BMW 5 series E60

[Bren]

Anybody had any experience with the 520 petrol models?

 

It appears that you can get a 2004 50,000 mile example for the same price as an utterly clapped out equivalent diesel example.

 

Are they much more juicer than the diesel models? TBH the diesel ones don't have the best reputation, a work colleague was bummed for over£1k in bills before deciding enough was enough.

 

Any thoughts?

[320touring]

My old boy bought a 520i auto, pre facelift.

 

It's well specced, and very comfortable on original 17" wheels.

 

Things to watch out for are

Coolant system- rad is pretty much a 100k service item, so check the system inc pipes carefully

 

Battery cables/battery- there was a recall out for the cable to the battery in the boot, this needs to be done as it can melt through. The battery should be in top condition, if it fails, the new one needs coded to the car-complicated for no reason

 

Oil- the m54 2.2 in the pre facelift uses castrol 5w30 edge, £15/l from dealer, and it needs 6.5l. Opie oils do service pack inc filter for about 80, so not too bad. As with most cars now, the interval is long (15k or so)

 

Auto box- the box learns driving style and can be reset to adapt to your style

 

My old boy's one has had 2 services and no other parts since he got it.

 

It gets mainly used for sub 10mile runs, and averages 25ish mpg, but on the schlep to the German gp, we got 34mpg at 80 over the 2100 miles.

 

The build quality is not as good as the e34(the e39 is not a patch on the e34 either) but it is adequate.

 

Overall, lowish miles petrol with some service history+ lpg conversion would be much better than a leggy diesel if looking for something to pile miles on.

 

If just looking for a local smoker, the petrol makes sense over the diesel as they don't like short trips.

 

Last thing, the 2.5 petrol is a de tuned 3.0 engine so you can buy cheaper and chip. The 520i has 170bhp, which is adequate, but the 2.5/3.0 are a bit nippier

[Partridge]

My old man has a 535d. Hasn't really given him much trouble aside from needing a new turbo (they have two) and thermostat when he first got it, which was done under dealer warrenty. That was three years or so ago and it's not been any trouble at all since. I've driven it a few times, I really didn't want to like it, but I did.

 

When it does go badly wrong (which it will, it's modern) it will cosh him over the head and run off with his wallet. It's a bloody complex bit of kit.

 

The 20i and 20d are as flat as turds by most accounts.

 

If you're going to buy one with sat nav make sure it's the bizzenisss edition because the normal one is crap.

 

As Forrest Gump would say, that's all I have to say on this matter.

[warren t claim]

An E61 Touring holds the dubious distinction of being the biggest loss maker on the WARCRAFT pitch last year. Went like a scalded cat though.

[EssDeeWon]

Hi Bren - A few years ago we had one as a company car, 520 e60 manual (think it was a 2004 car), was not enjoyable to drive one little bit_.

 

Nice looking car but a major disappointment to drive, but might be ok for a motorway runner but around town was a slog.

[warren t claim]

If you decide to go down the E60 route you'll be better off with the 4.4 V8, up to 42 MPG on a restrained motorway run but with over 300 BHP when you fancy a giggle. Watanabe, as he was know as before he started taking beta blockers and calling himself Dudong, launched mine down a motorway ramp and gave it his highest accolade of "this is so fucking wrong". Pete M has said in the past that his E39 4.4 was more economical on a run than a two litre Cortina an I'm inclined to agree.