On Youtube, there is a segment called «Rebut Me,» in which the speaker presents a controversial thesis and challenges people to convince him of how wrong he is. Let's do something similar: BMW 520d E60 — a terrible choice from the used market. What do the owners think about this?
I wanted to gather opinions from owners of the BMW 5 Series in the 520d version and the E60 / E61 generation in both engine variants, namely with the M47 diesel engine (an older type, up to 2007) and the N47 (a newer type — 2007—2010). It is worth noting that the transition from M47 to N47 was not made simultaneously with the visual facelift, and you may find pre-lift versions with the M47.
First and foremost, I cannot definitively say which of the two engines is worse. There is a prevailing (often mistaken) belief that the N47 is a disaster and a troublemaker to be avoided.
Just in case, a brief guide on how to recognize the N47 in the E60: it is an engine with a top cover with a triangular cut — when you open the hood, you can see it on the left, looking at the front of the car. Additionally, you can simply decode the last 7 characters of the VIN.
From my perspective, BMW E60 is unattractive
However, I am willing to acknowledge that such a BMW has excellent chassis and runs like on rails if someone expects such an experience. Certainly, if it has a powerful engine that allows utilizing the potential of the refined chassis.
A diesel engine for such a body is very weak, so all engineering efforts are in vain in such a remarkable car. And this is just a small part of a big failure. And in recent years, the quote «You will have significant expenses» has become very relevant.
Now, some truthful reviews from owners
Car number one: 2.0 M47 diesel with a manual transmission. Mileage — maybe around 300,000 km or slightly more. The engine block is still factory, but the connecting rod and sleeves are not. The timing belt tore at 220,000 km.
According to reliable information, the timing belt breaks in the N47, not the M47, why,
The answer is very simple, simply because the M47 has a thicker iron block, thus preventing damage to the timing belt. The cylinder head could not withstand the encounter of the valves with the pistons, so it had to be replaced.
The owner also decided to change the crankcase. Why? The reason — the long service life of the oil.
Changing the oil every 30,000 km reduces the mark on the vortex recess and after some time creates a risk of engine seizure.
The engine repair will cost a substantial amount.
Based on this, car owners have set an oil change mark every 20,000 km for themselves.
This car has a particulate filter. No one cuts these exhaust systems because they are outdated.
Unfortunately, there is a problem with filters. There is no control informing about the combustion process, so there is no warning for us to know about it, and we will not stop this system, for example, continuing to drive a few more kilometers. A malfunction appears on the onboard computer.
The combustion stops — and a second error appears when the engine reaches its operating temperature. Subsequent attempts yield nothing: a third error appears, which can only be read with a diagnostic interface. The information does not reach the driver, but the car starts to switch to emergency mode.
The maximum speed is reduced to 140 km/h — you will no longer be able to drive faster. Worse yet, the engine power also drops, and the car loses its dynamic characteristics. If the filter is still not cleaned, this maximum speed will be further reduced to 110 km/h, and you will have to go to a service station. A typical embarrassing solution from the pioneer days of particulate filters.
Read about BMW models or BMW reviews.
Of course, this is not the end
Owners complain that the BMW 520d E60 shakes at low speeds. It shudders when shifting gears. The car consumes more oil, and when starting the engine, black smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe. Replacement is likely a «mandatory upgrade» in modern turbo diesel engines.
As for the depreciation, it is almost dramatic. Four years ago, you had to pay 40,000 for such a car. Today it is worth 20,000. A loss of 50% in value over 4 years of owning a car?
But maybe there are positive aspects?
Yes, there is no doubt, the car has an excellent and very durable suspension with aluminum crossbars and equally strong shock absorbers. In the version with this diesel engine, it does not «eat» brakes, and the pads last a very long time.
The comfortable type seats are superb both in terms of comfort on long trips and for holding the body in turns. And, of course, leadership. However, the small diesel engine makes itself felt and constantly drives at high speeds on the highway. Remember, there is a version with a manual transmission.
Regarding the second body — N47 with an automatic transmission — read in the next article.
Second body: N47 with an automatic transmission, LCI
The second car is equipped with a 2.0 diesel engine, the N47 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and a timing belt. Engine: second. About three years ago, the car left for Russia with a faulty timing belt.
Unfortunately, the car ended up with someone who had no clear idea of the problem, but decided it was worth trying to fix it on their own. After all, it would be cheaper.
However, it was impossible to replace the used timing gear, as it is integrated into the crankshaft, so the «mechanic» put on a new belt but left the old gear. It was cheaper that way. After the repair, the BMW 520d E60 was taken for a test drive, where a connecting rod punched a hole in the block. So 410,000 km for a timing belt change is a mistaken notion.
The next 50,000 km, the car went without major breakdowns. The car is immediately taken to the service station as soon as the onboard computer notifies of a malfunction. The engine mount (with ASO) was also replaced.
Read about our other BMW reviews.
From the declared data, the diesel engine is more fuel-efficient than the gasoline one. However, in this case, it doesn't work, the BMW 520d, according to owners, has a fuel consumption of 10-11 liters in the city per 100 km, and 7-8 liters on the highway, with the lowest recorded fuel consumption of 5.9 l/100 km. The car has a twin-turbo diesel engine and an additional exhaust filter.
I probably mentioned this already, but cutting the DPF is no longer trendy.
The service life of the automatic transmission converter is slowly coming to an end. There is a slight tremor between 1000 and 2000 rpm. This is the original transmission that still functions perfectly.
Reportedly, only the oil has been changed. Recently, glow plugs also needed to be replaced. Corrosion of the body has started to spoil the car's trunk.
The positive aspects of BMW 520d E60
Undoubtedly, the durability of the interior and the thoroughness of its implementation. Spaciousness and a large trunk with an open rear window. Good knowledge of the problems of this car in unauthorized workshops and widely described problem-solving methods on internet forums or YouTube.
Two completely random cars, two similar stories: each time, an engine issue led to a catastrophe and huge expenses. And with the 2.0 diesel engine mentioned above, the BMW 520d E60 only consumes more fuel, and its efficiency decreases, but you can still move confidently.
