BMW 5 Series E61

Following the E60 sedan, the BMW E61 Touring with a fuel tank capacity of 70 liters appeared on the assembly line. It replaced the E39 model. The public saw the five-door car in 2004. BMW E61 station wagon was produced in 2005-2006, and after restyling, in 2008-2009, and in 2010 gave way to the F10 model.

Since this car is practically no different from a sedan, except that the body is a bit longer, we decided to build a review deviating from the standard. Everything that concerns interior, exterior, engines and restyling, you can learn by reading the article about the E60 model. The differences are minimal, and there is simply no point in repeating everything twice.

Therefore, here we will dwell in more detail on retrofitting BMW 5 series E60 E61, because the car can be “stuffed” with various electronics. In the end, we will touch a little restyling and will analyze some sore spots.

ACM – accessory control menu

People always want to improve, so this quality is transferred to their cars. Knowing this quality of its customers, the BMW Group offers its customers many options for retrofitting their cars.

Thanks to ACM, a media center, camera, DVD and other non-original devices can be installed on the BMW E61 520d touring car, and these devices can be controlled via the IDrive controller. As a result, the process of switching multimedia functions and driving modes is simplified and accelerated. This controller will allow E61 passengers to view pictures, watch videos, listen to music recorded in different formats on the display.

Multimedia system

A modern multimedia system will not only allow you to watch movies or listen to music, but will also allow you to view driving routes and control other systems of the BMW 525 E61. Thanks to it, you can expand the capabilities of the car. For example, you can connect various external devices.

A large monitor with excellent color reproduction enhances picture and sound quality. Made of durable materials, the multimedia system is resistant to wear and tear.It includes a hard disk with large memory, a contrast display and a wireless router that allows all wireless devices to connect to the global network via the head unit.

COMBOX and the Internet

Engineers of the concern have taken care that the BMW 5 series v E60 E61 520i has internet in the car. It will brighten up a long journey and allow you to get various information from the network at any time. For example, you can quickly find the nearest gas station via Google search. And the built-in navigation will show how many kilometers are left to the specified point. You can also immediately get information about the weather in any locality.

The COMBOX program is available for Internet access and correct operation of the smartphone. Its timely update will improve the quality of communication, and new devices will become compatible with the car system.

Unlocking a DVD TV on the move

Caring about the safety of its customers, the concern puts a restriction on video views on the on-board computer monitor. It can be done only when the car BMW 5 series v E60 E61 525i is not moving. However, this discomfort is eliminated with the help of a special adapter. It makes it possible to unlock the TV/DVD auto disconnect when the car is moving. Watching your favorite shows will keep your passengers entertained during a long trip.

The adapter allows you to watch video even on the OEM screen with external and manufacturer-installed devices that are connected to the AV output. This is what the reviews of BMW E60 E61 owners say about it. When the car starts moving, the speed sensor sends a signal to prohibit video viewing, but the adapter, performing its filtering, overrides this prohibition.

Note that the device is safe and does not affect the operation of the entire car system. Also note that the adapter can be universal or personal, for a specific BMW model.

Cameras

Many cars have rear/front view cameras. But the situation from the side can be monitored with mirrors. But a driver cannot look in both mirrors at the same time. That is why engineers of the concern install an all-round view camera on the car, so that the driver does not turn his head while making maneuvers.

Everything around the BMW 5 Series v E60 E61 530xi can be seen on the on-board computer display. A special system of ultra-clear cameras integrated in the rear of the vehicle and mounted in the side mirrors evaluates the distance and provides a 270-degree view. This is especially important when parking in tight spaces or small yards. For a 360-degree view, two more cameras can be installed in the front bumper.

But the Germans have gone even further. The TOP View CIC system for top view is also offered. On the same display the driver will be able to assess the situation around BMW 525i E61 from a height. Such a view allows you to see absolutely all obstacles around the car, which is confirmed by reviews about BMW E61. This camera is activated by the Idrive controller. The TOP View system is connected to the BMW computer unit, CIC.

Driver’s assistants

Behind the wheel of the BMW 530d E61, the driver must study and assess the situation on the roadway. The assistants will provide tangible help. By keeping an eye on the road together with the driver, they will provide information about the situation:

• Changes on the road;
• Realigning other vehicles;
• Dangerous approach from behind;
• Exceeding the speed limit set on a particular stretch of road.

In the rear bumper, radar system sensors are introduced, which will warn about the rearrangement from behind, about the presence of obstacles in the blind spot, about the sharp approach of another car from behind. If you look closely at the photos of BMW E61, you can notice them.

As soon as the turn signal is activated to move to the next lane, a warning light will turn on and the steering wheel will vibrate slightly. The camera at the front gives warnings about driving in a row and the vehicle leaving the roadway. If the speed of the car exceeds 70 km/h, the assistants will start to indicate the distance to the edge of the roadway/pavement markings.

Angel eyes

This is one of the chips of BMW E61 diesel, as well as “nostrils”. But not everyone knows that there are 2 types of angel eyes.

The first type is CCFL, neon glass ring tubes (1.5 mm) that have a bright glow. They come complete with compact ignition units required to power the CCFL eyeballs. The small size of the blocks makes it easy to mount them in the under-hood space.

The second type is SMD or LED. These are bright rings with a polycarbonate body, and inside there are LEDs. They are powered from the standard wiring. That’s a plus. Because there is no need to buy ignition blocks. But there is a serious disadvantage – if one diode burns out, you will have to buy a ring / set.In such angel eyes are installed up to 148 diodes. Located close to each other, they merge into one line, and the light becomes brighter.

The second option is considered more reliable, because the thin tube of CCFL angel eyes is a fragile element.

Restyling

In 2007, the BMW 5er v E60 E61 experienced a restyling.

Concern specialists have changed/added:

• “Eyebrows” at the top of the front optics;
• The shape of the air intakes;
• The taillights. They are now LED;
• Thresholds under the doors. Ribbed decorative element has appeared;
• New colors for the interior trim;
• Finishing Materials;
• Heated rear window.

BMW 5 Series v E60 E61 after restyling began to install thermal cameras (Night Vision system). They allow to quickly detect pedestrians and any obstacles on the way of the car at night. Restyling BMW E61 also allowed to produce an armored version of the car. The weight of the car will increase by a quarter of a ton, but the dynamics with characteristics remain almost the same! The car is able to withstand the firing of light weapons.

E61 sores

When talking about the technical specifications of the BMW E61, the main focus is on the engines.

So, gasoline units are practically trouble-free in operation. However, there is one “but”. Fuel must be of high quality, AI-98 is recommended. Otherwise, after 60-70 thousand miles, the gasoline pump with an oxygen sensor can fail. The worst of the best is the two-liter engine N43. It can sometimes start poorly, idle poorly. These problems are exacerbated at temperatures around 0 degrees.

The performance of the 2.0 BMW E61 diesel engines is slightly worse. True, they work perfectly at temperatures up to minus 25, but they also require high-quality diesel fuel. The main “disease” is a turbine with a life time of 100-120 thousand kilometers. There are some plagues of suspension. It is not ready for bad domestic roads. It can be used only on autobahns and highway. Therefore, it reaches, at best, up to 100 thousand kilometers. The weak points of the car are engine cooling system pipes, located in the block collapse, and oil caps with a short service life.

The rear air suspension must be able to maintain ground clearance regardless of load. This is the main purpose of this element of the station wagon. Taking into account that touring cars are often used for cargo transportation, the on-board computer will show air suspension malfunction after 100-150 thousand mileage. Often the cause of its ECU failure is wet/freezing weather.

Finally, there is another common sore spot with the N47D20 diesel engine: when the door is opened, the fuel pump does not work and the engine starts from the 2nd time. The problem is in the door lock end switch. The symptom is that the interior lights do not illuminate. You can replace the entire lock or, having disassembled it, install a new microswitch. And if before replacement you want the station wagon to start with the 1st time, turning on the ignition, you need to wait a little for the pump to pump fuel into the ramp.

Generations and configurations

Station wagon 5th generation – restyled

09.2007 – 02.2010

Station wagon 5th generation

04.2004 – 08.2007