E60 5-Series. What to look out for

[Testaburger]

Hi all,

I don't actually have a car anymore, due living in Hong Kong, but I'm finding myself visiting for a few days fairly often, and renting a car. Which, as you'll know, is either a compromise between expensive and st.

So, I'm looking to lay my hands on a reliable, motorway munching car. I've got somewhere to keep it, but it won't be covered.

I like the idea of an E60 5-Series. Good size, good price, and I've always been quite taken by their hawkish eyes.

So, what do I need to look out for? There are plenty on the market - mostly high miles, I'm guessing motorway rep-business miles. Prices from 5500 and up. What do we think is a decent price point?

If there are specific engines to avoid, or issues to be aware of, I'd be glad of any advice. How is the diesel? a 3+ litre diesel may be just the ticket.

Anyway, I'm all ears, if any of you kind folk could spare your advice.

[hman]

My experience :-

turbos fail
exhaust manifolds crack
injectors fail
dpfs clog
fuel regulators fail
glow plugs fail
glow plug ecu's fail
fuel filter heaters fail
torque converters fail
zf auto boxs leak
zf auto boxes shudder
zf auto boxes shunt when coming to a stop
zf auto boxes fail
roll bar bushes wear out
drop links wear out
alloys crack
bonnet cables break
dash displays fail
radio knobs fail
seat bolsters wear out
boot lid handle (switch) break
intelligent battery thingy fails and ironically flattens the battery its meant to be saving

That was all happening between 80 and 120,000 miles....

[AlwynMike]

You forgot the swirl flaps being ingested. :-)

Most of the above could refer to almost any modern diesel.

Mine was very reliable and economical (530d) over 3 years (purchased 2nd hand)
I had a yaw sensor go, which didn't stop me driving the car, although it was an MOT fail.
Wasn't an expensive fix, and I did it myself.

SE seats aren't wonderful - my wife had to have a cushion, but it didn't worry me.
No bolster issues with SE seats
17 & 18 inch wheels are generally OK (and some 520's came with 16's)
Junk any run flat tyres and buy a spare wheel - there is room for one under the floor.
Mine was a manual gearbox (by choice)

I blanked off the swirl flaps

iDrive will call for the DPF to be replaced at 110k or thereabouts - expensive unless you get a very early (2003) one which didn't have a DPF.
The original exhausts on these early cars had downturned exhaust tips, but these may have been replaced by now.

Mine stood outside in all weathers, and working away, was left for weeks at a time.
Never any problems with starting in cold weather, although towards the end of the first battery life, it did turn over slowly.
I never had issues with glowplugs or controllers - maybe I was lucky.