BMW M5 E61

The presentation of the sporty station wagon BMW M5 E61 of the 4th generation took place in 2007. It took place at the motor show in Geneva, 2 years after the presentation of the sedan M5. In the same year the production began. Germans started to assemble this car on the conveyor belt of the plant located in Dingolfing.

1,025 examples of the M5 E61 Touring were produced, which is considered to be the fastest station wagon in the world.

Appearance

What’s the difference between the M5 E61 and the M5 E60? Practically, nothing. The platform of the station wagon is the standard model E60. Therefore, there are no visible differences in the exterior of the cars: similar predatory front optics, “nostrils”, smooth body. From the elements of aerodynamics it is worth noting the front spoiler and a small air intake integrated into it.

That’s why descriptions often write BMW M5 E60 E61.

In terms of dimensions, the station wagon is a medium-sized car of the “Premium” class. In length, the sporty touring stretched by 4.86 meters. The width of the car is 1.85, height – 1.51 meters. Wheelbase of the M5 E61 is 2.89 meters. Ground clearance of the car is 120 mm, weight – 1.96 tons.

Interior

The M5 E61 has an E-class interior. The interior trim is made of genuine leather with aluminum inserts. Console, according to the tradition of the concern, is turned to the driver. Here you can see the on-board computer with 6.3-inch monitor. There are deflectors under the display. You can manually adjust (reducing, increasing, changing the direction of air flow) the climate control of the interior. Under it there are regulators that allow you to customize on-board electronic systems.

The speedometer/tachometer scales can be seen on the instrument panel. Some information may also be available on the windshield.

The rear row of the car can comfortably accommodate tall passengers. There is enough legroom in both rows. But there is more headroom in the 1st row. 994 mm is the distance from the seat to the ceiling, 27 mm less in the rear.

In the cabin it is worth noting the three-spoke steering wheel, covered with threads of three colors and has paddle shifters SMG gearbox, dashboard, which received an aluminum frame, red arrows, white backlighting, Head-Up display in 6.3 inches on the windshield, upholstery Merino, leather seats, which received active ventilation and door sills decorated with the logo “M5”.

With the “M” button, the driver could activate 3 modes of power unit operation. The first one, P400, was started automatically for normal driving, when the engine power was limited to 400 “horses”. For full power, 500 “horses”, the P500 mode was used. To add to it sharpness, SP500 is selected. The selection is made using the IDrive menu.

Trunk volume is 500 liters. By folding down the 2nd row, this figure can be increased to 1560 liters.

Technical specifications

Let’s break down the technical specifications of the BMW M5 touring.

Under the hood of the station wagon there is a 507-horsepower, atmospheric V-shaped, ten-cylinder unit S85B50, which has a volume of 5.0 liters. Its highlight – electrically driven throttles on each of 10 cylinders! From stainless steel the Germans have created an exhaust system with two streams.

The engine BMW M5 iv E60 E61 combined with a 7-speed robotized transmission SMG II. The sporty station wagon could reach “hundred” in 4.8 sec. The maximum speed of the three-volume car reached 250 km/h (without a limiter – 320). Fuel consumption of the BMW M5 E61 in the city / on the highway / mixed cycle is 21.7/10.2/14.4 liters.

The size of the fuel tank is 70 liters.

The car was equipped with two aluminum suspensions: front independent (MacPherson) on double wishbones and aft multi-lever. The steering wheel had adaptive power steering Sevrotronic. All chassis were equipped with disc brakes (front – also ventilated) with ABS system.

Difference between restyling and prerestyling

In 2007, the BMW M5 E61 was restyled. The changes were insignificant. The interior of the sports car was slightly changed, it received aft LED optics and daytime running lights were updated.

If that’s not enough, it’s worth tuning the car.

Typical problems

Let’s break down the typical faults of the BMW M5 touring E61. There are not so many of them, if these diseases are an addition to the sedan.

1. The rear door wiring is fractured. Over time, the lights and rear wiper glitch and there are problems opening the doors. The equipment installed on them may not work. Even the remote door opener. You can repair the current wiring or replace the entire kit.
2. The rear window button is rotted out. It needs to be replaced.
3. The rear wiper bearing is rotting out. It needs to be replaced.
4. The antenna unit is rotted/wet. This is caused by water penetration into the rear spoiler. The radio starts to receive poorly and the remote control stops working. Most often, replacement will be required, but soldering of the tracks on the unit board is acceptable.
5. The panorama drains are clogged. They need to be cleaned.
6. Panorama is leaking. At the beginning you can hear a noise at speed, then it will blow through the leak. Replacement is required. The last two faults are the cause of water ingress into the BMW passenger compartment/trunk.
7. The panorama is jammed. You can repair or replace the fault.
8. The tailgate auto-opening does not work properly. It is necessary to replace the original hydraulic system fluid (recommended CHF 11) or raise it to the correct level by topping up.

These are common problems with touring cars.

In 2010. BMW M5 station wagon came off the assembly line. It was replaced by the M5 F10 model.

Generations and equipment

4th generation

03.2007 – 04.2010