e60s - any good?
Discussion
Bit of a general query I know.
I like my BMWs and my daily is a late e46 330 sport touring manual. Nice car but 160k miles and rust is coming through on the rear arches and I just cannot be bothered with the grief on a daily.
I have considered e39s but they are just as old and rust prone.
I've never been particularly excited by e60s but the tourings look quite nice especially in sport spec. I gather they are not as well built as the "golden age" of e39s, but at least they don't bloody rust (or do they?)
Had a quick look on autotrader and there seem to be quite a few larger engined (530, 545, 550) with nice spec (lots of toys, head up display, pan roof, etc.) for £4-7k, but mostly 150k+ miles. Is something like this going to be a huge world of pain and waiting for a large bill? I don't want to swap rusty arches for expensive electronic boxes...
Or am I better of looking at e91 tourers? Happy to go with an auto box as it is a daily but I am worried about reliability...
I like my BMWs and my daily is a late e46 330 sport touring manual. Nice car but 160k miles and rust is coming through on the rear arches and I just cannot be bothered with the grief on a daily.
I have considered e39s but they are just as old and rust prone.
I've never been particularly excited by e60s but the tourings look quite nice especially in sport spec. I gather they are not as well built as the "golden age" of e39s, but at least they don't bloody rust (or do they?)
Had a quick look on autotrader and there seem to be quite a few larger engined (530, 545, 550) with nice spec (lots of toys, head up display, pan roof, etc.) for £4-7k, but mostly 150k+ miles. Is something like this going to be a huge world of pain and waiting for a large bill? I don't want to swap rusty arches for expensive electronic boxes...
Or am I better of looking at e91 tourers? Happy to go with an auto box as it is a daily but I am worried about reliability...
The auto boxes tend to be fine as long as they are serviced with the right oil every 60k. In most modern autoboxes this has made a nice difference to the shift quality too.
Mileage wouldn't worry me as long as the car drove right ; but that will take looking at a few cars TBH. It seems more people want money for old rope these days.
Mileage wouldn't worry me as long as the car drove right ; but that will take looking at a few cars TBH. It seems more people want money for old rope these days.
Their fairly bullet proof to be honest and this is coming from a diesel owner, expect the petrols to be more so as less stuff to go wrong.
Avoid the panoramic sunroofs though as the drains tend to get blocked, fill the boot with water, and then trash the electronics that they handily put there.
Avoid the panoramic sunroofs though as the drains tend to get blocked, fill the boot with water, and then trash the electronics that they handily put there.
t compared to the e39.njw1 said:
sparks_E39 said:
Yes, they do rust. But nowhere near as much as the E46/E39.
I was talking to a mate who's an mot tester the other day and he said that he's seeing more and more e60's with rot on the sills and jacking points like the e39's.
I went from a manual 2003 E46 330i Sport Touring to an auto 2009 E61 530i M Sport Touring about 18 months ago as we needed a bit more space.
The E61 feels much more grown up: it is far more of a cruiser and less fun to chuck around than the E46 (which is to be expected). That being said, I really do enjoy the 530.
However, it has not been particularly cheap: I needed a new high pressure fuel pump and have had various electrical issues, mainly tailgate based (so the pano roof likely the cause): new remote locking module, new boot switch and I needed a new gear selector (random).
The E61 feels much more grown up: it is far more of a cruiser and less fun to chuck around than the E46 (which is to be expected). That being said, I really do enjoy the 530.
However, it has not been particularly cheap: I needed a new high pressure fuel pump and have had various electrical issues, mainly tailgate based (so the pano roof likely the cause): new remote locking module, new boot switch and I needed a new gear selector (random).
sparks_E39 said:
njw1 said:
sparks_E39 said:
Yes, they do rust. But nowhere near as much as the E46/E39.
I was talking to a mate who's an mot tester the other day and he said that he's seeing more and more e60's with rot on the sills and jacking points like the e39's.
Triumph Man said:
sparks_E39 said:
njw1 said:
sparks_E39 said:
Yes, they do rust. But nowhere near as much as the E46/E39.
I was talking to a mate who's an mot tester the other day and he said that he's seeing more and more e60's with rot on the sills and jacking points like the e39's.
sparks_E39 said:
Triumph Man said:
That's interesting to know, are E90s also prone?
I’ve seen a few with rear arch blisters. Not terrible compared to the E46 and E39 which can rust pretty much anywhere. 
I’ve had my 2006 E60 525i SE auto since 2009. I bought it with 5k miles as an approved used BMW. The first owner traded it in for his 6th new BMW as he liked to change them before the warranty ran out!
Full pensioner spec in Oxford Green with beige leather and wood. I have never seen another the same.
It has been the best car I have ever had and the perfect partner for my various Porsches.
I have driven it at 150mph on the German autobahn yet used it most days to sit in traffic commuting to work. Not too big, not too small, the kids are still happy in the back and they are grown up now.
It is now on 96,000 miles. It has been maintained according to schedule and has been very reliable. It has needed 2 x CV joints, a vanos unit, brakes, tyres, a couple of bulbs, that’s about it.
Petrol 6 cylinder engine is sweet and now back in fashion. Auto box is fine. Early 30s mpg on a run, once got 40mpg, overall is high 20s but my daily commute is in heavy traffic.
It is part of the family.
I paid £16k for it but that was 9 years ago.
I know that there are more desirable cars but as a long term companion, my E60 has been exceptional.
Full pensioner spec in Oxford Green with beige leather and wood. I have never seen another the same.
It has been the best car I have ever had and the perfect partner for my various Porsches.
I have driven it at 150mph on the German autobahn yet used it most days to sit in traffic commuting to work. Not too big, not too small, the kids are still happy in the back and they are grown up now.
It is now on 96,000 miles. It has been maintained according to schedule and has been very reliable. It has needed 2 x CV joints, a vanos unit, brakes, tyres, a couple of bulbs, that’s about it.
Petrol 6 cylinder engine is sweet and now back in fashion. Auto box is fine. Early 30s mpg on a run, once got 40mpg, overall is high 20s but my daily commute is in heavy traffic.
It is part of the family.
I paid £16k for it but that was 9 years ago.
I know that there are more desirable cars but as a long term companion, my E60 has been exceptional.
shotta287 said:
Try and go for a facelift if you can. Pre 2007 E60s look pretty dated now especially the interior.
100% agree. I have an N53 530i and they have 3 main issues:1. HPFP: This is pretty much the only "big" bill these days and they can be found reconditioned now. Awkward job.
2. Injectors: Most cars have now been sorted, if not I picked up nearly new injectors for £50
3. Coil packs: Design has been fixed so new coil packs fix the issue. Available used for £10 each.
Apart from that the N53 is a great engine. I always get 35+MPG on long runs and its a lovely drive.
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