really awesome car. !!!!!
love the natural aspirated M54 engine.
Bought it at 125,000 kms........ now has over 245,000 kms... and flies.....,

replaced:
front and lower controls arms, sway arms
water pump. and thermostate.
pully belts. surpentine belts.
changed plugs
replaced the head cover gasket and the kit.
replaced all coolant hoses. and colant temperature sensor.
replaced DISA valve.(kit) german solutions

plus regular maintenance oil and filter every 7,000 kms
transmission oil change and service every 25,000 kms- intervals(
Brake pads and sensors. replaced at 60,000 kms intervals

I look forward to driving my E60(2004) every day of the week.
it is my every day driver.
everything works. yes it is true - no other car drives like A BMW. period .!!!!!
heated front and rear seats
hydraulic steering.(love it). Heated steering wheel.
parking assisst.
heated and dimming mirrors.
love the flame look.


Grey Amethyist 530i- 2004 model year
Toronto.
Canada

P.S. Do your deligence and dont believe the life time transmission oil =- it is B.S

 

I have a 2005 545I and it has 216,435 and its still running strong. I found that around 175000 a lot of the plastic associated with cooling system began to fail.

 

I'm on 146,000 miles on a 2004 e61 525i. No major problems other than routine stuff been recorded. Had a new rocker cover basket 15k ago and a few steering components (bushes, track rods etc) but I'd say that's normal for any car with a few miles on.

 

2005 545i with 100k miles

The car has been a complete pain in the ass. Bought at 70k miles 5 years ago. Since then, I've replaced the following:

- valve stem seals ($6k labor)
- resurfaced head
- valve cover
- valve cover gaskets (x4)
- coolant reservoir
- front control arm bushings
- all plastic and rubber parts in the engine
- I'm certainly forgetting some stuff

Taking her back into the shop today (her 2nd home) to diagnose yet again why the engine is misfiring. I love this car but I can't take it anymore. Every BMW I've owned has been plagued with oil problems. Oil changed every few months or 6k miles.

 

160K+ mls, 06 530Xi Still awesome. Below is a list of major work after my baby hit 100K. DIY all but the starter (were too lazy that day for some reason), thanks to all the contributors on this forum. Saved me thousands, and above all, the thing that money can't buy is the knowledge of my car. Will do it all over again E60 in a heart beat. Thinking of swapping this with a later model LCI 550i or 535i? What do you guy think?

Replaced: Too many to list all other little nick knacks.

Gasket: Valve cover, oil cooler and one more in that area, can't recall.
Coolant hoses, reservoir and radiator
Water pump, thermostat and sensors
All the control arms and bushings
Shocks and spring
Front and rear windshield gasket
AC condenser, belt, tensioner and pulley
Starter
Brakes and rotors
Transmission pan replacement, Mechatronic sealing sleeve

 

I am at 156,000 miles. All I have had to do is change the thermostat at 98,000 and plugs at 115,000. The secret is keeping all of the fluids clean and fresh.


1. Transmission fluid 98K & 135K
2. Transfer Case fluid 98K
3. Power Steering Fluid at 98K, & changed fluid and Filter at 130K
4. Differential Fluid at 98K
5. Change engine oil every 6,000
6. Brake Fluid every three years
7. Coolant every 2 years
8. Coolant hoses (upper & lower only) at 155,000
9. Passenger seat air bag sensor mat at 155,000. Replaced under warranty.
10. Tension struts and lower control arms, with ball joints.


I plan to keep my 530 until it dies a sudden and loud death.

 

530i with SMG. Very clean beauty.

Currently 230,000 Miles. Plan to keep it until it completely quit on me.
Modified all body to M-Sport. Added Dension Audio Module.
The car is Fully loaded.

Major repairs:
1) Problem with SMG transmission twice. Cost of repairs about $7,500
....

 

2008 535xi, 132,000k miles. (bought it at around 113k). I've had if for less than a year. So far:

1.) Both VANOS (maybe a byproduct of running Stage 1 Cobb, maybe not)
2.) Water pump (dealer ate most of it thankfully)
3.) Oil cooler gasket
4.) Coolant hose coupler
5.) Coil
6.) Doing the rear brakes hopefully this week, but that's consumable stuff, like oil and spark plugs
7.) Outer axle joint boot (kit)
8.) Needs trans/diffs/transfer case fluids changed (probably, I didn't ask the dealer)
9.) The front struts are probably ready to go too, based on noise and handling

Overall, fairly reliable in my short time with the car.

 

07 530i with 115,000 absolute trouble free highway miles (wife drives 120 miles/day on interstate 5 days/week)

Oil changed Mobil-1 every 5-7,000 miles
Plugs chaged at 105,000 miles
Thermostat/water pump changed at 105,000 miles
All drive belts at 105,000
Coolant replaced every 50,000 miles
Power steering fluid changed twice
Brake fluid every 2 years
Coolant replaced at the same time
Brakes changed twice
Tires on 3rd set
Not too sure about Transfer case/Differential fluid (I am sure I have it changed but will confirm soon)

Currently contemplating/in the process of changing the Transmission fluid/pan

 

My E60 (530d) now has over 320.000 km... Still runs.