The BMW E60 was designed by Boyke Boyer and Davide Arcangeli. It is one of the most popular BMW midsize 5-Series, because of its unique design and the high-tech features that it was fitted with.
Furthermore, the BMW E60 is spacious, comfortable, and fun to ride. This is because it comes with a variety of engine options and variants to pick from. With a seating capacity of five, a roomy cabin, and a large trunk, it is an excellent family car.
Nonetheless, it also came with a share of its issues that interested buyers and users have to deal with. Overall, it is reliable but quite costly to maintain.
History of the BMW E60
The fifth generation of the BMW 5-Series cars is made up of the BMW E60, which is the sedan version, and the BMW E61, which is the wagon or touring version. The E60/E61 was manufactured between 2003 and 2010, and it is usually referred to as the E60.
The BMW E60 was controversial before it was given a green light for production. This is after Arcangeli’s design for the E60 was almost rejected by BMW. The design couldn’t be translated into a clay model because of its complex shapes. However, after weeks of hard work, Arcangeli and his team put completed the scale model and BMW accepted it.
Later, the E60 5-Series become a famous version of the midsize sedan. Thanks to its 50/50 weight distribution that made it a comfortable high-powered car. On top of that, it had high-end tech features such as adaptive steering, voice control, head-up display, and night vision that made it one of the most advanced cars of its generation.
The BMW E60 5-Series was offered in different gasoline and diesel engines, mainly inline-4 and inline-6 engines. Additionally, they also offered a 4.4-liter V-8 in the 540i and 550i trims. Nonetheless, the most outstanding BMW E60 5-Series was the M5 with the 5.0-liter V-10 engine.
The BMW M5 featured a naturally-aspirated S85 engine that was different from the common engines that BMW makes. This powerful engine produced an exceptional 500 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. What’s more, this engine was also fitted in the M5 wagon, which was the only touring version of the high-performance midsize, aside from the short-lived 1992 to 1995 E34 version.
Features of the BM E60
Appearance
The BMW E60 sedan is a unique but beautifully designed car. It ushered in a new BMW style as it departed from the traditional BMW styling. It featured the “flame surfacing” design, which was new at that time. To date, the BMW E60 still looks elegant and it is very appealing.
Aside from ushering in a new design, this car also introduced new electronic features, such as the head-up display, iDrive infotainment system, active steering, lane departure warning, active cruise control, voice control, and night vision. On top of that, it was the first BMW 5-Series with a turbocharged petrol engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission, and regenerative braking.
The interior of the E60 was also top-class with the latest technologies and expensive materials. Like most BMWs, it had leather seats, air-condition, cup holders, interior lighting, a power steering wheel, and much more.
The BMW E60 5-Series has a wheelbase of 114-inches, a length of 190.6-inches, a width of 72.8-inches, and a height of 58-inches. It is a standard luxury midsize sedan.
Performance
Since the E60 5-Series has multiple variants, performance differs from one variant to another. Nonetheless, the petrol variants perform way better than their diesel counterparts. So, if you want a high-performance car, choose from the petrol variants. But if you want to save on fuel, consider picking from the diesel variants.
The best-performing BMW E60 variant is the 2007 M5 with a maximum of 507 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. It also has a top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 4.7 seconds. On the contrary, the most powerful diesel version (2007 535d) produces a maximum of 286 hp.
Comfort and cargo space
Being a midsize sedan, the BMW E60 is very spacious and very comfortable, making it a perfect family car. What’s more, it has four doors that can seat up to five people. Aside from having a spacious cabin, it also comes with a large trunk with a total of 520 liters. So, you can fit your luggage without any problem.
Fuel-efficiency
Luxury cars are known to be fuel guzzlers. However, that’s not the case with BMWs and the BMW E60 isn’t an exception. This car is fuel-efficient. For instance, the 2005 BMW 525i has an EPA of 17 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and a combined 25 mpg.
Price
This car was discontinued in 2010, therefore you can only find a used car on the market as they are no longer being produced. A quality used BMW E60 goes for about $22,000. Nevertheless, this varies from one place to another.
FAQ
What does the E60 mean on BMW?
In detail, the E60 on the BMW means Entwicklung 60 (development 60) which can also be referred to as Evolution 60. The 60 is an indication that this is BMW’s 60th model design since the commencement of the company in 1916. However, not all designs are produced as some are concept cars that also get the E naming.
Is BMW E60 a good car?
Yes, the BMW E60 is an excellent car as it was designed differently but it also comes with unique features. The car is also luxurious, fuel-efficient, and spacious. Nonetheless, it has several downsides, such as poor reliability and costly maintenance. Overall, it is a nice car for people who want a unique luxurious sedan from BMW.
What are the common problems of the BMW E60?
Before you invest in a BMW E60, it is important to know some of the problems that you’re likely to face. Some of the issues include control arm failure, ripped seats, leaky absorbers, transmission problems, leaky valve cover, brake booster failure, and faulty thermostat housing.
More about BMW E60 issues.
Conclusion
The BMW E60 is almost becoming a classic. Thanks to its unique but elegant design that makes it stand out from the cars of its generation. Besides, this vehicle comes with lots of high-tech features and it is also comfortable and spacious. But as expected, it also comes with some issues that you should look out for.
