2004 BMW 530i E60

The BMW E60/E61 series is the fifth generation of the BMW 5 Series, which was sold from 2003 to 2010. It was launched in the sedan body style, with the “Touring” (wagon/estate) body style introduced in 2004. The E60/E61 was replaced by the F10/F11 5 Series in 2010.

The M5 variant was released in 2005 and is powered by the S85 V10 engine. It was sold in the sedan and wagon body styles, with most cars using a 7-speed automated manual transmission (“SMG III”).

Development

The development programme for the E60 began in 1997, concluding in 2003. The final design, penned by Davide Arcangeli under the directorship of Chris Bangle, was approved in 2000 and German design patents filed on April 16, 2002.

Comparison with predecessor

While its predecessor, the E39, shared many features with the 7 series, the E60 was different to other BMWs in production at the time. The E60 is longer, wider, heavier and higher than the previous model, which translates into more interior and trunk space. The E60 also introduced a different style to the 5-series line including a much rounder body, and an interior, unlike the driver-oriented E39, that is flat like the E65 7-series with an LCD display, basic buttons and iDrive system.