Known common e60 530i problems include, cooling hose failuse (the o rings are crap), starter failure (around 80k miles), shorter then scheduled spark plug life, control arm bushing failure, rear window seal cracking up, sunroof seal, constant error meesages from idrive, short battery life, A/C off button cracking, and power window switch peeling. I have 92k miles currently and have a wierd oil leak. Need to pull the intake manifold to see where is coming from. I've had the car a year and would have easily payed $4k in parts and labor if i took it to a mechanic to be fixed. I think I spent about $500 in parts so far.

 

newer is definitely much better

 

I have an 08 528i. I am the orignial owner and I now have 40,000 miles on it. I haven't had any problems with it at all. However, I did have a ton of problems with my 1997 528i. I spent an average of $2,500 per year in repair bills for that car. The engines and transmissions in the E60 and E39 seem to be very reliable though.

 

Fixed.