The section presents feedback from owners of BMW E60 cars. If you have experience with BMW E60 models, feel free to share it with others by submitting a review through the comments form. It will be published right after moderation.
About the Model
The cars of the 5th generation were introduced to the public for the first time in 2003. The first model showcased was a sedan, followed by a touring a year later. However, these BMWs did not achieve the level of popularity that the E39 version had.
But its predecessor was considered the best car in the world, so the E60 found its deserving place in the lineup of vehicles produced by the Bavarian automaker. By 2010, around one and a half million cars had been manufactured.
Technical Specifications. The car is available with several different powertrain options, both petrol and diesel.
The standard version comes with a 2-liter V16 petrol engine, producing 156 hp. It can reach a top speed of 219 km/h, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 9.6 seconds. The most powerful variant features a four-liter engine with direct injection, reaching a top speed of 250 km/h and accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 6 seconds.
The diesel engine delivers 190 hp, with a 2-liter displacement, reaching a maximum speed of 228 km/h and accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. The engines are paired with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. The choice between the two is left to the owner.
Exterior Design. The 2004 E60 model sparked numerous debates due to its unconventional appearance. The design of the car did not please everyone initially. After the sedan was presented, its designer, C. Bangle, faced strong criticism from the press.
However, the design was not conventional, so even now, 16 years later, this car still looks impressive. It is quite possible that journalists simply did not grasp the concept envisioned by the company representatives. In general, the opinion on the new BMW 5 series was mixed.
When looking at the car from the front, the first thing that catches the eye is the sculpted hood with lines on the sides, a radiator grille designed in the brand's style. Beneath the adaptive headlights of the BMW E60 are the «angel eyes» headlights.
The bumper features a rectangular-shaped air intake with chrome trim. Fog lights are installed at the edges, while the main optics house xenon lamps D1S.
Looking at the sedan's profile, the wide wheel arches draw special attention. They are connected at the bottom near the sill through a special stamping line. Along the perimeter of the second profile element – the windows, there is a chrome trim.
All the debates about the car's exterior focused on its front, as there were no complaints about the rear. Critics praised its design as simply magnificent.
The genuine highlights of the rear of the car are the taillights, while the aerodynamic properties significantly improved with the presence of a «duck lip» spoiler on the trunk lid. Additionally, the wheel rims, besides their decorative function, also serve a practical purpose by enhancing or reducing maneuverability through diameter changes within R17-R20.
Optionally, the BMW sedan can be equipped with a special ski hatch and LED headlights that illuminate the road up to 500 meters ahead. There is also the possibility to replace the standard headlights with Hella or Depo models.
Installing original lighting fixtures will increase driving comfort, safety, and create a unique design. For an additional fee, a rear-view camera can be installed on the car, and the speedometer readings can be displayed on the windshield. The trunk capacity is 520 liters.
To conclude the review of the exterior, the car's dimensions can be mentioned. The standard configuration implies the following dimensions: width — 1846 mm, wheelbase — 2888 mm, ground clearance — 142 mm. Depending on the model, parameters such as length can vary from 4841—4843 mm, height from 1468—1491 mm, and weight from 1535—1835 kg.
Review of the BMW 5 Series E60 — Everything Satisfactory So Far
Even now, in 2020, the interior design of the car corresponds to its status thanks to the high-quality finish: the front seats are made of thick leather, equipped with heating and various electric adjustment systems.
On the comfortable sofa in the second row, also with heating, all three passengers can sit comfortably with sufficient legroom and headspace.
Despite the simple appearance of the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the equipment with a small number of buttons, it allows for multimedia system control, cruise control, and manual gear shifting using paddles. The steering wheel can be adjusted for height and reach.
The dashboard is characterized by simplicity, with cool orange backlighting at night. It features two analog gauges with a chrome trim.
The settings can be adjusted using the onboard computer. The system will automatically adjust the monitor's brightness after the sidelights are turned on. Three knobs under the deflectors provide climate control system adjustments. At the bottom, there is a seat heating adjustment.
On the partially wooden center console, there is a gear shift lever, alongside buttons for parking, activating the sport mode, and managing the multimedia system. Despite modern car models having a much larger number of buttons, it is essential to remember that this car was manufactured 16-17 years ago.
All elements of this system are based on intelligence. Firstly, the braking system's efficiency is noteworthy. To protect the driver and passengers from frontal and side impacts, there are airbags with tubular structures.
In the event of a collision, the headrests immediately move forward to protect the neck and prevent sudden head movements. The car is also equipped with power steering, disc brakes with ABS.
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Review of the BMW E60 2004 model
The BMW E60 2004 I currently own was obtained in exchange for a 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander. Despite the seemingly imperfect nature of such a trade, one should not rush to conclusions, as the BMW also had some drawbacks that required a cost of 305,000 rubles to rectify.
The final choice was made for this particular car because it was a facelift model with an M-54 engine, meaning it was essentially an E39 after facelift, «packaged» into the E60 body. In my opinion, this is the most balanced and successful body variant. Some may argue that a diesel model would be the ideal choice, but I hold a different opinion.
Among all the car's systems, the chassis turned out to be the most problematic, requiring a literal «revival.» After completing these works, I felt the urge to bring the body into a normal state, despite the car's 17-year age. All existing chips and scratches were removed, followed by polishing and coating with liquid glass.
Overall, the car is wonderful, with excellent responsiveness, and I have no desire to switch to anything else.
