From 2004 to 2010 the BMW e60 five-series were some of the finest luxury cars distributed in the United States. This series included sedans, wagons, and special security vehicles. Many of these high-performance vehicles are still on the road, looking like they just pulled off the dealer’s lot. However some of these Bimmers do not perform like new, as they have some common problems which should be addressed by an independent BMW repair garage.
Fuel Related Issues: All models of the e60 five-series experienced fuel related problems, especially the 535i. Faulty thermostats and defective fuel-pumps cause MPG issues as well as poor engine performance. Re-designed fuel-pumps were released, but they are not compatible with the older versions. Therefore all six need to be replaced if a single one fails.
Sun Roof Malfunction: The seal around the sun roof can deteriorate after years, but in some cases the seal is faulty and will result in whistling or drafts in low-mileage vehicles.
Control Arm Failure: Around 30-50k miles, the control arm could begin to fail or the bushings wear out. This can result in loose-handling and cause further damage to the suspension system.
Noisy Windows: While some windows begin rattling due to wear and tear, some drivers of the e60 five-series experienced creaking and rattling during their first months of driving the car. This can be fixed in a variety of ways.
Brake Booster Failure: Some drivers have had the scary experience of their brakes being very hard to depress. This could be due to a faulty hose which leaks oil into the brake booster. Some models, especially those with a V8, have been included in a BMW recall to replace the brake booster, vacuum hose and possibly master cylinder.
If you encounter any of these common problems with your BMW e60 5-series, we recommend seeking the professional assistance from a trained German auto maintenance mechanic. They will be able to pinpoint the troubles, and get your Bimmer running at top performance.
Search for a local, independent BMW repair shop with BMW mechanics that have dealer-level expertise at a fraction of the expense.