EBMCS03

Ya the E46 might be more reliable as a whole but I dont see it as reliable as a "Lexus" as most people will relate the word reliable + car with... so if it was just between a E46 / E60... I see them as pretty close in terms of reliability... And even the E90. I would categorize that as being close to the E60. so I wouldnt use reliability as the deciding factor.

Yes looks is a matter of opinion... and you know what I think... E60 > E90 > E46

s4iscool

i think each persons experience is different. If you have a reliable 5 up till the end of the warranty, then I would be more comfortable keeping it for the long haul. If its got a troubled history, then kick it to the curb while under warranty.

JayDee427

......er, I don't know. Let's ask the guy who purchased his e39, brand new, back in 2003 before the e60 debuted. Can you imagine him still paying over $500 a month for a car that's considered "a washed-up has been".

Busta

I had a few issues with my ex-E60. I began to worry when my SA left a message saying "if you didn't have a warranty this new steering rack+labor would of been 3.5k." Although most of the issues were fixed before the warranty expired. I'll never know how many more would of came up after

I'm sure it was just a first model year gremlins. I wouldn't hesitate buying a 2005+ E60 model in the future

FYI Jaydee I sold the E60 and picked up a E39 performance (V8)/value was my main concern. Design wise nothing beats the E60.

Ace90

I plan to drive mine until it gives up the ghost...hopefully 10+ years. I've spent 12+ years in Germany and have driven BMWs exclusively. My 535i on order will be my fist 5er. The others were all 3 and 7 series. Some were absolutely trouble free and others needed a little more attention but all in all they were the most durable vehicles around. Some of them had upwards of 300,000 km and still drove tight and pulled strong. The inline six is so smooth and perfectly balanced hearing it open up at full throttle is nothing short of exhilarating. Whether it was the 2.0, 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, or 3.5, the six is an amazing power plant around which to build a superior sport/luxo vehicle. It's the main reason I ordered the 535 vice the 550. From this forum, it sounds like I won't be disappointed.

copello

Just hoping my 3rd iDrive will last longer than the 2 previous ones, and will provide all the confort I need during the full life of my 520d.... which I also hope to keep till the next generation Hydrogen 5 series

jcatral14

Good to know there's more than a few people keeping their E60s
Mine's actually still a lease but I'll buy it out and have it certified so I should be covered till 100k mile and/or 6 years.

narvselius

... and I thought that my planned six years was a rare thing on this forum... Oh well, baring in mind it spends most of the time in the garage it will be virtually new after six years so I may keep it longer!

Russ1974

I always buy a car with intention of keeping it for a while. But in the past 5 years, I think longest I've kept a car is two years. Average is 12 to 18 months. Shortest was 6 months! (all purchased brand new!)

rmcd

When I bought the 530i, my lovely bride told me that - given how much it cost - I would be keeping it for 18 years. I amended that as 18 years or until the first out-of-warrenty computer module repair - whichever comes first.

The CPO is a good way to go.

Cheers.