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BMW E60 5 Series and M5 common problems

2006–2010 · 525i / 525xi, 530i / 530xi, 528i / 528xi, 535i / 535xi, 550i, M5 (N52, N54, N62 V8, S85 V10). The known weak spots of the engines used in the E60, with sources, plus the topics that come up most in BMW's service bulletins and NHTSA recalls for this chassis.

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N52 engine

525i / 525xi (2006–2007), 530i / 530xi (2006–2007), 528i / 528xi (2008–2010) · N52 bulletins →

Electric water pump and thermostat failure

The N52 introduced BMW's electric coolant pump. When the pump or thermostat fails the car shows a coolant temperature warning and can go into reduced power.

BMW bulletins on file for the E60:

N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices →

Sources: BMW Tuning: N52 engine problems · CRP Automotive: bleeding BMW electric water pumps

Oil filter housing and valve cover gasket leaks

The two classic N5x oil leaks. Oil from the filter housing gasket can reach the drive belt, so it shouldn't be left.

BMW bulletins on file for the E60:

  • SIB 11 13 15 Oil filter housing leak Oil filter housing leak on BMW E60/E84/E89/E90 and other models (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Aug 2015
  • SIB 11 05 15 N20 and N55 Engine N20 and N55 Engine on N20/N55 engines (2011–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015
  • SIB 13 07 20 Valve cover bolt torque check Valve cover bolt torque check on BMW G32/E60/E70/E71 and other models (2007–2018); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Dec 2020

Sources: BMW Tuning: N52 engine problems

VANOS solenoids and lifter tick

Dirty or failing VANOS solenoids cause rough idle and timing codes; hydraulic lifters can tick on cold starts.

BMW bulletins on file for the E60:

  • SIB 11 02 08 VANOS reduced power VANOS reduced power on BMW E46/E60/E61/E70 and other models (2006–2015); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Sep 2020
  • NHTSA 10162395 VANOS rattle VANOS rattle on N55 engines (2006–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2019
  • NHTSA 10162416 VANOS reduced power VANOS reduced power on N54 engines (2006–2013); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jul 2019

VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust): prices →

Sources: BMW Tuning: N52 engine problems

N54 engine

535i / 535xi (2008–2010) · N54 bulletins →

High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP)

Early N54 pumps failed often enough that BMW extended the emissions warranty on the pump to 10 years/120,000 miles for 2007–2010 N54 cars. Symptoms are long cranking, stumbling and reduced power.

BMW bulletins on file for the E60:

Sources: BimmerFile: BMW NA extends N54 fuel pump warranty

Turbocharger wastegate rattle

BMW extended the emissions warranty on N54 turbo wastegates to 8 years/82,000 miles (SI B01 02 12). A loud rattle on decel or at light throttle is the typical complaint.

BMW bulletins on file for the E60:

  • SIB 11 11 17 Timing chain leak Timing chain leak on BMW G11/G12/G30/G31 and other models (2008–2018); BMW gives diagnosis and repair guidance. Service bulletin · Sep 2018
  • SIB 11 14 17 Turbo wastegate corrosion Turbo wastegate corrosion on N20 engines (2009–2017); the fix is replacing the affected part. Service bulletin · Feb 2018
  • SIB 11 07 11 Turbocharger noise Turbocharger noise on BMW E60/E61/E63/E64 and other models (2010); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Mar 2015

Sources: BMW SI B01 02 12 on NHTSA

Water pump, oil filter housing and valve cover leaks

Shared with the N52 and N55: the electric water pump and the usual N5x gasket leaks.

BMW bulletins on file for the E60:

N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices → VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust): prices →

N62 engine

550i (2006–2010)

Valve stem seals (oil burning, blue smoke)

Hardened valve stem seals cause blue smoke after idling or on start-up and rising oil consumption.

BMW bulletins on file for the E60:

Sources: BMW Tuning: N62 common problems

Alternator bracket and valve cover gasket leaks

Oil leaks from the alternator bracket gasket and valve covers are common and labor-heavy because of where they sit.

BMW bulletins on file for the E60:

  • SIB 13 07 20 Valve cover bolt torque check Valve cover bolt torque check on BMW G32/E60/E70/E71 and other models (2007–2018); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Dec 2020
  • SIB 11 09 16 Transmission leak Transmission leak on N63/S63 engines (2007–2017); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Feb 2018
  • SIB 11 11 17 Timing chain leak Timing chain leak on BMW G11/G12/G30/G31 and other models (2008–2018); BMW gives diagnosis and repair guidance. Service bulletin · Sep 2018

Sources: BMW Tuning: N62 common problems

Coolant transfer pipe leak

The coolant pipe in the engine valley leaks as its seals age, causing coolant loss and low-coolant warnings.

BMW bulletins on file for the E60:

Sources: BMW Tuning: N62 common problems

S85 engine

M5 (2006–2010) · S85 bulletins →

Rod bearing wear

Shared with the S65: worn rod bearings are the V10's best-known risk, and BMW later released revised bearings.

Sources: Performance Technic: S85 rod bearings · BMW Tuning: S85 engine problems

Throttle actuators

The two throttle actuators wear their plastic gears and fail, putting the car in limp mode.

BMW bulletins on file for the E60:

  • SIB 12 09 11 Throttle software update Throttle software update on BMW E60/E61/E70/E71 and other models (2007–2011); BMW released a software update. Service bulletin · Jan 2013
  • SIB 12 05 13 Throttle reduced power Throttle reduced power on BMW E60/E82/E84/E88 and other models (2011–2014); BMW released a software update. Service bulletin · May 2013
  • SIB 12 14 10 Throttle no-start Throttle no-start on BMW E60/E61/E70/E71 and other models (2009–2011); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Oct 2010

Sources: Lang Racing: M5 and M3 throttle actuator failure

SMG gearbox hydraulic pump

On SMG cars the hydraulic pump motor is the most common gearbox failure, causing slow shifts and transmission warnings.

Sources: BMW Tuning: S85 engine problems

Most frequent bulletin topics 496 bulletins

TopicBulletinsExamples
Steering10SIB 66 24 19, SIB 36 01 21
Check engine light10NHTSA 10162398, SIB 12 05 16
Instrument cluster9SIB 12 19 19, SIB 62 06 13
Battery8SIB 12 27 16, SIB 61 03 14
Transmission8SIB 11 09 16, NHTSA 10147077
Axle7SIB 31 01 12, SIB 31 04 12
Power window7SIB 51 03 16, SIB 51 08 19
Door7NHTSA 10162435, SIB 51 44 15

BMW service bulletins and warranty extensions filed with NHTSA that list the E60, grouped by topic. A bulletin tells technicians how to diagnose and fix a known issue; it doesn't mean every car has the problem.

NHTSA recalls by component 6

Matched from NHTSA's public recall file by model and model year. Recall repairs are free; check a VIN.

BMW warranty extensions that list the E60

If a car qualifies, the listed repair may be free. Check eligibility for the VIN with a BMW center.

Repair prices for these engines

N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) N54 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) replacement

Prices on these pages are for other chassis with the same engine.

More for the E60

E60 engines, recalls & bulletins E60 maintenance schedule Pre-purchase VIN check

Sources: BMW service bulletins and recalls filed with NHTSA (public data) and the specialist and owner write-ups linked above. Not affiliated with BMW.

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