BMW E61 Petrol Advice Please

[Magikarp]

I will be buying an E61 Touring at some point in the next four months or so (sooner if the right car presents itself), and would like to know of general issues that may manifest themselves.

I need an estate, and it has to be a large estate. I've had an E60 saloon previously (530d) which I loved, so see no reason why the estate won't be as good. I'm not doing the miles to justify a diesel. I appreciate this limits my choices somewhat, as does my budget of approximately £5000. There is some leeway but I won't be looking at £8000s. There seems to be a few petrols about on Autotrader that fit the bill. I would prefer a 530 but am open to the idea of the smaller engines, but doubt I could sneak a V8 home without questions being asked.

Not having had one of these engines before are they generally reliable? I work at a garage and there is an excellent specialist nearby so maintenance isn't an issue. I'm also happy to get a car serviced up to spec - part of the reason of going from a new car on contract hire to buying a used car outright is to cement monthly outgoings but we are allocating a certain amount for maintenance.

I am aware that my economy isn't going to be fabulous but that's not really a concern to a certain degree - again I'd love a V8 but pooling around delicately to get it up to 20mpg isn't my idea of fun.

I appreciate this is pretty vague, but I'm fairly chuffed I've managed to get my options down to a single brand, as opposed to the shedload I started with!

I always look at MOT history and service history but are there notorious things to look out for?

I have no preference for M Sport over SE specification, but am expecting not much choice and to be happy with what I get.

Thank you!

[helix402]

530i N52. More reliable than the later N53.

[Magikarp]

Thanks. I will bear that in mind. I'm also of the opinion I should simply speak to the specialist and see what he advises. I'm not averse to spending money to keep a car in good condition.

[d_a_n1979]

Magikarp said:

I will be buying an E61 Touring at some point in the next four months or so (sooner if the right car presents itself), and would like to know of general issues that may manifest themselves.

I need an estate, and it has to be a large estate. I've had an E60 saloon previously (530d) which I loved, so see no reason why the estate won't be as good. I'm not doing the miles to justify a diesel. I appreciate this limits my choices somewhat, as does my budget of approximately £5000. There is some leeway but I won't be looking at £8000s. There seems to be a few petrols about on Autotrader that fit the bill. I would prefer a 530 but am open to the idea of the smaller engines, but doubt I could sneak a V8 home without questions being asked.

Not having had one of these engines before are they generally reliable? I work at a garage and there is an excellent specialist nearby so maintenance isn't an issue. I'm also happy to get a car serviced up to spec - part of the reason of going from a new car on contract hire to buying a used car outright is to cement monthly outgoings but we are allocating a certain amount for maintenance.

I am aware that my economy isn't going to be fabulous but that's not really a concern to a certain degree - again I'd love a V8 but pooling around delicately to get it up to 20mpg isn't my idea of fun.

I appreciate this is pretty vague, but I'm fairly chuffed I've managed to get my options down to a single brand, as opposed to the shedload I started with!

I always look at MOT history and service history but are there notorious things to look out for?

I have no preference for M Sport over SE specification, but am expecting not much choice and to be happy with what I get.

Thank you!

The issue is that the petrol variants are generally far & few between; the decent ones anyway!

The 530i E61 are as rare as hens teeth and when they do crop up; they're either very expensive, or a dog!

The 550i even rarer still; however, there is a nice white Jap import one on eBay currently

All depends on how big your budget is etc

[b14]

I had an E61 530i (pre-LCI, so N52) - LR06 AFA.

It was generally reliable but there are some things that go wrong:

- tailgate wiring can break and cause various failures at the back on lights, heated screen, rear hatch etc
- engine was reliable but they leak oil from the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing
- mine had recurring problems with the vanos solenoids and eventually it became clear it was the seals on the exhaust cams that had gone bad. Part ex'd it after that (fully disclosed)!
- starter motors can fail
- electric water pump will fail
- rear suspension air bags and compressors will fail at some point in its life
- panoramic sunroof drains can block and lead to the car draining rainwater into the spare wheel well, where a load of electrical relays and control units live...
- the auto boxes are pretty reliable but they do need new oil at 80k miles or so, they aren't sealed for life as BMW says
- 6th gear can fail on the auto box

I liked mine but never got on with the N52. People rave about them but I think mine wasn't a gem of the breed. MPG around 30 on a run, down to 20 in mixed driving. Loads of space though, great load lugger.

[g3org3y]

^The above replies have pretty much covered it.

The 6 cyls are either the earlier N52 or the later N53.

N52
Fairly robust but expensive electric waterpump. Can be prone to oil leaks (oil filter housing, valve cover, sump pan etc). Vanos solenoids can go as well.

N53
More niggly but afaik but superior mpg. Niggles include expensive high pressure fuel pump and injectors.

As has been mentioned, in E61 (Touring) form, they are quite rare. Watch the spec, I've seen quite a few with not much kit.

Heated seats are a great feature, I probably wouldn't buy a car without them now.

E60s only came with the basic AC as standard, climate control was a cost option. The latter is dual zone and also has a solar and condensation sensor (I don't know if LCI models had climate as standard).

This link explains the difference between the basic AC and Climate:
https://www.meeknet.co.uk/e64/tis_routines/E64%20S...

Xenons worth looking out for. If you're unsure whether the car has them, look for the headlight height adjustment control (bottom right).

Cars with xenons will not have this.

6.5 inch screen was standard. The Business Nav (via the 6.5 screen) was a cost option and the Pro Nav was a further cost option and upgraded you to an 8.8 inch screen.

Cruise control and rain sensing wipers and auto headlights were standard.

Another feature that may be worth looking out for (but is quite rare) is the HUD.

Panoramic roof is nice but as mentioned above, potentially problematic.

[ShampooEfficient]

Get the V8. Spend £5.99 on ebay for a 520i badge.

[Magikarp]

Thanks for the information, it will be most useful.

I surely have to practice my excuses about how a V8 ended in my position....

[b14]

One thing I would say is drive a 530i first. The engine is good etc but they aren't torque monsters. Some say the diesels suit the character of the estate better (although Ive never driven one to confirm). V8 might be the one to go for, but that engine has its own problems too (valve stem oil seals).

[Toltec]

The N53 has stratified burn which will only work if the nox cat and nox sensors are still working, mine has a problem so I get low thirties mpg on a run and low twenties around town. There is a noxem unit that gets around that without replacing the cat etc, if you do enough miles to be worth the extra mpg.

There are modules in the wheel well that get fried if you let the roof drains get blocked and flood the well!

Most N53s have probably had the HPFP and injectors replaced by now, check the service book and paperwork.

I have the m-sport version, I think there are about 70 odd on the road and it also has the sport auto option which is pretty rare. Mine is the LCI with the updated iDrive, but the older DVD nav, there were a few very early LCIs built like that apparently.

[g3org3y]

Magikarp said:

Thanks for the information, it will be most useful.

I surely have to practice my excuses about how a V8 ended in my position....

Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

[Magikarp]

There is a lot to think about here. So much so that I’m beginning to doubt whether a diesel might not be a better option; as the likelihood of getting a V8 is remote.

[helix402]

Magikarp said:

There is a lot to think about here. So much so that I’m beginning to doubt whether a diesel might not be a better option; as the likelihood of getting a V8 is remote.

IMHO the 530d is much better than the 530i, as you asked for a petrol I recommended one. The petrol sounds better. The diesel goes better, uses less fuel, has fewer oil leaks-but some cities may not like it. Also as this is PH lots of people prefer petrol. I wouldn’t recommend the V8 due to lots of problems and even worse mpg than the 6 cyl petrol.

[Magikarp]

I appreciate everyone’s advice. I had a 56 plate 530d saloon and it was a bloody marvellous car. I would prefer petrol because I do about 8 miles a day to work (or will do when I go back at any rate) and I think that the daily commute wouldn’t be ideal for getting the best out of the engine. I can of course extend it slightly....

[here_we_go]

Sunroof drains can also block forward, flooding your alternator and brake servo.

My sunroof also sometimes failed to close.

I'd look for one without a sunroof if I had another.

[d_a_n1979]

Magikarp said:

I appreciate everyone’s advice. I had a 56 plate 530d saloon and it was a bloody marvellous car. I would prefer petrol because I do about 8 miles a day to work (or will do when I go back at any rate) and I think that the daily commute wouldn’t be ideal for getting the best out of the engine. I can of course extend it slightly....

Does it have to be an E60/61'er?

What about either side, an E39 or an F11?

[Magikarp]

d_a_n1979 said:

Does it have to be an E60/61'er?

What about either side, an E39 or an F11?

I don't have much money to spend and I'm a little concerned about the E39's propensity for rust. My budget, circa £5k will get an E61 comfortably. I can afford to go beyond this budget but it will affect our retirement plans if I do.

I am aware this could easily turn into a fool's errand and I've been told to get "something I'll enjoy". My thoughts did instantly turn to an M5 Touring, of course.

[g3org3y]

Magikarp said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Does it have to be an E60/61'er?

What about either side, an E39 or an F11?

I don't have much money to spend and I'm a little concerned about the E39's propensity for rust. My budget, circa £5k will get an E61 comfortably. I can afford to go beyond this budget but it will affect our retirement plans if I do.

I am aware this could easily turn into a fool's errand and I've been told to get "something I'll enjoy". My thoughts did instantly turn to an M5 Touring, of course.

E91 too small?

[d_a_n1979]

Magikarp said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Does it have to be an E60/61'er?

What about either side, an E39 or an F11?

I don't have much money to spend and I'm a little concerned about the E39's propensity for rust. My budget, circa £5k will get an E61 comfortably. I can afford to go beyond this budget but it will affect our retirement plans if I do.

I am aware this could easily turn into a fool's errand and I've been told to get "something I'll enjoy". My thoughts did instantly turn to an M5 Touring, of course.

IMO you'll not get a good E61 petrol touring for that budget, unless you go for a 523i or similar...

Agree re the E91 comment, have you considered them, 325i etc?

[Magikarp]

The 3 series boot is too small. I’d looked at Volvo v70s as well but by all accounts are fiddly and overly complicated to maintain. They also seem expensive.

I’d had an E60 before so know the car in general.

There are a few on Autotrader that seem agreeable enough as far as budget goes.

This is why I’m asking, to either confirm my choice or to have to rethink and end up with a bloody Mondeo.