Purchasing an E60 - which is the most reliable?

[psamtik]

I'm not an amateur when it comes to owning BMWs. I've had a few and the worst one, by far, was my 135i. That N54 was a pain in the butt - but given that I was pretty handy, the only thing that truly sucked was dealing with the clutch/flywheel replacement. The parts alone will run you about $1k, if you're thrifty.

So, that said, I'm going to avoid the 535i - even the N55. Which E60 is the most reliable? I love the E60 design and I'm a huge fan of how the car looks with the M-sport package. I don't mind a slower car if it's reliable.

This leaves me with the 525i, 528i, 530i and 550i. I have a strong feeling the 550i isn't worth my time to consider as a reliable car, but if you can prove me wrong, then let me know.

I know that the 528i can suffer from fuel pump and injector problems. I know everything about the 535i. Which models should I avoid, and which ones should I pay attention to?

Thanks all!

[AM330i]

The 525 528 and 530 should all have the same n51 or n52 engine, they will just have different hp. The n51/52 is probably the most reliable engine. You say that you know that the 528 can suffer fuel pump and injector problems but I am not aware of such issues on the n51/52. You must be thinking of the 535 with the n54 which is well known for those issues. I currently own a 535 and have had the hpfp and all 6 injectors replaced and it runs great now especially with the jb4. I wouldn't consider the 535 unreliable, but I will say it requires a little more maintenance. If you don't care about power, then go with a 525/528/530, they all have the same engine and same reliability. After that the e60 is pretty much all the same no matter what model you get.

[Chihuahua]

Most reliable E60 in my opinion is going to be either of the M54 powered cars. The problem is, you're limited to model years '04 and '05 which are getting long in the tooth.

If you do decide to get an N52 powered car, some early production N52s had valve lifter problems due to a defect in the cylinder head design:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=643860

[psamtik]

Fantastic. So, in general, the later N52s are quite reliable?

I've tried to look for common wear items on the N52s as they approach the 100k mile mark, but haven't seen much.

- Active suspension
- Valve cover gasket
- Oil filter housing gasket (is this a N54/N55 issue only?)

Anything else? Any driveline or transmission issues?

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by psamtik

Fantastic. So, in general, the later N52s are quite reliable?

I've tried to look for common wear items on the N52s as they approach the 100k mile mark, but haven't seen much.

- Active suspension
- Valve cover gasket
- Oil filter housing gasket (is this a N54/N55 issue only?)

Anything else? Any driveline or transmission issues?

The only 'active' option that any E60 shipped with was active steering, and that system seems to be fairly reliable. I haven't read about any widespread problems with it.

Valve cover gasket leaks: yes, on pretty much every BMW ever built. Oil filter housing leaks are fairly common too. Are you looking for manual cars? The ZF auto is well known for valve body problems causing erratic operation/car going into 'limp mode' when they get up in age.

Other than that it's just all typical BMW stuff if you've owned one before.

good luck with the car search.

[E60_Greg]

In my opinion I believe the n62 motor in the 550i is pretty reliable. I bought one about a year ago with nothing wrong with it so far at 114xxx. Gaskets were changed by previous owner no idea when but holds a lot longer then the n52/n54 motors so I was told. The only problems that I know about these are the fuel pump. They go pretty quick and easily but that's pretty much in every BMW. Pretty good on gas surprisingly but am looking to get rid of it soon. I bought to build and with the BMW v8 motor theres really not much options for it. There is power in it stock as it is but I'm looking to get a n54 and build on that. The 530 and 528 are reliable as well. Pretty much all the motors should have similar issues other then the n54. Problem with those is the turbos but that's when you single top mount it once they go. I believe n62 internal wise are built a lot stronger. It's a great daily/family car but to build, not the best option unless you have the money for it.

[itsmorich]

Are you only looking at petrol cars? The Diesels aren't bad either...

Look at the 6 cylinder ones (I don't know about the US, but here in Germany we have the 525d, 530d and 535d)...

I owned a pre-lci 525d toruing for 5 years and put 70k km on it and never had any trouble with the engine whatsoever.

Some higher mileage models can suffer from severe turbo issues, so keep to the lower mileage ones... The LCI models are the ones that I would go for. A later model would give you more piece of mind...

Whatever you find, just enjoy it!

[JMD]

Originally Posted by psamtik

I'm not an amateur when it comes to owning BMWs. I've had a few and the worst one, by far, was my 135i. That N54 was a pain in the butt - but given that I was pretty handy, the only thing that truly sucked was dealing with the clutch/flywheel replacement. The parts alone will run you about $1k, if you're thrifty.

So, that said, I'm going to avoid the 535i - even the N55. Which E60 is the most reliable? I love the E60 design and I'm a huge fan of how the car looks with the M-sport package. I don't mind a slower car if it's reliable.

This leaves me with the 525i, 528i, 530i and 550i. I have a strong feeling the 550i isn't worth my time to consider as a reliable car, but if you can prove me wrong, then let me know.

I know that the 528i can suffer from fuel pump and injector problems. I know everything about the 535i. Which models should I avoid, and which ones should I pay attention to?

Thanks all!

I'm in the same process as you are and thus far, I've discovered, the '09,...'10 528 is about the best ticket. Although, I'd rather get an 535,..'09 / '10 MY,..but it looks like it a crap shoot on getting one that you won't have to shell out big buxxs within the first 12 months. Like many have noted,...there will be injector issues,...and a host of other issues with the E60 535! So, I'm going to your the dice on an '09 E60 528xi as a DD.

This is not to say that the 535 isn't a good vehicle,...it's a good vehicle that you will spend $$$$ on it sooner rather than later,...and since I only need a DD,...the 528xi will do just perfect.

Hth

[Annem]

I have a stupid question, I searched in multiple sites, the after facelift (LCI) model has N53B30OL as far as I see, and the 525i after facelift (LCI) N53B30UO. Is it right? if no, then what's the stock engine?

[JMD]

Originally Posted by Annem

I have a stupid question, I searched in multiple sites, the after facelift (LCI) model has N53B30OL as far as I see, and the 525i after facelift (LCI) N53B30UO. Is it right? if no, then what's the stock engine?

Hmm, so I bought a '09 528xi with 116k on the clock! It's a very solid car,..everything works,..really cold a/c! Just as I'm getting use to it,...I find a nice '10 535xi (Sport),...same color (Space Grey) with just 76k on the clock,...and it's fairly loaded,..and everything works too!

So, here I'm thinking about selling the '09 528xi,....just to get a '10 535xi Sport.

Note, the reason I didn't get a 535xi at first was because I couldn't find one with the color combo and options lists I wanted. Which were PDC a must,....Black interior. Exterior color options were Black, SG,..Dark Blue,...or Silver!

Oh well,...this was to be my DD! Well,...I should have waited".

Edit: I like the additional power of the 535xi,...and fuel mileage of the 528xi. So, I could live with either. I believe the 528 will do well North of 30mpg on the highway!

[mpathic]

@AM330i, Need to consider the M54 models too.

The 525i and 530i M54 engine models, up to 2005/6, are the solid ones to get. My 2004 530i Sport package with six speed is quick and efficient, a rock solid daily driver that hauls at much cargo as I used to need an E39 touring to move. M54 engine is bulletproof. This is my fourth M54 engine BMW. The 3.0 is the better breathing 231hp version vs the older 225 hp version. This final M54 3.0 has the later one piece solid intake boots and better intake breathing like the ZHP but without the ZHP cams. Exhaust is also less restrictive than the E39 and Z3 3.0 liter exhausts. Vanos seal replacement is a relatively simple procedure.

Steady 29+mph at 83 to 88mph on a long mountainous drive through Arizona and New Mexico, at >100 degree temperatures most of the way, where the coolant temp stayed mostly <180F, and only wandered up to 186F with the AC on and air temp reaching 122F at the California state border check station just inside from the Arizona border.
Never under 24mph in mixed suburban driving.

Gutting the trunk liners and a few other needless insulation and sound deadeners drops 40 pounds. Pull out the front spring pad spacers, and pop out the upper strut mount pins allows another 3/4 degree front negative camber at 1/4" lower. Nice improvement in steering response.

Active suspension feels sort of nice but its an artificial feel that prevents you from making your own suspension mods, and the system tries to fight even little tweaks like tire pressure changes. Could be awesome but the "lawyer's" calibration sucks. Better to disable it if you can. Good coding and mechanical rerouting skills needed to pull it off without a ton of codes, faults, disabled ABS and a lame throttle response.

Active steering is the companion to Active Suspension. Yuck. Disable it if you can, then enjoy quicker slow speed and tight corner steering.

Having suffered the short end of BMW's lawyers, next E60 will NOT be a sport package.
Avoid the sport package!!
Better to get a straight E60 then swap in a pair of the excellent sport seats.

Even if only a fraction of the internet comments are only half true, any of the N5x engines are trouble prone.

Avoid the X models, guaranteed future maintenance time bombs. Also, six speed models are out there, and well worth the difference from automatics. Also, automatics that haven't had the oil changed at regular intervals are bound to fail. Many BMW of all models that followed the "lifetime fill" service specs for automatics are rally for sale because the owners have encountered the beginnings of transmission trouble and are facing transmission replacement estimates for half or more of what the car is worth.
hth, Barry

Originally Posted by JMD

Hmm, so I bought a '09 528xi with 116k on the clock! It's a very solid car,..everything works,..really cold a/c! Just as I'm getting use to it,...I find a nice '10 535xi (Sport),...same color (Space Grey) with just 76k on the clock,...and it's fairly loaded,..and everything works too!

So, here I'm thinking about selling the '09 528xi,....just to get a '10 535xi Sport.

Note, the reason I didn't get a 535xi at first was because I couldn't find one with the color combo and options lists I wanted. Which were PDC a must,....Black interior. Exterior color options were Black, SG,..Dark Blue,...or Silver!

Oh well,...this was to be my DD! Well,...I should have waited".

Edit: I like the additional power of the 535xi,...and fuel mileage of the 528xi. So, I could live with either. I believe the 528 will do well North of 30mpg on the highway!

[bjkim0426]

reliable? lololololol the word reliable doesnt match bmw. but I just but an e60 m5. yolo

[tmw1212]

I have a 2009 528i with the n52k and I just passed the 140,000 mile mark and it's still going strong with no issues

[plus1111]

We have a 535xi and a 530xiT. The 535 just kit 225k miles. I'm a good home mechanic but I have to say the 535 requires a bit more attention. It has a load more zoom - but that's N54 vs N52. The N52 car just goes and goes... (E60 and E61)

[mweine]

Originally Posted by Annem

I have a stupid question, I searched in multiple sites, the after facelift (LCI) model has N53B30OL as far as I see, and the 525i after facelift (LCI) N53B30UO. Is it right? if no, then what's the stock engine?

N53 was not for North America. NA only got the N52 and then the N54

[e91Owner]

Originally Posted by mweine

N53 was not for North America. NA only got the N52 and then the N54

Holy thread revival, lol. When that guy posted over 4 years ago, he was posting from Egypt.