BMW 5 Series E60 Review (2003-2009)
BMW 5 Series cars for sale
4.0
Expert review
Pros
Packed with tech for a car of this era
Very enjoyable to drive
Wide choice of powerful and efficient engines
Cons
Bold looks don't appeal to everyone
Plenty of known faults that can be costly to put right
Stiff ride on run-flat tyres
The CarGurus verdict
BMW built and sold more than 1.4 million E60s during an eight-year lifespan. There are plenty of used examples to choose from as a result, meaning second-hand buyers can afford to be picky. You’ll have your own view on the way the BMW E60 5 Series looks, but do be mindful that if you choose the more purposeful-looking M Sport model with bigger wheels, you will pay a price in terms of ride comfort.
You’ll need to do your research and inspect any candidates very closely indeed, because there are plenty of known faults that can ultimately land you with very sizeable bills. Given how plentiful these cars are, though, you won’t need to look too far or wide to find a very well-cared for car with a documented history and all relevant recall work carried out. Buy well and you’ll own a striking-looking saloon or estate car that steers and handles better than the comparable models that Audi and Mercedes were putting out at the time.
What is the BMW 5 Series?
After the simple and elegant E39 5 Series, the E60 came as something of a shock. Its arrival in 2003 coincided with an all-new era for BMW, one that would be built upon new technologies and clever new functions, such as the now-ubiquitous iDrive infotainment system, and various active driver assistance systems that have since become commonplace across the automotive industry.
In BMW’s judgement, its mid-sized saloon and estate car (called the 5 Series Touring) needed an up-to-date look with which to hail the arrival of this new era of technology. Whereas most mainstream BMWs that came before the 5 Series E60 were characterised by timeless designs that clearly owed a great deal to the company’s cars of the '70s and '80s, the 5 Series that arrived soon after the turn of century resolutely and intentionally did not.
Its styling was overseen by BMW’s former design director, Chris Bangle, who at the time was busily reimagining the company’s entire design philosophy. No more looking backwards – with sharp creases, angular headlights, complex surfacing across their flanks and minimalist interiors, Bangle-era BMWs would turn to face the future instead.
That said, this car's successor – the F10-generation BMW 5 Series – toned down the controversial styling somewhat.
How practical is it?
You could take your pick of either the four-door saloon or five-door estate body styles when ordering your E60 5 Series; the saloon is pretty roomy, with space for four adults to sit comfortably, but the boot is merely adequate, at 520 litres.
The same goes for the estate; while that tailgate naturally gives you more luggage space to play with than the saloon, not to mention a wide-opening hatchback door through which to access it, it isn’t actually that roomy by the standards of the class, with the Audi A6, Volvo V70 and Mercedes E-Class all boasting bigger boots.
What's it like to drive?
Many thought the BMW 5 Series E60 was ugly when it was first unveiled. BMW had in fact been very shrewd (and perhaps a little underhand) in deliberately making higher-spec models with their purposeful M Sport bodykits far more desirable. These versions were more profitable after all, and it’d be no bad things if buyers felt compelled to upgrade to them… Over time, the shock of the E60’s styling has long since faded away and today the fifth-generation 5 Series looks a handsome machine, particularly with bigger alloy wheels and that M Sport styling kit.
Those variants did have a downside, however. With stiff suspension and minimal tyre sidewalls, they were hardly the last word in ride comfort. They steered and handled very well indeed, although much the same was true of the non-M Sport models as well. So far as the experience behind the steering wheel was concerned, the rear-wheel drive 5 Series was leaps and bounds ahead of rivals from Audi and Mercedes, which favoured stability and comfort over outright athleticism.
Technology, equipment & infotainment
BMW introduced its iDrive infotainment interface two years earlier with the E65 7 Series. It found its way into the E60 with all its quirks and foibles very much intact. While iDrive – which uses a scroll wheel on the transmission tunnel to control a digital display in the dashboard – has evolved over the years to be one of the most intuitive systems of its type, those earlier iterations could be somewhat bewildering. The key is to take a little time to learn how to navigate the menus and switch between the various functions, after which point it becomes easier to use.
As well as iDrive, the E60 5 Series also featured various safety and convenience technologies such as stability control, adaptive headlights, variable ratio steering, Bluetooth, voice control and even a head-up display, which projected key information onto the windscreen. Many of these functions are fitted as standard even to low-cost cars these days, but almost two decades ago they were very much at the cutting edge.
BMW 5 Series running costs
With such a wide selection of engines on offer, fuel efficiency ranges from positively parsimonious to utterly horrendous. The 520d should return an mpg of around 40 in mixed driving and more than that on the motorway, while the 5.0-litre V10 in the BMW M5 might not manage much more than 15mpg if used to its full potential. As a rule of thumb, diesel engines will be more fuel efficient than petrols, and that applies even to the more powerful diesels like the 535d with its twin turbochargers.
You shouldn’t expect any more than 25mpg from the petrol V8s, while petrol straight-sixes should achieve closer to 30mpg. BMW introduced its Efficient Dynamics technologies along with the 2007 facelift. These included functions like stop-start and regenerative braking, meaning later cars will be slightly more fuel efficient than earlier ones. Efficient Dynamics models will also be cleaner in terms of CO2 emissions as well.
As these cars grow older and older, there is increasingly less reason to have them serviced at main dealers. In fact, if you find a good local specialist your car will be maintained to the same high standards, but you’ll fork out a good deal less money. Accordingly, you shouldn’t be put off by a car that doesn’t have a full BMW service history, as long as it's been looked after by a reputable specialist.
Insurance can vary significantly between models – lower-powered variants sit in group 31 while the exotic M5 is in group 50, the highest there is. The same goes for tyres, because while a 520d won’t need especially expensive rubber, the M5 absolutely will. Expect to pay £300 for a full set on the former model and at least double that on the M5.
While a 520d will set you back £150 in Vehicle Excise Duty for the year, the more powerful 530d will cost between £240 and £340, depending on vintage. Meanwhile, a petrol 330i will set you back £330.
BMW 5 Series reliability
With so many electrical systems that were right at the vanguard of automotive technology when the E60 was new, there is unfortunately plenty that can go wrong. iDrive systems are known to be temperamental and can sometimes freeze altogether, leaving you unable to access the car’s entertainment and satnav functions. It’s therefore worth having a really good play with the system to make sure it operates the way it should. Early cars are more commonly affected by iDrive problems.
Otherwise, you’ll want to know that the driver assistance systems, where fitted, all work properly, that the air conditioning blows cold air, the remote central locking works, the seat heaters function as they should and the Bluetooth system connects with your phone. Over the years there have been various recalls for the E60, ranging from airbags faults to fuel pump issues, as well as clutch, stability control system and engine troubles. A diligent salesperson will show proof of all relevant recall work having been carried out.
Many owners choose to fit conventional rather than run-flat tyres to their cars, in part to save money but also to improve the ride quality. BMW doesn’t recommend this (and you should always carry an air compressor and a can of expanding foam in case you pick up a puncture), but countless owners have favoured conventional tyres for many years without reporting any issues.
During your test drive, listen out for unusual knocks and creaks from the suspension, which can indicate worn bushes that’ll want be to be replaced. Also check that the steering is straight and true – if not, the wheel alignment will need to be corrected.
There are common faults that relate to particular engines and you’ll want to be mindful of those. For instance, 525i and 530i petrol engines can suffer excessive fuel consumption and damaged cylinder linings as a result of faulty fuel injectors. This issue can ultimately prove terminal, the only fix being a replacement engine.
Meanwhile, diesel motors can suffer issues with their swirl flaps. These were fitted to improve emissions on start-up, but over time they can degrade and sometimes fail completely, often leading to engine failure. Many owners simply choose to remove the swirl flaps altogether. Finally, 2.0-litre diesels are known to have camshaft chain problems owing to over-long oil service intervals.
– The E60 was offered with a wide range of engines, from four-cylinder diesels to a seminal 5.0-litre V10 that was packed full of genuine motorsport technology (the latter powering the high-performance M5 variant). Elsewhere in the engine line-up were straight-sixes and V8s, meaning there was a power plant to suit most budgets and scenarios. – As very early examples edge towards their 20th birthdays, the entry-point into E60 ownership falls lower and lower. Buy the wrong car and you could find yourself stuck with a money pit. Choose wisely, though, and you’ll have yourself a very desirable saloon or estate car with many years of faithful service left in it. – The E60 was facelifted in September 2007. BMW refers to its facelifts with the term ‘Life Cycle Impulse’ and vendors will often use the acronym LCI to denote an updated model. There were subtle styling tweaks to lights and bumpers, while cabins were upgraded with a much more intuitive iDrive system that featured programmable ‘favourite’ buttons to make navigating its various functions much more straightforward. The engines and transmissions were updated as well. BMW offered a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission on the 5 Series, apart from the M5 which has a seven-speed automatic.
- If you want the big-selling all-rounder: Beloved of company cars drivers, the BMW 520d remains the most common variant today. Its 2.0-litre diesel produced 161bhp before the 2007 facelift and 174bhp after it. With plenty of torque, the 520d is quick enough for most people and it’ll return around 40mpg, too.
- If you want something fast but frugal: The BMW 535d was and remains a highly sought-after model. Its 3.0-litre, six-cylinder engine featured twin-turbos, which meant it produced close to 280bhp later in life and more than 400lb-ft of torque. Despite all that straight-line speed, the 535d can comfortably return 35mpg.
- If you want the performance sweet spot: BMW offered various petrol V8s in the E60, but for the best balance of speed and efficiency, the 530i is the one to look out for. There were three different versions over the years, their power outputs ranging from 228bhp to 268bhp. They deliver brisk performance without the hefty fuel bills that come with a thirsty eight-cylinder.
- If you value speed above all else: With more than 500bhp and motorsport-derived hardware through the drivetrain and chassis, the BMW M5 is a fearsome saloon/estate. Sadly, running costs and reliability have proven to be equally fearsome over the years and you’ll want to make sure you’re covered by a good warranty before taking the plunge. Find a good one and you'll have a car that has to be electronically limited to a 155mph top speed, unless it has the optional M Drivers Package, in which case you'll be able to hit 190mph. On private land, obviously.
