$2,000
Constructed from 1972 to the present day, the BMW 5-Series has been the car of choice for businesspeople and driving enthusiasts alike for a run that is about to span five decades. It was the first car to feature BMW’s three-digit naming scheme and is currently in its seventh generation.
Constructed from 1972 to the present day, the BMW 5-Series has been the car of choice for businesspeople and driving enthusiasts alike for a run that is about to span five decades. It was the first car to feature BMW’s three-digit naming scheme and is currently in its seventh generation.
Referred to by enthusiasts as the E60 or E61, depending on the body style, the fifth generation of the 5-Series was sold from 2003 to 2010. Today’s example is an E60 sedan. The underlying mechanics of the car were relatively the same as the prior generation, but the E60 did offer a host of new electronics. Some of the highlights include: iDrive infotainment, a heads-up display, active steering, adaptive headlights, night vision, lane departure warning, and voice control. The E60 was also the first 5-Series to offer a turbocharged ICE engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission, and regenerative braking. Importantly, today’s offering has the 6-speed manual transmission.
Finished in the beloved BMW shade of Monaco Blue, the deep metallic blue paint almost appears black until the sun bounces off the body panels. A walkaround of the vehicle shows numerous rock chips on the front bumper, a hefty amount of scraping on the passenger edge of the front bumper, curb rash on only 1 of the 4 wheels, and not much else. This is a driver quality exterior that could easily be returned to tip top shape if the winner desires it so.
Inside, gray multi-directional leather seats present quite nicely against a black-accented dashboard loaded with wooden inlays. The dashboard as a whole is tidy, though it appears that the protective film covering the wood trim directly beneath the infotainment screen appears to be peeling away. The ‘M’ badge on the shifter has been beaten up over the years, and the finish on the driver’s door handle has also worn away somewhat thanks to regular use. Overall, this interior looks great, and some TLC could make it excellent once again.
Lifting the hood to this 5-Series reveals its roaring 4.8-liter heart, the N62 V8. The N62 was produced from 2001 to 2010 and was the world’s first engine to use a “continuously variable-length intake manifold.” This means the engine can vary the length of its own intake tract in order to optimize power and torque across a range of different operations. It was also the first V8 from BMW to feature variable valve lift. Paired up with a 6-speed manual transmission, the 4.8L V8 is an utter riot to operate.
This 550i has had several owners over its lifetime. Imported from Germany to Newark, New Jersey in March 2006, the car has since had 7 different owners. Owner 1 kept the car in Maryland, Owner 2 brought the car to Virginia, Owners 3 & 4 kept the car in the Bay Area, and Owners 5 through 7 have maintained the vehicle in Southern California. Included in the photos below are the Car Fax, as well as numerous different maintenance records for the vehicle.
Both executive and athletic, the 5-Series has been the working person’s sports sedan for nearly 50 years. Today’s offering has changed hands a number of times and this one is no different. Rock chips and scrapes hold the car back from excellent quality, but it won’t take much to get this 5-Series back into proper shape.
Estimated $12,000 - $15,000.
