5-Series (E60-E61) – MY2004-2010

BMW M5 (E60)
BMW M5 (E60)

BMW 5-Series (E60/E61)

  • E60: Sedan
  • E61: Touring (Wagon)

Engines

Click the links below to see common problems specific to the engines available on this vehicle.

Problems

All Vehicles

  • Automatic transmissions can fail if fluid is not changed every 60k miles (despite BMW’s claim that they have “lifetime” transmission fluid)
  • Cooling system in general, especially if fluid is not changed every two years
  • Window regulators (easy to replace)
  • Front windshield cracks easily
  • iDrive malfunctions

Certain Vehicles

  • MY05-06: TSB for optical steering sensor – symptoms can include failure of active steering, dynamic stability control (DSC), active roll stabilization (ARS), adaptive headlights (AHL), active cruise control (ACC), and/or the automatic turn signal reset function
  • MY08 and earlier vehicles with ZF automatic transmissions: TSB – transmission warning light may illuminate and log fault codes 4F81, 507B/507C, or 507D; attributed to low fluid level or internal pressure leak caused by a defective adapter seal between transmission housing and Mechatronic unit
  • MY08 and earlier vehicles with ZF automatic transmissions: TSB – transmission fluid may seep through the Mechatronic sealing’s O-ring
  • Vehicles with the SMG transmission: Will almost certainly suffer from a pump failure at some point, necessitating replacement of the transmission (at around $6000!)