase by a quarter of a ton, but the dynamics and characteristics remain almost the same! The car is able to withstand the firing of light weapons.

After restyling, the car was produced without changes in the period 2007-2009, and in 2010 gave way to BMW F07 and BMW F11 models.

Common BMW faults

Now let’s take a look at some common problems with the BMW E60.

The gearbox will serve up to 150 thousand kilometers, if you take care of it. It is recommended to change oil every 60 thousand. In a careless owner, the box will fail after 50 thousand kilometers. if you buy a used BMW, take models with “mechanics”. There is no difference in production, but, compared to the “automatic”, there is a simple design, so the service life will be longer.

Suspension problems in E60 2.5 are serious. Therefore, it reaches, at best, to 100 thousand mileage. But even problems with suspensions are not comparable with malfunctions of electronics. Units from 150, but they work unstably. The problem is in the software, which should control the secondary functions of the sedan. However, some of the electronic units turned out to be defective, so the software worked unstably. However, chip tuning BMW E60 solved this problem, and in later series blocks have already gone quality, and the software has become run-in.

Other problems:

The real hemorrhoid is becoming the d907 message. According to user reports, it just disappears over time. But there may also be problems in the trunk. Oxidation of the can bus twist is allowed. True, everything will work. It is enough to solder the connection so that the error disappears.  Can pop out the message error battery, but the sedan starts without problems. Many still want to make a deception of the passenger presence sensor, because an error comes out. Perhaps the electronics is glitchy, but it does not interfere with diagnostics.

There could be a problem with the air conditioner. You need to know how much Freon to add. You can get the information from under the hood. There is a label on the compressor/inside of the hood indicating the refrigerant (R134a) and the amount (810 plus or minus 10). The BMW E60 has error codes in its documentation, but they can also be found on the internet.

Generations and configurations

Generation 5 sedan – restyled

09.2007 – 02.2010

Fifth Generation Sedan

09.2003 – 08.2007

Station wagon 5th generation – restyled

03.2007 – 09.2010

Fifth generation sedan – restyled

03.2007 – 03.2010

Station wagon 5th generation

05.2004 – 02.2007

Fifth generation sedan

07.2003 – 02.2007