th3h1ghlander

Hi all!
I am looking to be a first-time BMW owner within the next month. I am currently looking for an E60 530d (will consider a 525d or 520d too) around the London(UK) area either from private or trade sellers.
I have spent the last month reading up about the E60s and have decided to take the plunge
despite reading about the issues with swirl flaps/butterfly valves and the EGR.
This will be my first BMW and I want a car I can look after to ensure it lasts me the next 10 years or so.

If you have any tips/advise/experience you want to impart on me I would be more than grateful!

Looking forward to being an active member of this community

Si

PelicanParts.com

Welcome to 5 Series, Si! Good luck with your search and be sure to post up some prospects for us on this forum! Lots of good knowledgeable individuals that can help you with your purchase.

th3h1ghlander

Many thanks PelicanParts. I have a specific idea about which version I want but I will be swayed if the car is good enough. Looking for cars similar to this one:
Used 2005 BMW 5 Series 3.0TD 530d M Sport 4dr for sale in Buckinghamshire | Pistonheads
Ideally I am looking for:
E60 530d (with M Sport styling alloys, sills and bumpers)
Age 2004-2007
Around 100K milage
Cream Leather interior
White exterior preferred but any colour will do (apart from silver)

That sound feasible?

th3h1ghlander

Viewed and drove a 520d w/M-Sport pack today, nice example, a little wear and tear to the leather interior/exterior but not unexpected. I see what people mean with the 520d vs 530d, the uptake is nice and quick but it runs out of guts far quicker than expected, but nice when cruising. Engine sounded nominal, a little turbo whistle when revving stood still from cold but was not there when taking up to 60 on dual-carriageway. Cracking in-tread off-side run-flat on non-BMW alloys, rumbled a little around roundabout

£7k , 100K, 11/2007 registered . Worth it?

I am still more interested in the 530d but this is a contender.

th3h1ghlander

For those of you about to tell me to google the N47 engine based E60 for timing chain failures, I have read about that. "N47 / N47D20A" (PUMA 13588845-03 registered issue) engines timing chain catastrophic failures. Even without the failure the work to get it changed and re-calibrated is silly money (£3k+). It is one of the reasons I originally discounted the 520d and decided on the 530d/525d .

When I booked the test drive they told me this was an 07 reg vehicle, so it is possible it could have been M47 or N47. On this test drive I specifically listened to the engine at idle, 1500rpm, 3000rpm and at all cruising speeds including hard and light acceleration. If I was to consider the 520d I may also consider an extended warranty/GAP insurance. Anyone got advice on if this is worth it? Some of the trade sellers have a crap warranty (covers some items like turbo or suspension but no engine failure) and others seem to have a fully comprehensive one for up to £600 which would cover the swirl flap or timing chain failure.

That said, I still think that I would like a bit more poke in the drive anyway so I will most likely stick to a M57 based E60

th3h1ghlander

Found one, buying it, 2006 530d M-Sport, great condition:

JayArras

Congratulations and welcome to the club!

PelicanParts.com

Awesome! Congratulations!

th3h1ghlander

Cheers mate. I just need to make a list of what to take a look at once I get the car for initial service and diagnosis. Any idea of a sensible list or a specific form thread I should ask in? This is what I have so far based on a list of common issues with this model:

e.g. :

Exhaust Manifold - Remove and check for signs of warping, cracks and leaks
EGR valve - Remove manifold and check for sign of free movement of EGR valve
Swirl Flaps - Remove inlet manifold and see how caked in soot they are, see if they are moving freely and see if any are in danger of breaking off and dropping into the engine. Clean flaps and inlet manifold and plan for Swirl Flap removal.
Thermostats - Not sure if I can check these other than by using INPA, these are known to go wrong and need replacing. Currently not getting any error alerts on these
Leaking Auto box - Normally due to cracked sump, this one is clean thank goodness
Injectors - Not sure if I can check these other than by using INPA
HPFP - Not sure if I can check these other than by using INPA (don't really want to pull fuel lines off to see how far I can squirt the fuel LOL)
Lower pulley - Visual inspection?
drop links - Visual inspection, give em a tug and see if they move/knock? Can't hear or feel any issues when driving.
ARB bushes - Visual inspection, give em a tug and see if they move/knock? Can't hear or feel any issues when driving.
Lower and upper suspension arms - Visual inspection, give em a tug and see if they move/knock/creak? Can't hear or feel any issues when driving.
Oil Separator/breather: If has bog-roll style filter, change the filter