As soon as the E60 sedans were released, the BMW 5 E61 was immediately put on the assembly line. It was the replacement for the E39. The five-door cars were introduced to motorists in 2004. The wagons were produced from 2005 to 2006.
Then, after restyling operations from 2008 to 2009, and only in 2010, they stopped production. They switched to producing the F10.
The vehicles are similar to sedans, but with elongated bodies. In this article, we will show what features were equipped on the BMW 5 E61 cars.
Changes in BMW 5 E61
The cars have more convenient handles for opening the front doors.
Fog lights were installed on all base models. They help vehicles move when visibility on the road is limited. This is a kind of compensation for the exclusion of adaptive cornering lights from the equipment.
Important! Oncoming vehicles will not be blinded by your lights.
The side mirrors have electric drives, allowing for adjustment. They were also equipped on the base models.
Accessories
Cars are constantly being improved. An example of this is the variety of functions such as:
- media centers;
- cameras;
- DVD players;
- IDrive controllers, which help simplify car management. Multimedia functions switch quickly along with driving modes.
IDrive controllers are also installed for viewing images, videos, and listening to music with various formats on screens.
Multimedia Devices in BMW 5 E61
In addition to watching movies and listening to music, these modern devices allow monitoring routes and other nodes in BMW 5 E61 cars.
The large monitors have excellent color reproduction, improved image and sound quality. The multimedia equipment is almost wear-resistant. The devices have hard drives with large memory capacities. Contrasting displays and routers help maintain wireless connectivity through headsets.
Networking
Developers have also made efforts in this regard. To connect to the network, you need to use the COMBOX program, which is updated easily and timely. Now you can stay up to date at all times. It also helps in finding gas stations, thanks to the Google search system.
Built-in navigation devices will clearly guide and indicate the route path and remaining kilometers. Weather conditions in any populated areas are now also known to drivers through these devices.
Restrictions on Video Viewing and Adapters
For safety, certain functions are triggered on the onboard computer monitors. Special adapters are installed to eliminate discomfort in the car. They, when necessary, disable auto-shutdowns when the car is moving and passengers are bored during long trips.
Important! Car owners enjoy being able to watch videos on the standard screens in BMW 5 E6 cars, thanks to external and installed devices connected to AV outputs.
When the cars start, speed sensors send signals to prohibit viewing, while adapters filter and cancel restrictions.
This is safe for both the car and its passengers. Adapters can be either personal or universal.
More: Reviews of BMW X6 Owners
Control with Rear/Front View Cameras
Many cars are equipped with these devices. Situations on the sides are monitored using mirrors. However, it is not very convenient for drivers to pay attention to both mirrors at once. Therefore, developers have installed cameras for all-around views.
Now, during maneuvers, drivers do not need to look in one direction or another. Everything happening around the car is displayed on the onboard computer screens.
Cameras with 270-degree views and distance assessments are installed:
- in the rear;
- in the side mirrors.
Optionally, for 360-degree visibility, you can get two more cameras to install in the front bumpers.
The Bavarians did not stop there and introduced the TOP View CIC system for development, with IDrive controller connectivity. Now, drivers can see everything happening above their cars. TOP View mechanisms are connected to BMW CIC computer nodes.
Assistance from Assistants
They help drivers control movement by monitoring:
- changes on the roads;
- lane changes by other vehicles;
- danger of rear-end collisions;
- speed exceeding limits set on specific road sections.
Radar system sensors are installed in the rear bumpers. They warn of the danger of rear vehicle lane changes and their rapid approach, as well as obstacles in blind spots.
When turn signals are activated to change lanes, warning indicators are activated, and steering wheels begin a slight vibration. Rear cameras provide warnings about lane movements and vehicle departures from the road. When exceeding 70 km/h, distances to road edges/markings are indicated by assistants.
Features of BMW 5 E61
They come in two types. The first type of angel eyes — CCFL, with neon, glass ring tubes of 1.5 mm that shine brightly, equipped with compact ignition units. They are installed in the engine compartments to power the eyes.
The second type is SMD or LED with bright rings, polycarbonate housings, and LEDs inside. They are powered by factory wiring. The advantage is that no control units are needed. The downside is that if a diode burns out, the entire set needs to be replaced. There are only 148 diodes. They are located close to each other, allowing for very bright illumination.
Important! However, owners prefer the second type of angel eyes because the first type is fragile.
Restyling of BMW 5 E61
Restyling was carried out in 2007.
- Changes in the eyebrows at the top of the front optical devices.
- Air intake shapes were altered.
- Rear LED lights were installed.
- Rear window defrosters.
- Changes in trim and colors for interior spaces.
- Installation of sills with decorative rib elements.
- Thermal cameras were installed in cars to detect pedestrians and obstacles in dark conditions.
The restyling operations allowed for the production of armored vehicles. Of course, their weight increased significantly. But they did not lose their dynamics. The cars withstand light artillery fire.
Issues with BMW 5 E61
When it comes to technical equipment, the engines are the primary concern. They are trouble-free if fueled with AI-98. The fuel must be of high quality. Otherwise, after 60-70 thousand kilometers, the fuel pumps with oxygen sensors may fail.
The most problematic are the two-liter engines No. 43. They may have difficulty starting and idling. This is especially noticeable at 0 degrees.
The 2.0 diesel engines can operate down to minus 25 degrees, but they also require high-quality fuel. Turbochargers may fail after 100-120 thousand kilometers. The suspensions are not suitable for rough roads. They are designed for autobahns and highways. There is wear on cooling system pipes in engines located in block offsets and oil-sealing caps with limited service life.
The rear air suspensions must withstand clearances regardless of loads. However, since heavy loads are often transported, they become faulty after 100-150 thousand kilometers. They and their ECUs can be affected by damp/cold days.
Common issues arise during the operation of the N47D20 diesel engines. Fuel pumps may not work when opening doors. The engines themselves may not start immediately.
These problems relate to door lock switches when interior lights do not turn on. Locks are replaced or disassembled, with new microchips installed. To start wagons on the go, ignition is turned on, a short wait is needed for fuel to be pumped into the ramps by the car pumps.
