Is it worth the price? E60 523i M-Sport 07/08

[Henry21]

Dear Sifus,

This is my first time posting on this forum...

So...
My parents are looking for an used E60 5er as their retirement car, and it's most likely going to end up being mine in the future.
We came across a 2007 BMW 523i M-Sport Package with 127k km on the clock for RM78,888. The car interior and exterior are in excellent condition (the interior is dakotacreambeige as well and it looks AMAZING). However, when we start the car up and let her idle, metallic ticking noise can be heard from the engine (the engine is a N53B25UL btw). After about 20 minutes, I tried revving the engine, and when I let off the accelerator, the RPM drops below 600 and back to 800~. I don't know too much about the mechanical stuff going under the hood, so I hope the sifus around here can let me know what is the problem and how can I fix it. Other than that the car is pretty much perfect.

We haven't test-drove the car yet, and planning on doing it soon. Is there anything in particular that we need to keep an eye on when we're test-driving it?

 

[Herbert]

Believe this E60 523i N53B25UL is a reconditioned car from UK. This particular engine N53 is a direct fuel injection and there are many issues with fuel injectors problem reported in UK & Europe. Each fuel injector cost about RM2.5k and you need to replace 6 of them and it won't last more than 8 months. Hence BMW Malaysia did not bring in this particular N53 engine for the local CKD e60 models. Do a goggle search for N53 injectors problem.

If at all you want to buy a e60, suggest you buy a local CKD model which is the N52 engine..

 

[Henry21]

Believe this E60 523i N53B25UL is a reconditioned car from UK. This particular engine N53 is a direct fuel injection and there are many issues with fuel injectors problem reported in UK & Europe. Each fuel injector cost about RM2.5k and you need to replace 6 of them and it won't last more than 8 months. Hence BMW Malaysia did not bring in this particular N53 engine for the local CKD e60 models. Do a goggle search for N53 injectors problem.

If at all you want to buy a e60, suggest you buy a local CKD model which is the N52 engine..

Ahh and it took so long to find one with cream beige interior...
I'm glad I asked here first before doing anything stupid, thanks!

 

[aoch88]

My 2 cents based on my 4 years + of ownership with a N53 engine:

1. The price is crazy expensive. I sold my 530i Original M-Sports UK (N53) for only RM 65K, beige interior, original Eisenmann exhaust, new tyres, new battery, new bla bla bla.

2. Engine ticking sound on N53 is common and expected behavior due to direct injection. RPM dropping can be due to HPFP or injector going to fail (not a good sign).

3. The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) and injectors are the 2 common components that will fail. The injectors fail because it is designed to run on Euro 4 fuel and above. In the past, we don't have Euro 4 fuel in Malaysia but today, all RON 97 in Malaysia is Euro 4M.

4. When I got my car, I replaced all 6 injectors, HPFP and ignition coil. It was done in Quill Automobiles and costs me RM 7K. Ever since then, I ran 90% of the time on RON 95 and clocked around 60K mileage over my years of ownership. The injectors and HPFP did not fail at all but only 2 x ignition coil needs to be replaced.

My take is this, you can use N53 in Malaysia but be prepared to fork out RM10K to get all injectors, HPFP and ignition coil fixed (if needed). Once this is done, it will last you for a while but also bear in mind that a 10 year old car would potentially have other issues as well due to wear & tear.

 

[Henry21]

My 2 cents based on my 4 years + of ownership with a N53 engine:

1. The price is crazy expensive. I sold my 530i Original M-Sports UK (N53) for only RM 65K, beige interior, original Eisenmann exhaust, new tyres, new battery, new bla bla bla.

2. Engine ticking sound on N53 is common and expected behavior due to direct injection. RPM dropping can be due to HPFP or injector going to fail (not a good sign).

3. The High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) and injectors are the 2 common components that will fail. The injectors fail because it is designed to run on Euro 4 fuel and above. In the past, we don't have Euro 4 fuel in Malaysia but today, all RON 97 in Malaysia is Euro 4M.

4. When I got my car, I replaced all 6 injectors, HPFP and ignition coil. It was done in Quill Automobiles and costs me RM 7K. Ever since then, I ran 90% of the time on RON 95 and clocked around 60K mileage over my years of ownership. The injectors and HPFP did not fail at all but only 2 x ignition coil needs to be replaced.

My take is this, you can use N53 in Malaysia but be prepared to fork out RM10K to get all injectors, HPFP and ignition coil fixed (if needed). Once this is done, it will last you for a while but also bear in mind that a 10 year old car would potentially have other issues as well due to wear & tear.

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation.
Also, do you think those parts you mentioned can be replaced at my local BMW specialists or should I just bring it into AB?

 

[gimli]

bro with all due respect, after what the others have told you, why are you still considering getting a car with N53 engine!!?? it doesn't matter how nice a condition the car is, the fact of the matter is it has a N53 engine which is not meant to be used here in Malaysia. i wish you best of luck if you still intend to purchase the car. And to answer your question, no AB will not service the car because they probably do not know how to! you will have to get it done at a third party BMW specialist.

 

[Henry21]

bro with all due respect, after what the others have told you, why are you still considering getting a car with N53 engine!!?? it doesn't matter how nice a condition the car is, the fact of the matter is it has a N53 engine which is not meant to be used here in Malaysia. i wish you best of luck if you still intend to purchase the car. And to answer your question, no AB will not service the car because they probably do not know how to! you will have to get it done at a third party BMW specialist.

I know I'm just asking lol chill bro, I'm looking for another one that does not have the N53 engine at the moment, I might as well learn a little bit more about the problem with the N53 while I'm at it.

 

[aoch88]

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation.
Also, do you think those parts you mentioned can be replaced at my local BMW specialists or should I just bring it into AB?

I changed mine at Quill (which is an authorised BMW dealer in Malaysia). I am not sure if AB will do it for you but my recommendation is to do it at specialist workshop outside because it is much cheaper and reasonable. The only reason why you go back authorised is because your car is under warranty OR wouldn't mind to be charged unreasonably If you want, I can introduce my friend's workshop to you in Cheras. He used to work for AB and is very familiar with what needs to be fixed/done.