E60 BMW M5 2006–2010 E60

Overview

Engines

5.0L V10

Came as

• Sedan

On record

5 warnings, 2 recalls

The story

The E60 M5 brought a 5.0-liter V10 and a seven-speed paddle-shift SMG gearbox, tying it to BMW's Formula One program, and was the world's first production saloon with a V10. The engine was used only in the M5 and the M6. CarGurus, a published reference

CarGurus calls it perhaps the most controversial M5, for its styling and its gearbox, which was engineered as an automated manual and is unrefined left to shift by itself. North American buyers objected, and BMW added a six-speed manual for them alone, at no extra cost. CarGurus, Edmunds, a published reference

The US was its biggest market, with 8,800 sedans. Wikipedia says the engine is well known for rod bearing failures that can destroy it, and for failing throttle actuators. A published reference

Rare and special

• Six-speed manual

Colors

• Silver Gray Metallic2007
• Silverstone Silver Metallic2007
• Space Gray Metallic2010
• Monaco Blue Metallic2010
• Carbon Black Metallic2010

Interiors

• Sepang BronzePremium leather, 2007
• BlackPremium leather, 2007–2010
• SilverstonePremium leather, 2007
• Indianapolis RedPremium leather, 2007–2010
• Portland BrownPremium leather, 2007–2010
• Silverstone IIPremium leather, 2010
• SepangPremium leather, 2010

Sources: Edmunds

Specs

Engines

• 5.0L V10 S85 Edmunds, a published reference

  500 hp and 383 lb-ft, though the car starts in a mode that limits it to 400 hp

Transmissions

• Seven-speed SMG automated manual Edmunds, a published reference
• Six-speed manual (2007–2010) Edmunds, CarGurus, a published reference

Drivetrains

• Rear-wheel drive Edmunds

Body styles

• Sedan Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

• M Driver's Package CarGurus, a published reference

Figures

• Production: 20,589 in all, of which 8,800 were US sedans A published reference
• Engine modes: P400 at start-up, P500 for full power, and P500 S with sharper throttle response A published reference
• Chassis: The first M5 with adaptive damping, variable steering and an electronic rear differential lock CarGurus
• Manual cars: 1,366 built for North America A published reference

Rare trims and options

• Good find

  Six-speed manual Transmission

  Sold in North America only, with a take rate of about 14 percent CarGurus, a published reference

  1,366 built for North America A published reference

  Why it is a good find: CarGurus calls the SMG a potential money pit and advises buying a car with the manual. CarGurus

Years and what changed

1. 2006

   The M5 returns with a 500 hp V10 and the SMG gearbox. Edmunds

2. 2007

   A six-speed manual is added for North America at no extra cost. CarGurus, a published reference

3. 2008

   An upgraded interior, moved door handles and window switches, and six programmable iDrive memory keys. Edmunds, CarGurus

4. 2009

   No change recorded

5. 2010

   Every M5 gets the hard-drive-based iDrive. Edmunds, CarGurus

Watch out

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

• Rod bearing wear All years

  Check: Listen for knocking at start-up or under load, and ask for proof the rod bearings were replaced.

  Wikipedia says the stock bearings lack clearance and can fail and destroy the engine. Euro Premium Parts calls it the most critical issue, usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, and CarGurus calls the repair very expensive. CarGurus, a published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Failing throttle actuators All years

  Check: Have all the throttle actuators tested with a scan tool, and watch for limp mode.

  Wikipedia says they fail from their internal gears or their electronics, and Euro Premium Parts says usually between 50,000 and 80,000 miles. CarGurus, a published reference, a seller's guide (unofficial)

• SMG hydraulic pump and clutch All years

  Check: Feel for slow or hesitant shifts and a slipping or abrupt clutch, and look for leaks at the pump.

  Euro Premium Parts says a failed pump can leave the car stuck in gear, usually between 50,000 and 80,000 miles, and that the clutch wears faster than a manual one. CarGurus, a seller's guide (unofficial)

• Oil use All years

  One source so far

  Check: Check the oil level, and ask how often it needs topping up.

  Euro Premium Parts says the V10 can use oil as it ages, and that running it low speeds up rod bearing wear. A seller's guide (unofficial)

• VANOS wear and leaks All years

  One source so far

  Check: Look for oil around the VANOS unit, and read its fault codes.

  Euro Premium Parts says it can leak and wear after 60,000 miles, giving a rough idle and lost mid-range power. A seller's guide (unofficial)

Recalls

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

• 2006–2010 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

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  A car with the six-speed manual 2007–2010

  One source so far

  CarGurus calls the SMG a potential money pit and advises buying a car with the manual. CarGurus

• Watch for

  A 2006 car

  Less sought after One source so far

  CarGurus says to skip the 2006 M5, which came only with the SMG and shifted roughly. CarGurus

• Watch for

  A car without proof of new rod bearings All years

  Walk away One source so far

  Euro Premium Parts calls rod bearing replacement non-negotiable, and says a buyer who does not confirm it was done is taking a big financial risk. A seller's guide (unofficial)

Maintenance

• Engine oil and filter All years

  Replace every 5,000 miles, per a parts seller. Euro Premium Parts says every 5,000 to 7,500 miles with 10W-60 synthetic, not the 5W-30 of other 5 Series cars A seller's guide (unofficial)

  Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.

  If it was skipped: Euro Premium Parts says the wrong oil, even briefly, speeds up rod bearing wear.

• SMG fluid All years

  Replace every 30,000 miles, per a parts seller A seller's guide (unofficial)

  If it was skipped: Euro Premium Parts says it is often neglected, which adds to pump and actuator wear.

• Brake fluid All years

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

Warranty when new