BMW E60 530i - Dad wants a upgrade - Any good?

It's odd, as I remember around 3 years ago you got in my 5 series and said you really wanted one :p

Then we almost got attacked by a Ford Puma (IIRC) coming out of a side lane whilst we were committed to the overtake :D
 
[TW]Fox;23661086 said:
Nothing wrong with wanting an auto - it suits the car type perfectly and is by far the most common choice making it easier to find a nice example.

The trouble we have here though is a bit of a Catch 22 situation. The pre LCI E60:

a) Is fitted with the generally very reliable M54 and later the N52 engines.

BUT

b) Has a fairly terrible looking interior full of wacky styling that probably looked quite futuristic 10 years ago when it came out but today just looks naff. Plus almost all of them have really basic climate control with cheap plastic knobs and no sunload sensor etc etc.

So, obviously, the E60 LCI is the better car. They sorted the interior styling out to something more conventional and much nicer looking and the Advanced Climate became standard fit on 6 cylinder models. It also re-introduced things like projector headlights and LED rear lights which they removed when the E39 was replaced presumably to give them something to facelift. It also introduced the electronic control stick for the autobox which is lovely.

However, at the same time the engine range was replaced - out went the N52 and in went the N53. In theory, the N53 is a fantastic engine. It offers 272bhp in 530i form yet has a combined consumption figure of 36mpg. It's smooth and economical because it has a stratified direct injection engine. Unfortunately this cool tech is its downfall as its less than reliable and NOT cheap to fix when it goes wrong.

So, you want an N52 engined E60 LCI. Sadly, such a car doesn't exist. Personally this is when the E60 just starts annoying me, I genuinely believe it's the worst 5 Series ever made, but I've sounded out about that enough on here.

I wouldn't necessarily discount a 525i either. Like for like its pointless as the 530i is as economical yet more powerful but they are never the same price used, the 525i is often thousands of pounds cheaper. My father had an E60 LCI which we thought would be a nice replacement for his trusty E39. It was a 525i - when it worked it was great, but the reliability was irritating and it then took an age to sell (For about 2k under your budget, too!).

Personally I think I'd buy an Audi A6.
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Are the N53's actually known for being unreliable or just less reliable then the N52?

The problem with the A6 is most will have the Multitronic box which is the main reason we're getting rid of this A4. It's a brilliant box but ours makes the car judder when stop and has a odd vibrate. They're also prone to failing. Ideally, he wants a DSG box.. But I can't seem to find any oddly :S

What problems did your father have with his car?

Also, thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. Appreciate it.
 
Let's put it this way. The issue was so bad that BMW NA applied for a full recall. Something the EU hasn't had (or probably every will). There's some speculation as to fuel types but there have been plentiful revisions made to the HPFP in that particular unit.
 
Lucero said:
Let's put it this way. The issue was so bad that BMW NA applied for a full recall. Something the EU hasn't had (or probably every will). There's some speculation as to fuel types but there have been plentiful revisions made to the HPFP in that particular unit.
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That's quite worrying. But everything seems to give the impression the 530d's are prone to turbo failures..

Not going well now this car search.
 
I had a turbo failure in the 530d at 30k odd. However, that was because the car was overfilled with oil at its service and the turbo ingested the extra. It was replaced under warranty. Bar that, it's been fine, but then I use my car as it was intended. To sit on the motorway in 6th at 1500rpm and do nothing. I should imagine that short, high traffic trips with continual spooling would kill it off quicker, but that would be true of any turbo application.
 
Lucero said:
I had a turbo failure in the 530d at 30k odd. However, that was because the car was overfilled with oil at its service and the turbo ingested the extra. It was replaced under warranty. Bar that, it's been fine, but then I use my car as it was intended. To sit on the motorway in 6th at 1500rpm and do nothing. I should imagine that short, high traffic trips with continual spooling would kill it off quicker, but that would be true of any turbo application.
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He's quite good in the sense he lets his car idle for a bit before he turns it off so the turbo spools down.

Is the 3.0 litre smooth (compared to other diesels, I know the petrol would murder it)
 
He he I've got a E60 LCI 530 manual see below

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18353192

It's had full injector replacements coils plugs fuel pump all under the BMW warranty no hassle no quibble.

I've got Hankook V12 EVOs and find the ride firm enough to be inspiring and pointable but not too harsh or wallowy, I love driving it it grows on me every time I get in it. I've got the lights, the seats, the trim, the nav and the nice colour, some combos of seat / nav / colour don't seem as nice.

I do get a great deal of grief from work though, everyone is quite happy to spend the same on second hand hatchbacks yet I get the you're earning too much remarks.

Regarding the manual / auto scenario, it would be nice in auto but driving in a IAM way is quite relaxing and progressive with the manual box.

Big thumbs up from me
 
maccapacca said:
He he I've got a E60 LCI 530 manual see below

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18353192

It's had full injector replacements coils plugs fuel pump all under the BMW warranty no hassle no quibble.

I've got Hankook V12 EVOs and find the ride firm enough to be inspiring and pointable but not too harsh or wallowy, I love driving it it grows on me every time I get in it. I've got the lights, the seats, the trim, the nav and the nice colour, some combos of seat / nav / colour don't seem as nice.

I do get a great deal of grief from work though, everyone is quite happy to spend the same on second hand hatchbacks yet I get the you're earning too much remarks.

Regarding the manual / auto scenario, it would be nice in auto but driving in a IAM way is quite relaxing and progressive with the manual box.

Big thumbs up from me
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Bloody hell, you got lucky for that price.

I need to research BMW Warranty. And I'll read through your thread now :)

Edit: 2 pages lol
 
The BMW warranty mitigates all of the N53 problems. As you can see they are very common given both people posting in this thread with experience of the N53 have had issues.

Trouble is on a 5 Series it is quite expensive compared to the 3 Series. It's circa £70-80 a month for the full package on a sub 60k mile car, on a car with over 60k it's quite a lot more expensive.
 
Jonnycoupe said:
So thats a massive difference applied to every gear...
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You're right, although it's not as massive as you're making out. It puts the 530d with a potentially much higher top speed . Good job it also has the low down torque to help it get there as quickly as the petrol :) Must be the reason the 530i needs the extra 40bhp :p
 
Lucero said:
You're right, although it's not as massive as you're making out. It puts the 530d with a potentially much higher top speed . Good job it also has the low down torque to help it get there as quickly as the petrol :) Must be the reason the 530i needs the extra 40bhp :p
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You are just demonstrating that you've no idea of the relationship between RPM and torque and how the gearbox relates to this with your posts on this subject :p

It does not put the 530d with a 'potentially much higher top speed' at all. If anything the reverse is the case as top speed is generally a product of power not torque. Infact the 530d auto is not limited to 155mph like the 530iA is, it has a top speed of 154mph, 1mph lower than the manual.
 
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