BMW 5er-Reihe E60/E61 523i, 177 PS, 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (2005–2007)

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.

• 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.
7. Petrol sixes and V8: look for blue smoke after idling and oil stains under the engine. Ask how often oil was topped up. Bad result: smoke or frequent top-ups.

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