For the first time, the sports car BMW M5 E61 was presented at an event back in 2007. It went into production a couple of years after the sedan hit the market. The debut took place at the auto show in Geneva. The production of the car started in the same year. Initially, it was assembled at a German factory located in Dingolfing.
At the initial stage of production, the factory produced 1030 cars.
Traditionally, BMW cars are known for their excellent handling, powerful engines, outstanding performance, and high-quality details that will serve the owner for many years.
Naturally, the BMW M5 E61 lived up to expectations and delivered exceptional performance.
Exterior of BMW M5 E61
The estate combines a classic look with sporty proportions. However, the new model of BMW M5 E61 has minimal differences from its predecessor M5 E60. The body design has also been directly inherited from the previous model.
An important change to note is the front spoiler with a small built-in air intake. The car features distinctive sculpted forms that accentuate its sporty style.
The car's specifications include:
- Length – 4.86 meters.
- Width – 1.85 meters.
- Height – 1.51 meters.
- M5 E61 wheelbase – 2.89 meters.
- Ground clearance – 122 mm.
- Weight – 1.96 tons.
Air Intakes
At first glance, the car's «gills» catch the eye, located above the car's number plate. They can be found on many cars in the M sport series.
The gills not only give the car an aggressive and powerful look but also help cool the engine much faster.
Interior
The interior of BMW M5 E61 is of class E rating. It is finished exclusively in natural leather with metallic inserts. The dashboard features a 6.3-inch diagonal onboard computer.
Below it are the deflectors, allowing manual control over various airflow processes. Beneath them are regulators that enable the driver to adjust various electronic settings in the car. The steering wheel is three-spoked.
Standard features on the instrument panel include speedometer and tachometer gauges.
Also present in the cabin are:
- Instrument panel framed in aluminum.
- Transmission and SMG switches.
- Red-colored pointers.
- White backlighting.
- 6.3-inch display.
- Leather-upholstered seats.
By pressing the «M» button, one can activate one of the three power unit modes. The first to start is P400, designed for normal driving style. The second mode, P500, is for unleashing the full power of the vehicle. And the third – SP500 – contributes to enhancing the second mode.
The car's trunk can hold up to 500 liters. However, folding the second row allows for up to 1500 liters of storage.
Technical Specifications of BMW M5 E61
Under the hood of BMW M5 E61 sits a quite powerful by modern standards 8-cylinder engine, with a V-shaped form and a volume of 5 liters. Its main advantage lies in the throttles that conduct electricity through every ten cylinders. The exhaust system is made of stainless steel.
The estate's engine is also hybrid, as it was «crossbred» with SMG II. Thanks to this enhancement, it can accelerate to a hundred km/h in just 4-5 seconds. The maximum recorded speed is 250 km/h. However, without a limiter, this speed can reach 310 km/h. The fuel tank has a capacity of 70 liters.
Difference Between Facelift and Pre-Facelift
In 2007, a facelift was carried out on the BMW M5 E61. Minor changes were noticeable in the interior, optics, engine, bumpers, instrument panel, and climate control. All other components remained virtually untouched.
Common Issues
In reality, the BMW M5 E61 has many problems and shortcomings. Fortunately, most of them are easy to address, as they are quite minor. The estate has the following issues:
1). After prolonged use, the headlights and rear wiper of the car may start to malfunction.
2). Over time, the car doors may begin to squeak and stick, a problem that can be solved by applying liquid silicone and WD-40.
3). The buttons for adjusting the windows and the wiper bearings can corrode or break over time, requiring replacement.
4). Due to water ingress into the BMW M5 E61 cabin, the antenna block may break.
5). When driving in bad weather, the drainage channels of the panorama roof may get clogged and require cleaning.
6). Water penetration into the cabin and trunk can cause leaks in the panorama roof. This will be accompanied by a distinct noise when driving at high speeds. To solve this issue, replacement is necessary.
7). Many drivers have noted that the original hydraulic fluid is not well-matched, which may lead to complications later on. It is recommended to replace it with another type.
8). Weak points of the estate are the steering rack and stabilizer struts, which can break after just 60 thousand kilometers.
9). The car does not respond well to low-profile motor oils, and their frequent use can lead to malfunctions of varying degrees.
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