BMW 5 Series (E60)

The BMW E60 is the BMW 5 Series automobile, replacing the BMW E39 in 2003. It was replaced by the BMW F10 from Spring 2010.

When the E60 was first introduced, many die-hard BMW fans were quick to shoot down the then future model. After much criticism, the E60 became extremely popular among the BMW community as well as the Euro-Car community. It soon surpassed sales of all previous 5 Series models. Furthermore, the E60 was used as a "benchmark" to design many vehicles that were produced after the E60. There are many similar qualities in different automobiles when looking at two side by side. For example, it is rumored that Honda Accord was modeled after the E60. The E60 gained even more acclaim after the LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) model was released in 2008. This LCI model just included a "face-lift" of the front and rear end of the vehicle. This "face-lift" included new front bumper, fog lights, head lights, tail lights, and trunk. The interior was also slightly remodeled as well.

The car received so much acclaim in the community that many aftermarket companies started to target the E60 for their source of revenue. Many companies started to make copies of the M-Sport parts for the E60. Hamann, AC Schnitzer, Hartge, Dinan parts also started to flood the market as these companies realized the parts were in high demand. Soon enough, many companies started to make replica parts that were being produced, again due to the high demand for cheap quality parts. Furthermore, many performance companies also started to produce parts to increase the power of the already swift E60. www.racing-electronics.com

Mid-life restyle (2007)

Before the mid-life restyling, the models available were the 520i, 520d, 525i, 525d, 530i, 530d, 535d, 545i, and the M5. The model range received uprated engines as part of the restyling.

• The 523i replaced the 520i as the base model and featured the previous 525i engine, detuned to 177 bhp (132 kW; 179 PS).
• The 520i was re-introduced to the Asian markets as an entry level model, featuring the 2L N46B20 engine and producing 156 bhp (116 kW; 158 PS). It is notable as the first E60 5 series gasoline variant to be sold with an in-line 4 engine.
• The 525i received a new 218 bhp (163 kW; 221 PS) engine (up from 192 bhp).
• The 530i six-cylinder engine output was increased to 272 hp (up from 231 bhp).
• The 528i replaced the 525i with 230 hp (172 kW) (up from 218 hp (163 kW)).
• The 535i replaced the 530i with 300 hp (224 kW) (up from 258 hp (192 kW)).
• The 530d was upgraded to 231 bhp (172 kW; 234 PS) (up from 218 bhp (163 kW; 221 PS)).
• The 535d was upgraded to 286 bhp (213 kW; 290 PS) (up from 272 bhp (203 kW; 276 PS)).
• The 540i was introduced with a V8 engine producing 302 bhp (225 kW; 306 PS).
• The 550i replaced the 545i in the fall of 2005 with 362 bhp (270 kW; 367 PS).
• The 520d, 525d and the M5 remained the same.

The E60 is available in both sedan and station wagon (E61) platforms. The exterior design by late BMW designer Davide Arcangeli is controversial due to its unusual proportions. The 'eyebrow' of the front headlights was also frowned upon by car magazines for taking away the aggressive look of its predecessors. Its iDrive system has been simplified from the system in the 7 Series. It can be ordered with a full array of options such as active cruise control, head-up display, active steering, and the Harman Kardon Logic7 stereo system.

The BMW M5 is the high performance version of the range, and is one of the highest performance sedans on the market. Like all BMW 'M' cars, it balances superb handling with power, which is delivered by a naturally aspirated 5.0 L (40-valve) V10 producing 373 kW (507 PS (373 kW; 500 hp)). The car has a 0–100 km/h time of 4.1 seconds, 0–200 km/h time of 15 seconds, and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). With appropriate tire ratings and the removal of the limiter the M5 is capable of 205 mph (329 km/h).

The rear side of BMW E60

2007–2010 BMW M5 (E60) sedan (Australia)

2007–2010 BMW M5 (E60) sedan (Australia)

Alpina B5 (2005) engine bay

A derivative of the E60 is the E63/E64 which forms the current iteration of the 6 Series coupe.

A factory-stretched long-wheelbase version of the E60 5-Series was offered in China, as a response to the Audi A6 L. It offered much of the rear legroom of a large executive saloon (e.g. BMW 7-Series or Mercedes-Benz S-Class), but in a cheaper, simpler model. As of 2009, trim levels included the 520Li, 523Li, 525Li, and 530Li.

Model lineup

Model	Model Year	Engine	E60 Sedan	E61 Touring
520d	2006–2007	M47TU2D20
	2007–2010	N47D20-O0
520i	2004–2005	M54B22
	2007–2010	N46B20
523i	2006–2007	N52B25
	2007–2010	N53B25-U0
525d	2004–2007	M57TUD25
	2007–2010	M57D30-U2
525i	2004–2005	M54B25
	2006–2007	N52B25
	2007–2010	N53B30-U0
525xd	2007–2010	M57D30-U2
525xi	2004–2005	M54B25
	2006–2007	N52B25
525ix	2007–2010	N53B30-U0
530d	2004–2007	M57TUD30
	2007–2010	M57D30-O2
530i	2004–2005	M54B30
	2006–2007	N52B30
	2007–2010	N53B30-O0
530xd	2004–2007	M57TUD30
	2007–2010	M57D30-T2
530xi	2004–2005	M54B30
	2006–2007	N52B30
	2007–2010	N53B30-O0
535i	2008–2010	N54B30
535xi	2008–2010	N54B30
535d	2004–2007	M57TUD30
	2007–2010	M57D30-T2
540i	2006–2010	N62B40-O1
545i	2004–2005	N62B44
550i	2006–2010	N62B48-O1
M5	2005–2010	S85B50

Initially the 5-series received a three-star rating for adult occupants. However changes were made to the steering column, footrest, door trims, door latch, airbags and electronic software and the car was retested achieving its four-star rating. BMW claims the modifications improved the car's EuroNCAP score, not the vehicle's safety; consequently BMW chose not to recall the earlier-built cars.

The American Insurance Institute of Highways Safety (IIHS) gives the 5-series a "Good" overall rating in frontal collisions but a "Marginal" overall rating for side impact collisions. The IIHS reported their side impact test would likely cause driver related rib fractures and/or internal organ injuries. The IIHS tests were conducted on models built after May 2007, these models had modifications to improve side impact safety.

Production

Units sold according to BMW's annual reports.

Year	Total	Sedan	Touring	Note
2003	70,522	70,522	-	Sedan launched in July.
2004	229,598	191,361	31,342	Touring model launched in May.
2005	228,389	177,719	50,670
2006	232,193	182,539	49,654
2007	230,845	181,534	49,311
2008	202,287	156,825	45,462
2009	175,983	135,944	36,987