2006 BMW 5 Series: known issues, changes and recalls

Overview

Engines: 3.0L inline-six, 4.8L V8
Came as: Sedan
Sport Wagon
On record: 6 warnings, 11 recalls

What changed for 2006

New 3.0-liter sixes for the 525i and 530i, all-wheel drive, a wagon, and the 550i in place of the 545i. Edmunds, CarGurus

Compare 2006 with 2005

Colors

Titanium Gray Metallic2006
Mystic Blue Metallic2006
Olivin Green Metallic2006
Silver Gray Metallic2006
Amethyst Gray Metallic2006

Show all 13 colors

Orient Blue Metallic2006
Oxford Green Metallic2006
Titanium Silver Metallic2006–2009
Monaco Blue Metallic2006–2009
Deep Green Metallic2006–2009
Jet Black2006–2009
Alpine White2006–2009
Black Sapphire Metallic2006–2009

Interiors

AuburnPremium leather, 2006
BeigePremium leather, 2006
BlackPremium leather, 2006–2009
BlackLeatherette, 2006–2009
BeigeLeatherette, 2006–2009
GrayPremium leather, 2006–2009

Sources: Edmunds

Specs

Badges

Engines

3.0L inline-six N52 engine page Edmunds, a published reference

215 hp in the 525i and 255 hp in the 530i from 2006, and 230 hp and 200 lb-ft in the 528i from 2008 · 2006–2010
4.8L V8 N62 Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference

360 hp and 360 lb-ft · 2006–2010

Transmissions

Six-speed manual Edmunds
Six-speed Steptronic automatic Edmunds, a published reference
Six-speed SMG automated manual Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference

Drivetrains

Rear-wheel drive Edmunds, a published reference
xDrive all-wheel drive (2006–2010) Edmunds, CarGurus

Body styles

Sedan Edmunds, a published reference
Sport Wagon (2006–2010) Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

Sport Package Edmunds
Cold Weather Package Edmunds

Figures for the whole E60

Model codes: E60 (sedan), E61 (Touring) A published reference
Body: Aluminum at the front and steel for the cabin and rear, with 50:50 weight distribution in the sedan A published reference
Facelift: Introduced in March 2007 for the 2008 model year A published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)
IIHS side impact: Marginal, in tests of cars built after May 2007 A published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

A failed brake booster All years

One source so far

Check: Feel for a hard, stiff brake pedal.

CarGurus lists failed brake boosters, which can stiffen the pedal dramatically, among the E60's typical problems. CarGurus
Worn control arms and bushings All years

Check: Feel for vibration under braking and listen for clunks, and look for uneven tire wear.

CarGurus lists broken or worn-out control arms, and Euro Premium Parts says worn front bushings cause vibration under braking. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)
Early iDrive units that fail 2004–2007

One source so far

Check: Try every iDrive function, and watch for a blank screen or a unit that restarts itself.

Euro Premium Parts says early CCC units are prone to failure and expensive to replace, and that the later CIC system is far more reliable. A seller's guide (unofficial)
Cooling system parts All years

Check: Look for coolant leaks, and ask whether the water pump and thermostat have been replaced.

Euro Premium Parts says radiator, expansion tank, water pump and thermostat failures are routine at around 80,000 to 100,000 miles on the sixes. CarGurus lists bad thermostats and fuel pumps too. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)
Oil use and leaks on the V8s All years

One source so far

Check: Look for blue smoke at start-up and oil around the timing covers.

Euro Premium Parts lists worn valve stem seals, timing cover and alternator bracket gasket leaks, and high oil use even on well-kept cars. A seller's guide (unofficial)
Battery drain and electrical faults All years

Check: Ask about battery warnings, and try the locks, lights, windows and climate control.

Euro Premium Parts lists battery drain from the battery sensor or the trunk wiring, and CarGurus lists a variety of electrical issues and leaky sunroof seals. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

Going to see one? Take the checklist with you.

Open the checklist

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

2006–2010 Recall 22V119000
The heater for the crankcase ventilation valve can short circuit. Dealers fit a wiring harness with a fuse. This replaces and expands 17V683000 and 19V273000. NHTSA
2006 Recall 19V273000
The heater for the crankcase ventilation valve can short circuit. Dealers replace it. This expands 17V683000. NHTSA
2006 Recall 17V428000
The front passenger seat's occupant detection mat can fatigue and crack, so the passenger airbag may not deploy as it should. Dealers repair or replace the mat. NHTSA
2006–2007 Recall 13V564000
The front passenger seat's occupant detection mat can fatigue and crack, so the passenger airbag may not deploy as it should. Dealers repair the mat. NHTSA
2004–2010 Recall 12V126000
The positive battery cable's connector may have been fitted wrongly to the trunk floor, so its bolt can loosen and the connection overheat. Dealers inspect and secure it. NHTSA

Show all 11 recalls

2004–2010 Recall 10V446000
A check valve in the brake vacuum pump can leak oil, which over time can contaminate the brake booster. Dealers repair it. NHTSA
2004–2006 Recall 08V384000
Cracks can form in the front passenger seat's sensor mat, switching off the passenger airbags and lighting the warning lamp. Dealers rework the mat, and BMW extends the warranty on it. NHTSA
2006–2008 Recall 07V479000
In freezing, dry weather a static discharge at the fuel rails can upset the engine computer and stall the engine. Dealers fit two ground cables. NHTSA
2006 Recall 06V277000
The lower rubber mount of the rear shock absorbers may not stick to its housing. Dealers replace the rear shock absorbers. NHTSA
2006 Recall 06V187000
The nuts holding the front control arm and tension strut to the hub may not have been tightened, and could loosen and damage them. Dealers tighten them to specification. NHTSA
2005–2006 Recall 05V504000
The automatic gearbox's parking pawl guide plate may have been made wrongly. Dealers replace it. NHTSA

Owning

What owners and buyers say

Sought after

A naturally aspirated six, such as the 530i 2006–2010

One source so far

Euro Premium Parts calls the N52 530i the best balance of performance and reliability, and says the inline-six cars are generally the safest choice. A seller's guide (unofficial)
Watch for

The SMG gearbox All years

Walk away One source so far

CarGurus lists trouble with the SMG transmissions among the E60's problems and says it is better just to stay away from them. CarGurus

Maintenance

Engine oil and filter All years

Replace every 7,500 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts advises every 7,500 miles with a quality synthetic oil A seller's guide (unofficial)

Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.
Automatic gearbox fluid and filter All years

Replace every 60,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says it is not the lifetime fill BMW once claimed A seller's guide (unofficial)
Brake fluid All years

Replace every 2 years, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

Warranty when new

Rust	12 years Edmunds
Roadside assistance	4 years EdmundsAny miles
Free scheduled maintenance	50,000 miles or 4 years Edmunds

Before you pay: every warning, recall and check on one sheet.

Open the checklist

2006 BMW 5 Series E60

Overview

What changed for 2006

Colors

Interiors

Specs

Badges

Engines

Transmissions

Drivetrains

Body styles

Packages

Figures for the whole E60

Watch out

A failed brake booster All years

Worn control arms and bushings All years

Early iDrive units that fail 2004–2007

Cooling system parts All years

Oil use and leaks on the V8s All years

Battery drain and electrical faults All years

Recalls

Owning

What owners and buyers say

A naturally aspirated six, such as the 530i 2006–2010

The SMG gearbox All years

Maintenance

Engine oil and filter All years

Automatic gearbox fluid and filter All years

Brake fluid All years

Warranty when new