E60 - BMW 525i

[maverickfhs]

Please forgive my 90th thread on vehicles, as currently I am researching on BMW 5 series(E60, 525i).

I am trying to explore post 2004 BMW 5 series right now, which ones I should ALWAYS steer clear of, for example 2008 535 xi?

Also, is 100K mileage or below a maximum threshold I should filter and search out for?

Any major ticket items in terms of engine/transmission/AC or anything bigger - which are trouble free on a specific model? If so, I'll specifically search for that 5 series.

Thanks for your help and advice

 

[skyactiv]

It seems you do not like vehicles that might have problems that crop up with ownership.
What your looking at is a dangerous pill, a potential drug addiction in the making so to say.
You might try/test drive a BMW and really, really like it. That could start you into wanting it more, buying one and a BMW addiction.
That addiction might be costly to maintain.

 

[clarkflower]

They bring almost nothing at the auction I work at. Dealers are scared stiff of them.
50,000 mile car brought 3500. Most 1500 to 2000.
Cars out there with head-gasket sealant

My son is out of miles on a lease. I saw perfect 100k 1 owner 530 and the dealer offered it to me for 1500. Then his shop failed its inspection for a power steering leak. 800 bucks
Vanos 800 bucks
Headgasket 2500 bucks

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted by skyactiv
It seems you do not like vehicles that might have problems that crop up with ownership.
What your looking at is a dangerous pill, a potential drug addiction in the making so to say.
You might try/test drive a BMW and really, really like it. That could start you into wanting it more, buying one and a BMW addiction.
That addiction might be costly to maintain.


Well that's quite a true statement there, believe it or not, that's why I am asking before I go and test drive, because then I'll be hooked to some drug/addiction

 

[skyactiv]

I would look up common fail prone parts while your at it. I don't know what they are, but ECS Tuning sells OEM and quality Euro aftermarket parts for German makes.
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E60-525i-N52_3.0L/

 

[RooflessVW]

Avoid the 545i and 550i.

Get a PPI.

 

[clarkflower]

Originally Posted by skyactiv
It seems you do not like vehicles that might have problems that crop up with ownership.
What your looking at is a dangerous pill, a potential drug addiction in the making so to say.
You might try/test drive a BMW and really, really like it. That could start you into wanting it more, buying one and a BMW addiction.
That addiction might be costly to maintain.



I'm amazed at how low the prices are on even the newer cars I see.
2010 528i Actual sales
$5,000 80,329 miles Grade good
$5,700 66,390 Grade good

100k $4000
120k $3100

 

[Audios]

Earlier ones with the M54 engine, I think 04-05 are generally cheaper to repair, and easier to work on. However these engines are very sensitive to overheating, so be wary of any recent cooling system repairs. The N52 is when things get pricey, electric water pump (1200$ repair compared to 650 for the M54), lots of oil leaks, extremely long intervals that sludge the motor up. Early N52ks also had cam bearing ledge wear, constant faults that wont go away for Vanos cam timing. Of course, the fault plan tells you to replace about 2200$ in parts like vanos solenoids and eccentric shaft sensor, before condemining the bearing ledges. At this age theyll be due for struts and shocks soon, which is not a fun repair in the rear if the bolts and mounts are rusting away. Try to figure out what your budget is and go right to the top of it for a car, a 5k or less car can need 3-5k in work, where an 8k car might only need 1500 or so. The Xi like to eat up the transfer case actuator, and sometimes that also eats the transfer case. Dont consider the V8, the oil leaks alone can be over $2000, along with active sway bar failures, sport suspension and tires, etc.

 

[maverickfhs]

Thanks Audios, yes my newb research was also saying that M54 are slightly cheaper/easier than later ones - lots of oil leaks and other electronic gremlins

 

[Audios]

Whats really funny is that a used M54 is about $2000 more than a used N52. Gives you an idea about qaulity.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted by Audios
Whats really funny is that a used M54 is about $2000 more than a used N52. Gives you an idea about qaulity.


Now that's hilarious, one I am looking at is definitely M54 and have read only good things about it.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Keep mind this vehicle is at least 10 yrs old. The proliferation of plastic parts in vehicles over the past 20 years make them susceptible to age related failures.

With an AWD model you can almost guarantee that the ATF and Xfr case fluid have not been changed.

Repair costs are a little higher but part of that is because of luxury marketing.

 

[CT8]

BMW are a great car to lease. Enjoy.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted by Audios
Whats really funny is that a used M54 is about $2000 more than a used N52. Gives you an idea about qaulity.


Could just be an issue of parts availablility. The M54 is an oil burner and had issues of its own.

 

[edwardh1]

Maybe the engineers that Toyota fired or did not hire over the last 50 years found work at BMW.
My take is great styling, handling, steering and brakes.
But Engines? oil leaks, overheating, wear quirks etc, like a different company made the engine and changed every thing every few years.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted by skyactiv
I would look up common fail prone parts while your at it. I don't know what they are, but ECS Tuning sells OEM and quality Euro aftermarket parts for German makes.
https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E60-525i-N52_3.0L/


ECS is getting a bad reputation in a few corners of the BMW community. I use FCP Euro these days when I can't source parts at my local dealer(I get a hefty BMW CCA discount).

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted by Audios
Earlier ones with the M54 engine, I think 04-05 are generally cheaper to repair, and easier to work on. However these engines are very sensitive to overheating, so be wary of any recent cooling system repairs. The N52 is when things get pricey, electric water pump (1200$ repair compared to 650 for the M54), lots of oil leaks, extremely long intervals that sludge the motor up. Early N52ks also had cam bearing ledge wear, constant faults that wont go away for Vanos cam timing. Of course, the fault plan tells you to replace about 2200$ in parts like vanos solenoids and eccentric shaft sensor, before condemining the bearing ledges. At this age theyll be due for struts and shocks soon, which is not a fun repair in the rear if the bolts and mounts are rusting away. Try to figure out what your budget is and go right to the top of it for a car, a 5k or less car can need 3-5k in work, where an 8k car might only need 1500 or so. The Xi like to eat up the transfer case actuator, and sometimes that also eats the transfer case. Dont consider the V8, the oil leaks alone can be over $2000, along with active sway bar failures, sport suspension and tires, etc.


Agreed, especially with respect to avoiding the V8. That said, I much prefer the E39 5er. A 530i Sport with three pedals is just magic. Low mile examples crop up from time to time.

 

[Audios]

Originally Posted by MCompact
Originally Posted by Audios
Earlier ones with the M54 engine, I think 04-05 are generally cheaper to repair, and easier to work on. However these engines are very sensitive to overheating, so be wary of any recent cooling system repairs. The N52 is when things get pricey, electric water pump (1200$ repair compared to 650 for the M54), lots of oil leaks, extremely long intervals that sludge the motor up. Early N52ks also had cam bearing ledge wear, constant faults that wont go away for Vanos cam timing. Of course, the fault plan tells you to replace about 2200$ in parts like vanos solenoids and eccentric shaft sensor, before condemining the bearing ledges. At this age theyll be due for struts and shocks soon, which is not a fun repair in the rear if the bolts and mounts are rusting away. Try to figure out what your budget is and go right to the top of it for a car, a 5k or less car can need 3-5k in work, where an 8k car might only need 1500 or so. The Xi like to eat up the transfer case actuator, and sometimes that also eats the transfer case. Dont consider the V8, the oil leaks alone can be over $2000, along with active sway bar failures, sport suspension and tires, etc.


Agreed, especially with respect to avoiding the V8. That said, I much prefer the E39 5er. A 530i Sport with three pedals is just magic. Low mile examples crop up from time to time.


Theres an 01 528i sport 5 spd with the Style 5 wheels and 140k up for only 1200 near me. Im super tempted to get the car just for the wheels, and flip it, but I love these older ones also. I sold my friend my manual 92 525i, so classy dark red over the light silver interior and totally regret it. Hes killing it

 

[andyd]

Wouldn't go past an E 34 for 5ers. I am prejudiced though, having owned several E 28s over 20 yrs. Slow and under powered by modern standards. Reliable as a rock

 

[ecotourist]

Originally Posted by MCompact
That said, I much prefer the E39 5er. A 530i Sport with three pedals is just magic. Low mile examples crop up from time to time.

You guys are making me think I should just keep my 2000 528i 5 speed with an M-sport package, which has 161,000 Km (100,000 miles). As you say it "is just magic". Problem is it's getting old. Mine has a few oil leaks and a bit of rust. A small amount of body work, required repairs and a bit of maintenance and you're suddenly looking at $6,000 or possibly even $10,000 (depending on how far you want to take things) on top of whatever it's currently worth. On the other hand I've had it for 15 years so I know the car pretty well. Similar, low mileage examples in perfect condition sell for about $10,000 US on a well known auction site.