Though this writer has a mushy spot for the E60, this stays essentially the most contentious 5 Collection ever. Tasked with changing the universally praised E39 in 2003, BMW threw the rulebook out of the window with the E60. Its styling was a dramatic departure, with Chris Bangle’s notorious “flame surfacing” design language in full impact. Many hated it if not as a lot because the E65 7 Collection, however the design has aged remarkably properly.
The edgy styling carried by to the inside, which deserted BMW’s driver-focused format and doubled down on know-how. A fussy, earlier model of Drive debuted within the 5 Collection for the primary time. So, the E60 wasn’t as classically stunning or as simple to get together with because the E39, however its troubles did not cease there.
New applied sciences like run-flat tires and energetic steering (the steering ratio adjustments based mostly on velocity) sounded spectacular on paper, however they marred the sedan’s historically pure driving expertise. Relying on the way it was specified, the E60 did not journey easily sufficient, whereas the non-compulsory energetic steering felt unnatural, a sin for the 5 Collection up till that time. On smaller, non-run-flat tires and with out energetic steering, the E60 was much better. It nonetheless had that 5 Collection magic, and the six-cylinder engines that carried over from the E39 have been superbly refined.
A number of recent applied sciences did nothing for the E60′s repute for reliability. It racked up 12 remembers for the 2006 mannequin 12 months, with 4 alone for the engine and engine cooling methods. The V10 M5 was sensational when it labored, however that was not often – it ranks as one in all BMW’s least dependable automobiles ever.
Essentially a terrific automotive, the E60 missed the mark in too many facets to be positioned greater on this listing.