BMW 5er-Reihe E60/E61 facelift 520d, 177 PS, 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (2007–2010)

Research for this car

• Generation guide BMW 5 Series E60/E61 (2003-2010): known problems and buying guide

  A family car with sound petrol sixes; check the diesel swirl flaps, Touring air springs and water ingress before you buy.

• Engine guide BMW N47 2.0 diesel (116d to 520d, Mini Cooper D): problems, costs and what to check

  A workable diesel with a costly timing chain weak spot, so buy only with chain proof and check the EGR recall.

• Gearbox guide ZF 6HP 6-speed automatic (BMW Steptronic, Audi tiptronic): problems, costs and what to check

  A workable six-speed when its fluid is changed on time, but mechatronic and bushing wear recur. Buy with service proof and a clean scan.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. Touring: check the rear air suspension. Ask for records of the air bags and compressor. Bad result: no records of the bags or compressor on a high-mileage car.
2. Dynamic Drive and Active Steering: look under the car for hydraulic oil at the stabilisers and the steering rack. Test the steering on a straight road. Bad result: oil, a warning light, or a wheel that sits off centre. Recalibration is a workshop job.
3. Automatic: check under the car for oil at the plastic pan. Drive the car in D, D/S and manual, and check that the shifts are smooth. Bad result: oil under the pan or jerky shifts.
4. Body: check the sills, spare-wheel well, rear wheel-arch flanges, boot lid seams and the front where aluminium meets steel. Use a paint thickness gauge. Bad result: filler under the paint, or rust through a sill.
5. Water: lift the boot carpet and footwell carpet. Clear the sunroof and scuttle drains. Bad result: damp, water marks or corrosion near the battery and control units.
6. Front end: lift the car and check the front arms, ball joints, bushings and steering joints for play. Bad result: knocks over bumps or in the steering.

From the engine guide

1. Cold-start rattle (test drive, no scanner). Start the cold engine and listen for a metal rattle at the back of the engine. A rattle that lasts a few seconds is an early warning. Bad: a rattle that stays when warm or under throttle.
2. Chain job invoice (paperwork). Ask for an invoice for a chain job that includes the tensioners and guide rails. Bad: no invoice on a 2007 to 2011 car. Without one, budget 1,500-2,500 EUR (Germany, year not stated), with the gearbox or engine out.
3. Timing fault codes (scanner needed). Read the fault memory. Camshaft timing codes, such as P0016 or P0017, point to a stretched chain. Bad: any camshaft timing code or an engine warning light.
4. EGR recall (check the VIN). Enter the VIN in the KBA or BMW recall check. Recall 14099R covers X3 F25 builds from 2010 to 2014. Bad: an open campaign, or no proof the work was done.
5. Swirl flaps (scanner needed). Read the fault memory for the engine warning light. Bad: the warning light with lost power.
6. Oil history (paperwork). Look for oil changes every 10,000 to 15,000 km with BMW LL-04 oil. Bad: long gaps, or only the 30,000 km Longlife interval.
7. Goodwill (paperwork). Do not count on BMW paying for a chain. Goodwill for chain damage has mostly ended for these builds. Bad: a seller who says BMW will pay.

From the gearbox guide

1. Read the fault memory with ISTA or a BMW or Audi scanner. Bad result: BMW codes 4F85, 4F8F or 4F83, or a past limp mode. A scanner is needed.
2. Ask for fluid and pan service records. Bad result: no change in the last 60,000 to 100,000 km, or no adaptation reset afterwards. Dirty oil adds to mechatronic wear.
3. Drive 15 minutes in town, then under load. Bad result: slipping, flaring, or jerks on 2-3 and 3-4.
4. Hold a steady light throttle at 60 to 80 km/h. Bad result: a shudder or vibration, which points to the torque converter lock-up clutch.
5. Drive under load in 4th and 5th. Bad result: slip under load or jerks on shift, which points to worn bushings.

Running costs

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

ADAC versions