Can you tell me if the E60 BMW 5 Series is a good car?

Can you tell me if the 2005 BMW 520 (E60) 2.2 petrol is a good car?

Stephen O Brien (Dundalk)

May 2014 Filed under: reliability

---

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

The E60 was a terrific car but not without its faults. Listen carefully for any nasty noises coming from the suspension and check the steering to make sure it responds quickly and accurately and that there's no odd weighting in the power assistance. The run-flat tyres and the pressure monitoring system that goes with them can also play up, as can the first-gen iDrive system, so make sure all the electronics are working.

Finally, that last-of-the-line 2.2-litre straight-six was a fab engine but did occasionally suffer from some cooling and head gasket problems. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge during your test drive and check the service record (which should of course be full and complete) for any frequent revisits to the dealers to have the cooling looked at.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe