2009 BMW 5 Series E60

Overview

Engines

3.0L inline-six, 4.8L V8, 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six

Came as

• Sedan
• Sport Wagon

On record

5 warnings, 5 recalls

What changed for 2009

• iDrive gains programmable favorite buttons. CarGurus, a published reference

Compare 2009 with 2008

Colors

• Barbera Red Metallic2009
• Platinum Bronze Metallic2009
• Deep Sea Blue Metallic2009
• Neptune Blue Metallic2009
• Space Gray Metallic2009

Interiors

• BlackPremium leather, 2006–2009
• BlackLeatherette, 2006–2009
• BeigeLeatherette, 2006–2009
• GrayPremium leather, 2006–2009
• Natural BrownPremium leather, 2009
• Cream BeigePremium leather, 2009

Sources: Edmunds

Specs

Badges

• 550i: 4.8L V8, Rear-wheel drive Edmunds
• 528i: 3.0L inline-six, Rear-wheel drive, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds
• 535i: 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six, Rear-wheel drive, xDrive all-wheel drive Edmunds

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

• 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six N54 engine page Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference

  300 hp and 300 lb-ft · 2008–2010

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)

• 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)

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

• 2007–2011 Recall 17V683000

  The heater for the crankcase ventilation valve can short circuit. Dealers replace it. NHTSA

• 2008–2010 Recall 13V407000

  Resistance at the taillights' contacts can damage the connector, so some rear lights work only intermittently or not at all. Dealers replace the bulb carriers. 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

• 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

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