vaca

Many of the posts here on the e60 forum are from members who are looking for solutions to problems they are having with their cars. This is one of the best things about these kind of forums to be sure.

I tried to break the e60 down into three groups. At first I thought, just do pre-LCI and LCI, but then figured with all problems we've heard about regarding the high pressure fuel pumps, that group might be best if seperate from the LCI group.

Let's try to define a "real" problem....

the obvious to exclude are things like accidents, flat tires, normal wear things (unless for instance brake pads wear in 3000 miles), broken glass, vandalism, etc.

the obvious to include is hard shift step tronic, non start, dead battery for no apparant reason, iDrive problems, leaks of any sort, check engine lights coming on for odd things, suspension noises, mechaniacl issues with steering, transmission, engine, doors, trunk, etc.

Let's go to the polls.

Howitzer

The term "problem" is very general. I chose 4 or more because to me, a problem means anything. Major OR minor. My problems were leaking gaskets, squeaking brakes, busted heating element in steering wheel, broken volume knob, water leaking into battery compartment, fuzzy radio static, and the air turning on randomly. All have been fixed except the volume knob. I can only push it in now to mute/unmute and thank god for the steering wheel volume adjustor or I'd be screwed! =p

cleung

I don't know how accurate this pole is going to be, like noted before "problem" is very general. I've had all sorts of little issues witht he e60 but really only 1 somewhat big mechanical issue.

My opinion is that most automakers now a days know how to build engines and major mechanical components, these aren't usually the issues people have to deal with when owning a vehicle (outside of maintainence of course). You see lots more issues with electronic items causing issues, it seems the newer the car the more gadgets and electronic/electrical items in a car and these are the things that are going wrong and it seems this is happening with all the different brand vehicles. I see these things pop up in my nissan, my parents acura and honda my friends toyotas and domestics.

My e60 for instance, I've had all sorts of electrical "gadget" issues and no real mechanical issues. The only mechanical issue I had was a "freeze up" the condensation build up in my oil froze the oil seperator valve closed so the engine over pressured and blew the valve cover gasket. Other then that its been things like idrive issues, adaptive headlight issues, active steering issues, heated seat issues, etc. all computer and electronic related. I think if we didn't want so many gadets in our cars we wouldn't have nearly as many issues.

HWF

The ONLY problem I had from the original in-service date is the oil level indicator in the i-drive takes awfully long to give me a reading. I didn't consider that to be a problem worth noting.

H

luigi524td

I agree there is some variance between one person's problem and another. For example, I had a low battery condition and the battery was replaced about 1.5 years ago. Since I wasn't inconvenienced [car didn't die in my driveway] I didn't consider that a "problem".

Likewise, a pothole took out a wheel and RFT - it was a problem but certainly not the fault of the car!


One other addition I would have recommended for your survey: mileage or miles driven per year.

safetywork

Sqeaky doors for me..... No other issues thus far, although my iDrive did go completely blank once but after shutting off the engine it came back and hasn't happened again.

advancedlogic

I bought my '04 545i in June of 2006. Since I've owned the car, the following problems have occured:

Transmission Slam
Passenger Restraint Warning (3 seperate times. 3 seperate fixes)
MPM module failure
Faulty battery
Water pump replacement
Thermostat replacement
Transmission seal failure
Vacuum pump replacement
Catalytic Converter efficiency threshhold warning
Control arm bushing deterioration
Windshield rubber seal deterioration
Valve cover gasket leakage

12 major problems. Fortunately all were either covered by the original warranty, or by Fidelity Warranty Services (an aftermarket warranty purchased from Rodney at BMW Atlanta). A lesser car would have had me selling quickly and raining fire and brimstone down on everyone from the dealer to BMWNA (and beyond). Yet, she's such a wonderful machine to drive, the problems seem minor compared to the driving enjoyment provided, even 4 years later. I've driven the 550, 535, 525, and 528. Each has their own personalities, quirks, and such. Yet, in no small part due to the mods made, mine just feels so animalistic, raw and just plain wrong. I love it lol. She's at 106k miles now - no more warranty, so I'm seriously contemplating selling. The depreciation hit over the past year or so is simply disheartening. $45k 4 years ago to less than half that worth now (the original owner paid $59k for her new - an amazing deal for a brand new V8 BMW). Those buying pre-LCI E60s today are getting one hell of a bargin for their money!

cleung

WOW what kind of fantasy world do you live in where bmw's run perfectly with no problems? I want to live there.

nsudac

My problems so far on a e60 525d that I've owned for about a year:

- Squeaky blower motor (needs replacement blower motor)
- Squeaky steering (needs replacement steering rack)
- Car not reaching operating temperature (suspect faulty main thermostat)
- Corrosion of M-Sport door sills (replaced)
- Rear doors not locking (car needed re-programming)
- Vibration at idle (suspect clutch/flywheel)
- Squeaky door seals

That's all I can think of for now

Terraformer

It'd be nice to stratify the results; e.g., how many pre-LCI members have had 2 problems in 4 years of ownership. Without that it's impossible to see how the variables are related...