The One You Want : BMW E60

"Stephen Rivers" (stephenrivers) 12/25/2019 at 10:00 • Filed to: The One You Want, BMW, E60, Saloon, Sedan, 5 Series, Sports Sedan, Tuning, Value, Touring, Fast, Deal

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The budget conscious super saloon shopper is still out there and you may very well be one of them. As manufacturers focus more and more on crossovers and suvs there lies a soft spot in the market. One that provides those with discerning taste the chance to drive a car that can be as poised making a spirited run cross country as it is on a road course. Today’s focus will be on an excellent offering from BMW, the E60 5 Series.

The E60 ran from 2003 to 2010 and when it arrived, most in the car world were appalled at it’s Bangle designed body. It didn’t look much like the outgoing car and at the time that wasn’t popular. Today though it’s widely regarded as a style that has stood the test of time, especially after the midlife facelift it received in 2008. The car was treated to better lighting, sleeker front and rear bumper covers, new wheel options and most importantly new engine options. The car in any trim feels great inside, quality materials all around aside from some cheap plastics. For all but the M5 each car came with a six speed manual standard with an automatic being optional and a “Sport Automatic” also being available that added paddle shifters and a “Sport” button just below the shifter. The steering wheel and it’s controls feel great in the hand and communicate well with the driver. With that covered, lets get onto it.

4th 530i

The 530i was the base model and so we won’t spend much time here aside from to say this. If you can only afford a 530i, they can still be an excellent value. The 6-cylinder found under the bonnet is adequate for getting around town and highway trips. It is comfortable and the least expensive to maintain. It won’t be inspiring but it will still look good and pricing can be very attractive, even for well cared for examples.

3rd 550i

The big V8 version of the E60 is the opposite of Goldie Locks and the Three Bears. It’s powerful (360hp) but quite heavy compared to all but the M5. In addition to the weight penalty it’s the most expensive to buy today when compared to the other options in similar condition. Only choose this one if you’re the one who wants a just long distance cruiser with the power to get to the end of it’s speedometer. That’s it’s bread and butter. It’s in the middle in terms of power, weight and pricing but gets overtaken by the second and first place finishers here. Shall we find out why?

2nd M5

The last naturally aspirated super saloon is truly a special special car. It handles incredibly well, especially considering it’s weight. It has so much power that it literally breaks itself as it goes down the road sometimes and that’s why it’s second place here. The operating costs of even a well cared for E60 M5 will be exceptionally high thanks in part to its affinity for ruining the rod bearings of that F1 inspired V10. No doubt this car will be a classic for years and years to come. However, unless you have a small collection of yachts somewhere, this one might cost you all your pennies in the end.

1st 535i

How is this possible? The 300 hp 3.0 version of this car is the best of the bunch? Absolutely. You see, the N54 motor lying under the bonnet is in many eyes, the modern day 2JZ. It handles stupendous amounts of power in stock form without internal modification. Additionally, it has 2 smallish turbos mounted to the side of it, so with only a tuner you can boost your horsepower to similar levels of that in the 550i. So it costs you less to purchase than a 550i and with a $300 tuner you’re not just keeping up with the 550i, you’re faster and lighter. Adding downpipes and an intake can put you in 400+ horsepower territory matching the M5 in it’s default mode. Maintenance can be expensive for all the cars mentioned here and the 535i turbos are known to go after 100+k so plan on swapping them if you’re looking at one that hasn’t had them replaced. Good news is that you can upgrade those and build in excess of 600hp with supporting modifications. Keep in mind that you haven’t lost any features of the 550 or M5 if you find the right trim level. 20 way power seats, active roll stabilization, 18,19 and 20 inch wheels, heated seats and steering wheel are all available on the 535i. You have a very fast, very comfortable, relatively inexpensive super saloon and that’s why it’s the one you want.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > Stephen Rivers 10/15/2019 at 12:36

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Fun fact: you could get a 545i SMG, which combines an unreliable transmission with an unreliable engine.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Stephen Rivers 10/15/2019 at 12:54

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I guess it depends on your budget, but seeing as the F10 535 is now approaching sup $10k territory, I think that’s a better suggestion.

However, I’m a F10 535 owner, so I’m biased. N55 FTW. 

Stephen Rivers > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 10/15/2019 at 13:00

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I would agree it’s in the convo overall . The focus I had here was the E60 though . I think the N54 is a stronger motor while the N55 is more reliable and less obnoxious . Certainly the F10 is a nicer car to be in over a long trip

Stephen Rivers > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo 10/15/2019 at 13:01

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Haha. I certainly did not know that. Wow

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Stephen Rivers 10/15/2019 at 13:04

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Forgot to add, you’re a great writer that did a fantastic job of boiling down all the ins and outs of the E60. I really enjoyed reading. 

Klaus Schmoll > Stephen Rivers 10/15/2019 at 13:24

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Already bought mine 2.5 years ago. As a tall guy I prefer the comfort seats in the E60/61 to those in the F and G cars, those suck in comparison.

Stephen Rivers > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 10/15/2019 at 13:28

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Thank you so much. Very very kind. I’m trying to get into it. 

Stephen Rivers > Klaus Schmoll 10/15/2019 at 13:32

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What an absolute stunner. Beauty of a car. I’m 6'6 so I know how you feel. 

CompactLuxuryFan > Stephen Rivers 10/15/2019 at 13:49

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At this point I’d rather own a 530i than a 535i and especially a 550i. Those V8s were nothing short of a nightmare. The NA 6 is more than enough to get the juices flowing and will be more reliable and easier to work on than an N54. That said, if you truly do crave the power and are ready to shell out for more upkeep , the N54 is a hoot. Punchy midrange but things get truly wild after 5k or so. Opening up the taps on my 335i (late N54) still kinda scares me tbh.

Discerning > Stephen Rivers 10/15/2019 at 13:59

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But the 535i has a meh rear diff and no LSD. It’s the same issue that the e90 folks run into and it’s why it can be such a pain to launch them.

The N54 also isn't super reliable from what owners have said on the forums.

Stephen Rivers > CompactLuxuryFan 10/15/2019 at 14:03

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I agree the 530i  adequate for the average person. In a general sense our community does crave the speed and so that’s why I think the 535i is the one you want.

Stephen Rivers > Discerning 10/15/2019 at 14:05

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The rear diff problem does suck. No doubt about it. While it’s anecdotal at best I would say it’s as reliable as anything else I’ve owned. My car has 182000 on the clock and despite the turbos needing replacement drives great. Even with weaker turbos it moves very very well.

Discerning > Stephen Rivers 10/15/2019 at 14:07

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I definitely get the appeal. I just wouldn’t own another car that makes 400whp or more on an open diff. I couldn’t stand it. Putting power down was very difficult. I also f ind it annoying that BMW never even made it an option.

Stephen Rivers > Discerning 10/15/2019 at 14:13

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Would’ve cannibalized sales of the other cars I’m sure.  

E90M3 > BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo 10/15/2019 at 14:39

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A neighbor had one of those for years, it was transmission issues that did it in. The engine wasn’t a problem for him. 

E90M3 > Stephen Rivers 10/15/2019 at 14:43

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You heart really wants that V10, listening to it scream above 8000 RPM is something else. It might be maintenance intensive , but it’s much more special than a 535i. This is one reason I got my E90 M3 over a comparable 335i, the 335i can be made a lot faster, the M will always feel more special. 

BeaterGT > Discerning 10/15/2019 at 15:34

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People...launch BMWs? 

Discerning > BeaterGT 10/15/2019 at 16:14

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Some people do drag race them.

Even without launching being a factor, having the inside wheel spin when you try to put down power while accelerating out of a turn really stinks.

BeaterGT > Discerning 10/15/2019 at 17:26

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That's true, I did race a newer 335 when I had the Z. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Stephen Rivers 12/25/2019 at 11:14

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Not e61

M.T. Blake > Stephen Rivers 12/25/2019 at 11:49

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If the E60 is unreliable why get the one without a V10? Go big or go home. 

Stephen Rivers > M.T. Blake 12/25/2019 at 11:56

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Totally dependant on your idea of unreliable and how you plan to use the car. Is it your daily? Do you have enough money set back to purchase a small island? Can you work on your own car no matter the complexity? How much free time do you have? Do you have another car?

All of those are good questions with the V10. The inline six doesn’t require half the attention if that and you can get the same power pretty easily. 

Land_Yacht_225 > Stephen Rivers 12/25/2019 at 11:56

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I still find it astonishing that the base model for the E60, the true base model, here in the US was still a 525i...in 2004 /05 ! Anemic little 2.5 I6 that couldn’t muster 200 hp or ft-lbs - talk about a build fit for a lease special...

And then they keep calling the base model a 525i but start putting a detuned 3.0 in it, and sell  it next to the 530i! The model lineup in the early years was the most convoluted thing I'd ever heard.

AestheticsInMotion > Stephen Rivers 12/25/2019 at 13:11

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E39 540 or nothing plz

Stephen Rivers > AestheticsInMotion 12/25/2019 at 13:17

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And when I do one on the E39 I'll likely agree with you. 

ihm96 > Stephen Rivers 12/25/2019 at 14:19

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I agree that the 535 is the best of this generation, but the one you want is the older gens. The older the better IMO with these as they’re all lighter and more fun

E39, K5. Whatever it takes. > AestheticsInMotion 12/25/2019 at 15:53

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The one in my garage agrees with this.

M.T. Blake > Stephen Rivers 12/25/2019 at 16:36

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While I don’t disagree with all of that I’ll point out that with a modified 535i you’ll forever be cursed with the question asked by strangers of ‘is that a M5?’

My general rule with car buying is ‘If you can afford it, buy it’. If your budget is 535i than that is the best car. But the 535i is not the best E60. It wasn’t meant to be. The 535i  might be a better choice when it relates to many of the questions you asked, but it will always leave something lacking - and that’s the M. 

Stephen Rivers > M.T. Blake 12/25/2019 at 16:42

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I love your passion for the M5. I also think it’s an incredible machine and the last NA supercar sedan ever.

I think affording something is more than what your bank account says though. Can you afford the time, the headaches, the annoyances, the need for a more reliable car when the M5 breaks this month.

As for people who have asked about is my car an M5 I proudly tell them no, it’s faster and doesn’t break as much . ;-)

It still breaks though lol

M.T. Blake > Stephen Rivers 12/25/2019 at 17:37

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We should come back to this discussion in another 30 years. If we both have our cars we can compare money spent, mileage driven, and resale value. :D

Stephen Rivers > M.T. Blake 12/25/2019 at 17:40

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Remindme! Oh crap... Not Reddit. Blake it's up to you amigo

M.T. Blake > Stephen Rivers 12/25/2019 at 17:43

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“Alexa! Set an alarm for 2am on Christmas 2049!”

Stephen Rivers > M.T. Blake 12/25/2019 at 18:02

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Holy crap. What does it say when you try that? I'll try with Google when I get home. 

M.T. Blake > Stephen Rivers 12/25/2019 at 18:13

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I forget what it says but you can set future alarms. We set several for a friend about a year ago and they’re still going off randomly at night. 

Tee-Oh > Stephen Rivers 12/25/2019 at 18:37

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One edit - the M5 was available in 6 speed.  Other than that, great write up.  

Stephen Rivers > Tee-Oh 12/25/2019 at 18:52

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Oh yes, I knew that, if you’re talking about that intro my point was that the M5 didn’t come standard with the manual or ever get the ZF 6 speed Auto.

It was probably worth mentioning though you're right. 

phenotyp > Stephen Rivers 12/25/2019 at 23:20

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2-time E60 owner here.

See my previous posts. 

feather-throttle-not-hair > Stephen Rivers 12/27/2019 at 00:05

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Cant say I disagree with your rankings. I really hated the bangle looks when it came out, but you’re right, it’s aged quite well.

I’m a little freaked out by the idea of a decade plus old bmw twin turbo, that’s a lot of complexity from a brand I’m still learning to trust from a reliability standpoint.

But I also plan on owning my car for well over a decade...and it’s a twin turbo BMW so I better get used to the idea...